Mort Katz receives Avon Chamber Award in special ceremony
AVON — Long time Avon resident Morton N. Katz, Esq. received the Loren Bristol Spirit Award from the Avon Chamber of Commerce with a special car parade and presentation ceremony. The 101-year-old Katz and his wife Shirley sat at the bottom of their driveway while a parade of cars led by an Avon Police cruiser, members of the chamber and several past recipients of the award drove through the neighborhood. Katz was recognized as a dedicated leader in business and for his long time support of the community.
Katz grew up in Hartford. He serves as the oldest public defender in Connecticut if not the nation. He has always been a champion of helping indigent clients receive proper representation in the courts. He is a World War II veteran and retired from military service as a Colonel in 1972. He is a long time member of the Avon Chamber and a regular attendee at morning meetings.
New source of organic produce benefits Gifts of Love
SIMSBURY — A new source of organic produce will help feed those struggling with hunger. The Gifts of Love Farm is now offering some of its bountiful harvest to the community with all proceeds going to their programs to feed those in need.
The vegetables are available for purchase two ways: in pre-packaged Farm Boxes or at the Farm’s new farm stand. The Gifts of Love Farm is at 73 Wolcott Road.
The Farm Boxes feature organic, hand-picked vegetables for $20, plus the option to purchase additional items. The items available each week vary depending upon the harvest. There is also an option to donate a Farm Box to someone facing food insecurity.
The farm stand opened on Aug.14, offering organic, hand-picked produce every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. Customers can purchase produce such as jalapeños, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, zucchini and specialty squash. All proceeds benefit Grifts of Love. The construction of the farm stand was the Eagle Scout project of a Simsbury native.
The certified organic produce from the Gifts of Love Farm has nourished the agency’s clients and added to the produce offered in local food pantries and social service organizations for years. In 2019, the Gifts of Love donated 10,477 pounds of produce to local food pantries and social service organizations, including Simsbury Social Services, Foodshare, Gifts of Love, Hartford Public Schools and Arc of Farmington Valley.
Those wishing to order Farm Boxes for themselves or as donations can place their orders and pay for them on the Gifts of Love website by Tuesday at 10 p.m. for pick-up starting at noon the following Friday. Pick-ups are contactless with Gifts of Love volunteers placing the boxes in customers’ vehicles after a socially-distance check-in. Those wishing to order produce may pay for it online or at the stand.
The #GiveaGiftofLove initiative was created to help the organization respond to the needs of their increasing number of clients. In addition to the 922 individuals they serve monthly, their client base has increased 10-percent as more and more people lose their jobs or have their hours cut back due to the pandemic. For more information or to purchase or donate a Farm Box, visit GiftsofLoveCT.org and go to “Farm Box” under the Gifts of Love Farm tab.
Simsbury High School Fencing Club hosting two fundraising activities
SIMSBURY — Students of the Simsbury High School’s Fencing Club need the public’s help to raise necessary funds for much needed equipment upgrades and tournament travel. They are holding fundraising nights at Iron Horse Pizza, 21 Iron Horse Blvd., both for takeout and dine-in from 1 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020 and Feb. 11, 2021. They also have a drop-off box for returnable cans and bottles in a shed behind Simsbury High School, 34 Farms Village Road.
The club would like to raise $15,000 to purchase upgraded equipment, for team members, as well as for transportation fees to tournaments; because there are no local tournaments in the nearby vicinity. Thus far, they have benefitted from ongoing donations of returnable cans and bottles from local establishments such as the Plan B Restaurant, the Old Well Tavern, and the Simsbury Farms and Hopmeadow Country Club’s grill and pub. The club encourages residents to drop off bags of returnable bottles and cans, in a small shed near the auto shop, behind Simsbury High School. The shed is open 24/7.
Thanks to Iron Horse Pizza, 20-percent of its profits will be given to the SHS Fencing Club for dine-in or takeout from 1 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, Nov. 12. Club members will put on demonstrations during the dinner hour, on the outside patio under the lights.
Patrons should mention to their server that they support SHS Fencing and they will make sure their purchase counts. Tom Palmer is an Intervention Teacher at Simsbury High School and the fencing club’s advisor. He has been working for over two years to build funding for the club. Some of the team’s equipment is donated, but much of it is old and worn out. Most schools that they compete against are not local, such as Cheshire Academy and Guilford High School; so they need funding for transportation.
“I want our kids to be recognized and valued for their accomplishments in this martial arts sport,” he said. “It takes a lot of training and skill to be a top competitor in this sporting arena, and we definitely have the potential to be among the finest high school fencing teams in the state.”
Money collected from fundraising, so far, has been used to purchase five scoring clocks for a total of just over $5,000. The next large purchase is for several fencing strips, which are fields of play, where two competitors face-off against one another in a bout. These bouts continue until one player reaches five points or fifteen points; depending on the level they achieve during a tournament. After each point is scored, the players reset and play again. The fencers must keep both feet inside the area of the strip and may not pass behind one another. If a fencer goes beyond the strip or passes the competitor, action is stopped and play is reset. If a fencer retreats beyond the end line of the strip, the opponent wins a point.
The S.H.S. Fencing Club is also actively recruiting any Simsbury High student interested in joining. For more information on joining, donating equipment, or making a financial contribution, contact their advisor, Tom Palmer, at 860-658-0451, ext. 176.
Starting ‘From the Ground Up’ at the Butler-McCook House & Garden
HARTFORD — Connecticut Landmarks’ new members, and those who would like to learn more about the people and places that make up Connecticut Landmarks, are invited to CTL101. This outdoor program, “From the Ground Up,” offers a fun and informative survey of the gardens and landscape surrounding our historic Butler-McCook House.
Travel back in time to hear the history of Hartford’s settlement and how the Butler-McCook landscape and surrounding Main Street, Hartford have changed over five centuries to result in the house and historic garden visitors see today.
CTL 101: Starting from the Ground Up takes place on Sunday, Sept. 20, from noon to 1 p.m. A $5 donation is suggested to support programming at the Butler-McCook House & Garden; free for CTL Members. Reservations required. Visit https://ctl-101-hartford.eventbrite.com for more information or to register. In order to protect the health of staff, visitors, and community, all visitors must wear masks and adhere to social distancing guidelines. The historic house museum interior will remain closed to the public.
The Butler-McCook House & Garden and Main Street History Center is located at 396 Main St. Visit www.ctlandmarks.org; https://www.facebook.com/butler.mccook; email butler.mccook@ctlandmarks.org, or call 860-247-8996, ext. 11, for more information.
Walking Tour: Discovering Historic Hartford with Butler-McCook House & Garden
HARTFORD — Join Connecticut Landmarks’ Butler-McCook staff for a 1.5-mile walking tour on the sidewalks of Hartford’s historic Main Street from the Butler-McCook House & Garden to the G. Fox Building. Learn how the city has evolved by viewing and discussing some of Main Street’s significant structures, including: City Hall, the Wadsworth Atheneum, the Travelers Tower, the Old State House, Center Church, and the Ancient Burying Ground.
The Discovering Historic Hartford walking tour takes place on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Heavy rain postpones the event until Sunday, Sept. 27. A $5 donation is suggested to support programming at the Butler-McCook House & Garden. Visit https://discovering-historic-hartford.eventbrite.com for more information or to register. In order to protect the health of our staff, visitors, and community, all visitors must wear masks and adhere to social distancing guidelines. The historic house museum interior will remain closed to the public.
Or, enjoy the walking tour on your own while accompanied by the new audio tour guide. Find the free audio tour at https://izi.travel/en/0090-discovering-historic-main-street-hartford/en or download the izi.TRAVEL app to your smartphone and search for “Discovering Historic Main Street, Hartford.”
The Butler-McCook House & Garden and Main Street History Center is located at 396 Main St. Visit www.ctlandmarks.org; https://www.facebook.com/butler.mccook; email butler.mccook@ctlandmarks.org, or call 860-247-8996, ext. 11, for more information.
Bridge Family Center opens counseling center in Elmwood
WEST HARTFORD — The Bridge Family Center opened Bridge Elmwood, a mental health clinic, at 100 Shield St., in the Elmwood section of West Hartford. A significant increase in both counseling appointments and clients served during the past year prompted the move from the former space on Farmington Avenue.
The clinic offers nine counseling offices allowing for additional therapists and enabling the organization to better meet the growing demand for counseling services.
Located on the borders of West Hartford and Hartford and in close proximity to Newington, the new location provides easier access to mental health care for children and families living in Elmwood and the surrounding neighborhoods. The counseling programs offered in the clinic provide crisis counseling, stabilization, and individual, couple, and family therapy. They promote mental health, improve functioning, and effectively decrease the prevalence and incidence of mental illness, emotional disturbances, and social dysfunction. The services are available to every individual and family regardless of their ability to pay.
The Bridge serves more than 1,200 people annually through its counseling services and related support groups. It is estimated that 600 clients will be seen during this fiscal year at Bridge Elmwood. One-on-one therapeutic sessions are conducted in the clinic, although the option for clients to meet using Telehealth is still available.
“We are excited to broaden our footprint in the Elmwood section of West Hartford. Having the clinic located along a bus line makes it easier for children and families in this area to access our services while remaining a convenient site for all West Hartford residents,” said Margaret Hann, Executive Director of the Bridge Family Center. She concluded, “With the current COVID-19 health crisis and historic job losses, the demand for mental health services has never been greater, and we expect to see a continued rise well after the pandemic is over. Our larger facility ensures we will be able to care for all those who come to us seeking hope and healing.”
While the Bridge has vacated its space at 1038 Farmington Ave., it will still maintain a presence in the center of West Hartford. The organization recently purchased property at 1021 Farmington Ave. to house a counseling center. Extensive renovations are underway and plans are to open the facility in the spring of 2021.
To make an appointment for counseling, contact the Bridge Family Center at 860-313-1119. The Bridge Family Center serves approximately 9,000 youth and families each year. In addition to its central office, counseling center, Family Resource Center and Teen Center in West Hartford, the Bridge also offers counseling centers in Avon and Rockville and short term assessment and respite homes in and around Hartford County.
Gallery on the Green presents “The New Normal” exhibit
CANTON — The Gallery on the Green continues its season with a members’ themed exhibit entitled,”The New Normal,” plus a solo show by Nancy Greco. These shows will be on exhibit from now through Sunday, Oct. 4.
Visit an historic gallery and view newly created fine art from the artist guilds’ 100-plus members. The shows provide an array of work from paintings, drawings, graphic arts and sculpture to ceramics, fiber/beadwork and photography. The gallery is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Nancy Greco’s solo show “Reflections” explores what it is that makes one object or thought more memorable or important than another and what makes something seem lasting rather than fleeting. The dream and symbolic imagery in her drawings is an attempt to open a dialogue with viewers, to encourage them to reflect upon their own memories and connections regarding the changeable way we evaluate what we look at or experience both present and past.
Greco went to Southern Connecticut State University and Wesleyan University and has an M.F.A. from Ohio State University. She received a Ford Foundation Grant, an Individual Artist’s Grant and a Visiting Artist’s Grant for Lithography Workshops for educators and students from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts. Early awards include the First Award in the Pratt Graphics 6th International Miniature Print Exhibition in NYC and a First Place in The Connecticut Women Artists Open Juried Exhibition. In late 2017 she received an Individual Artist’s Grant from the Artist’s Resource Trust of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. Last year, Greco was awarded The Maxwell Shepherd Prize at Gallery on the Green.
Greco’s solo exhibitions include Martin Sumers Gallery in New York City and the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain, Connecticut. In 2018, Trustman Art Gallery at Simmons University was the venue for a solo show “Recurrence” that traced the appearance and transformation of symbolic imagery through nearly five decades of Greco’s prints and drawings.
The Gallery on the Green will be following the State of Connecticut’s COVID-19 reopening guidelines. All visitors inside the gallery are required to wear a mask and observe social distancing protocol. Given the circumstances, the above protocol may change in accordance with CT State guidelines. There will be no opening reception.
The Gallery on the Green is housed in a schoolhouse, circa 1872. There are three spacious galleries and an outdoor sculpture garden. The gallery is located at 5 Canton Green Road. The main floor gallery is handicapped accessible. Call 860-693-4102 or visit www.galleryonthegreen.org for more information. Pictured is “Alchemy” by Grego, a graphite drawing on paper.
Restaurant fundraiser raises funds for A Promise to Jordan
SIMSBURY — The Old Well Tavern, 20 Tariffville Road, #1834, will host a fundraiser for A Promise to Jordan from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18. A Promise to Jordan is named in honor of Jordan Arakelian, a Simsbury resident who died of a heroin and fentanyl overdose on June 30, 2018, at the age of 24. His mother, Lisa Gray, started the 501c3 organization in his memory to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma of addiction, assist people in accessing quality care, and give hope that recovery is possible to those struggling with addiction.
“Jordan wanted so badly to help others in his situation, and this organization is my promise to him that I will continue to fight to save lives from the disease of addiction,” Gray said.
The fundraiser is part of the restaurant’s weekly Fundraiser Fridays. For every dollar spent on food and/or drinks during that time, the restaurant owner, Frank Cardoso, will donate at least 10-percent back to the organization.
“We are so grateful to Frank and his entire team at The Old Well for agreeing to help us out in such a big way,” Gray said. “We invite everyone to come down and enjoy the great food, drinks, and hospitality of The Old Well Tavern.”
Patrons can pick up their food and take it home, utilize one of the socially-distanced tables set up on the restaurant’s lawn, dine inside the restaurant, or outdoors on the Old Well’s brand new patio where patrons will be entertained by the music of Sound Risk, a local pop/rock band.
Gray, now the Executive Director of A Promise to Jordan, noted that, “The addiction and recovery community has been hit particularly hard by the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. People with substance use disorders often have diminished lung capacity that could be deadly with the onset of COVID-19 and, as coronavirus wracks the economy with job loss and unemployment, substance use is rising. Due to social distancing restrictions, traditional substance abuse recovery methods like face-to-face counseling and many rehabilitation clinics are unavailable. Clinics that offer Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction are unable to operate normally, as doing so would violate social distancing guidelines. And even access by individuals to supportive family and friends during this crisis has been severely impaired.”
Gray went on to state, “At a time like this, when organizations like ours are needed most to combat the opioid and other substance use crisis and direct people into treatment and toward recovery, our efforts are hampered by the fact that we are prohibited from presenting our usual group gathering programming and from going into treatment centers and homes to provide fellowship to the clients and assistance to families, among other offerings. Due to social distancing requirements, we find ourselves being unable to fulfill the requirements of grants we have been awarded and, thus, will not receive, and are finding that traditional funding sources that might have helped our mission are being directed toward immediate needs in the area of healthcare, food, employment, and housing. Still, we continue to provide services and assistance by phone and through social media and, in mid-May, launched our new website with what we believe to be the most comprehensive listing of resources for help in our area and beyond, www.apromisetojordan.org. This fundraiser could help a great deal in allowing us to continue to do our work to help people and families struggling with substance use disorders.”
For more information on the event or A Promise to Jordan, contact Lisa Gray at info@apromisetojordan.org or 860-390-1391. Pictured are Gray, A Promise to Jordan Founder and Executive Director, and her son, Jordan Arakelian.
Buddy Poppy Drive in honor of national POW/MIA weekend benefits veterans, families
SIMSBURY –The Metacomet Post 1926, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Simsbury will commemorate the national POW/MIA weekend with a Buddy Poppy Drive outside Fitzgerald’s Foods, 710 Hopmeadow St., on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18 to 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds will benefit veterans and veteran families in need.
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. Historically, 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.
National POW/MIA recognition weekend honors the commitments and sacrifices made by our nation’s prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. By custom, it is recognized as the third weekend in September.
Military veterans of the Simsbury Post will be distributing poppies in a socially distanced manner during the three-day event. A touch free container for donations will be on the table along with the buddy poppies for the donor to pick up on their own. This safe, touchless way follows Covid-19 guidelines.
To make a mail in donation, checks can be made out to Simsbury VFW Post 1926 and mailed to: P.O. Box 211, Simsbury, CT 06070. Please note in the memo line: For Poppy Drive.
Collinsville’s Spooktacular Road Race is on, sponsorship opportunities available
CANTON — The 4th annual Canton Dollars for Scholars Collinsville Trick or Trot 5K Road Race will return on Saturday, Oct. 24. This year, they are USATF certified. While there is always additional uncertainty in this time of COVID, organizers will work within all guidelines of social distancing, which may include staggered start times, if necessary.
All proceeds from the run benefit the Canton Dollars for Scholars general scholarship fund, which provides scholarships to Canton’s graduating high school seniors. This is the primary fundraiser event for the program. The budget for the race is kept low to allow maximum benefit to the students receiving scholarships.
This year, organizers are looking for sponsors for the event. There are various levels of sponsorship available, starting at $50 to receive mention on their social media and website. At higher levels, they will include your name or logo on T-shirts, on mile markers, etc.
Contact Laurie McKenna at Canton@DollarsforScholars.org for a sponsorship brochure and application. To appear on the T-shirt, please act quickly. Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Collinsville/CollinsvilleTrickorTrot for more information or to register.
Organizers will award the top male and female finishers, as well as the best costumes. There are treats at the turnaround for all participants. Registration is $30 and includes a T-shirt for the first 100 participants to register. Day of registration will be $40.
Out Film CT goes virtual for Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival
AREA — Out Film CT, which produces Connecticut’s longest-running screen festival, announced the 33rd Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival will run from Oct. 2 through 10. Acknowledging the importance of putting audience safety and comfort first, the festival will be presented in a virtual format of screenings and interactive Q&A opportunities.
“Since its inception, the Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival has been about sharing LGBTQ stories with our community and its allies,” said Festival Director Shane Engstrom. “With the uncertainty surrounding the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have switched to a virtual format that will allow our audience to safely experience more movies than ever before. With this shift, we will be able to screen more full-length features, documentaries, and short films – well over 100 movies in total.”
Engstrom said they are continuing to look into drive-ins and other in-person opportunities, provided they can safely accommodate an audience. In addition to the popular Opening Night (Friday, Oct. 2), Centerpiece (Wednesday, Oct. 7), and Closing Night (Saturday, Oct. 10) films, the 33rd Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival will feature an expanded slate of short films. In addition to Gay, Lesbian, Trans/Non-Binary, Youth, and International shorts, there will be all-new programs of Drag/Cross-Dressing, Bisexual, Queer People of Color, and Documentary shorts. There will also be an inaugural program of “Connecticut Connections” shorts featuring films with filmmakers, actors or locations associated with the Nutmeg State.
Visit www.OutFilmCT.org for the full schedule and lineup of films, which will be announced in September. Ticket sales will open after Labor Day.
Ticket prices are as follows. Individual tickets: $8 (for features, documentaries, or shorts programs). Five-Show Pass: $30 (a $40 value, for features, documentaries, or shorts programs). “All Shorts” Pass: $40 (a $96 value, includes viewing all 12 shorts programs). Festi-Pass: $100 (a $224 value, includes all features, documentaries and shorts programs).
Another innovation for 2020 is that tickets will be good for each virtual program at the stated start time or up to three days later.
Ticket-buyers will be provided the option to purchase any of the above tickets or passes at a “Household” rate (50-percent over the posted individual ticket or pass price) as a means of showing support for the festival and its mission to provide high-quality LGBTQ entertainment.
Chrysalis Center hosts 16th annual Butterfly Bash, taking place virtually
AREA — Chrysalis Center, Inc.’s 16th annual Butterfly Bash will be held virtually this year on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is the signature fundraising event for Chrysalis Center, raising much needed funds to advance the organization’s mission to provide supportive services to assist people in need to transform their lives.
The Butterfly Bash celebrates 45 years of outstanding service and programming provided by one of the state’s leading organizations serving people living with mental illness and returning from homeless populations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to adhere to CDC recommended guidelines, this year’s event is being held virtually online.
Serving as this year’s Co-Masters of Ceremonies are Renee DiNino, Director of Community Affairs and On-Air Programming for iHeartMedia Connecticut and Radio Host on The River 105.9 FM and Scot Haney, WFSB-TV Meteorologist and co-host of Better Connecticut.
The event features inspiring client stories and amazing auction items, while guests enjoy a three-course dinner provided by La Cocina Catering, Chrysalis Center’s onsite social enterprise – all from the comforts of their own home.
All funds from the event will support Freshplace, Chrysalis Center’s innovative client-choice/fresh food/case management food pantry which serves individuals and families living in the poorest neighborhoods of Hartford. Freshplace’s goal is to build long-term food security and self-sufficiency by providing individuals with access to fresh and nutritional foods and case management services to address both the immediate need of hunger and the root causes of food insecurity – poverty. Since the onset of the pandemic, Freshplace has also provided more than 30,000 meals to families in all programs due to the increased need for food.
Tickets for the 2020 Butterfly Bash are $150 each. Visit www.chrysaliscenterct.org/get-involved/events to purchase tickets, become a sponsor or make a donation to feed families through Freshplace.
Book discussion group on addiction taking place
SIMSBURY — The Simsbury-based nonprofit, A Promise to Jordan, and the town of Simsbury Department of Community and Social Services are inviting the public to an event to discuss the book, “Guts: the Endless Follies and Tiny Triumphs of a Giant Disaster”, by Kristen Johnston.
The discussion will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. Both organizations hope to hold the discussion in person in the Program Room of Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St., if town facilities are re-opened at that time. If facilities are not re-opened, or if some individuals are not yet comfortable with in-person meetings due to the risk of COVID-19, the discussion will also be offered virtually via Zoom.
Johnston is the two-time Emmy Award-winning actress best known for her role in the ’90s sitcom, “3rd Rock from the Sun.” Johnston’s relatable honesty bears it all in this book that recalls her journey through addiction and into recovery and truly shows the spider web addiction can form over time.
Free copies of the book are available by contacting A Promise to Jordan at info@apromisetojordan.org or 860-390-1391.
A Promise to Jordan is named in honor of Jordan Arakelian, a Simsbury resident who died of a heroin and fentanyl overdose on June 30, 2018, at the age of 24. His mother, Lisa Gray, started the 501c3 organization in his memory to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma of addiction, assist people in accessing quality care, and give hope that recovery is possible to those struggling with addiction. Visit www.apromisetojordan.org for more information.
