Simsbury Garden Club hosting herb luncheon, lecture
WEST SIMSBURY — The Simsbury Garden Club is hosting an herb luncheon and ‘All About Herbs’ lecture at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 18, at the Apple Barn, 60 Old Farms Road.
Speaker Katherine Mashiak is the owner of Kassandra’s It’s About Thyme, Herbs Unlimited in Somers. She has studied herbs for over 40 years and will share knowledge on harvesting, preserving, storing and using herbs. As a medicinal herbalist, she will also touch upon using herbs to maintain winter health. Guests are welcome. Cost to attend is a $10 fee. Masks are required. Visit www.simsburygardenclub.org for more information.
Simsbury Chamber presents Spooktacular drive-thru celebration
SIMSBURY — The Simsbury Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center and Town of Simsbury, invites the public to celebrate Halloween at the Spooktacular Drive-Thru Celebration.
The celebration will take place on Sunday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event has two parts: a drive-thru portion and field activities. Families in their cars will collect treats from vendors during the drive-thru portion of the event, which will start on Iron Horse Blvd. and end at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center.
At the end of the drive-thru, families will pull into the SMPAC and park. Attendees will enjoy food trucks, entertainment, costume contests, games and activities for the whole family.
Attendees are encouraged to dress up and decorate their cars for a chance to win a prize. There is a $20 admission fee per vehicle (cash preferred). Families are also welcomed to bring blankets/chairs for seating on the field during the event.
The 2021 Spooktacular Celebration will be a COVID-19 safe event adhering to all requirements mandated at the time of the event.
Simsbury Library hosting virtual spooky trivia, Excel tutorial
SIMSBURY — The Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St., is hosting the following events. Call 860-658-7663, ext. 2112, or visit http://www.simsburylibrary.info for more information.
On Monday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m., learn the basics of Microsoft Excel. This class will provide an introduction to the software, navigation, and basic spreadsheet creation. You do not need to have the software loaded on your computer to participate. This is a virtual program and registration is required.
Test your Halloween knowledge at the library’s 2nd annual Spooky Trivia on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. Dress to impress with your costume ready to trick your way to a first place treat. This is a virtual program. Contact the library to register.
FVSO presents ‘Musical Diversity – Where the Human Spirit Thrives’
AREA — The Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra enters its 41st season and first full season since the outbreak of the pandemic.
The new season will include classical concerts at the Hoffman Auditorium of the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford, plus the FVSO’s popular Holiday Pops concert in December and its traditional season-closing Lawn Concert in June.
The theme for the year, “Musical Diversity – Where the Human Spirit Thrives,” will be reflected in programs that bring together an unusual combination of musical genres and forms, composers and eras, both traditional and new.
“A New Day Dawns” will take place on Sunday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m. in the Hoffman Auditorium, U. of St. Joseph: The opening concert of the new season will feature the “Symphony No. 9, from the New World,” by Dvorak, “Signals from Heaven, Two Antiphonal Fanfares” by Takemitsu and “Ballade” by Coleridge-Taylor.
“Family Holiday Pops” will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. “Holiday Chestnuts, Old & New” will be the theme of this annual concert of festive holiday music. Visit www.fvso.org or call 800-975-FVSO for more information.
Regional faculty job fair taking place at Tunxis
FARMINGTON — Connecticut North-West region community colleges are hiring faculty this fall and spring. Asnuntuck, Naugatuck Valley, Northwestern Connecticut, and Tunxis Community Colleges will hold a combined Regional Faculty Job Fair for non-credit part-time teaching positions on Thursday, Oct. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will be held at Tunxis in the college’s 600 Building, Tunxis Room, 271 Scott Swamp Road.
Workforce Development directors and staff from the colleges will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. Those attending are asked to bring resumes.
Continuing Education & Workforce Development instructor job openings are available day and evening in Central Sterile Processing, Cosmetology/Hairdressing, Nail Technology, Certified Nurse Aide, Phlebotomy, Plumbing, Welding, and a variety of other disciplines for those interested in teaching online or on campus. These career-oriented noncredit programs have varying requirements with an emphasis on industry experience.
For more information, to upload resumes, or view a college map, visit tunxis.edu/nwjobfair, email spassini@tunxis.edu, or call 860-773-1458.
Holly Boutique craft fair, luncheon taking place at N. Canton church
NORTH CANTON — The 27th annual Holly Boutique Craft Fair & Luncheon at Community United Methodist Church Hall, Route 179 & 3 Case
St., will take place from Thursday to Saturday, Oct. 14 to 16. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
More than 30 local juried artisans will sell their wares. Admission is free. Vendors accept cash or check only–no cards. Lunch and refreshments will be served Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Email holly.boutique20@yahoo.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/HollyBoutiqueCantonCT for more information.
Gallery on the Green presents open juried exhibit, solo show
CANTON — Gallery on the Green, 5 Canton Green Road, presents an open juried exhibition, plus a solo show by Suzan Scott titled “summerfields,” from Friday, Oct. 15, through Saturday, Nov. 13.
The Gallery will be following the State of Connecticut’s COVID-19 guidelines. There is a tentatively scheduled opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16.
The open juried exhibition draws artists from all over Connecticut and beyond as they compete for $1,500 in prizes. On display is fine art in a wide variety of styles, media and subject matter including painting, prints, drawing, photography, ceramics and sculpture.
This year’s juror is Dr. Ricardo Reyes, currently the Gallery Director and Curator of Collections at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. Call 860-693-4102 or visit www.galleryonthegreen.org for more information.
Trick or Trot 5K Road Race taking place in-person, virtually
AREA — The fifth annual Canton Dollars for Scholars Collinsville Trick or Trot 5K Road Race will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23. This is a USATF-certified race. Given the continued uncertainty in this time of COVID, a virtual option is offered this year.
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 our program.
Organizers are looking for additional sponsors for the event. There are various levels of sponsorship available, starting at $50. Contact Laurie McKenna at Canton@DollarsforScholars.org for a sponsorship brochure.
The top male, female and child finishers will receive awards as well as the best costumes for individual adult, child, and best team. There are treats at the turnaround for all participants.
Registration is $30 and includes a T-shirt for the first 100 participants who register. Day-of registration is $40.
Presentation on Native American History taking place virtually
AVON — Almost 13,000 years ago, small groups of Paleoindians endured frigid winters on the edge of a river in what would become Keene, N.H. This begins the remarkable story of Native Americans in the Monadnock region of southwestern New Hampshire, part of the traditional homeland of the Abenaki people.
The Avon Public Library program featuring Robert G. Goodby, author of “A Deep Presence: 13,000 Years of Native American History” will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m., via Zoom. Visit www.avonctlibrary.info for more information or to register.
Typically neglected or denied by conventional history, the long presence of Native people in southwestern New Hampshire is revealed by archaeological evidence for their deep, enduring connections to the land and the complex social worlds they inhabited.
In-person art demo taking place at Avon Town Hall
AVON — Artist Cheryl Bartley will conduct an in-person demo at the Avon Town Hall, 60 West Main St., at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19. The demo is free and open to the public. A $5 donation will be accepted. Refreshments will be served. Attendees must mask up and be fully vaccinated.
Bartley is an American folk art painter with a gallery in Winchester. She will conduct a workshop at the same location on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The workshop fee is $45 for members and $55 for guests.
The Avon Arts Association promotes visual arts in the Avon area by holding exhibits, demonstrations, and workshops, and by providing college scholarships for qualified high school art students in the Farmington Valley. A non-profit 501c(3) organization, donations are welcomed. Email avonartsassociation@gmail.com for more information.
Memberships for the 2021-22 year are now being accepted. Members are invited to display their work at the annual holiday and spring shows, plus in an ongoing exhibit at Town Hall and online.
