St. Mary’s Church Invites Community to Faith Exploration Program
SIMSBURY — Is there more to life than this? How can I have faith? How does God guide us? How can I make the most of the rest of my life? Have you ever had such questions? Now you can find some answers.
St. Mary’s Church in Simsbury will offer two separate 10-week Alpha programs starting on Sept. 22, 2025. Sessions include Monday evenings, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., or Wednesday mornings, 9 to 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Parish Center located at 942 Hopmeadow Street. An all-day retreat will be offered Nov. 15. The program is open to both active and inactive members of the parish, as well as to people in the wider community.​
Alpha is an opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment. Alpha is a safe place to explore life’s biggest questions. It has three key elements: food, a talk or video, and small group discussion.​ To get more information about Alpha and sign up on St. Mary’s website to register as a guest, go to https://stmarysimsbury.org/alpha.
Coffee Social for Solo Agers
This coffee social for solo agers – those over 50 aging alone – provides an opportunity to get together for conversation and meet other solo agers in the community. This social is held the fourth Saturday each month at Bridge Healing Arts Center, 304 Main Street, Farmington. Registration is appreciated. Register online at https://soloagersconnect.com/events/ or call 860-930-3253.
Quilt Show Preparations Begin
Preparations have already begun for the Farmington Valley Quilter’s Guild bi-annual quilt show. The theme of this year’s show, From Fabric to Fabulous, showcases what the talented women of the guild can make with fabric. The show dates are Sept. 20 and 21. In preparation quilts are being finished, raffle prizes and boutique offerings are being made and donated and finishing touches are being done to the fabulous raffle quilt. The show will also feature the entirety of the Farmington River Quilt. This special display portrays 25 locations on the Wild & Scenic Section of the Farmington River each made independently by local quilt artisans. Along with the displays of beautifully crafted quilts will be several local vendors. The event takes place at the Kingswood Oxford School’s Hoffman Field House on Trout Brook Drive in West Hartford. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door. Children under 12 are admitted free of charge. Parking is free and plentiful. More information can be found on their website fvquilter.org
Avon History Museum opening delayed
AVON – Due to a problem with the HVAC system in the Avon History Museum, the grand opening has been rescheduled to Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, Labor Day, from noon to 3 p.m. The new museum is located at 8 East Main St. Parking is available at the Avon Post Office, 15 Enford Street, behind the museum of Simsbury Road (Route 10.) As was planned for the July 4th opening, the day will feature a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, ringing of church bells 13 times for the 13 colonies, games for kids, and an official launch of Avon America’s 250 commemoration. If there is heavy rain, the event will be postponed to a later date.
Farmington Valley Acoustic Festival
The 10th Annual Farmington Valley Acoustic Festival is returning on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Winding Trails in Farmington. Della Mae will headline the festival, which also features Buffalo Rose,
Cold Chocolate,The Tenderbellies and more. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $40 adults, and $10 children at https://windingtrails.org/music-festival or on Eventbrite.
Register for Fall Semester at CT State campuses
Credit registration is in progress at CT State Community College (CT State) campuses statewide. Fall 2025 semester credit classes begin on Aug. 27 with a mix of on-campus, online, and hybrid course options.
Prospective students should start by applying online at www.ctstate.edu/apply. To ensure the best course selection, students are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
Canton Main Street Farmers Market
The Canton Main Street Farmers Market in Collinsville is open every Sunday with 21 full season vendors and another 12 who schedule appearances throughout the year.​
The market is open from 10 am to 1 pm every Sunday through Oct. 12 in historic Collinsville. Family-friendly with stunning views of the Collins Company and the Farmington River.
Tunxis Seniors Citizens Association
The Tunxis Seniors Citizens Association will hold their monthly meeting on Monday, Aug. 11, at the Community Center, 321 New Britain Avenue, Unionville. We will begin at 1:30 with our traditional introductions then we will enjoy what we call our Hot Dog Roast. The cost for this is $5 per person. After we have enjoyed our delicious hot dogs, we will be entertained by Blaise American Song Book. He is a wonderful talent you won’t want to miss. He plays all the old songs we like to listen to. We hope you will consider joining us for an afternoon of fun and food. For more information, call 860-675-2490.
Book Collection at the Simsbury Public library
The Friends of the Simsbury Public Library sponsors a Book Collection at the Simsbury Public library for their Annual Used Book Sale on Oct 4 & 5, 2025. The book collection drop off runs through Sept. 13th on Tuesdays & Fridays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Tariffville Room on the ground floor of the library.
Accepted items for the collection are books, complete games & puzzles, DVDs, music CDs, records, and recent computer software.
Magazines, textbooks, encyclopedias, VHS tapes, or any item in poor condition can not be accepted. Drop off is in the lower level parking lot for carts and volunteer assistance.
​
Farmington Library Accepting Book Donations
FARMINGTON – The Friends of the Farmington Libraries are in need of donations of gently used books to support an upcoming sale in June, as well as ongoing sales in the library’s Book Nook. Adult and children’s books, hardcover and paperback, fiction and non-fiction, in excellent condition are appreciated. Games, puzzles and unique vintage books that are clean and intact are also needed. Donations can be brought to the circulation desk at the main Farmington Library at 6 Monteith Drive. Please note that the Friends cannot accept books or other items in poor condition. VHS tapes, encyclopedias, magazines, Reader’s Digest condensed books, travel guides, books on finance or health dated prior to 2019, and other time-sensitive materials also cannot be accepted.
Simsbury Lions Club seeks volunteers
SIMSBURY – The Simsbury Lions Club is looking for people interested in volunteering and contributing to better our town. Our motto is “We serve,” and we do so by volunteering at local events and donating our proceeds to serving interests in our community. If interested, please feel free to contact Sandy Kremer at Tprkremer@gmail.com or Philip Painchaud at painchaudp@gmail.com.”
Avon Free Public Library events
AVON –The following events are scheduled at Avon Free Public Library. The library is at Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon. All programs are in person except where noted. For more information on adult programs, contact Adult Services Reference Desk via avonref@avonctlibrary.info 860-673-9712 x 7203. For virtual events, visit https://www.avonctlibrary.info/events/ to register and receive the zoom link.
• (Virtual Event) Tea Travels Through India and Sri Lanka. Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 2 pm.
• (Virtual Event) Take Control of your Mind with Meditation. Thursday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m.
• War at Home. Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 2 p.m.
Educators from Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center will discuss the experiences of the residents of the museum’s site during the Battle of Ridgefield, Connecticut’s only inland Revolutionary War battle.
• (In-Person Event) Understanding Nutrition Labels. Thursday, Aug. 14 at 2 p.m.
• (Virtual event) Home Downsizing Workshop with Mike Ivankovich Aug. 11, 1-2pm
• (Virtual event) Your Children Don’t Want It, What Can You Do? Workshop with Mike Ivankovich Aug. 18, 1-2 p.m.
• CringeFest and Mocktails on the Patio or Community Room depending on weather. Aug. 22, 2 to 4 p.m. Open to ages 18+ Register Online www.avonctlibrary.info
• (In-Person Event) Black Bears in Connecticut. Thursday, Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m.
• (Virtual Event) Achieving Gratitude with Meditation. Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.
