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A feel-good effort with life-long results

Sept. 10 Motown Magic Under The Stars concert to benefit FAVARH

By Natalie K. Pollock

Staff Writer

On Saturday, September 10, FAVARH – The Arc of the Farmington Valley is hosting a concert of Motown favorites from the 60s, 70s and 80s at the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center. Family, friends, corporate sponsors and music lovers will come together to enjoy a music genre that still continues to thrill. They will also be there to celebrate a service organization that has been finding ways to support and encourage intellectually disabled young people since 1958.

According to their website, FAVARH, based in Canton, “is the world’s largest community-based organization for people with intellectual, physical and developmental disabilities. FAVARH supports more than 350 children, young adults, adults, seniors and (their) families throughout the Greater Farmington Valley area and beyond.”

The Shadows of the 60s tribute band has entertained at FAVARH events such as the annual gala in the past. With energetic choreography and stunning period costumes, they have brought back the sounds and moves of such Motown greats as the Supremes, the Temptations, the Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye among others.

Founder Dave Revel has 30 years’ experience in the music industry, is a former member of the Drifters and a current member of The Persuasions, an a cappella group. The Shadows band tours widely and has sold out concerts in a variety of venues, large and small.

Bob Maxon, weatherman and anchor with NBC Connecticut and a West Simsbury resident, will act as the master of ceremonies as he has since six years ago when he first took on that role for FAVARH’s gala. He has worked for NBC Connecticut for 27 years, and the television station is a long-time supporter of FAVARH.

“This year’s fundraising event is exciting because of the Motown concert. It will be outside at a big venue with great entertainment. I am honored to be part of an important night and a great fundraiser,” said Maxon.

His wife Jackie Maxon is a paralegal and the entertainment director at FAVARH. The couple has two daughters, one of whom has graduated from college. He has also been involved with Special Olympics since 1990.

“I have an uncle that is intellectually disabled and has been in an institution his whole life. How far we’ve come with the employment opportunities at BeanZ and the independent living apartments at Bear Woods in Canton as well as a new building in Bloomfield. I am happy to be a part of what FAVARH is doing,” said Maxon.

BeanZ & Co. is a café within the long-standing food business New England Pasta Company in Avon, where “everyone belongs,” according to the café’s motto. It employs intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD) young adults that are identified and transported by FAVARH. Maxon calls Nick Sinacori, who works there, his friend.

Another BeanZ employee and FAVARH board member Lauren Cook recently married Scott Masson, who has been an active participant in Special Olympics and is employed by MW Industries in Southington. The newlyweds have moved into the Bear Woods independent and supported apartment complex in Canton.


Nick Sinacori (left) works at BeanZ, which NBC weathermen Bob Maxon (right) frequents. Megan Morrison (center) is also a BeanZ employee, which her mother Kim Morrison co-founded.

Penny Phillips, marketing and communications director for FAVARH, points out that “if a business wants to employ IDD people, a crew at FAVARH will work with the company to design a program” similar to the BeanZ & Co. concept. “There are more than 20 crews in the Valley. The program helps people to transition to living independently and working.”

Nick Sinacori lives at Bear Woods. It is a 40-unit apartment building at 350 Commerce Drive that has reserved a quarter of its apartments for IDD people. Across the street is a gym available to residents.

His mother Suzanne Sinacori, who along with her son are FAVARH board members, said, “Most of the residents come from their parents’ homes. There is so much joy and nerves” with that transition.

Nick has a one-bedroom apartment in a building with onsite support 24 hours a day. He is in charge of his own meals, cleaning his apartment and doing his own laundry. He invites friends over and watches sports with his father who visits regularly.

Nick has been working every day at BeanZ since 2018 and moved into the apartment a year ago. He is looked at as a mentor by his peers and tells anyone who asks what he enjoys doing.

“I wanted to be more independent,” he said.

Nick grew up in West Simsbury. His mother became the school nurse so that she could work on his schedule. She was her son’s nurse at St. Francis Hospital.

Sports is an activity that he and his father share. Nick enjoys swimming and bowling. He has volunteered as the golf assistant coach in the Special Olympics and announces baseball games in Simsbury. He has also volunteered as a SCTV cameraman.

“I am very proud of him. He has acclimated really well to living here. He has conquered his fears, for example the fire alarms were frightening. He had to pivot and be flexible, which is hard for someone with autism. Now he goes with the flow better. Cooking is still frightening for Nick so he’s not doing that yet. He heats up meals and microwaves. He’s fully capable of cooking but has no desire to do it,” said Suzanne.

Nick is the oldest of three children in the family at 27 years of age. He has a 24-year-old brother and a sister who is 20. His father Mike Sinacori serves as the president of the FAVARH board and works at AT&T. He has been Nick’s swim coach at the Special Olympics.

“Nick plays basketball at the gym across the street. There is a healthy meals option here, and a food delivery service. We partner with the chef at Maple Tree. There are 22 FAVARH residents here now. Nick does not need as much support as some,” Phillips added.

Bear Woods is the first such facility funded with state assistance and serves as a model. There are six other similar complexes being built. Lavender Fields in Bloomfield just opened.

Bill Harmon has served on the FAVARH board since 2019. He works as the chief client officer for Voya Financial in Colorado now, after working in Connecticut. His son William, 21, has Down’s syndrome, and is spending the summer at a camp for young people with special needs in Colorado that focuses on life skills and independence.

“After William aged out of school, we did some traveling as a family. Now he is involved in day programs and has three jobs. Unfortunately, there is no FAVARH in Colorado. He wants to be a dog trainer and work at Chick- fil-A,” said Harmon.

He explained, “Voya Cares is part of the financial services business that focuses on retirement. [This particular program] focuses on special needs people and their caregivers to help with finances with government programs. I felt I needed more than a job. I needed a purpose. Voya gave me that,” said Harmon.

Voya is a major donor to the Bear Woods apartment complex and the gym across the street, according to Harmon. It helps IDD young people with planning for a future without parents.

Motown Magic Under the Stars concert goers may select a VIP experience with a catered table for eight from the Metro Bis restaurant or order a dinner picnic with three-days’ advance notice from New England Pasta Company at 860-678-9100 or The Winged Bear at 860-658-2295. Gates open at 6 for picnicking and the concert begins at 7:30.

For tickets in advance visit favarh.org/Motown. Lawn tickets are $25 ($30 on the day of the concert). Rain date: September 11. Corporate sponsorships are available. VL

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Valley Happenings

UPDATED:

Fighting Cancer Pasta Dinner:

Benefit for Avon Volunteer Fire Department

Deputy Chief Dave Theriault

Sunday, February 23, 2025, 3:00-7:00 p.m. 

Farmington Polo Club, 162 Town Farm Road, Farmington

 

AVFD Deputy Chief of Administration Dave Theriault is facing a tough battle against Stage 4 cancer. The AVFD, along with Tunxis Hose Co. No. 1 and the Farmington Fire Department, is holding a pasta dinner to help raise money for Chief Theriault’s medical expenses. Cheese and crackers from 3:00-4:00 p.m., buffet from 4:00-6:00 p.m., and coffee and dessert from 6:00-7:00 p.m. In addition to delicious food, drinks, and camaraderie, the event will feature dozens of raffle prizes. Event tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 10 years old. They can be purchased at the door or online at www.HometownFoundation.org Contributions can be made via Venmo @supportDave or by mail to the AVFD at 25 Darling Drive, Avon, CT 06001. 

Canton Community Health Fund Applications

Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. Opens 2025 Application Season, on March 1, 2025, for Canton Community Partner Grants & Canton Scholars Pursuing Careers in Healthcare or Public Safety Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. (CCHF), opens its grant and scholarship application season March 1. CCHF encourages State of CT certified non-profits serving the Canton community to apply for Community Partner grants. In addition, graduating high school seniors seeking higher education in healthcare or public safety are invited to apply for either a Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarship or a Pay It Forward Scholarship. Applications and informative Fact Sheets are available online at www.cantoncommunityhealthfund.org.  Community Partner Grant and Scholarship awards will be announced in June/2025.

 

Avon 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

• Antique Map Collecting 101, Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/event/antique-map-collecting/

• Morning Book Club. Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 10:30 a.m., The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/events/tag/morning-book-club/

• Meditation for Balance and Inner Contentment. (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 pm.

• Eastern Coyotes in Connecticut (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

• Fashion and the First Lady (Virtual Event). Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

• Hoop Skirts to Flappers: Eighty Years of Connecticut Fashion. Monday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

• The Golden Age of Hollywood. (Virtual Event) Tuesday, March 4 at 2 pm.

 

Simsbury Lions Club

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.”

 

Winter sowing workshop

The Farmington Land trust is hosting a winter sowing workshop focused on raising native plants. Make your own up-cycled greenhouse from a milk jug and prep some beneficial native plants for the coming growing season. Sunday, Feb 2 from 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Farmington Senior Center. RSVP here: https://www.farmingtonlandtrust.org/event-details/winter-sowing-seminar-native-seed-planting

 

Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall

CANTON – The Cherry Brook Garden Club is hosting a lecture on “Following Our Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall” on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Canton Community Center, lower level, 40 Dyer Avenue. Steve Messier, Lichenologist and former Science teacher at Canton High School will discuss the topic. The lecture is open to the public. There is a $5 guest fee for non-members. Email questions to cherrybrookgardenclub@gmail.com.

 

‘Five Wishes’ at McLean

SIMSBURY – Join Kevin Baran, M.D., medical director, and the McLean Hospice Team for a special “McLean & Me Educational Series” presentation to learn how to talk about and record your wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. The presentation will be held at McLean’s Garmany Performing Arts Center, 50 Sarah Lane, Simsbury, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. The presentation is free but an RSVP by Feb. 4 is required as seating is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

To register, visit McLeanCare.org/Events, email Margaret.Clark@McLeanCare.org, or call 860-658-3718.

 

‘Art Throb!’ Exhibit

Gallery on the Green presents “Art Throb!” Exhibit plus a Solo Exhibit by Kathi Packer Friday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, March 15. An opening reception is on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 6-8 p.m. and will include refreshments. The show and reception are free.

“Art Throb!” is a heartfelt Valentine’s Day celebration presented by the membership of Canton Artists’ Guild. The artists use a wide range of media including painting, prints, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media to represent the emotional intensity, joy and complexity of love.

In the upstairs Gallery, Kathi Packer has a solo show, “Another Tale.”  Packer notes that a friend’s casual invitation to go on safari in 2008 substantially changed the direction of her artistic journey.The gallery is located near the intersection of Dowd Avenue and Route 44 at 5 Canton Green Road in Canton. Hours are Friday – Sunday, 1-5 pm. The main floor gallery is handicapped accessible.

Website: http://www.galleryonthegreen.org; Phone:  860-693-4102

 

TABLESCAPES fundraiser returns to benefit the new

Avon History Museum

AVON – The Avon Historical Society invites the public to its sixth TABLESCAPES event showcasing up to 30 creative and original table settings on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 at the historic North House, 1 Nod Road, Avon.

This event will feature themed table settings from local professional designers, florists, businesses, individuals, artists and others featuring fresh floral arrangements, centerpieces and accessories. Proceeds will benefit the installation of professionally curated exhibits in the new Avon History Museum scheduled to open on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Back by popular demand will be a “Table and Barware Tag Sale” on both days. Admission to TABLESCAPES includes the tag sale. Tickets are $20 each pre-sale and at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.avonhistoricalsociety.org or by calling Mary Harrop at 860-670-3225 before March 8.

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can also call Harrop.

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group

FARMINGTON – Hearts, Hugs & Hope: An Alzheimer’s Support Group takes place Feb. 20, 2025, 6 p.m. at Farmington Station Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 111 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group is being offered both in person and via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month. If you plan to attend, contact Director of Compass Programming Katherine Jedynasty at kjedynasty@farmingtonslr.com.

 

Used book sale

AVON - A huge book sale will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 in St. Ann’s Church Hall, 289 Arch Road at Route 167.  Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($5 adult admission) and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no admission fee).

Thousands of books will be organized in separate sections, including Fiction, History, Biography, Politics, Children, Music, Cooking, Sports, Art, Vintage, and more!  A large selection of Children’s books will be available.  Fiction books will be divided by hardcover, paperback, and trade paperback and sorted alphabetically by author.  DVDs, CDs, books on CDs, Vinyl records, and puzzles will be available, also.  Most books will be $3 or less with vintage and specialty books priced higher.

 

Daisy Days: All-Girls Summer Day Camp Experience

FARMINGTON – Miss Porter’s School, a renowned institution with a legacy of empowering young women, is excited to announce the launch of Daisy Days, an all-new day camp for girls entering grades 3-5 this fall. Starting this summer, Daisy Days will offer a unique, joy-filled experience designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and inspire self-discovery in an empowering all-girls environment.

For additional details, visit pcgl.porters.org/daisy-days.

 

Artist demonstration

Avon Arts Association will hold a guest artist demonstration featuring  Granby artist Laura Eden on Tuesday, February 18 at  Avon Town Hall, 60 W. Main St., lower level, at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Eden will demonstrate egg tempera painting.

The demo is free and open to the public ($5 suggested donation). A workshop with Ms. Eden will be held at the same location in the Avon Room on Saturday, Feb. 22, 10-2 with  set up at 9:30. Fee: $45 for members, $55 for nonmembers). www.AvonArts.org

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