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Community Happenings

  • Sep 30, 2020
  • 4 min read

Can and Bottle Drive

Avon Scout Troop 274 will hold its next can and bottle drive Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Avon Congregational Church, located at 280 Country Club Road in Avon.

Courteous Scouts will be there to unload redeemable cans and bottles from your vehicle and even sort them for you. No need to even get out of your car! Proceeds from can and bottle drives go to directly to Avon Scouts attending high adventure trips over the summer, as well as Scout activities throughout the year such as backpacking trips, camp outs, white water rafting, urban orienteering, cycling adventures and more.


Coping with Grief and Loss programs

The holiday season can be a difficult time for many, especially after someone you loved has died. That is why Carmon Community Funeral Homes and Mary’s Place, A Center for Grieving Children and Families are hosting their annual “Coping with Grief & Loss During the Holidays” community presentations to help support individuals and families in Connecticut.

The annual tradition continues on Wednesday, October 28 with two similar programs, both featuring bereavement consultant and author, Joe Colletti, who himself suffered the loss of a teenage daughter. This year, people can choose to attend in person OR go on-line to watch the live events. Anyone may attend one of the two programs listed below, either in person or virtually. In-person seats must be reserved by October 23. Attendees will wear masks and observe social distancing practices throughout the program.

• 2 p.m. at The Lodge at 130 Deerfield Rd. in Windsor. To reserve an in-person seat OR to get the link to watch event on line, call 860-688-2200.

• 6:30 p.m. at Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center at 301 Country Club Rd. in Avon. To reserve an in-person seat OR to get the link to watch event on line, call 860-673-8610.

Pumpkin Patch at Avon Memorial UM Church

The pumpkins have arrived. Memorial United Methodist Church of Avon is hosting their 16th annual Pumpkin Patch Oct. 1-31 daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pumpkins of all sizes are available. Pricing according to size. Pumpkins are arranged in a large area to allow for careful social distancing while visiting and shopping with your family or friends. For checkout, plexiglass shields separate customers from volunteer staff. Please wear your masks while at the Patch. And don’t forget to pick up a loaf or two of our famous fresh baked pumpkin breads with a variety of special ingredients. Proceeds benefit the church’s ministries and missions. 867 West Avon Road, Avon.


AFPL Children’s Room opening

AFPL’s Children’s Room is now taking appointments! Call 860-673-9712 x211 to schedule your 20 minute browsing appointment. Bring your physical library card. Wear your mask. Follow social distancing guidelines. Toys and seating are not available. This appointment is for browsing and check-outs only! We request that each appointment be limited to 3 visitors.


Online holiday cooking classes

The Avon Free Public Library will be presenting an online cooking class called Healthy Holiday Cooking on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m.

In this class, you will learn ways to make some of our traditional meals lighter.

Presented by Colin McCullough teaches private and public cooking classes throughout New England and will share his experience and recipes with people who want to incorporate more whole-food, plant-based meals for health, compassion and the environment. Colin is the author of “The Healthy Vegan Cookbook” and most recently “Smoothies That Taste Like Dessert.”

Other programs in this series:

Saturday, Jan. 16 at 2:00 p.m.: Healthy and Delicious Soups

Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m.: Healthy and Decadent Desserts

Note: Registration required. This program will be presented online through Zoom. Please register and a Zoom link will be sent to you before the event. For more information or to register, please visit www.avonctlibrary.info or call the library at 860.673.9712, ext 4.


Fall continuing education calendar

Farmington Continuing Education is committed to keeping everyone Active, Engaged and ready to master new Skills during this pandemic. Our fall 2020 catalog has been released and is full of many fun and educational enrichment class offerings for adults, youth and families. Classes include conversational English, fitness, languages, arts/crafts, financial, career development, SAT Prep, drivers Ed, teen writing, cursive writing, sign language and more.

If you are not ready to join back to in-person classes, there are plenty of offerings available online. Also available are Adult Basic Education classes for high school completion (GED, CDP, NEDP), Citizenship and ESL (daytime & evening). These classes are for residents of Farmington, Unionville, Burlington, Harwinton, Canton, Collinsville, Avon. Register ONLINE at www.fpsct.org/fce or call 860-404-0290.


Simsbury’s VFW and American Legion announce early plans for Veterans Day

Simsbury’s Metacomet Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1926 and American Legion Post 84 announce the events for Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. All military veterans, their families and the public are warmly invited to attend. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, these events are altered from previous years in order to accommodate social distancing and state rules for outside gatherings.

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was founded in honor of the signing of the agreement to end the fighting along the western front during WWI. The signing of the agreement occurred in Paris on November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m. Traditionally Veterans Day is a time to thank current veterans and remember those who have gone before as patriots for our freedom. Therefore, the public is invited to the Simsbury Veterans Memorial, at the entrance to the Simsbury Library, for a moment of silence at exactly 11 a.m.

Later that day, at 4 p.m., the public is invited to the front lawn of the Simsbury Library for an outdoor event, following state guidelines, with speakers, color guard, music and tributes. The VFW and American Legion strongly encourage families to attend, as the event is being held after school hours. There will be no raindate. Masks will be required of all and social distancing seating of up to 100 will be available.

For more information about the Metacomet VFW Post 1926, visit: www.vfw1926.org



 
 

Holiday Events

November 27

Communal Thanksgiving Dinner

Unionville: Farmington Community Services hosts its annual town-wide Thanksgiving Day Dinner Gathering each year at the Farmington Community and Senior Center located at 321 New Britain Avenue in Unionville. With the help of volunteers and staff a full Thanksgiving dinner is prepared and served.  Participants, volunteers, and donors are always welcome and needed. Please contact Community Services at 860-675-2390 to make your reservation or for more information.

November 29

Simsbury celebrates

Simsbury: Simsbury celebrates takes place from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 29 along Hopmeadow Street. Simsbury Celebrates is a free community holiday celebration, sustained primarily through donations from local businesses and private citizens. It is traditionally held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year, we are celebrating with a variety of events, culminating with our spectacular fireworks show.  

 

Through December

Farmington: The Friends of the Farmington Libraries are excited to announce a holiday book sale, that is continuing into December.  The sale will be held in the Book Nook in the lobby of the main Farmington library during regular library hours.  There will be lots of holiday books for children, adult books, small stocking-stuffer books, and puzzles, all in like-new condition, suitable for holiday gift giving.  The Friends collect donations of books and puzzles throughout the year. Your donations make book sales like this one possible.

 

 

December 6

Winterfest

Avon: The town of Avon, CT, will host its 3rd Annual Winterfest and Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Avon Town Gazebo & Green. The event includes caroling, a “biergarten” in a heated tent, food trucks, vendors, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus for the tree lighting ceremony. It is a fundraising event for the Bottoms Up Patient/Family Support Funds and care packages, and guests should dress for the weather.

 

 

December 6

Christmas in Collinsville 

Collinsville: Christmas in Collinsville takes place Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Craft Show in the Town Hall Auditorium, Face Painting (11:30 - 1:30 p.m. at Town Hall and 1 -3 p.m. at the Mu

seum), Story Time with Mrs. Claus (11a.m. to 1 p.m. in 

Museum). Balloons, Magician, and The Gallery of Trees at the Canton Historical Museum.

 

December 6

A Children’s Festival with Santa 

& Mrs. Claus

Avon: Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will share stories, lead sing-a-longs  and pose with children for pictures. Also, games with elves, cookie decorating, crafts, snacks and hot cocoa. December 6th, 2 – 4 p.m. Children $15, Adults $10. The Historic Meetinghouse of Avon Congregational Church, 6 West Main St Avon. Tickets at www.Avon-Church.org or available at the door.

 

December 6

Holiday Tapestries
Farmington: Valley Chorale presents “Holiday Tapestries” a collection of festive carols and lullabies from around the world to celebrate the season. The concert will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 2 p.m., First Church of Christ Congregational, 75 Main Street, Farmington, CT.  Melodies from Spanish lullabies to the jubilant sound of the Yoruba language, familiar carols and everything in between will be woven into this tapestry of sound accompanied by harp, guitar, percussion and keyboard. An ideal way to ring in the holiday season! Adult tickets $25.00. Students-free. Tickets available through Eventbrite, at the door on the day of the concert  or on the Farmington Valley Chorale website. For more information, please email info@farmingtonvalleychorale.org.  

 

December 7

Gallery of Trees 

Canton: Canton Historical Society Inc.’s Gallery of Trees returns through Dec. 7. Opening night gala takes place 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Other hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, noon to 7 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. See more at www.canton museum.org or cantonhistoricalmuseum on Facebook. For information on donating a tree, send a message to galleryoftrees@cantonmuseum.org

 

 

December 13

Music at Greenwood: KC Sisters Holiday Extravaganza
Avon: On Saturday, December 13, the KC Sisters will present their beloved Holiday Extravaganza for the first time at St. Matthew Lutheran Church! This fully orchestrated show will remind you of the variety shows of old such as The Andy Williams Family Christmas Show or The Mandrell Sisters variety show with a touch of modern sisterly charm. Afterwards, plan to stay for a light reception. Suggested donation: $10. Join us at 224 Lovely Street, Avon, for lots of holiday fun!

 

December 13

Wreaths Across America

Simsbury: Dec. 13 at 12 p.m. Wreaths Across America will be at 16 Plank Hill Rd Simsbury in Simsbury Cemetery (near the flagpole) to Remember and Honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud.

Remember to dress for the weather as it can be a bit windy at the top of Plank Hill Rd and bring a portable chair if necessary. Our ceremony is generally a half hour in length and starts promptly at noon.

Please help our location lay wreaths at as many graves as possible by sponsoring a wreath for a veteran’s grave through the “sponsorship group” CT0025P Or, if you would like to volunteer to participate in the wreath laying ceremony, please click the “Volunteer” button at https://shorturl.at/S2y50. More information is also available at the link. 

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