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Kavros DeGraw, Exum announce re-election bids

Editor's Note: This story will be expanded for the Feb. 4 issue of The Valley Press.


By Ted Glanzer

Staff Writer

Eleni Kavros DeGraw, left, and Tammy Exum, right, have announced re-election bids.

Several local state legislators have announced they are seeking re-election.

Both incumbents who represent Avon, Eleni Kavros DeGraw (D-17th District) and Tammy Exum (D-19th District), announced their intentions to run again.

Kavros DeGraw, an Avon resident whose district includes Canton and a portion of Avon, is finishing her first term in the state House.

“It’s time to continue to be the leader I’ve shown to be the last year,” Kavros DeGraw said, noting she has served during an unprecedented time with COVID-19. “We’re not out of the woods on the pandemic; we’re not out of the woods on a lot of things. We have an improving economy, which I’m excited to see. We have less concerns about what the budget is going to look like in 2024.”

Still, Kavros DeGraw said she will continue to work to improve the lives of residents who may not be the beneficiaries of an improving economy..

“The economy isn’t working for everybody and we need to be laser focused on ensuring the working families and the middle class are able to make it because those are the folks that are struggling in the towns I represent.”

After seeing a recent report on the news, Kavros DeGraw said she is also looking into how modern technology can be used to track people and potential legislation in that space.

“I asked an aide to put in a legislative research request to see if it’s legal to track people in Connecticut without their knowledge,” Kavros DeGraw said. “With my work on domestic violence, that’s a concern.

“We were visiting my daughter recently in Italy, and she received a notice of an unknown device nearby.. We didn’t know what it was, until I just found out on the news [recently]. Someone was trying to track her overseas. … It’s about human trafficking, too.”

Other issues on Kavros DeGraw’s list are expanded tax credits for veterans and parents, as well as children’s mental health and people having access to services they need.

Kavros DeGraw said she believes her constituents have seen the work she has put in during her first term in office as well as her accessibility.

“People appreciate how hard I’ve worked and that I’ve raised the level of communications with our constituents significantly,” she said. “I’ve heard people say they’ve never felt so informed in this district and at the state level. … I represent the 17th District and my job is to be their voice at the Capitol and I would say I’ve done that.

Kavros DeGraw says she believes communications with, and listening to, her constituents - whether it’s a meeting over Zoom, coffee in person or over the phone - make for a better community.

“If I can provide information in a way that’s accessible to people, then that is better for all of us,” she said. “Sometimes someone will see something in an update and say, ‘I don’t quite understand this, can you explain it?’ I love having that opportunity of having that dialog. If we are all better educated as citizens, then our society runs much better.”

That openness is something that she has promised since the moment she ran for office.

“The person I was before I got elected is the same person I am now,” she said. “Accessibility, honesty, and integrity mean something to me and I’m there to serve people.”


Tammy Exum

Exum, whose district includes a portion of West Hartford, Farmington and Avon, is also running for her second full term - she was elected in a special election in April 2019 to fill the remainder of Derek Slap, who was elected to the state Senate.

Exum was then elected to a full term in November of 2020.

“It has truly been a pleasure to serve during this unprecedented time,” Exum wrote in an announcement on Medium. “Although I’m not certain what is on the horizon, and although I am relatively new to this role, it has only reinforced my belief that those who represent us need to do so with integrity, compassion, morality, and humility. There are many things that I need to learn, but it is my hope that I’ve demonstrated these values, especially at a time such as this.”

Exum noted the pandemic, civil strife as a result of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and the push by Republicans to make voting more restrictive as reasons for why she is running again.

She also noted the attempted coup on Jan. 6, 2021, by supporters of former President Donald Trump as a motivating factor for her desire to return to the state House.

“[J]ust hours after being sworn in for my first full term as a legislator, I watched in disbelief the events that took place at our nation’s Capitol [on Jan. 6, 2021],” she wrote. “It was hard to take in the scene and to make sense of what we were collectively witnessing. It also made plain that it matters, really matters, who represents us and who we want to be, as a community, a town or city, a state, and a nation.”



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Valley Happenings

Fighting Cancer Pasta Dinner:

Benefit for Avon Volunteer Fire Department

Deputy Chief Dave Theriault

Saturday, February 22, 2025, 3:00-7:00 p.m. 

Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road, Avon

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. 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 in advance at AVFD Headquarters, 25 Darling Drive, Avon (Mondays, 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays-Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). 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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