Today Magazine • April 2021

TODAY Covering the Heart of the Farmington Valley

FACE TO FACE WITH THE

GREATEST GENERATION WWII Hero Survived Torpedo Attack APRIL 2021

• WWW.TODAYPUBLISHING.NET

Nonprofit Builds Furniture, Rebuilds Lives Special to Today Magazine

BUSINESS BEAT

FRESH START Pallet Products is a local nonprofit that builds furniture from recycled wood and rebuilds lives.

Established in 2015 in the backyard of Hartford’s Grace Lutheran Church, Fresh Start repurposes wood shipping pallets to fashion sturdy and affordable benches, chairs and other furniture.

These pallets typically litter industrial sites or are discarded.

Today, Fresh Start Pallet is housed in a 12,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on Sargeant Street in Hartford. Fresh Start employs a win-win hiring approach — most employees are rebuilding their lives after battles with addiction, alcoholism, poverty and the like.

The nonprofit provides its handcrafted outdoor and indoor furniture for a variety of Connecticut customers.

Four board members — one-third of the board — live in the Farmington Valley. www.freshstartpalletproducts.org

After moving to Collinsville, where his wife grew up, Johnson explored ways to turn his love of baking into a business.

Renting or building a commercial kitchen wasn’t feasible, but in October 2018 Connecticut became the latest state to pass a cottage-food law, allowing people to prepare and sell approved foods from their home kitchens.

Johnson procured his license in early 2020 but put things on hold as the pandemic began. In November, while acting primarily as a stay-at-home parent, he launched his modern vision for selling old-world baked goods.

Customers receive deliveries of their favorite breads every two weeks and can customize from an extensive specialty menu. Johnson bakes meticulously tested recipes, from rustic ciabattas and sourdoughs to decadent brioche loaves and porridge breads loaded with whole grains, seeds and molasses. www.companybread.com

Business Debuts

By Giving Back

AN AVON STARTUP has debuted by helping a local nonprofit raise over $3,000.

Happy Plant Project began its business life in 2021 by partnering with Gifts of Love, the Avon-based social service agency.

Happy Plant Project delivered dozens of red roses, wrapped bouquets and seasonal flowers to customers in Greater Hartford.

Five of the nonprofit’s clients in Avon, Hartford and Simsbury received surprise deliveries.

“A donor gave money to the fundraiser to purchase five arrangements for Gifts of Love clients,” says Jonny Grenier, coowner of Happy Plant Project along with his wife Allie. “We were especially happy

to bring unexpected joy to people who were not anticipating it.”

This was the nonprofit’s first-ever Valentine’s Day fundraiser.

Gifts of Love accepts donations of food, clothing and household goods year-round. www.giftsoflovect.org

Company Bread: Artisan Quality

COMPANY BREAD brings freshly baked, naturally leavened bread to the Farmington Valley and beyond. The licensed cottage-food operation is run by Collinsville resident Colin Johnson, who bakes artisan breads and pastries in his home kitchen.

New Frame of Mind

FRAME OF MIND Consulting aims to help business owners re-imagine the way they do business, giving them tools to generate new ideas and shift perspectives.

Established in 2013, Frame of Mind sees the value of business decision-makers retaining creative control and strives for tangible results — whether the company is large, small or medium-sized.

“We can help you connect the dots in re-imagining solutions to achieve bottom-line value for your business,” says innovation consultant Page A. Thibault, “opening up opportunities you didn’t know existed.”

Frame of Mind Consulting is a member of the Avon Chamber of Commerce. www.frameofmindconsulting.biz

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LEADING OFF

CONTENTS

Grateful For Greatness

COVER STORY

4 — Family Recalls Valor of WWII Hero

William Moore was part of the Greatest Generation — he survived a torpedo attack during World War II and served his country with distinction VALLEY INTEL

11 — Pollen Party

The Collinsville Pollen Trail is a labor of love that offers a welcome habitat to pollinators of all persuasions NOTEWORTHY NONPROFITS

13 — Granby Artists Aim To Elevate

The Granby Artists Association seeks to boost the community by promoting the visual arts and fine crafts SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS

14 — Prime Time For Local Actress

Simsbury High graduate Rachel Sennott stars with Emmy-winner Kyra Sedgwick in an ABC sitcom QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Mr. Moore’s ... service to the nation and to the community represent the best of the Greatest Generation” —Maj. Gen. Paul Lefebvre

BY THE NUMBERS

LETTERS

William Moore’s WWII Medals — 4

ICONIC NEWS ANCHOR Tom Brokaw coined the term The Greatest Generation to describe the U.S. soldiers and citizens who sacrificed to achieve victory in World War II — in the book he wrote with that title.

Here in the Farmington Valley, the heroes and heroines of that fabled generation have too often lived (and died) quietly among us. Today Magazine is aiming to tell their stories, to give credit where credit is due — and in this month’s cover story we spotlight longtime Simsbury resident William John Moore, a WWII veteran who died in 2020.

Mary Spencer Moore, his wife of 67 years, and Pamela (Moore) Verney, his eldest child, are thankful for his wartime valor and civilian legacy.

To learn about how momentous the month of April is in the chronology of his life, see our coverage on pages 4-7. + Today Magazine • Covering the Heart of the Farmington Valley Bruce William Deckert — Publisher + Editor-in-Chief 860-988-1910 • Bruce.Deckert@TodayPublishing.net www.TodayPublishing.net > Digital Editions • Award-Winning Today Magazine Online — www.TodayPublishing.net/blog Follow Today Magazine CT on social media: Advertising — Contact the Publisher Editorial Associate — Kayla Tyson Contributing Photographer — Wendy Rosenberg Five Towns, One Aim — Exceptional Community Journalism Farmington • Avon • Canton • Simsbury • Granby – CT, USA • Two other Valley magazines: print circulation — less than 20,000 • Today Magazine: print circulation — 42,000+ • Ad Rates — about the same

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COVER STORY KUDOS Today Magazine’s March cover story featured Canton resident Howard Wright and his Simply Lincoln initiative — he has performed as Abraham Lincoln since 2005, and he was the exclusive Lincoln presenter for Connecticut’s 150th Civil War anniversary. _________________________________________________ YOU DID A TERRIFIC JOB introducing the material in the March cover story on Simply Lincoln, seamlessly blending things together for the cover feature and expertly teasing out another article. The issue is splendid all the way around. Thank you for the coverage!

Howard Wright • Canton Simply Lincoln • www.simplylincoln.com YOUR TIMING on Today Magazine’s March cover story featuring Howard Wright as Lincoln could not have been better! March 5 is an important “Lincoln” day in Connecticut history.

Howard is a good friend and this just makes me smile so much. The cover story included so much info about his life, Lincoln, his teaching and the April 8 talk he is giving for the Avon Historical Society’s Unearthing History series — register here for his talk: www.avonctlibrary.info Terri Wilson • Avon President • Avon Historical Society My compliments on your article about our own Abe Lincoln. I know Howard, but have never known about the breadth and depth of his research. Thank you for highlighting his dedication and talent.

Karen Berger • Canton The March edition is my favorite issue of Today Magazine! Thank you for the wonderful coverage of Aquiline Drones.

Alisa Picerno • Simsbury President • Alliances By Alisa Media Relations

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CORRECTION Today Magazine incorrectly identified two birds as flamingos in a photo on page 18 of the March edition — the birds are actually roseate spoonbills.

The error was fully ours, not the photographer’s.

TODAY MAGAZINE – www.TodayPublishing.net – APRIL 2021

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FACE TIME WITH THE

GREATEST GENERATION Recalling the Valor of a World War II Hero

By Bruce Deckert Today Magazine Editor-in-Chief

WILLIAM JOHN MOORE was part of the aptly named Greatest Generation that stepped up at a crucial time in history — in the crucible of World War II — and triumphed over the twin threats of Nazi Germany and imperial Japan.

A longtime Simsbury resident, Bill Moore was born in New London on April 6, 1925, and raised in Bristol. He died at 95 years of age on April 21, 2020.

In 1943, Moore graduated from Bristol High School.

The next day, he enlisted in the Navy, entering into active service on July 29.

World War II was raging, and he wanted to serve his country and make a difference.

“Dad was in high school when Pearl Harbor was bombed,” says Pamela Verney of West Simsbury, Moore’s daughter, referring to the infamous Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy base in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. “That event helped to solidify his opinion that it was his patriotic duty to defend the United States of America during World War ll.”

Moore fought in the Pacific Theater until his honorable discharge in April 1946. He was on the destroyer escort USS Shelton in October 1944 when the ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine near Morotai Island in the Pacific Ocean, one of Indonesia’s northernmost islands.

Moore was among 109 crew members who were rescued by another Navy destroyer before the Shelton sank, though 14 sailors died, according to the Wreck Site website.

“He was very brave when the ship was hit,” says Mary Spencer Moore, his wife of 67 years. “Being a strong person physically, he had wonderful reactions, out of a dead sleep. He was in good physical shape — he was such a great ballplayer. He was fortunate.”

After boot camp at the Sampson Naval Training Station in western upstate New York, Moore shipped out for California to be deployed in the Pacific Theater — 4

COVER STORY

William J. Moore served in the Navy, worked as an industrial engineer, and left an indelible

APRIL 2021 – www.TodayPublishing.net – TODAY MAGAZINE

imprint on his family

via a cross-country train trip, picking up servicemen en route to the West Coast, explains Pamela.

“The men were packed in so tightly, in groups of two facing each other, that at night they’d put their feet up next to the heads of the men across from them, and vice versa,” she says.

“They slept that way for days! Dad says the lucky guys were able to clear space and sleep on the luggage rack.”

Moore served as a Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class and earned the following medals: American Theatre Campaign, World War II Victory, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and Philippine Liberation Ribbon, along with a personal commendation from Lt. Commander Lewis George Salomon.

“I’m proud of and grateful for Dad’s military service during the war,” Pamela says. “I’m sure that his core values were reinforced through military service, and those values enabled him to lead a satisfying, productive and rewarding life after returning to civilian life.”

Sports played an influential role in Moore’s journey, throughout his life, running through his experience as the Farmington River runs through the Farmington Valley. He wore dual athletic hats — as a player and later as a coach of his children’s teams.

At Bristol High, he lettered in football and baseball and was captain of the baseball team — Bristol had one high school then, not two as is the case today, and it was located on Memorial Boulevard.

After his World War II valor, Moore went to UConn, where he also played baseball and football.

His senior year, he was co-captain of the football team.

“He was quite the star in high school,” Mary says. “I have some of his old baseball headlines in a scrapbook — the clippings are yellow at this point. He was a catcher and a big hitter.”

At UConn, Moore joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity, and upon graduating he began his career as an industrial engineer with Royal Typewriter. In the 1970s he

took a position at Heublein as chief industrial engineer, retiring in 1994.

Mary and Bill Moore raised four children, and all were educated in the Simsbury public schools — two daughters, Pamela (Moore) Verney and Leslie (Moore) Dewey, and two sons, William “Bill” Spencer Moore and John David “Dave” Moore.

Their Dad is also survived by five grandchildren.

The Moore family settled in Simsbury in 1956. They built a house on Hickory Hill Road, moved to David Drive, and then the empty-nest couple relocated to a condo on Library Lane. Upon Bill’s death in 2020, he had lived in town for 64 years.

“He lived a storied life,” Mary says. “He loved his days at UConn and Bristol and his time in Simsbury.”

For many years, he coached his children’s Simsbury Little League baseball and softball teams and attended their soccer games and swim meets. Later, he proudly watched his grandchildren carry forward the family’s athletic tradition. The family also hit the ski slopes together.

“Some of my favorite memories of my father are skiing with him at Springfield Ski Club,” says Pamela, “and standing beside him at the edge of the ocean in Nantucket as the waves washed over his feet and covered them with sand.”

Pamela is the oldest of the four Moore children, followed by Bill, Dave and Leslie. Dave and Bill live in Connecticut — Dave and his wife Kathy in Middletown, Bill and his wife Cathy in Moodus.

Pamela and her husband Jeff reside in West Simsbury, while Leslie and her husband Paul live in Johns Creek, Georgia, abut 25 miles northeast of Atlanta.

“I am most proud of the way he lived according to his values,” Pamela says. “He was optimistic, humble,

“He was very brave when the ship was hit ... he had wonderful reactions, out of a dead sleep. He was in good physical shape — he was such a great ballplayer” Mary Moore — Bill’s wife

consistent, committed, hard-working, and he enjoyed life. His career as an industrial engineer spanned many decades, during which he was able to provide a good living for his family. He had a great work-life balance. …

He was always there for us in every way.”

Mary notes that her husband invested his talents and time to help their children develop their talents and become productive adults.

“He was a great Dad and a great coach,” she says.

“We had a working teamwork in our marriage, with four kids and sports — we spent a lot of time doing that, and it was fun.”

Pamela agrees with her Mom’s assessment: “Dad enjoyed playing with his children — he tossed footballs and baseballs in good weather, and when it was stormy we enjoyed games of Monopoly and pool.”

Further memories revolve around family celebrations at Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, graduations, baptisms and weddings.

After the children had grown, Mary and Bill became fans of UConn women’s basketball and had season tickets during the four years Rebecca Lobo was at UConn — including the program’s first national title in 1995.

“That was a great time,” Mary says, noting that the couple played golf together too.

“Bill was friendly, personable and well-liked,” Mary observes. “He was a kind, caring and thoughtful person — and he was faithful to his faith. He had tons of friends and continued to have close friendships with many of his college friends throughout our married life.”

Moore was an only child. His mother and father supported him in his athletic career and “never missed a game,” Mary says.

Ernie Lefebvre and Moore were lifelong friends. They played sports at Bristol High and were roommates at TODAY MAGAZINE – www.TodayPublishing.net – APRIL 2021

5

Bill Moore (left) with two Navy shipmates during World War II

UConn, where they both played on the football team. Lefebvre likewise served in World War II, in an Army Intelligence unit.

His son Paul Lefebvre is a retired U.S. Marine Corps major general — and is also Moore’s godson.

“His personal example on the playing field was often a topic of discussion in our house,” Paul wrote on Moore’s Vincent Funeral Home memorial website.

“How he played and led on the field and how that extended to family and friends [have] impacted many.”

Ernie Lefebvre died two years before Moore, in March 2018, at 93 years old.

“Mr. Moore and my father … are both role models for me and for so many others,” wrote Paul.

“I’m proud of and grateful for Dad’s military service during the war … I am most proud of the way he lived according to his values — he was optimistic, humble, consistent, committed, hard-working … He was always there for us in every way” Pamela (Moore) Verney — Bill’s daughter

“Mr. Moore’s actions in the war were significant, but to listen to him you would think they were routine. ... He was very humble about his contributions.

His service to the nation and to the community represent the best of the Greatest Generation.” + • For more Today Magazine stories on the Farmington Valley’s World War II heroes, see our June 2019, August 2020 and January 2021 editions www.todaypublishing.net/digital-editions • Today Magazine editor-in-chief Bruce Deckert is a five-time award-winning journalist — he was an editor for ESPN.com for 17 years

Startup’s Goal: Military Win-Win

MILITARY spouse Erika Heeren founded the Small Business Marketing Studio to provide military spouses and veterans with marketing careers.

The startup pairs militaryaffiliated marketing experts with businesses and nonprofits — all positions are remote to fit the uncertainty of a military lifestyle.

Military families often struggle to make ends meet.

A 2019 survey showed that 1 in 8 military families suffer from food insecurity. Heeren says this financial instability could be solved, in part, by a greater focus on sustainable military spouse employment. This concept is the catalyst for the SBMS. + 6

APRIL 2021 – www.TodayPublishing.net – TODAY MAGAZINE

www.smallbusinessmarketingstudio.com

Bill Moore lived in Simsbury for more than six decades

April: Pivotal Month for War, Moore

WILLIAM J. MOORE was born in April 1925 and died at 95 in April 2020 — in between, he fought valiantly in the Navy during World War II, in the Pacific Theater, and completed his service in April 1946.

If you surmise that the timing of Today Magazine’s cover story on Moore — in our April edition — is no coincidence, you are indisputably and unquestionably correct.

Further, the pivotal April timing connected to his legacy coincides with some key dates in World War II history, from April 1941, that are marking their 80th anniversary this month: ————————————————— WWII History • April 1941

April 3 — Pro-Axis regime sets up in Iraq 4 — Italian and Nazi forces capture Benghazi, Libya 6 — Nazi Germany invades Greece and Yugoslavia 10 — First U.S. combat action against Germany occurs when the USS Niblack destroyer fires on a German U-boat violating the U.S. security zone 10 — The Nazi siege of Tobruk, Libya, begins after the Germans fail to capture the port city, the first time advancing German tanks had been stopped 17 — Yugoslavia surrenders to the Nazis 27 — Greece surrenders to the Nazis ———————————————————————— Born in New London and raised in Bristol, Moore lived in Simsbury for 64 years. In 1943, the day after graduating from Bristol High School, he enlisted in the Navy and began his active service in July.

The decisive motivator for his enlistment was the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941. After that shell-shocking attack, he sensed a “patriotic duty to defend the United States,” says his daughter Pamela (Moore) Verney, a West Simsbury resident. +

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU. UConn Health provides quality, compassionate care for you and your family. We offer primary, specialty, and emergency care throughout the Farmington Valley.

We have expanded our telehealth options to include eVisits and video visits. Patients who enroll in MyChart, our online patient portal, can participate in these visits from the comfort of their own home on a personal device or computer.

To learn more about UConn Health and the services we provide, visit health.uconn.edu.

AVON • CANTON • FARMINGTON • SIMSBURY

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MEDICAL MUSINGS

Dementia Conundrum: Strategies for Caregivers

By Dr. Kathy Subasic Special to Today Magazine

Strategy #1 — Simplify the Task

Many routine tasks and activities we do throughout the day have multiple steps. Activities that seem simple and obvious to us — such as making a small meal or getting dressed — may not seem as simple to a person with dementia.

To make the activity more manageable, break the activity down into basic steps that can be accomplished one by one until the entire activity is completed.

Strategy #2 — Use a Calm Voice

When frustration occurs or an overwhelming situation arises, voice volume may rise. It’s easy to slip into a loud voice and agitated disposition, but as a result, the person with dementia will likely become upset and agitated as well.

Speaking in a calm voice works best in everyday situations and also can diffuse a difficult situation.

Strategy #3 — Provide Simple Instructions

Dementia has multiple stages that influence how well the person with dementia can follow instructions. Telling a person

with dementia to “go get dressed” may be too confusing as the person may not know exactly what that means or how to start.

Simplifying instructions — such as “put on your pants” and “put on your socks” — provides simpler tasks that will be more easily understood and more likely to be followed.

Strategy #4 — Demonstrate

Someone with dementia may have difficulty understanding verbal instructions. Providing a demonstration of how to do something in addition to verbal instructions will result in greater likelihood of the task being done successfully.

Most importantly, caregivers need to take care of themselves by learning relaxation strategies and by taking time for themselves to find some balance in their busy lives. + Dr. Kathy Subasic is an Avon resident, occupational therapist and Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) — and the owner of Forever Home LLC, offering dementia-care training, fall assessments and home-modification services to improve safety 860-829-7870 • www.foreverhomect.com

Doctors of Physical Therapy at Your Service

8

By Dr. Brian A. Magna • DPT Special to Today Magazine

PT Assessment Helps Young, Old

AS WE BEGIN a new spring season, your local doctor of physical therapy (DPT) can help you reach new fitness and health levels you previously haven’t been able to achieve.

Many people don’t realize how sophisticated and comprehensive physical therapists are regarding evaluation, rehabilitation and fitness.

Physical therapists are extensively trained to evaluate and treat injuries and to identify factors that may lead to injury or illness, while helping you achieve your goals.

PTs haven’t always been the first choice for health or injury issues, but are now one of the most popular options for healthcare. They are easily accessible and are at your service for all injury, rehabilitation and fitness needs.

In Connecticut, direct-access laws for physical therapists

were enacted in 2005, allowing patients to make a PT appointment for evaluation and treatment without a physician referral.

Magna Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center — with locations in Avon and Canton — also offers an annual PT checkup. This evaluation assesses the musculoskeletal system to address limitations, compensatory movement patterns and concerns regarding potential aging issues, such as fall-andbalance issues.

So why not give your local doctor of physical therapy the opportunity to help you with your health and fitness needs?

APRIL 2021 – www.TodayPublishing.net – TODAY MAGAZINE

Dr. Brian Magna is the owner of Magna Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine in Avon (679-0430) and Canton (352-2463) email: brian@magnapt.com • www.magnapt.com

Courtesy Photo

IF YOU CARE FOR A LOVED ONE with dementia, I don’t have to tell you that the responsibility can be rewarding, but also draining and stressful.

In Connecticut alone, there are about 80,000 people 65 and older who have Alzheimer’s disease — the most common type of dementia — and about 180,000 caregivers.

Caring for someone with dementia often involves managing challenging behaviors such as refusing care, wandering, repetitive actions, shadowing and aggression, among others.

Additionally, a person with dementia may be unable to think and problem-solve as he or she once did, creating confusion and frustration for the person with dementia and the care partner.

Understanding these behaviors and developing solutions can be complex. However, the following strategies are particularly effective in many situations.

POLLINATOR POETRY IN MOTION A female ruby-throated hummingbird — one of many and diverse pollinator species responsible for transporting pollen and helping plants bear fruit, thus providing vital food for people around the world • Collinsville Pollen Trail coverage — Pages 11 • 16 • 17

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AVON TODAY

HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS

Map Courtesy of Avon Historical Society

This map depicts Avon in the year it was established — 1830. A spinoff of Farmington, Avon is the youngest of the five core towns in the Farmington Valley.

Farmington, the oldest, was founded in 1645. The other three: Canton (1806) and Granby (1786) are both spinoffs of Simsbury (1670)

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CANTON TODAY

COLLINSVILLE POLLEN TRAIL TAKES ROOT Photos by Canton resident Wendy Rosenberg — contributing photographer for Today Magazine since January 2019 AFTER THREE YEARS of work removing Japanese knotweed from beside the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail near Allen Place in Canton, a team of volunteers has reduced the tenacious invasive enough to plant native trees, shrubs and flowers that will provide food and shelter for native pollinators.

Called the Collinsville Pollen Trail, it’s the first of many planned public gardens in town that will serve as links to the national Pollinator Pathway.

———————————————————————— • Join the Pollen Party — Page 16 • What Is a Pollinator? — Page 17 ———————————— ————————————

Canton resident Karen Berger, a UConn-certified Advanced Master Gardener, oversees the Pollen Trail project. She has received the help of 700+ volunteer hours from countless people — neighborhood residents, Boy Scouts, Master Gardener experts, and volunteers from the Cherry Brook Garden Club and Canton Land Conservation Trust (CLCT). Berger is one of 22 directors on the CLCT board.

The project wouldn’t have been possible without the town Department of Public Works — DPW crews brought bags of invasives to the transfer station and regularly filled the donated rain barrels along the trail.

The Collinsville Pollen Trail began in October 2019, when Eversource personnel bought and planted 31 native shrubs

Anticipation is BUILDING The Goodrich, Coming 2022

There’s only one thing missing from our active, vibrant community: you

Pollinator Link Is Labor of Love

as part of an agreement reached with the Canton DPW and residents. Cherry Brook Garden Club members and Allen Place residents planted dozens of perennial bulbs, mulched beds and broadcast thousands of milkweed seeds along the slope leading to the woods.

In the spring of 2020, Master Gardeners and Garden Club members donated numerous native plants — Avon resident Deb Pike gave dozens of natives raised from seed. Eversource staff planted 10 further trees and shrubs in June 2020. These plants needed watering to survive a dry summer, and Rain Barrel Bob on Route 44 in New Hartford donated a barrel. Pollen Trail neighbors loaned or donated five more rain barrels and helped with the watering of 200+ plants all spring, summer and fall.

Simsbury resident Michele Jenks, a Master Gardener intern, watered the garden nearly every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with her pickup loaded with a rain barrel repeatedly refilled at Canton’s DPW. In September, volunteers added plants given by Monrovia Nursery Company.

Once the knotweed along the Pollen Trail had been mostly eliminated, Berger got a permit from the town’s Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Agency to remove the knotweed from the wetlands area between the trail and stream. The knotweed stalks were dried and shredded in September with the help of John Pech, a CLCT director, and a CLCT chipper.

No longer crowded out by invasive plants, the native shrubs and trees and flowers now have a better chance to thrive. In the Photos — Pages 9 • 16 • 17

continued on page 16

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VALLEY INTEL

Special to Today Magazine

FARMINGTON TODAY

Scholarship healthcare grads combat COVID

By Bruce Deckert Today Magazine Editor-in-Chief

VIA A GROUNDBREAKING scholarship program, Tunxis Community College graduates are ready for health careers that can make a constructive difference related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tunxis curriculum has historically included training for certified nurse aides and sterile processing technicians.

This school year, a new statewide scholarship provided free and streamlined training for these two in-demand health careers — specifically, for workers who lost their jobs during the state government’s COVID shutdown.

Tunxis is one of the largest training providers for the scholarship initiative, funded by a $127,000 grant administered

by Capital Workforce Partners with support from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and the CARES Act. Tunxis expects to offer the scholarship program again but awaits confirmation regarding more CARES Act funds.

“I would like to commend our students for having the courage and persistence to

undertake this important training in the midst of a pandemic,” says Eileen Peltier of the North-West Region of Connecticut Community Colleges, who led the training program for Tunxis. “Residents of Connecticut need you, and you are meeting the moment.”

Graduates completed coursework lasting about eight weeks through a

graduation. Her uncle died of COVID — and that loss prompted her to pursue a new career path. During the pandemic, she was part of a workforce layoff and also lost her grandmother to cancer.

“I wanted to work in the medical field to help slow down this disease that’s

“This program really helped me get that hope and motivation back that I needed to go into the world and make a difference” — Jazzmyne Mitchell • Tunxis grad combination of online and in-person instruction. Jessica Kelsey of Farmington is among 53 Tunxis graduates who received certificates in December.

The sole Farmington Valley resident in this graduate group, Kelsey is now a certified sterile processing technician.

Jazzmyne Mitchell of East Harford, a Tunxis certified nurse aide graduate, has a poignant story regarding her journey to

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MEDICAL MUSINGS

APRIL 2021 – www.TodayPublishing.net – TODAY MAGAZINE

affecting millions of families like my own,” says Mitchell.

Mitchell notes that when she had in-person classes, she woke up at 5 a.m. and rode on three buses to get to Tunxis, located in Farmington at the intersection of Routes 6 and 177.

“This program really helped me get that hope and motivation back that I continued on page 15

PROOF

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————————————————————————————————————————— GAA secretary Stuart Browning answered this Q&A Granby Artists Association – GAA P.O. Box 505 Granby, CT 06035 Website — www.granbyartists.org Facebook — @GranbyArtists ————————————————————————— Year Established — 2002 —————————————————————————

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Officers — Co-Presidents: Avis Cherichetti, Wendy van Welie • Vice President: Ritva Annukka Ritalahti • Secretary: Stuart Browning • Treasurer: Gary Ebersole

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Number of Employees — We are an all-volunteer organization Number of Members — 34 — besides officers and board Mission — To be joined together in the spirit of mutual respect and support, with the following threefold mission: • To create a climate that promotes the visual arts and fine crafts • To create professional, high-quality artistic events • To support art education in the community as a nonprofit organization

Dapproval PROOF or changes to:

SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS member artists in a casual information-sharing atmosphere, and support students who wish to pursue higher education in art.

Your biggest obstacle, and how you overcome it?

Securing venues for displaying work and providing instructional demonstrations, always a challenge, was exacerbated by the COVID-19 restrictions.

We meet this challenge with the help of donations from local businesses and private supporters. These funds are utilized to support fees and costs associated with show venues and various methods of communication to the public.

Most satisfying accomplishment?

Board Members — Laura Eden, Pamela Jones, Linda responsible grammatical errors) Yurasevecz,for Barbara Schmitt, Katherine Tolve, Douglas Williams

ew, please sign and mark opriate box below.

NOTEWORTHY NONPROFITS

The ability to provide a yearly GAA scholarship and the recurring, open-to-the-public Family Art Day. Goals for the next 1-5 years?

Our primary goals in the near future are to expand our exhibiting membership and to regularly schedule venues for exhibitions and Hopmeadow Street • Simsbury, CT 06089 demonstrations for the374 general public.

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SIMSBURY TODAY

Hometown actress stars in ABC sitcom Simsbury High grad reaches prime time

By Katherine Napier Special to Today Magazine

IMAGINE a young girl putting on plays with her siblings — making them sign contracts and check in to rehearsal, plus all the logistics of an actual production.

Such an event was a Christmas tradition for the Sennott family of Simsbury. With this early interest in acting, it’s no surprise that Rachel Sennott, the young girl in charge of it all, has gone on to have a successful acting career.

Her mother, Donna Sennott, says that Rachel “always loved the stage.” During a first-grade play “she just loved being there,” Donna recalls.

Rachel graduated from Simsbury High School in 2014, and later from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. In the following years, she pursued an acting career and appeared in the films Shiva Baby and Tahara as well as the TV series High Maintenance.

While Rachel’s mom knows being in the acting industry “isn’t going to be easy,” she is happy for her daughter when she sees her on TV. Rachel’s newest project is ABC’s

new sitcom Call Your Mother, alongside Emmy-winner Kyra Sedgwick as the show’s co-star.

The sitcom’s premise is that a lonely mother finds herself all alone while her children live their best lives thousands of

SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS musical production of Les Miserable.

“That was the beginning of a great acting career,” says Simsbury First Selectman Eric Wellman.

“She had a very strong vision of her career and worked diligently to make that come true” — Stuart Younse • Simsbury High theatre director miles away, and she decides to reinsert herself into their lives. Broadcast on Wednesday nights, the series premiered in January.

Rachel’s mother posted on the Simsbury Neighbors Unite Facebook page urging people to tune in to her daughter’s show. “I couldn’t resist promoting my daughter!” she says in the post.

During Rachel’s senior year at Simsbury High School, she played Madame Thenardier in the school’s

Stuart Younse, the Simsbury High theatre director who managed the 2014 Les Miz production, says Rachel was “really wonderful in her role in one of the strongest casts we have ever put on stage.”

Younse recalls that on opening night Rachel sustained a concussion as she was walking down the hall when someone threw open a door and inadvertently hit her. As a result, she missed the first weekend of shows.

The director describes Rachel as

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APRIL 2021 – www.TodayPublishing.net – TODAY MAGAZINE

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TUNXIS — continued from page 12

“talented, intelligent, creative and organized — she had a very strong vision of her career [and] worked diligently to make that come true.”

As she was raised in the Farmington Valley, Rachel participated in many acting and theater programs — such as the Simsbury Arts Academy summer program, the Ax Factory Players in Collinsville, Avon Summer Theater, and of course Simsbury’s middle school and high school productions.

Rachel’s mom says they were “really lucky to be in Simsbury” because there is “always something to be involved in.” + Rachel Sennott couldn’t be reached for comment This story first appeared in Today Magazine Online, our 24/7 news site that records the Valley’s underreported upside and gives advertisers a powerful platform for boosting their brand

Small Publisher Wins Big-Time Awards SIMSBURY-BASED Mandel Vilar Press, a nonprofit publisher dedicated to promoting diversity and conservation, has won several noteworthy awards since its debut in 2014.

Two MVP books have received Silver Medal awards in the Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year contest — The City of Light (Juvenile NonFiction category) and Have I Got A Cartoon For You (Adult Nonfiction Humor) — while MVP’s My Real Name is Hanna previously garnered a Foreword Reviews Gold Medal as well as a National Jewish Book Award Finalist honor and several other awards.

A powerful work of historical fiction by Tara Masih, Hanna traces the harrowing yet triumphant World War II story of a Jewish family that goes into hiding to escape the Nazis and lives in underground caves for a year-plus. + www.mvpublishers.org

www.tunxis.edu Sources — Tunxis + independent reporting This story first appeared in Today Magazine Online, our 24/7 site

Peter Mowry

Financial Advisor

IRT-1848F-A

Courtesy Photo

Simsbury High grad Rachel Sennott (right) co-stars with Emmywinner Kyra Sedgwick in the ABC sitcom “Call Your Mother”

needed to go into the world and make a difference,” Mitchell says.

“The training I received was intense, but it taught me everything I needed to know to go out into this field and really know what I’m doing.”

Since graduating, Mitchell has passed her state exam and is pursuing a CNA career — CNA stands for certified nursing assistant or aide.

In addition to the graduates’ tuition for the CNA and sterile processing technician programs, the scholarship covered career counseling, interview preparation, job placement assistance, technology resources, and a stipend for transportation and expenses.

“Completing your training during these extraordinary times tells all of us that nothing will stop you from achieving any goals you put your mind to,” James Lombella, North-West regional president of the Connecticut Community Colleges, told the graduates in his formal address in December. “This ability to stay focused and follow through on your commitment will serve you well in your new workplace.”

The following notables are among those who also addressed the Tunxis graduating class — Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Tunxis campus CEO Darryl Reome and Mark Ojakian, thenpresident of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities.

In addition to the statewide scholarship initiative, students interested in these two programs have access to financial aid via SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIOA (Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act), among other sources.

Besides Capital Workforce Partners, other funding agencies have supported the scholarship, including the Governor’s Workforce Council and Social Venture Partners International.

The CNA and sterile processing technician programs are part of an array of health career training offered at Tunxis. Other programs include emergency medical technician (EMT), patient care technician, registered medical assistant, certified pharmacy technician and certified phlebotomy technician.

Tunxis Community College celebrated its 50th anniversary of education and community service in 2020, and the 20th anniversary of its satellite facility, Tunxis@Bristol. When Tunxis opened in 1970, 494 students were enrolled — but today’s average is about 6,000 students per semester in more than 70 credit and continuing-education programs.

After receiving a two-year associate’s degree from Tunxis or another community college, graduates are prepared for employment and/or a four-year college in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.

Since the first Tunxis graduation in 1972, more than 14,700 graduates have received morethan 18,200 degrees and certificates from the college. +

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15

POLLEN PARTY A spicebush swallowtail butterfly — one of countless pollinators that provide pollination services to over 180,000 different plant species and more than 1200 crops, per Pollinator.org Below — a pearl crescent butterfly on echinacea

Photos by Wendy Rosenberg

Collinsville Pollen Trail: Join the Fun! WITH THE WINTER behind us, the volunteers responsible for the Collinsville Pollen Trail look forward to a new year.

Plans for this summer include: • Adding more native plants to our beds.

• Adding small signs to identify most native plants.

• Adding signs to identify invasive species (the bad ones) and keystone species, which provide habitat for pollinators.

• Employing an opaque tarp to smother weeds and prepare for a fall planting of native grass that needs to be mowed only once a year — really!

• And of course cutting back knotweed, bittersweet, barberry and other invasive species.

Stop by and take a look for yourself and feel free to ask questions if we are out working. We are always looking for more volunteers — www.collinsvillepollentrail.org We are also gladly accepting tax-deductible donations to cover the cost of signs and plants — donate online at www.cantonlandtrust.org — or mail to the Canton Land Conservation Trust (CLCT) • P.O. Box 41, Canton Center CT 06020 (note that it’s for the Pollen Trail) + — Holly Hambleton • member – CLCT board of directors 16

APRIL 2021 – www.TodayPublishing.net – TODAY MAGAZINE

POLLEN TRAIL — continued from page 11 fall of 2020, volunteers planted an annual rye grass. This spring, plans call for adding natives and removing leftover knotweed sprouts. The goal is to eradicate the knotweed. Though the foe weakens, the battle continues.

The Collinsville Pollen Trail is the first of what Berger hopes will be many Pollinator Pathway gardens in Canton. Other public lands are being considered, working with the DPW. +

What on Earth Is a Pollinator?

By Bruce Deckert Today Magazine Editor-in-Chief

THE COLLINSVILLE Pollen Trail is a newer addition to the heart of Canton’s celebrated artistic center, with a name that hearkens to the town’s roots as headquarters of the Collins Company.

For anyone who knows something about flowers, the terms pollen and pollinate and pollination are likely common enough — but what exactly is a pollinator?

As the philosophers and dictionary writers are inclined to say, let’s define terms — in this case, the word pollinator.

Pollinators are insects and animals — such as bees, wasps, moths, butterflies, hummingbirds, other birds and bats — that are responsible for transporting pollen and thus pollinating plants, including flowers and trees.

Pollinators make it possible for plants to reproduce, bear fruit and thus produce essential food for people around the world. If love makes the world go round, pollinators are an eloquent part of the global botanical love language.

The movement of pollen is vital for the array of flowers and trees and other plants to become fertilized and produce fruit and seeds — including about 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices and medicines, according to botanists.

In the United States, some experts estimate that certain pollination — by honeybees, native bees and other insects — generates products worth $40 billion annually.

Not all the plant-based foods that humans eat require pollinators, but most do, according to scientists.

One estimate asserts that from 75% to 95% of the planet’s flowering plants need help with pollination — in other words, they depend on larvae and butterflies and bugs in the air, oh my!

For the uninitiated, the preceding sentence is a paraphrased nod

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And How Important Are Pollinators?

to the classic Wizard of Oz line — “Lions and tigers and bears!”

Now, let’s return to our regularly scheduled article: “With each plant it is a bit different,” says Canton resident Karen Berger, the volunteer manager of the Pollen Trail project.

“Grains and many trees are wind-pollinated, some plants are self-pollinated — but most of our food, beverage, herbs and spice plants require pollinators. … Some plants require a specific pollinator, some are open access.”

What happens when unchecked development or chemical misuse kills pollinators and/or makes them scarce?

———————————————————————————————— • Collinsville Pollen Trail takes root — Page 11 ————————————————————————————————

Without pollination on a small scale, botanists say, a fruitbearing tree will become … fruitless. On a large scale, a deficiency of pollination could result in a significant shortage of food that is considered to be significant by many chefs, connoisseurs and regular human consumers.

An abundant diversity of plant-based foods are dependent on pollinators for their growth: apples, almonds, blueberries, chocolate, melons, peaches, potatoes, pumpkins, vanilla and more. If pollinators ceased to exist, these pollinator-based fruits and food products would essentially disappear.

Some foods and drinks are a team pollination effort — such as coffee, the popular global beverage.

Berger’s research indicates that coffee self-pollinates, but production is boosted 25% by insects — yes, those sometimes pesky, sometimes detrimental, yet often helpful creatures that inhabit the planet along with we human beings. +

BUSY BEES Bees, such as these bumblebees, are among the most important pollinators — the economic value of honeybee pollination alone is about $20 billion annually in U.S. agriculture production, per Forbes.com … yes, billion with a B

Photos by Wendy Rosenberg

TODAY MAGAZINE – www.TodayPublishing.net – APRIL 2021

17

HOPING FOR 2021 REOPENING

Unearthing History: Paleo-Indian Discovery Spurs Historical Quest

Numerous GAA artists displayed their work and gave demonstrations during the 2019 Open Studio Tour — canceled in 2020 because of COVID, the event will be rekindled in 2021 if the pandemic trends in the hoped-for direction

GAA — continued from page 13 “Creativity is contagious, pass it on.”

Besides donations, how is your nonprofit funded?

The Granby Artists Association is funded by membership fees, gracious donations from supporters and local businesses, and formal grants.

Interesting stats + numbers: • We have 34 active members — 22 participate in our website.

• The GAA receives support from local businesses during our fall Open Studio Tour weekend — on average, 15 GAA members open their home studios to the public over a fall weekend, allowing people to see Granby artists at work and to view current and past art pieces.

• About 20 local businesses support this event, allowing us to promote and advertise via newspaper and fliers.

How closely do you work with other agencies and nonprofits?

• The GAA collaborates closely with the Granby Land Trust to support a yearly juried art show and sponsor one of the show prizes — proceeds benefit the Land Trust’s goals of obtaining and maintaining pristine rural properties in Granby for public enjoyment.

THE DISCOVERY of a 12,500-year-old Paleo-Indian site along the Farmington River in Avon has resulted in a treasure trove of artifacts, and the historical inquiry connected to the site is an inherent facet of the ongoing education being offered to the public.

A series of free online lectures is covering the archaeology, geology and anthropology of life along the Farmington River — including the Brian D. Jones PaleoIndian Site. The next two webinar lectures are: • Thursday • April 8 • 7 p.m. — A Rift, Not The River, Made the Farmington Valley — Howard Wright, Renbrook School science department head, will explore the geology of western Connecticut along Route 44.

• Thursday • May 6 • 7 p.m. – Connecticut Before History: The Deep Story of Human Settlement of the Farmington Valley — Dr. Ken Feder, CCSU archaeology professor, will present findings that indicate the Farmington Valley was first settled by human beings more than 10,000 years ago.

Feder’s Farmington River Archaeological Project has revealed remains of the villages and hunting encampments used by these settlers. Similar to the way police investigate the scene of a crime, archaeologists locate, recover and examine evidence that reveals the scene of past human life. Feder will discuss some sites his crews have excavated and share the stories that can be told about the lives of the people who lived and worked in those ancient Valley communities.

Further events are slated for September and October.

The March webinar — Digging into Deep History: Archaeology, Artifacts and Avocation — is online.

Register and view — www.avonctlibrary.info > Events

• We offer an annual $500 scholarship to a Granby High School graduate who is pursuing an art career.

• We collaborate with Granby Recreation & Leisure Services to present a Holiday Marketplace at the town-owned Holcomb Farm property.

• We support the Granby Public Library by providing periodic art discussions, demonstrations and exhibits.

• Some of our members participate in the visiting artists program at Granby High.

• Every few years, we present a free-to-the-public Family Art Day, with partial grant support from the Granby Education Association.

What do you appreciate about the Farmington Valley?

We benefit from our location in the Farmington Valley, which contains a collection of quaint New England communities with a long history of supporting the arts and a large number of artists organizations. The Valley is a destination for tourists who seek out its historic venues and its natural beauty in all seasons of the year.

What constructive change would you like to see in the Valley?

We believe that our community and our visitors would benefit from more permanent venues for displaying artists’ creations and holding discussions and classes. +

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