LIFE

FARMINGTON – For the Scouts from Troop 170 who created, organized, and executed the program to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the words spoken by their guest speakers—Connor Hogan whose father, Jeff Hogan, along with members of the Farmington Fire Department, went to Ground Zero in New York City in the days following the 9/11 attack; Brian F.X. Connelly, town council chair; and Father George Roberts of St. James Church—seemed almost unreal. And yet, they knew witho

Italy on the Farm came to the pastoral fields at Sub Edge Farm July 26, as part of an ongoing series presented by the farm and DORO Catering & Events. Held on the Avon portion of the land Sub Edge leases, several dinners are organized each growing season, and the series is now in its 10th year.

Many of us pass beneath the bridge nicknamed “Big Bird” so routinely that its presence has become almost invisible—at least a few times each week, and often more. If you have a child attending Union School or Farmington High School, stop for groceries at Stop & Shop, or conduct business at Town Hall, you may cross under it several times in a single day. Yet even in the familiarity of daily travel, it still draws the eye. We glance at its rust-colored sidewalls and faded lette

The warm, sunny early evening of June 20 at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center proved to be the perfect setting for the fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration. The free event and largest of its kind in the Farmington Valley was supported by four local towns that banded together, Avon, Farmington, Granby and Simsbury. The towns were represented by tents set up by their local libraries.

Local police departments once again participated in the Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch run this June. Now in its 40th year, the event involves three days when local officers along 10 different routes – or legs– run through their towns. Those legs ultimately converge for a final run to kick off the Connecticut Special Olympics Summer Games.

“We need to grow more farmers.” On a quiet April morning with spring planting, fields to prepare, and goods to organize for sale, Jennifer Woods manages to take a few minutes away from all her duties and sits across from me, explaining her plans for the future. “Hein Farm” in Farmington is a well-known place of local history in town but today, Woods isn’t telling me about the past: instead, she is focused on the future, telling me about her plans for the farm. Creating a men

America’s birthday at 250 years is also referred to as its semiquincentennial and it has been celebrated across the country, all throughout the year. Valley towns have been busy with multiple activities, from readings of the Declaration, to historical lectures, to plays and reenactments, to grand festivals with fireworks or parades. They have commemorated this historic event in ways as unique as their towns.

He met me with a smile. “I’m so glad you stopped.” As if answering my unspoken question, he turned to show me the picture pinned to his backpack. “I do it for them,” he said. That night, Stephen Lewis, whose name I later learned, was walking in honor of Branden F. Oberleitner, BCO, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, KIA Fallujah, Iraq, 5-3-03. “Because he deserves to be remembered,” he added.