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

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department held a somber service remembering those who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

On Saturday, September 12, 2026, that tradition returns as Favarh – The Arc of the Farmington Valley presents the annual Mike DelGuidice Under the Stars Benefit Concert, a benefit concert, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center.

Scott Goeben remembers when firefighters were called to action the old-fashioned way. "They had a Plectron, which was a red box, and the tone would go out," he says over coffee at LaSalle. "They had fire sirens on poles. The fire siren would go off, and you went to the firehouse."

Daniel Rodriguez, owner and chef of El Tapatio in Simsbury, began his restaurant career as a dishwasher in his family’s collection of restaurants, all named Puerto Vallarta. In 1999 the West Hartford location was the first of nine to open in Connecticut. Rodriguez worked his way up in all the restaurants except the newest one in Stamford. He spent 11 years in Southington and 7 in Avon. The rest are located in Newington, Middletown, Orange, Danbury and Fairfield. Just a yea

For many Avon High School students, their new Principal will be a familiar face. Kristina Wallace was previously Assistant Principal, then Principal, at Avon Middle School, starting back in 2019. Now in her current role at AHS, effective July 1, 2026, she replaces Dr. Stephanie Lockhart, who moved to a central office leadership position in Hartford.

Eleven Simsbury artists will open their studios to the public on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the 17th Annual Simsbury Open Studios weekend. Visitors will have the opportunity to see local artists working in their studios, ask questions about their creative process, and purchase unique and original art.

It’s hard to imagine the future sometimes. Current college seniors may be thinking of job hunting, resumes, and interviews in order to secure a position upon college graduation. After all, isn’t that what most college students have spent their lives preparing to do: find gainful employment after years of education? However, one possible pathway to consider is actually to head back to school. That’s right: graduate school!