For the hundreds of people who use Meadow Road to get across Farmington or to Tunxis Mead, the good news this morning is that the Pequabuck River has receded and the road has been reopened. Police had to close several roads in on Sept. 8 as heavy rains pounded Farmington for the second time in 10 days. Just last night a large section of the road was still submerged under a foot of water at the eastern end, causing motorists to have to take long detours. Walkers, joggers and bicyclists enjoyed having the usually busy road to themselves and a kayaker was out on the flooded Central Connecticut …

As has been the historic tradition, there will be two Memorial Day parades in town on Monday, May 30. This year, the Farmington parade will be first, forming at Garden Street and Farmington Avenue at 8 a.m., following the same route along Main Street as in past years and ending at the Riverside Cemetery for a memorial tribute.  The Unionville parade will form on New Britain Avenue and South Main Street at 10 a.m. A press release from the Town of Farmington reports “the traditional routing in Unionville has changed. First, there will be a brief stop at the War Memorial on Main Street for …

You can relax with an ebook this long weekend at no cost, thanks to the library’s recent acquisition of lending Nook ebook devices and an extensive ebook collection. The Farmington Library offers 24/7 access to a lending collection of downloadable ebooks through a regional cooperative, Library Connection’s Overdrive, which you can read through your own ereader or computer. Recently the library also acquired Nook ebook readers that Farmington residents can borrow. Funded by the Friends of the Farmington Library, the Main Library has 10 Nook Color devices for Farmington residents with plans to …

Farmington Girls Lacrosse Seniors were honored last night at one of the last games of a history-making season. At 10-3, this has been the team's best record ever. Prior to the game, the 12 senior players were announced and came out on the field one at a time with their families for a photograph. At the start of the game, each player was accompanied to the field by a member of the Farmington Bantams, second and third-grade girls lacrosse players. As they held hands with the young players during the singing of the national anthem, the team’s embrace of the true spirit of sport was evident. Many…

Volunteer firefighters support the community in so many ways besides fighting fires. This weekend was filled with examples, from assisting with set up at Relay for Life Friday night to participating in Public Safety Day Saturday. “The true spirit of a firefighter is giving above and beyond to the community,” said East Farms Fire Department Chief Russ Nelson. “The 50 volunteers at East Farms Fire Department carry pagers at all times to respond to every medical and fire call — any time, every day. They are also always out in the community, helping at events, educating residents about fire …

As is the tradition, Farmington High School Varsity Baseball senior team managers and players were escorted out to the field by their parents, their accomplishments noted and pictures taken at the start of Thursday night’s game. The crowd showed its appreciation for the Senior Class 2011 athletes with enthusiastic applause. The Farmington High School Varsity Baseball Boosters and Farmington Amateur Athletic Club then welcomed special guests to the field in honor of  “the memory of an extraordinary Farmington citizen, Gregory Warren.” Greg’s widow, Leslie Warren, son Tim Warren and the family’…

Supporters of Noah Wallace, West District, East Farms, and Union Elementary Schools' PTOs enthusiastically played in the Eagle Open Golf Tournament at Tunxis Plantation Golf Course Monday as if the sun was shining. The event brought together all four Farmington elementary schools to raise money for extras not provided for in the regular school budget such as updating computers and advancing technology equipment, teacher supplies, guest authors, student enrichment programs, recreation equipment and charity programs.  The tournament was started 10 years ago by a group of Union School PTO Dads …

The Discovery Center, “A classroom without walls for a future without prejudice” held its 2nd Annual Multicultural Food & Wine Tasting event on Saturday night at Hill-Stead Museum. Founded by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in 1992 as a pilot program of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, the center, which is headquartered in Farmington, offers programs for students and training for teachers. The center’s goal is “a future where people of all ages recognize, accept and value and celebrate individual and cultural diversity.” Judy Keppelman, a member of the Discovery Center Board of Directors, got …

Their first stop was Farmington and they’ll be back. That’s the beauty of a restaurant on wheels. After a full year of preparation, Mark Shadle, chef and co-owner of It’s Only Natural Restaurant in Middletown and his wife Ami Beach Shadle, a holistic nutritionist, set a goal of bringing their newest venture, “the nation's very first all vegetarian-eco mobile food truck" out into the world by  May 5. A friend saw plans for Earthstock CT 2011 announced on Facebook and suggested that the May 1 event at Tunxis Community College be their first stop. “We thought the festival perfectly matched our …

The Farmington Chamber of Commerce held its 45th Annual Awards Dinner Wednesday night at The Farmington Club, celebrating the contributions of individuals, businesses and organizations to the community. Incoming Chamber President Robert Perry announced the awards following dinner. The Business Leader of the Year Award was presented to Data Management by Courtney Hendricson, Town of Farmington Economic Development Director. “Data Management fosters a culture of business and professional growth while being a good corporate neighbor to nonprofit organizations in the Farmington Valley,” …

A working farm in the early 1900s, for the past six years Hill-Stead Museum’s 152 acres have been the summer home of about 27 much admired sheep, counting the three born this weekend. Fifteen of the ewes are about to deliver another 20 or so sheep to the flock any day now.  The sheep were brought to the museum grounds in an attempt to clear some of the overgrown fields in a natural way. “We fell in love with the Hill-Stead property and went out and purchased sheep for them,” explained Bobbi Emery, owner, with Anne Foss, of nearby Clatter Ridge Farm. “Having the sheep grazing Hill-Stead fields…

Stanley-Whitman House invites area golfers to its 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the programs of Stanley-Whitman House. The event will be held May 20 at Tunxis Plantation Golf Club, located at 87 Town Farm Road. "In this tight economy, with funding decreasing, we really need the support of our local community to maintain our children's educational programs. This is a great day of golf for a very good cause, and the money raised stays in the community and benefits our own children,” explained Jane Dalal, chairwoman of the Stanley-Whitman House Board of Directors. Registration …

Hundreds of mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers were treated to a delicious Mother's Day breakfast prepared and served by the volunteers at Tunxis Hose Fire Department Sunday morning. This is the first year the Tunxis Hose spring breakfast has been held on Mother’s Day. Captain Larry Sanderson, who organized the breakfast, appreciated the great attendance. “We normally hold the event the Sunday after Easter, but because Easter fell so late this year, we decided to try Mother’s Day. Thankfully, it was a good decision. It is a resounding success and we’d like to thank everyone who came…

The Farmington High School Crew Team has come a long way since it began in 2002 with two shells and a few dozen members. The team now has 12 shells, over 120 members, five coaches and a boathouse on the Farmington River, all achieved through fundraising and donations. On Mother’s Day, hundreds of supporters came out to watch one of the major fundraisers that has fueled the team's growth, the annual Duck Race, held just before the start of the Middle of the Farmington Regatta. The team has been selling tickets for the race since March. Each $5 ticket bears a number which is also affixed to a …

Hill-Stead Museum’s 25thMay Market promises to be the biggest and best yet. On the museum grounds May 6 and May 7, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., the fundraising event offers something for everyone – from plant sales to author talks to music and dancing. Making their debut this year are Hill-Stead’s own line of products, including jams made from local fruit; Hill-Stead honey produced by Jones Apiaries; private-label Hill-Stead wines, produced by Jonathan Edward Winery of North Stonington, CT; dresses and shirts printed with reproductions of art in the museum collection and scarves and ties inspired …

Although they responded to calls at 3 a.m. and again at 3:45 a.m. Sunday morning, the Farmington Volunteer Fire Department was ready with hundreds of servings of French toast, home fries, sausage, bacon, and eggs when people started arriving for the long-awaited Spring breakfast at 7 a.m., looking crisp in their chef’s jackets. The tables stayed full until noon, with a constant stream of people coming by before or after church and other activities. Buzz and Arlene Whitaker, both lifelong Farmington residents, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this November, and except for a few …

UNICO  (Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity and Opportunity) Farmington Chapter, truly demonstrated support of its mission, “Service Above Self” this weekend. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the State of Italy, a spring social, Serata Primaverile, co-sponsored by Hill-Stead Museum and the Farmington Chapter of UNICO, was held in the museum’s Makeshift Theater Saturday night. Proceeds from the event support Hill-Stead and Farmington UNICO's scholarships and community grants. The evening included a museum tour, wine tasting of wines from four regions of Italy, with …

You can make a big difference in the lives of cancer survivors this Saturday, April 30, by attending the UConn Health Center Auxiliary’s Casting for Recovery Fundraiser, noon-6 p.m. According to the event flyer, this is an opportunity to “Spend an afternoon at Farmington’s Winding Trails getting to know the soothing pursuit of fly fishing and the art of fly tying. Wander its picturesque trails and enjoy the work of artists painting “en plein air.” Casting for Recovery is a national, nonprofit organization that offers counseling, education, medical information and a fly-fishing experience to …

A great place to shop for clothes at low prices this spring is the giant used-clothing sale coming up this weekend at The First Church of Christ, Congregational, 1652. The Women’s Association will hold its semi-annual sale in the Porter Memorial 5 - 8 p.m. on Friday, $5 admission fee and Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., $2 admission fee. On Friday the clothing is individually priced. Saturday is “Bargain Day,” when you can fill as many large paper grocery bags as you want for only $3 each. Boutique items are half price on Saturday. The sale is open to the public. “This very popular semi-annual sale…

The 32nd Annual Tunxis Student Art exhibition is on display April 18-28 in the Barnes-Franklin Gallery. The juried exhibition includes paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, digital fine art and graphic design. “All art students were eligible to submit work,” explained Fine Arts Instructor Susan Strauss. About 100 pieces were entered in the competition. Strauss, a portrait artist who trained at the School of Visual Arts and Pratt Institute in New York, said she had “found a home here with motivated students who are making leaps as they go from one class to another. What is really nice …