Avon, CT

The Avon Land Trust, along with the Avon, CT public schools are sponsering a One Town One Book program for this excellent book written by Richard Louv.

The basic premise is that kids these days spend much less time outside than their parents, and especially their grandparents, did. As a result kids today are not that familiar with nature. How much time do your kids spend outside, and if they do, how far can they go from home before you start to worry?

Folks in town have been reading this book over the last month. The first event is Thursday to brainstorm ways to get not only kids, but families, and all residents of town outside more.

As I've been driving around town the last few weeks, I've been noticing how many parks, trails, and other "free" activities there are for folks to do.

I just signed up for a public blog and I'm thinking it might be beneficial to begin to write about some of these activities.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. As I said I am a newbie at all of this.

The members of the Valley Chapter of Business Network International (BNI) sponsored the cost of pediatric reconstruction surgery for a child in the Operation Smile program. As a member of the chapter for over 5 years, and currently serving as publicity chair, I'd like to tell you all about it. Maybe the idea will spread--- it's certainly a worthwhile cause.

Bobbie Renshaw, owner of Artistic Images of Canton and member of the Valley Chapter of BNI collected the donation from her fellow members at the weekly meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2008. "We recognize the importance of smiles everyday", said Marianne Hebenstreit, photographer at Artistic Images, "We are honored to help a child smile his first smile."

Operation Smile, a not-for-profit organization started in 1982 by Dr. William P. Magee, plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen, nurse and clinical social worker, is made up of thousands of physicians, dentists, and other healthcare professionals worldwide. The organization is dedicated to performing surgery and training around the world to treat children who suffer from facial deformities, such as cleft lip and cleft palate. To date, over 115,000 children have received these life-changing benefits. For more information, go to www.OperationSmile.org.

The Valley Chapter of BNI joined the efforts of Artistic Images of Canton and Professional Photographers of America to raise money for Operation Smile. October has been designated as Family Portrait Month. A total of $240.00 was collected at the BNI meeting which will pay for one surgery. In addition to direct donation, Artistic Images will contribute $25.00 of every photography session fee during the month of October directly to Operation Smile.

Other donations are currently being accepted by Artistic Images, and all contributions will be sent to Operation Smile by the end of November. For additional information, contact Bobbie Renshaw at Artistic Images of Canton at 860-693-1414. Donations can be mailed to Artistic Images at 163 Albany Turnpike, Suite 100, Canton, CT 06019, or made in person at the same address.

The Andover Friends of the Library will present an evening of old time country music for the whole family with the Bristol Boys on Friday July 11 at 6:30pm at the Andover Gazebo, 35 School Rd, Andover, CT. Bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy an evening of free entertainment. The Friends will sell light refreshments and soft drinks. For more information, call the library at 742-7428.