Community Corner

Rotarians to Host Italian Tastes of the Valley

The fourth annual event is scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 25.

Back when the Avon Town Hall brownstone buildings were owned by Ensign-Bickford, many Italians and Europeans worked at the fuse factory in Avon.

The rich Italian culture has proven to be an integral part of making Avon what it is today.

The public is invited to celebrate Avon's Italian roots during Festival Italiana on Feb. 25 at the Avon Senior Center, this year's Avon-Canton Rotary Club "Tastes of the Valley" theme.

"I think we just decided Festival Italiana will work well in this area," Devra Lee Sisitsky, co-chair of the fourth annual event, said.

Many Italian restaurants call Avon home, including da Capo, one of the vendors that will be at the event offering food samples.

"Many of the restaurants have been big time participants," Sisitsky said.

Other restaurants providing food samples include Abigail’s Grille and Wine Bar in Simsbury; in Avon; Dish ‘n Dat in Canton; and La Trattoria Restaurant in Canton. The Meat House, of Avon, will also be there with meat tastings and Cabot Cheese of Vermont is providing gourmet cheeses, according to a press release. Shop-Rite, of Canton, is donating soda.

For those with a sweet tooth, there will be a J. Foster Ice Cream gelato bar and dessert section. The Coffee Trade, of Avon, will offer coffee samplings, the press release stated.

While Avon may not have Tuscan vineyards, area residents will have the opportunity to sample Italian wines, as well as beers, provided by .

"It's a fun way to spend an evening, get a sample of local restaurant's fare, understand a little more about Italian beer and wine and a great way to contribute to many local charities," Sisitsky said.

The New England Jazz Ensemble is slated to perform at the festival.

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The event costs $50 and tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Cash, checks and credit cards are all accepted forms of payment. The proceeds go into a fund used to donate to area charities. Past beneficiaries include Foodshare, the Arc of the Farmington Vally (FAVARH), Dollars for Scholars, Gifts of Love, AMBER Alert, area fuel banks and college scholarships, according to the press release.

Rotary is national organization that has also donated money for polio eradication efforts and "clean water initiatives," according to a press release.

"Not only is it global, but it's local," Sisitsky said.

And on Feb. 25, the Rotarians will make local international, turning the Avon Senior Center into Italy for the night for the event. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. and last until 10 p.m.

The senior center is located at 635 West Avon Rd. in Avon.

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The Tastes of the Valley committee also includes co-chairman Craig Buhrendorf, Ann Clark, Betsy Kelly, Brian Bergeson, Capri Frank, Don Bonner, Donald McGlynn, Gail Speers, Gary Miller, Joanne Santiago, Josh Gillooly, Les Zinner, Lisa Barall-Matt, Philip Worley and Tim Barthel.


Editor's Note: If you think any corrections need to be made to this article, contact Avon Patch Editor Jessie Sawyer at 860-356-6339 or Jessie.Sawyer@patch.com. Join in on the Avon Patch conversation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AvonPatch) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/AvonPatch). You can also add your own announcements and events or apply to blog on Patch.


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