Bella Rees, a Southington High School graduate, is the 2026 winner of the Orchard Valley Garden Club scholarship.
Bella will be attending Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island and majoring in Sustainable Food Systems with a minor in Policy & Advocacy. While finding comfort in baking in her kitchen, Bella is also passionate about the environment.
She spoke to the club at its July 28th membership meeting.
[Press Release] Main Street Community Foundation is proud to have recently awarded a total of $29,280 to nine nonprofit organizations serving Southington residents through its General Grant Cycle. A total of $167,740 was awarded to forty-seven local organizations through this grant cycle to further their reach and meet the needs of residents in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott. Since its establishment in 1995, MSCF has awarded grants and scholarships totaling nearly $36 million and is one of the leading grantmakers in the Central Connecticut region. To view all grants awarded in this cycle, visit mainstreetfoundation.org/grants-awarded#general.
The grants awarded to organizations serving Southington are as follows:
· CyberKnights Robotics - $4,500 - The Southington STEM Pipeline to begin shop modernization and upgrades for CyberKnights programming (KAWFY Memorial Fund)
· Friends of Southington Community Services - $2,000 - Operation Stay Warm program to purchase equipment and supplies essential for the clothing program, supporting for families in need (KAWFY Memorial Fund, Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust)
· Mattatuck Museum - $4,140 - After School Art with the MATT in collaboration with the Southington YMCA’s after-school program to introduce participants to diverse artists, mediums and styles (Sid Bernard & Ed Miller Children's Fund for the Visual Arts, Lynda M. Mazur and Michael F. Colomonico Jr. Hands-On Fund)
· Palace Theater Group - $3,000 - Performance and post-show discussion of Mrs. Doubtfire on stage at the Palace Theater for high school students from Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth and Southington (Douglas and Noreen Schumann Special Interest Fund)
· Southington Girls Softball League - $2,000 - Field 1 dugout replacement to benefit 350 female athletes (Paula & Rick Knight Family Fund for the Southington Community)
· Southington Housing Authority - $5,000 - Complex enhancements to improve community spaces and encourage socialization, physical activities, and safety (KAWFY Memorial Fund)
· Southington Public Library - Barnes Museum - $6,000 - Exterior preservation and conservatory woodwork restoration for the preservation and stabilization of The Barnes Museum (KAWFY Memorial Fund)
· Southington Symphonic Band - $1,200 - Support for sheet music and related expenses to provide music for the community (KAWFY Memorial Fund, Southignton Arts Council Legacy Fund)
· The Tabernacle Christian Church - $1,440 - Giving Back Food Pantry program to purchase groceries and fresh foods for food-insecure residents in Southington and surrounding areas (Paige Wartonick Laferriere Memorial Fund)
General Grant Cycle awards support basic needs, increase access to opportunities, and create vibrant communities, to meet the needs of the communities served by the Foundation. Grants are distributed from endowed funds established by donors to support local communities and causes they are passionate about, from arts and culture, to food and housing, and mental health and wellbeing.
Applications for the General Grant Cycle are submitted annually in the spring, and are thoughtfully reviewed by local residents that volunteer on MSCF’s Distribution Committee. The Committee reviews all proposals, conducts site visits, and makes funding recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors. This annual process ensures that the goals and programs of the grantees are feasible and align with the fund donor’s intent.
To learn more about the Main Street Community Foundation, visit mainstreetfoundation.org.
The Main Street Community Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for both present and future generations in the communities served by encouraging and promoting gift planning, prudent stewardship of assets, effective grantmaking and community leadership. A nonprofit public charity, created by private citizens, the foundation works with donors in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott who wish to build permanent charitable endowments to support their communities. Since its founding in 1995, the foundation has provided nearly $36 million in grants and scholarships.
[Press Release] Get ready to satisfy your taste buds at the 25th Annual Taste of Southington on August 5, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 PM at the beautiful Barnes Museum!
Taste of Southington is an annual food festival celebrating the vibrant culinary scene of
Southington, CT. Bringing together local restaurants, food trucks, and music, this event offers a memorable experience for attendees of all ages. Now in its 25th year, Taste of Southington continues to be a highlight of the summer season, showcasing the best of what the community has to offer.
Local Flavors & Toe-Tapping Tunes
Join us for an exceptional evening on the Barnes Museum grounds as we bring together several local restaurants and food trucks, showcasing their best creations to the food enthusiasts of Southington. Enjoy your food under a shady tent while listening to the Stanley Big Street Band as they keep the atmosphere lively with its fantastic musical entertainment from 5:00-7:00pm. Tours of the museum's first floor will be free, and Valentine the Clown will entertain the kiddos! The event boasts FREE admission onto the museum grounds.
Event Details:
· Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026
· Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
· Location: The Barnes Museum, 85 North Main Street, Southington, CT
· Parking: Municipal lot at 1 Riccio Way, Southington (walk right onto the grounds from the lot).
OUR SINCERE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: Maximum Sound & Security, Rogers Orchards, Lovley Development, Art Rich Photography, Friends of the Barnes Museum, Realty 3 CT, Volpe Automotive & Sons, SPDI Superior Products Distributors, Hartford HealthCare, and Houzpital Property Damage Restoration.
Fun Continues Beyond 7 PM
The excitement doesn't stop there as the Taste of Southington wraps up at 7:00 PM! Please take a short stroll from the museum to the Southington town green for their weekly Music on the Green concert series, extending the festive atmosphere throughout the night.
Follow Us:
Website: www.thebarnesmuseum.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/barnesmuseum
Instagram: @thebarnesmuseum
