Orchard Valley Garden Club Hosts Talk by Dahlia Expert

On Tuesday, March 31, The Orchard Valley Garden Club is pleased to have Pam Bosward of West Woods Flower Farm in Hamden, CT presenting, “Growing Beautiful Dahlias.” West Woods Flower Farm grows pesticide free, locally-grown flowers from mid-June through mid-October.

Pam grows many varieties of cut flowers but dahlias are her specialty. She has been growing flowers since 2014 and opened her farm business in 2020. She grows over 700 varieties of dahlias and will share her passion for growing them. We will learn all about the many varieties, how to grow and care for them as well as dividing them and how to over-winter them.

Pam is a huge supporter of the “locally grown movement” and encourages everyone to support their local farmers. She is a member of the CT Dahlia Society and the American Dahlia Society.

The meeting will be held at the American Legion Hall, 64 Main Street in Southington. Gathering time is at 9:45, and the program begins at 10:00 am. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome. A $5 guest donation is requested. 

For more information, please visit the Club’s website at

https://orchardvalleygardenclub.weebly.com

STEPS Youth Council to Peers: Sports Betting is a Losing Game

SOUTHINGTON STEPS VIDEO SCREENSHOT

Eleven members of the STEPS Youth Council made their on-screen debut recently in a short video highlighting the risks of sports betting. Click below to watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIyRnjKeFwU

Since October, the group of Southington High School students has been conceptualizing, writing, and filming the two-minute PSA as part of the Youth Gambling Awareness Project (YGAP). This program is an annual collaboration between the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC), DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, and the CT Council on Problem Gambling.

The Youth Gambling Awareness Project funds youth groups across the state to promote problem gambling awareness and resources available for help. In 2023, the Connecticut School Health Survey found that nearly one in four high school students in our state reported gambling on sports, cards, dice, lottery games, or online. As part of the application process, participating groups selected a focus area, and the STEPS Youth Council chose to concentrate on sports betting based on their observations that it is increasingly common among teens in Southington.

YGAP funding allowed STEPS to partner with a professional video production team. Sebastian Pepe collaborated with Youth Council members to develop their script and filmed the PSA this weekend with assistance from Jeremy Chin and Erika Korbusieski. Jenna Hebert, a senior at SHS, portrayed Macy, a teen whose growing involvement in sports betting begins to impact her performance at school and her relationships with friends and family. Other STEPS Youth Council members - Amelia Rizza, Caroline Decorte, Devon Jasulavic, Drew Niro, Gigi Truss, Hayley Friar, Jackie Liebler, Katie Cavanaugh, Maddy Landry, and Raquel Gontijo - took on supporting roles. The final scene of the video shows Macy speaking to a trusted adult after her parents intervene.

“I think our story does a great job of showing the possible consequences of gambling, and the feeling of getting help,” said Jenna.

The students chose the tagline “sports betting is a losing game” for their PSA as a nod to all of the losses that the main character experiences. When complete, the video will be shared with high school staff, students, and their parents. STEPS Youth Council members will also hand out giveaways and resources during lunches in March to recognize Problem Gambling Awareness Month. On March 25, a showcase of all 17 videos from youth groups involved in YGAP will be aired virtually.

About STEPS: Southington’s Town-wide Effort to Promote Success (STEPS) is a community partnership dedicated to preventing youth substance use and promoting healthy choices through education, action, and advocacy. STEPS brings together 13 community sectors — from youth and parents to law enforcement and local businesses — to build safer, healthier environments where young people can thrive. Join us in “growing great kids!”. Learn more at southingtonSTEPS.org.

Southington Symphonic Band Spring 2026 Concert

PHOTO COURTESY JOANNE KELLEHER

The Southington Symphonic Band presents their Spring Concert on Monday, March 30th at 7 pm. It will be held at Southington High School auditorium, 72 Pleasant Street.

No tickets are necessary, but donations will be accepted.

The band is planning to perform several selections including The Governor's Own March, Cathedral Mountain, Danzas Cubanas, Festal Scenes, Summer Knights, and American Dances: Rag, Square, and Swing.

The Southington Symphonic Band, directed by former SHS band director Jeff Shaw, was established in January 2023. Its members include former SHS band members and band parents, local music teachers, and players from Southington and neighboring communities.

Musicians high school age or older who play a band instrument are welcome to join the Southington Symphonic Band. Rehearsals will resume in April, on Mondays from 7-9 pm in the Southington High School band room, for the summer concert in June. There are openings for clarinet and double reed players and possibly in other sections depending on who returns. The group performs 4 or 5 concerts a year and players can start after each concert cycle. Contact the band at southingtonsymphonicband@gmail.com if interested in joining the ensemble.

More information is available at southingtonsymphonicband.com.