Avon Talks

Following victory in World War II, the United States was forced to navigate a precarious transition period as it welcomed its millions of veterans back into society. To accommodate many of these returning soldiers and the subsequent Baby Boom that followed, developers across the country found success in creating standardized suburban housing and lifestyles that heralded an extreme period of national uniformity in the 1950s. However, American life would not stay stagnant for long. By the 1960s, the Hippie Movement fought against this uniformity for an era of creative expression and individualism, amongst other goals, like never before. Avon would feel the results of these efforts as it welcomed the Farmington Valley Art Center in 1974. Joining us to discuss the visionary history of this center and its impact on Avon and Valley life are Carol Kaplan, the current Executive Director of the center, and Melissa Meredith, a current member of the board of directors. 

Avon Talks is available on:

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Avon Talks is a monthly podcast about Avon, CT's history, landmarks, and current events from the Avon Historical Society and Town of Avon. It is hosted by Ethan Guo, an Avon Resident and current undergraduate student at Tufts University. 

Find more Avon Talks info on https://avontalks.buzzsprout.com 

Have any questions, concerns, or comments? Reach out to: [email protected] 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

What does the heyday of American industrialization have to do with Avon, CT? The answer is in Lions Club International. In 1917, the Lions Club was first founded in Chicago, Illinois in response to the height of American industrialism where widespread disease, poor living conditions, and endemic child labor ravaged many dense, metropolitan areas. It wouldn’t take long for the club to extend its impact throughout the United States and across the world, eventually playing a crucial role in forming the NGO section of the, then, newly established United Nations in 1945. The Lions first formally made their presence felt here, in Avon, CT, in 1951, and have since then become a cornerstone of charitable social service within the community. To talk more about this journey with us is Heidi Zacchera, the president of the Avon Lions Club since 2004. 

Avon Talks is available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube Music

Podcast Index

Amazon Music

Avon Talks is a monthly podcast about Avon, CT's history, landmarks, and current events from the Avon Historical Society and Town of Avon. It is hosted by Ethan Guo, an Avon Resident and current undergraduate student at Tufts University. 

Find more Avon Talks info on https://avontalks.buzzsprout.com 

Have any questions, concerns, or comments? Reach out to: [email protected] 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

What is a library? To some, it’s a repository of knowledge for study and research. To others, it’s a place to borrow novels and movies and to get lost in worlds of figment and imagination, or a public space to get work done and access different community resources. In the greater American story, public libraries have been the homes of some of the greatest self-starting entrepreneurs and the cradle for world-changing academic research and literature. In this episode, we are going to explore the development of one specific public library nestled right here in Avon, Connecticut. The Avon Free Public Library has had a long history, from being transplanted across the town to developing an evolving identity as the needs of libraries and information literacy have changed with the digital age. Joining us today is Glenn Grube, the director of AFPL and Cal Miller of Miller Farms. Thank you both so much for being here with us today.

Avon Talks is available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube Music

Podcast Index

Amazon Music

Avon Talks is a monthly podcast about Avon, CT's history, landmarks, and current events from the Avon Historical Society and Town of Avon. It is hosted by Ethan Guo, an Avon Resident and current undergraduate student at Tufts University. 

Find more Avon Talks info on https://avontalks.buzzsprout.com 

Have any questions, concerns, or comments? Reach out to: [email protected] 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

Join us with Robert Summers, the former Avon Athletic Director and founder of the Avon Athletics program, as we explore the tangential history of Avon athletics with the Avon High School, the development of different sports teams, and the long-term impact it has had on generations of Avon students. 

Avon Talks is available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube Music

Podcast Index

Amazon Music

Avon Talks is a monthly podcast about Avon, CT's history, landmarks, and current events from the Avon Historical Society and Town of Avon. It is hosted by Ethan Guo, an Avon Resident and current undergraduate student at Tufts University. 

Find more Avon Talks info on https://avontalks.buzzsprout.com 

Have any questions, concerns, or comments? Reach out to: [email protected] 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

Join us with Jay Willerup, the current board president of the Friends of Heublein Tower, as we explore the tower’s founding story, introduce its history, discuss some of the notable United States presidents that have graced its halls, and examine its current community impact in the 21st century. 

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If you would like to volunteer your time to the Friends of Heublein Tower, contact them at [email protected], through their website at www.friendsofheubleintower.org, on Facebook @Friends of Heublein Tower, on Instagram @friendsofheubleintower, or on Twitter @Heublein-Tower.

Avon Talks is available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube Music

Podcast Index

Amazon Music

Avon Talks is a monthly podcast about Avon, CT's history, landmarks, and current events from the Avon Historical Society and Town of Avon. It is hosted by Ethan Guo, an Avon Resident and current undergraduate student at Tufts University. 

Find more Avon Talks info on https://avontalks.buzzsprout.com 

Have any questions, concerns, or comments? Reach out to: [email protected] 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

Join us with Art Custer, the head of the History Department at Avon Old Farms as we explore the school’s founding, introduce its history in relation to Avon, and the role the school has had on generations of students from across the nation and world. 

Avon Talks is available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube Music

Podcast Index

Amazon Music

Find more Avon Talks info on https://avontalks.buzzsprout.com 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

Avon Talks is available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube Music

Podcast Index

Amazon Music

Avon Talks is a monthly podcast about Avon, CT's history, landmarks, and current events from the Avon Historical Society and Town of Avon. It is hosted by Ethan Guo, an Avon Resident and current undergraduate student at Tufts University. 

Find more Avon Talks info on https://avontalks.buzzsprout.com 

Have any questions, concerns, or comments? Reach out to: [email protected] 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

Join us with Brandon Robertson as we introduce the role of the town manager, break down the structure of Avon's local government, and discuss the importance of civic engagement at all levels of government. 

Avon Talks is available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube Music

Podcast Index

Amazon Music

Find more Avon Talks info on https://www.buzzsprout.com/2024219 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

Avon Talks is available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube Music

Podcast Index

Amazon Music

Avon Talks is a monthly podcast about Avon, CT's history, landmarks, and current events from the Avon Historical Society and Town of Avon. It is hosted by Ethan Guo, an Avon Resident and current undergraduate student at Tufts University. 

Find more Avon Talks info on https://avontalks.buzzsprout.com 

Have any questions, concerns, or comments? Reach out to: [email protected] 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

Join us with Chris Cody and Paul Rotondo as we introduce the Prince Thomas of Savoy Italian social club, its over century long history, and its role within the Avon, Farmington Valley, and Connecticut community. 

Avon Talks is available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube Music

Google Podcasts

Podcast Index

Amazon Music

Find more Avon Talks info on https://www.buzzsprout.com/2024219 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

Avon Talks is available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube Music

Podcast Index

Amazon Music

Avon Talks is a monthly podcast about Avon, CT's history, landmarks, and current events from the Avon Historical Society and Town of Avon. It is hosted by Ethan Guo, an Avon Resident and current undergraduate student at Tufts University. 

Find more Avon Talks info on https://avontalks.buzzsprout.com 

Have any questions, concerns, or comments? Reach out to: [email protected] 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

Join us with Imam Safwan Shaikh and Dr. Khamis Abu-Hasaballah as we introduce the Farmington Valley American Muslim Center and its growing role amongst the Farmington Valley community. 

To learn more about the FVAMC, visit their website at www.fvamc.org  

Want to stay up to date with Avon Talks? Send an email to [email protected] to join the newsletter

For more information on the Avon Historical Society, visit avonhistoricalsociety.org

Avon Talks is available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube Music

Podcast Index

Amazon Music

Avon Talks is a monthly podcast about Avon, CT's history, landmarks, and current events from the Avon Historical Society and Town of Avon. It is hosted by Ethan Guo, an Avon Resident and current undergraduate student at Tufts University. 

Find more Avon Talks info on https://avontalks.buzzsprout.com 

Have any questions, concerns, or comments? Reach out to: [email protected] 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

Join us with Cal Miller and Brian Malone as we introduce the foundation and formation of Miller Farms as well as its current pet food business in Oma’s Pride and its charity Miller Farms Cares. 

To learn more about Miller Farms, visit their website at omaspride.com or millerfarms.us 

Want to stay up to date with Avon Talks? Send an email to [email protected] to join the newsletter

For more information on the Avon Historical Society, visit avonhistoricalsociety.org

Avon Talks is available on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube Music

Podcast Index

Amazon Music

Avon Talks is a monthly podcast about Avon, CT's history, landmarks, and current events from the Avon Historical Society and Town of Avon. It is hosted by Ethan Guo, an Avon Resident and current undergraduate student at Tufts University. 

Find more Avon Talks info on https://avontalks.buzzsprout.com 

Have any questions, concerns, or comments? Reach out to: [email protected] 

Want to learn more about the Avon Historical Society? Visit www.avonhistoricalsociety.org