In this episode, host Michael Mezheritskiy and co-host Rachael Gnatowski sit down with Robin Clare, Executive Director of the Seniors Job Bank, to explore how this long-standing nonprofit connects experienced, reliable, and motivated mature workers with local businesses, municipalities, and volunteer opportunities.

What You’ll Hear About:

• The origins of the Seniors Job Bank in 1974 and its evolution from household help to business and municipal placements.

• Expansion into Avon, Canton, and neighboring towns to increase awareness and job postings.

• The three age groups served — from 50-year-olds seeking full-time work to 80+ staying active through part-time roles.

• Why mature workers offer unmatched reliability, professionalism, and decades of experience.

• How the organization is tackling ageism in the workplace.

• Common roles filled — from receptionists and bookkeepers to handypersons and organizers.

• How small businesses can benefit from flexible, highly skilled workers.

• Why retention rates are dramatically higher for mature workers than younger hires.

• A call to action for businesses and nonprofits to post both paid and volunteer roles.

Key Takeaway:
The Seniors Job Bank is a valuable local resource for connecting seasoned talent with organizations that appreciate dedication, skill, and flexibility.

Learn More:

• Website: seniorsjobbankct.org

• Phone: 860-521-3210

• Email: [email protected]

🎙️ Valley Vibes – Episode 23
Hosted by: Rachael Gnatowski (New England Ballet Theatre)
Co-hosted by: Michael Mezheritskiy (Milestone Asset Management Group)
Guest: Rick Buteau, Co-owner of RL Consulting

🔍 In This Episode:

Rick Buteau from RL Consulting joins Rachael and Michael to discuss how his Canton-based software company is helping small businesses and nonprofits streamline their operations with custom-built CRM solutions. Topics include:

• ✅ What a CRM is and how it helps businesses grow

• ✅ RL Consulting’s custom-built CRM platform: Growth Path

• ✅ Unique CRM use cases for:

  • Real estate agents

  • Insurance professionals

  • Nonprofits and donor management

• ✅ The transition from spreadsheets to automated workflows

• ✅ Affordable, scalable CRM pricing for small businesses

• ✅ Data security and RL's proprietary AI tools

• ✅ Real-world cost savings and efficiency examples

• ✅ Integration and onboarding process (up and running in ~1 week)

• ✅ How CRM supports marketing, outreach, and fundraising

• Visual dashboards

• Lead management & follow-ups

• QR-code lead capture

• Built-in email campaigns & automation

• Custom tagging system

• Secure, AI-enhanced platform

• Customized solutions tailored to your business

Whether you’re a solopreneur, nonprofit, or growing enterprise, this episode highlights why having a CRM isn't just for large corporations. RL Consulting makes CRM accessible, affordable, and highly customizable to your process—no need to fit into someone else's box.

🌐 Website: https://rltechsuite.com/
📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 Phone: (860) 921-4523

RL Consulting offers free demos and flexible pricing based on your needs.

Thanks to Rick Buteau for sharing how small businesses can gain big-time efficiencies with the right CRM, and to our listeners for supporting local entrepreneurs.

🎧 Subscribe and tune in next time for more local business insights from Valley Vibes.

In this episode, host Rachael Gnatowski of New England Ballet Theatre sits down with Patricia Miller from SunMed Modern Wellness in Avon, CT. Formerly known as Your CBD Store, SunMed is at the forefront of hemp-derived wellness products and education.

Patricia shares the story behind the brand, its growth to over 400 locations nationwide, and the services and products they offer—from CBD for sleep and pain to new offerings like kava, red light therapy, and wellness events.

Whether you're a first-time CBD user, a wellness enthusiast, or seeking natural alternatives for sleep, anxiety, or joint pain, this episode has something for you.

• The origin story of SunMed and its founder, Rachel Quinn

• Differences between high-quality CBD and cheaper, potentially harmful alternatives

• Popular product lines: CBN for sleep, topicals for pain, mushrooms, kava, and pet-friendly CBD

• How CBD supports the endocannabinoid system and overall balance

• Customer Appreciation events, Senior Mondays, and free Wellness Kit promotions

• Future offerings: Red light therapy and expanded physical wellness services

📍 380 W Main Street, Avon, CT (Marketplace Plaza — former Yankee Candle location)
📞 Phone: 860-255-7101
🌐 Website: www.getsunmed.com
📸 Instagram: @SunMedAvon
📘 Facebook: SunMed Avon (search "SunMed Avon" for the latest events)

• Customer Appreciation Weekend: Every 3rd weekend of the month

• Next Wellness Kit Giveaway: Starts ~October 16, 2025

• New Kava Line Launch: July 18–20

• Back-to-School Teacher Specials: Late August

SunMed is more than a CBD shop—it's a wellness boutique focused on education, safety, and healing. From personalized consultations to high-quality, lab-tested products, they’re committed to helping customers feel better—naturally.

In this episode of Valley Vibes, hosts Rachel Gnatowski of New England Ballet Theatre and Michael Mezheritskiy of Milestone Asset Management Group welcome Terri Wilson, President of the Avon Historical Society, to discuss the rich history and upcoming events in Avon, Connecticut.

Terri shares insights into the town’s origins, the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Avon Historical Society, and a new museum opening that will showcase over 400 years of local history. Highlights: • [00:01:00] Terri’s Background: Terri shares her journey from Cleveland to Connecticut and her longstanding involvement with the Avon Historical Society. • [00:03:00] Avon’s Origins: Discover Avon’s transformation from indigenous lands to becoming an official town in 1830, including the area’s connection to Farmington. • [00:07:00] Avon Historical Society’s 50th Anniversary & New Museum: Terri discusses the society’s efforts, funding, and preparations for the grand opening on July 4, 2025. • [00:08:00] The Paleo-Indian Site: Learn about the 12,500-year-old archaeological site found along the Farmington River, now the oldest known human occupation site in southern New England. • [00:10:00] Unique Artifacts: Terri highlights the preservation of a 1794 wedding dress and other notable artifacts that will be featured in the museum. • [00:14:00] Historical Sites to Visit: Recommendations for must-see historical sites in Avon, including the Farmington River and Avon Old Farms School. • [00:19:00] Digital Access to Historical Archives: Terri explains the society’s efforts in digitizing over 20,000 local historical documents and artifacts, accessible through the Connecticut Digital Archive. • [00:21:00]

Upcoming Events:

• New Museum Preview: November 17, 2024

• Grand Opening: July 4, 2025

• National Museum of Natural History Exhibit: December 1, 2024 - January 15, 2025, at the Avon Library Get Involved:

• Support and Fundraisers: The society is actively fundraising with initiatives like a brick patio project where supporters can engrave their names on a brick.

• Volunteer Opportunities: From greeters to helping with landscaping, the Historical Society welcomes volunteers for various roles.

How to Contact:

• Website: AvonHistoricalSociety.org

• Email: [email protected] 

• Phone: 860-678-3333

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a local resident, this episode offers an in-depth look at Avon’s past and present, celebrating the community’s heritage.

Where is the best place to meet, greet, and eat, all for a good cause? At the Big Green EGGfest of course, hosted by Carr Hardware in Avon. The Big Green EGGfest is part grilling competition, part food fest, and part fundraiser, all rolled into one. It all started back in 1998, the brainchild of the Atlanta-based Big Green Egg Company, as a way to bring communities together and to say 'thank you' to the people that had come to appreciate the versatility of this ceramic charcoal cooker, and who are affectionately known as 'EGGheads'.

Join Tom Yankura, store manager of Carr Hardware in Avon, as he chats with hosts Dan Callahan from Acadia ActionCOACH and Gena Hamilton of Exact Media Services about their upcoming Farmington Valley EGGfest/CarrBQ -- where there will be cooking demonstrations using the Big Green Egg, swag bags, tastings and samples, and the chance to rub elbows with other barbecue enthusiasts. 100% of the proceeds from tickets sold benefit Avon/Canton Chamber member Gifts of Love and the Avon Volunteer Fire Department.

More Information/Advance Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carr-bq-eggfest-2023-tickets-519015839347

Carr Hardware/Avon

For many, cars are not a luxury but a necessity. They are the means by which you get to work, go to the doctor, run errands, or take a trip. Over the past few years, however, the costs of buying, owning, repairing and maintaining a car have all gone up. People are hanging onto their cars for much longer. And when you finally do go to check out a replacement ride, supply chain shortages have led to tightening inventory for dealers resulting in fewer cars on the lot. To top it off, how do all the new tech and safety features available, along with options and alternatives for fuel efficiency, affect maintenance of your vehicle?

Join Guests Jim McCard, Service Manager at Canton Midas, and Eric Reese, General Sales Manager at O'Neill's Chevrolet in Avon as they break down some of the latest trends happening with autos today with hosts Christine Buhler of the Talcott Mountain Science Center & Academy and Adam Horelik. Listen as they chat about the challenges of purchasing a car today from years past; changes in inventory levels; the differences between gas-powered, hybrid (gas engine with battery power), and fully electric vehicles and their current demand; what repairs are common with certain types of vehicles and the cost to maintain them; and how best to prepare your vehicle for New England's unpredictable weather conditions.

________________________________________________

https://www.oneillschevrolet.com/

Canton Midas is your one-stop shop for brakes, oil changes, tires and all your auto repair needs. Canton Midas is locally owned and operated by Brian O'Donnell. He and his staff are dedicated to providing high quality auto repair service at a fair price; and their work is backed by the famous Midas guarantee*. Whether you need an oil change or tires, factory recommended maintenance, or brake repair, your local Midas has you covered.

https://www.midas.com/store/ct/canton/66-albany-turnpike-06019?shopnum=4289

Being in business means you wear many hats. Your days are filled with the needs of your employees, customers, along with marketing and maintaining the products or services you provide. Another element that's equally as critical to thriving businesses but which many overlook, is building a good working relationship with your local legislators. If you have thought about taking action on a bill that may impact your business but have struggled making time to get your thoughts heard, then we have some great tips for you.

Guest Eric Gjede, Vice President of Government Affairs at CBIA, chats with Avon/Canton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Lisa Bohman, about the easiest and best methods for connecting with your state legislators. Eric shares simple ways to learn about and track proposed bills, how to automate following a committee or individual legislator's bills, easy ways to craft and provide testimony in-person or virtually, along with general do's and don'ts to effectively communicate and build a relationship with local lawmakers.

_____________________________________________________

Eric Gjede is vice president for public policy with CBIA, Connecticut’s leading business organization. He represents the views of Connecticut businesses on labor, employment, and transportation issues. He serves as CBIA’s state ethics compliance counsel. He also directs CBIA’s Labor and Employment Law Council and helps support the organization’s Taxation and Finance Committee. Gjede serves as an appointed member of the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Employment Security Advisory Board. He also serves on the Second Injury Fund Advisory Board. He is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association and the Association of Connecticut Lobbyists. Prior to CBIA, Gjede was an associate legislative attorney with the Legislative Commissioners’ Office, the nonpartisan legal office of the Connecticut General Assembly. In that position, he provided legal counsel to the members of the General Assembly’s committees on Commerce and Labor and Public Employees. He also drafted all the legislation and amendments considered by those committees. Gjede earned his J.D. at the University of Connecticut School of Law and also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut.

Eric’s handles:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/egjede

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-gjede-b4ba0b138/

Website: https://www.cbia.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cbianews/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbia/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CBIAfb

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@CBIAvideos

Additional Resources:

CBIA Membership benefits: https://www.cbia.com/benefits/

CBIA Events: https://www.cbia.com/events/

CBIA Action Center: https://cbia.com/action-center/

Thinking about getting a dog?  Have a dog?  Love all things dog?  Whatever the case you will want to 'come', 'sit', and 'stay' for this episode which is 'packed' full of information about dogs.  It's the perfect blend of 'pup' talk and expert advice.  

Listen to this lively conversation as Dr. Arnie Goldman from the Canton Animal Hospital talks with Christine Buhler from the Talcott Mountain Science Center & Academy and Lisa Bohman, Executive Director of the Avon/Canton Chamber of Commerce about:  The stages of a dog's life;  Choosing the right breed for your family & lifestyle; The importance of training for a well-mannered, happier household member;  Feeding and nutrition recommendations; Tips on vaccinations, general health & overall canine well-being. 

______________________________________________________  

Dr. Goldman, a Canton veterinarian, is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Dr. Goldman founded Canton Animal Hospital at 198 Albany Turnpike, Canton in 1995. In addition, he has led Connecticut's disaster response planning for domestic animals for >15 years. In that realm he founded the Connecticut State Animal Response Team program under the auspices of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Foundation, and was founding president of the National Alliance of State Animal & Agricultural Emergency Programs (NASAAEP) which shares information and best practices across all the states. He successfully advocated for passage of Connecticut Public Act 07-11, mandating safe management of household pets with their owners during disasters. For this he was honored as the 2008 Connecticut-Veterinarian-of-the-Year. Dr. Goldman currently serves as treasurer of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the nation's largest professional society for veterinarians, with over 100,000 members.

Canton Animal Hospital treats cats, dogs, birds, reptiles and other pet species. It is equipped for both outpatient and inpatient care giving and internal medicine, surgery and animal dentistry are routinely offered. In the surgical realm, Dr. Goldman is often sought out for some less common reproductive surgeries such as vasectomy and hysterectomy, as alternatives to the more common and traditional castration ("neuter") and ovariohysterectomy ("spay") procedures that pets often have. A growing body of literature has questioned the timing for sterilization surgeries for many breeds, and therefore more nuanced options are now offered to animal owners who come to us with reproductively intact animals. This is a growing interest area among some animal owners.

www.cantonanimalhospital.com

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Resources for Animal Owners:  https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners

VETERINARY PARTNER, for Accurate Animal Illness Information:  https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=

A home is probably the largest purchase a person will make.  It is even more daunting when you consider that Interest rates continue to rise, there are fewer homes on the market currently, yet home prices continue to rise year-over-year.  

Our guests -- Lori Macgowan from Coldwell Banker Realty/Avon and Adam Horelik from Norcom Mortgage -- bring clarity to this process by providing tips to help you navigate this complicated and oftentimes stressful process.  From financing options, to applying for a mortgage, knowing how to find the right real estate agent, to staging your home and pricing it right, this episode covers some of those crucial considerations you need to know before buying or selling a home.

________________________________________________________

Adam Horelik is a loan officer with Norcom Mortgage. He assists people with all their home financing needs. Whether it’s a purchase, refinance, investment or reverse mortgage, Adam has the specific mortgage product to get the deal closed. www.AdamsHomeLoan.com

Lori Macgowan is a seasoned Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty/Avon.  Having been a top-producing full time residential Realtor since 1992, Lori is committed to her fiduciary responsibility to her clients, and finds there is never a dull moment. She is always happy to offer complimentary market analysis for folks looking to sell their home. In addition to being a Notary Public for many years, Lori serves on the membership committee of the Avon/Canton Chamber of Commerce, is an active associate member of The Prince Thomas Savoy Italian Club in Avon, and heads up the membership and hospitality committees of the Nutmeg State Orchid Society.  www.ctrealtorLoriMacgowan.com

You may have heard about Autism, but do you really know what it means?  Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the world. It's a lifelong disorder that can cause significant behavioral, social, and communication challenges. And while those with Autism share certain common characteristics, no two individuals are the same.  

In this show Yvonne and Lauren Gardner of FOCUS Center For Autism discuss with show hosts Dan Callahan of Acadia ActionCOACH and Adam Horelik of Norcom Mortgage: Autism throughout the lifespan, the early signs of Autism, the importance of getting an early diagnosis, how to help parents find the right services and support, and how a program targeted toward your child's particular needs can help reduce isolation and help them achieve both acceptance and social support. 

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FOCUS Center for Autism is a nonprofit organization based in Canton, Connecticut that provides a continuum of care to children and adults with autism and their families. FOCUS Center for Autism services currently include: FOCUS Spectrum Unplugged Panels, three residential programs, adult support services and CT state approved special education program, Fresh Start School.

Yvonne Gardner is the HR and Operations Coordinator who is in her 20th year working with FOCUS Center for Autism.

Lauren Gardner is the Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for FOCUS Center for Autism. This past May, Lauren earned her master’s degree in social work policy practice from the University of Connecticut. She has been working with FOCUS since 2009. 

www.focuscenterforautism.org | https://www.instagram.com/focusautism/ | https://www.facebook.com/FOCUSAUTISM

For A Comprehensive List of Resources for Autism in Connecticut Go To:  http://www.ct-asrc.org