Cover Story Redux: Today celebrates 5th anniversary
Anniversary Issue – Revisiting 5 Years Of Riveting Stories
• Related News – Today Wins Most SPJ Awards Among CT Magazines
This article first appeared as a key component of the cover-story package in the August 2024 edition of Today Magazine, our monthly publication
Special to Today Magazine
The rebranded Today Magazine celebrated a 5th anniversary in July. Since this is a monthly magazine, the math is simple: 60 editions of Today Magazine have appeared in the five years from the July 2019 rebrand through June 2024.
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To commemorate this anniversary, Today Magazine editor-in-chief Bruce Deckert contacted the subjects of those 60 cover stories via email and requested brief answers to three questions — following are the comments of those who replied and leveraged this opportunity for further publicity for their organizations.
Today Magazine asked these cover-story subjects the following questions, requesting about 150 words or less overall:
1 — What have you appreciated about Today Magazine’s coverage of your story and other news?
2 — How can Today Magazine improve our news coverage?
3 — You and/or your organization have moved forward since your cover story was published — what updates or related news would you like to share?
• Further comment — as you wish
Regarding the cover-story subjects who haven’t offered comment here — Today Magazine hasn’t seen replies from them after emailing three requests for comment.
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• November 2019
Presents + Presence: Gifts of Love Celebrates
30 Years of Being There for Area Residents
1 — A lot of people recognize us and have mentioned seeing our coverage, and it has helped with recognition and product and monetary donations.
2 — Would love to see you bring back the printed version.
3 — We’ve added a second location on Farmington Avenue in Hartford, and our client numbers have exploded, with an increase of 166% just in the past two years. We are now serving clients in 41 Connecticut towns. Four years after the start of the pandemic, there is still a great deal of need in our communities.
• Further comment — Donations of volunteer time, products and funding are always welcome and very much appreciated!
— Lisa Gray • Gifts of Love executive director
• Gifts of Love is a social service agency based in Avon
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• February 2020
Mission Possible: Innovative Program Focuses On Inner-City Youth
1 — At Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, our mission is to help all young people become productive members of society. We’re grateful to Today Magazine for shining the spotlight on programs like Men on a Mission that have a positive impact on the lives of our next generation.
2 — While traditional news coverage may focus on problems, we focus on opportunities. Our community needs more stories highlighting the people dedicated to making a positive difference.
3 — As we approach our 165th anniversary next year, we’re more committed than ever to giving young people a safe and positive place to learn, find their voice, and prepare for the world that awaits them. We opened our South End Club in 2021 and are preparing to reopen our JDL Northwest Club this fall. We’re proud this expanded network allows us to serve even more families and put young people on the path to a great future.
— Tomeka Cole • vice president of development and communications
Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford
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• March 2020
A Promise To Jordan: After Overdose Death, A Mom’s Vow Seeks Hope
1 — Today Magazine’s coverage of our story is timeless. From time to time, I still give out copies and people remember it and comment on how touching and important it was.
2 — I’d read Today Magazine more if it was in print.
3 — I have nothing new to report as our nonprofit is currently dormant — we haven’t been operating for over a year.
— Lisa Gray • founder + president: Promise To Jordan
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• April 2020
Cogent Focus: FOCUS Center for Autism Celebrates 20th Anniversary
1 — Today Magazine brings together the Farmington Valley community and informs its members about important news and happenings. As a nonprofit, we rely on community support. Having Today Magazine cover our story allows us to share our message and strengthen our community ties.
2 — Not sure — keep up the good work!
3 — In December, FOCUS Center for Autism will kick off our 25th year of providing services to Connecticut’s autism community! During this time, our continuum of care has expanded to include the CT state-approved special education program Fresh Start School, three supportive housing programs, adult support services, and panels and consultations. FOCUS is committed to advocating for increased funding and legislation to ensure that every person with autism in Connecticut can live a meaningful life.
— Lauren Gardner • FOCUS marketing coordinator
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• November 2020
For All Ages: Connecting Generations to Alleviate Isolation
1 — Congratulations on five years of exceptional Today Magazine content! Editor Bruce Deckert has a knack for unearthing those feel-good stories that are so often overlooked but that we all appreciate reading. It is a joy to read the magazine’s articles that creatively weave together facts with heartfelt, human touches and are thoughtfully accompanied by high-quality photos.
2 — The only thing I can think of is to have more of it!
3 — For All Ages is celebrating our five-year anniversary too!
Today Magazine covered For All Ages about a year after we launched the organization, and since then we have gone on to create and host impactful programs and events that have connected thousands of Connecticut residents. In May 2023, following the U.S. Surgeon General’s declaration of loneliness as a public health crisis, we launched our biggest initiative yet — The CT Collaborative to End Loneliness, a statewide cross-sector alliance to foster social health for Connecticut residents.
— Deb Bibbins • For All Ages CEO and founder
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• June 2021
HSO Back At SMPAC: Hartford Symphony Orchestra Ready for Jubilant Return to Simsbury Meadows
1 — Simsbury Meadows appreciates Today Magazine’s support by sharing our story! Despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, we benefited from our big advantage as an outdoor venue and from a pivot strategy that enabled Simsbury Meadows to not only survive, but thrive. We gained new audiences as we expanded our schedule to include fitness and dance school classes and recitals as well as athletic events and more.
2 — Contact area newsmakers to discuss their quarterly/seasonal calendars.
3 — 2024 is an important year for us as we prepare for The Next Act Capital Campaign and finalize the funding for an expansion that will attract more talent to our stage, and benefit our patrons, staff and the public. Stay tuned for more news!
— Lynne Adame • marketing and communications committee chair
• Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center aka SMPAC
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• September 2021
In The Black: Innovative ShopBlackCT Seeks Better Business Equity
1 — Spreading awareness about ShopBlackCT means spreading awareness for thousands of Black-owned businesses in Connecticut. Our volunteer team works hard to transform the legacy of economic and social inequity in the U.S. through ShopBlackCT, so whenever there is an opportunity to expand that awareness, we are grateful.
2 — I don’t have any suggestions.
3 — ShopBlackCT debuted in July 2020 with an online directory of 175 businesses and has expanded to list more than 2000 Black-owned businesses in more than 100 cities and towns across Connecticut. ShopBlackCT won an ImpaCT Award in the category of “Impactful Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” — given by Fox61 and the United Way in 2023. Since our Today Magazine cover story in September 2021, ShopBlackCT has also been featured by NBC CT, WTNH, Fox61, Hartford Business Journal, Channel 12 News and CT By The Numbers.
— Sarah Heath (formerly Thompson) • ShopBlackCT co-founder
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• October 2021
Can You Dig It: Archaeological Dig Reveals Valley’s Paleoindian Secrets
We deeply appreciated your story of archaeology in Avon at the Brian D. Jones Paleoindian Site along the Farmington River. This deeply buried discovery of artifacts and features received enthusiastic cooperation from all the stakeholders: Town of Avon, Mohegan Tribe, Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribal Nation, Office of the CT Archaeologist, Federal Highway Administration, CT Department of Transportation, CT State Historic Preservation Office.
Thrilling beyond words is the national interest the site continues to generate, and popular educational webinars have been sponsored by generous local organizations. A final report by the archaeologists is due later this year.
The new Avon History Museum, scheduled to open next year at 8 East Main Street, will feature information on the early peopling of North America. As part of the Avon Historical Society’s mission to educate about our history, eight tall banners on Paleoindian life on this continent are located in lobbies of various buildings in Avon.
— Nora Howard • Avon Town Historian — Terri Wilson • Avon Historical Society president
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• December 2021
Simple As ABC: College Prep Program Helps Students Excel
1 — For a nonprofit like ours, remaining in the public eye is essential. The articles that you have included in Today Magazine, and especially the cover story, were well-written, accurate and interesting. We have received very good feedback from the public regarding your articles.
2 — At Simsbury ABC, we would say: “Keep doing what you are doing.” We think your content, layout and photographic presentation are informative, fun to read and cover the waterfront well.
3 — No changes in Simsbury ABC. We have graduated some students since your last article on us — all have gone on to college.
— Robert Pearce • Board president: Simsbury A Better Chance (Simsbury ABC)
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• April 2022
En Garde: Simsbury High Has Valley’s Only Fencing Team
We are so thankful and grateful to Today Magazine and editor Bruce Deckert. Our high school fencing team at Simsbury High School was in need of some really good publicity and promotion, and Today Magazine provided us with everything that we were looking for.
Immediately after our article came out, we were inundated with calls of interest— not only from Simsbury residents but also from Farmington, Avon, Canton and Granby. I am surprised at how many parents from the Farmington Valley area have children involved in fencing who have no support from their respective school districts.
This coming 2024-25 season, we are expecting close to 60 student fencers on our team at SHS, and Today Magazine is a big part of that success. We wish Today and Bruce Deckert all the best!
— Thomas Palmer • Trojans fencing advisor • Simsbury High intervention teacher
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• May 2022
Artistic Transplant: Move From NYC to Valley Invigorates Illustrator
1 — I’m excited to see the anniversary issue of Today Magazine, where I’ll be able to linger over some of my favorite issues from the past five years. As honored as I am to have been featured in Today, I have been thrilled anew with each issue, to discover the fascinating features and news about our great community. Today Magazine brings to life the vibrant and surprising stories of the people and history of the Farmington Valley, which only increases my appreciation for this beautiful area I moved to. Thanks so much for the great and meaningful work you do to keep us all informed and entertained!
2 — The only thing I can think of is for Today Magazine to come out every week so we can get more of the great reporting.
3 — Since the feature ran in Today, I have continued settling in and exploring my abstract surrealist adventure, which is daily informed and inspired by world events.
— Zina Saunders • artist and professional illustrator
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• July 2022
Center Stage: Resolving A Town Center Debate
As co-authors, we’re delighted that Today Magazine printed this article. The topic is near to our hearts — what is the historic and true town center of Avon? How wonderful that your magazine allowed us to drill down into such local detail. We used primary sources on Avon in the collections of the History Room in the Avon Free Public Library, the West Avon and Avon Congregational Churches, and in online digitized databases.
Where else could we ever have published such a hyperlocal topic? Where else would our work as volunteer researchers and writers be so appreciated?
The photographs and layout looked great. We’re sure your readers really enjoyed them. And that town center location? Why, of course, the historic four-corner neighborhood at Routes 10/202, Route 44 and Old Farms Road. Picture the soaring spire of the Avon Congregational Church, and there you are! The full story, though, is in Today Magazine.
— Nora Howard • Avon Town Historian — Terri Wilson • Avon Historical Society president
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October 2022
The Search: An Adoption Story Adoptee Shares Joy and Pain of Adoption Journey
1 — As someone in her early 20s, I often find it hard to keep up and connect with local news. Today Magazine has made local news easily available and digestible for people of all ages so they become more conscious, and hopefully more active, citizens of the Farmington Valley.
2 — Would love to see Today Magazine extend its reach even more to the younger population who tend to not use email so much as a way to access local news.
3 — Since my story was published I have moved away from journalistic writing and have focused more on blog writing and social media in the wedding industry. I will always have a special appreciation for journalism, and especially local news.
• Further comment — Congratulations again on the anniversary and I hope for many prosperous years ahead!
— Katie Napier • contributing writer
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• February 2023
Deep History Dive: MLK Day Bus Ride + Rwanda Genocide
Our MLK Bus Ride has grown and expanded with more students and more stops. In 2024, we added The First Cathedral in Bloomfield for an absolutely extraordinary visit with archbishop LeRoy Bailey and his college friend Dr. Riggins Earl.
Dr. Earl actually marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, which made our visit all the more provocative and compelling. Our MLK Bus Ride has become a part of the fabric of Avon High School.
— Stuart Abrams • Avon High social studies teacher
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• March 2023
Quick Class on Greens and Grass:
Village Greens Reveal Fascinating History
1 — Today Magazine has been a great way to inform your readers in the Farmington Valley about local history, in particular, the town of Canton. The great choice of topics and photos have made the stories even more interesting.
2 — I miss seeing the printed magazine because I often forget to go back and read it online, but I understand the high cost.
3 — The Canton Historical Museum has been doing a lot of work, thanks to a new curator, a maintenance crew and a dedicated group of volunteers. There are new exhibits and some refurbished exhibits, including Eaton Hardware, with items on loan from Rhett Newell, the last owner — see the story about Eaton Hardware on page 20 in this edition.
— Kathy Taylor • Canton Town Historian and Canton Historical Society president
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• April 2023
Century Celebration: CCHF Marks 105 Years of Health-Focused Care
1 — Endless curiosity is a cornerstone of Today Magazine’s journalism. The trajectory of Canton Community Health Fund’s April 2023 cover story started with a question from Bruce Deckert: Isn’t your organization celebrating its 105th anniversary? This led to a challenge and an inspiration to go deep into our origin story and to demonstrate how our 1918 legacy is still vibrant, important and needed. We continue to leverage our rebranding and honor our mission — contributing to the health, safety and well-being of the Canton community.
2 — Keep digging into what people think they already know about their town, or why things really work the way they do — or don’t. “Wow, I didn’t know that” is a great response goal for your readers!
3 — Since CCHF’s 2023 rebranding, we have collaborated with amazing community partners, serving life’s most basic needs, and forged new entrepreneurial partnerships to provide additional services for Canton residents. In 2024, CCHF added a “Pay It Forward” Scholarship for residents who are pursuing or practicing in healthcare or public service careers. By, for and about the Canton community — this is our pledge and promise that complements our mission and drives our talented all-volunteer board.
• Further comment — Happy anniversary, Today Magazine — and thank you for supporting all the work of Canton’s community of volunteers.
— Sylvia Cancela • CCHF chair • writer and communications professional
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• June 2023
Post-Holocaust Hope: Avon High Dedicates
Special Library To Shoah Survivor
We have continued to move forward with our Abby Weiner Holocaust Memorial Library by utilizing the books in his library to great use. We have also continued to receive more and more boxes of books since the dedication. I cannot imagine that there is a high school library anywhere in the state of Connecticut — or the nation, for that matter — with a Holocaust library that would rival ours.
We continue to honor Abby by promoting our Genocide and Human Behavior class and by traveling to Europe for our Holocaust study tours. Last year we visited Berlin, Prague, Warsaw and Krakow. This past April we visited Budapest, Munich, Nuremberg and Vienna — we also had a special visit at Avon High School from former U.S. Senator Chris Dodd, who shared stories about his father Thomas Dodd’s experiences as a prosecutor at the war trials. Next year we plan to visit Amsterdam, Bruges, Dunkirk, Normandy, Paris and Westerbork.
Abby’s memory lives on every day and in everything we do at Avon High School.
— Stuart Abrams • Avon High social studies teacher
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• July 2023
Search And Rescue: Project Search Makes Job Hunt Inclusive
1 — I believe local, independent, community journalism is a worthy endeavor, one that I find I appreciate more and more as it becomes less and less common.
2 — A way to possibly improve news coverage is to consider diversifying the stories in each issue, to appeal to a wider variety of interests so there’s still something for readers who may not be especially interested in the cover story. And it if ever became economically feasible again, going back to a print publication would provide a distinction from other news operations.
3 — In recent years UConn Health has continued to thrive, not only with exploding patient volumes, but also with continued advances in biomedical research and by further contributing to the state’s healthcare workforce — all while cementing its position as a vital public academic medical center for the public good.
— Christopher DeFrancesco • UConn Health communications professional
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• November 2023
Favarh Milestone: Arc Marks 65 Years of Celebrating IDD Identity
1 — Favarh appreciates the Today issue celebrating Favarh’s 65th anniversary of serving people with disabilities. The reporting is celebratory and complete. The photographs are in color. We often use the magazine when introducing our organization to new groups, corporations, and funding sources to showcase the many aspects of our work in the community.
2 — Today Magazine does a wonderful job touting the many benefits of living in this special corner of the world. The photographs truly make the magazine sparkle.
3 — Favarh and Metro Realty Group will open a new apartment complex in Farmington in December 2024, for 18 more adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live independently and inclusively. Also, the public is invited on Friday, September 6 to our benefit concert at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center featuring an encore performance with Mike DelGuidice, who tours worldwide with Billy Joel.
— Penny Phillips • Favarh marketing/communications director • Canton-based Favarh serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities aka IDD
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• December 2023
Food Bank Redux: Canton Food Bank Celebrates 40th Birthday
The Canton Food Bank is a nonprofit agency that has a volunteer base of up to 60 people, all united together in the goal of helping other members in the community dealing with food insecurity. Over the next year the Food Bank plans to remain committed to fresh initiatives and improved nutrition.
We had such a great experience last year with the quality of produce and varied selection at Bristol’s Farm Market in Canton, and we’ve partnered with Bristol’s again this growing season. In addition, we plan to allocate more space to special diets, including low-sugar and low-sodium options to bring those healthy choices front and center.
Volunteers recently completed SWAP (Supporting Wellness at Pantries) training offered through Foodshare. Implementing the ideas from SWAP will make those healthy choices easier. We hope these efforts continue to build a sense of community and strengthen relationships with families in Canton, making the food bank experience less transactional and more relational — and more healthy!
—Jennifer Herbek • Canton Food Bank director
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• February 2024
Refugee Rescue: VFW Spearheads Afghan Redemption Mission
1 — When our VFW post in Avon decided to help resettle an Afghan refugee family whose members had helped U.S. and coalition forces, we knew we would need help. Today Magazine responded to our request to publicize our efforts. We were able to assemble a fabulous team of over 50 capable and motivated people to help with the project. It truly became a community effort, and the results were astounding.
2 — Possible improvements: Veterans Corner — space for VFW, American Legion and other veterans organizations to express what they need to express.
3 — The family arrived in March and is well on its way to making America home. The children are in school, everyone is learning English, social and financial connections have been made, and dad has a job. The VFW is deeply grateful to all who made this project the beautiful experience it is. Today Magazine had a significant role in helping to make it happen.
— Tim Healy • VFW post commander
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• March 2024
Restaurant Rebirth: Eateries Seek Post-COVID Surge
1 — Fiddler’s Green appreciates that Today Magazine takes the time to delve into the details of local stories. It’s a welcome throwback to the community newspapers of the past, when neighbors wanted to share in their neighbors’ achievements, milestones and exciting moments.
2 — If Today Magazine was to expand its news coverage, we’d love to see more focus on new businesses and entrepreneurs in the area.
3 — Nothing new to report otherwise.
— Lisa Natcharian • journalist and communications professional • Lisa and her husband Matthew own the Fiddler’s Green plaza in Simsbury
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• June 2024
History Jubilee: Historical Society Celebrates 50 Years
Thank you for featuring 50 years of the Avon Historical Society’s own history. We crave that local sense of place that Today Magazine provides, and we appreciate being part of your community. Thank you for helping us keep Avon’s history ever-present. That is no small feat in today’s fast-paced world. Local history is something that your magazine continues to celebrate, explain and spotlight.
We are a team we like to call Avon’s own Corps of Discovery — the name of the people on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Our work is important, and we appreciate your recognizing that and sharing our discoveries with your readers.
The historical society’s big news, which Today Magazine has been following, is the renovation and reopening of the new Avon History Museum at 8 East Main Street — the grand opening is scheduled for July 4, 2025. I know this story will be in upcoming issues of Today Magazine!
— Nora Howard • Avon Town Historian +
Today Magazine covers community news that matters nationwide and aims to record Connecticut’s underreported upside — focusing on the heart of the Farmington Valley: Avon, Canton, Farmington, Granby and Simsbury
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