Carnival of Soul

GOSHEN — New England blues musician extraordinaire James Montgomery and his band join the lineup of entertainment at the Goshen Fair, set for Labor Day weekend at the Goshen Fairgrounds. Montgomery plays the fair Sept. 1.

According to a release, a musician of many talents, Montgomery is an iconic figure in blues music for over 40 years, is an accomplished blues harpist, singer, front man and bandleader, lending these talents to his own band, The James Montgomery Band, and to countless sessions and tours over the years with the likes of Gregg Allman, Johnny Winter, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, James Brown and so many others it would take two pages to list them all. He’s also hosted his own syndicated blues radio show, interviewing and playing the music of numerous blues and blues-rock luminaries. He was inducted in 2018 into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.

His latest album, “The James Montgomery Blues Band: A Tribute to Paul Butterfield,” was recently released on Cleopatra Records. Learn more about his music at http://www.jamesmontgomery.com

The 107th Goshen Fair will be held Aug. 31, Sept. 1-2, at the Goshen Fairgrounds, Route 63, Goshen.

This year’s fair will feature professional truck pulls; live music by the Soul Sound Revue; Apricot Brandy; the James Montgomery Blues Band with special guest Christine Ohlman; and fireworks.

The New England Cup will have five one-hour shows on Sunday, Sept. 1 starting at 11 a.m., with the top professional men and women lumberjacks from around the world competing in wood chopping and sawing events.

The Giant Pumpkin Department is growing pumpkins again this year, near the north side of the Antique Barn. Please check the fair’s facebook page for updates at https://www.facebook.com/GoshenFair/

The 2019 Goshen Agricultural Society scholarships were awarded to Phillip Koenig, Mikaela Schneider, and Marina Vlasto.

The fair is open Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and Monday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

No alcohol or pets are allowed at the fairgrounds, and no guns or drugs are permitted. For information, visit www.goshenfair.org, or call 860-491-3655.

Simanski achieves perfect voting record

HARTFORD – State Rep. Bill Simanski (R-62) earned a perfect voting record during the 2019 legislative session. According to information released by the House Clerk’s office there were 392 votes taken this year during the Regular and Special Sessions.

“During this past legislative session we had many important debates on major issues such as the budget, regulations and education policy. Constituents expect us to serve their interests and vote on the issues,” said Simanski, in a statement. “It’s an honor to serve the residents of Barkhamsted, Granby, Hartland and New Hartford and I am proud to have maintained a perfect voting and attendance record.”

Simanski currently serves as Assistant House Republican Leader and is a member of the Appropriations Committee, the Education Committee and the Planning & Development Committee.

For an overview of important legislation addressed in the 2019 legislative session visit the Office of Legislative Research website: www.cga.ct.gov/olr.

Anyone with questions, ideas or concerns about state-related issues can contact Simanski’s office at bill.simanski@housegop.ct.gov or 860-240-8700. For the latest news from the Capitol visit www.repsimanski.com.

Writing program enrollment now open

KENT — “Writing Your Life” is an eight-week writing program taught by Betty Krasne, PhD. She will offer the program this fall at the Kent Library. The goal of the program is to give participants a tool box of skills that can be used to compose a series of short pieces (two to four pages each). These pieces can be used as the basis for a longer work, or to sharpen general writing skills.

The memoir writing workshops meet once a week for two hour. For each meeting participants have a writing assignment, for which they are given examples beforehand. Members of the group read their works aloud weekly and help each other to develop ideas. Several members of previous workshops have gone on to write book-length memoirs, while others just enjoyed the process of exploration.

The program can accommodate 12 participants and the fee is $100, a contribution on the part of Dr. Krasne to the Library. The fee also suggests that the program is not a spectator sport. To reserve a place, there will be a sign-up sheet at the front desk at Kent Memorial Library or go to the Library’s website. The first 12 people who leave a $40 deposit will be guaranteed a place, but there will also be a waiting list to accommodate people whose plans change over the summer.

The workshops will start Sept. 6 and continue for eight consectutive Friday mornings, from 10 a.m. noon in the Reading Room of the Library.

The Kent Memorial Library’s mission is to enrich the lives of individuals and the community by providing materials, programs, and services to encourage reading, learning and imagination. The Library is located at 32 North Main Street, Kent, Connecticut. Visit kentmemoriallibrary.org for more information.

Kennedy High School to hold reunion

WATERBURY — Kennedy High School, Waterbury, Class of 1969 will hold its 50th Reunion on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Fairview Farm Golf Course, 300 Hill Rd., Harwinton, from 1:30 to 5 p.m.

Tickets are $60 per person for a buffet meal, and there will be a cash bar. Checks can be made out to David Kalach, and payment is due by Sept. 15. The mailing address is JFK Class of 1969 50th Reunion, P.O. Box 475, Watertown CT, 06795.

Two other activities are planned for this reunion weekend. Class members are invited to attend the Kennedy High vs. Holy Cross football game at Waterbury’s Municipal Stadium Friday night, October 4, at 7:00. There will be a guided tour at Kennedy High the Saturday morning of the reunion at 11 a.m.

Golfing on Saturday before the reunion is available at Fairview Farm, by making personal arrangements with the golf course.

For more information, visit the reunion committee’s Facebook page at “Kennedy High Waterbury 1969 Class Reunion”, or email 1969theeagles@gmail.com.