Call him Johnny Fest

Despite rainout, apple fest turns profit
By Robert C. Pollack, Record-Journal staff

SOUTHINGTON — Despite fierce rain that caused the second Saturday of this year’s Apple Harvest Festival to be called off, Festival Coordinator John Ryan announced Monday the event had earned a profit of $31,397. He immediately asked that money — minus a few outstanding bills, yet to be paid — be applied to next year’s festival, which was given a quick stamp of approval by the council.

To loud applause, Ryan told the Town Council that his army of volunteers and a number of town departments, led by the Parks and Recreaton Department, the police and the council itself, had combined to bring the festival home — to give it the Southington flavor it featured when it started 37 years ago. Ryan released figures that showed what amounted to a five-day festival had earned $130,617, with expenses totaling $99,310. Beverage sales at the four festival committee booths totaled $27,556; Booth fees were $24,216 and sponsors kicked in $57,200. That figures at $27,200 more than had been anticipated. - complete article

Fest details in place, coordinator hopes for best
By Robert C. Pollack, Record-Journal staff
SOUTHINGTON — They call him Doc, or J.R., in deference to a license plate his two children gave him for Christmas. But what educational consultant John Ryan, 58, hopes people will start calling him after the six-day Apple Harvest Festival that starts tomorrow night and ends next weekend is the coordinator of one of the most successful and "down home" festivals ever held.

Ryan, director of the Future Horizons support center for adolescents and adults with learning disabilities, at 50 Center St., stresses that while he is getting major credit for the way the 37th festival has been put together, it is really the 12 festival committees and more than 100 volunteers who deserve the praise.

Ryan is earning $15,000 as the first town-hired coordinator of the festival, which had been sponsored and managed by the Greater Southington Chamber of Commerce for the previous 36 years, with Daniels Productions of West Hartford managing it for the past two. But Ryan stepped in and applied for the job after the Town Council decided to contribute $80,000 in front money to run it, making it a town-sponsored event for the first time. - complete article

Southington Apple Harvest Fest kicks off with plenty to do - By Jennifer Manes, Record-Journal staff

Our annual Bocci Night at Fran Massucci's Bocci Emporium.

Bocci Night attendees were treated to world-class steaks grilled to perfection by chefs Tom McKnerney and Fran Massucci. Add to that picnic chairperson Helen Archangelo's "potato salad for 550 people", a glass of beer/wine/soda/water, witty conversation, Dr. John in the background and you have a very nice start to the festivities.

Helen Archangelo/Audrey Brown opted out of the bocci competition with curious back ailments. John Ryan left early to attend a 'meeting.'

The Greavous Faults pose smugly after upsetting the two-time defending champion Bocci Ballers. The Faults are: Mike Mathi...whatever Ginny Roy Team Captain Rodney Greaves a guy named Joe

---

	...is the loneliest number that you'll ever do. Beaten, but unbowed, the Bocci Ballers are: Ron Klein Bob Potrepka Team Captain John Kennedy John Gissas
	"Oh shutup, Rod. I don't want to hear AGAIN that you were bocci champion three years ago!"

---

- 2004 Bocci night highlights

The Doug McLeod Trophy sits amongst reclining repeat champion Bocci Ballers Ron Klein, John Kennedy and Bob Potrepka while Rose (DeTreasurer) DeFeo and John (Good-Shirt, No-Play, Brings-Own-Beer) Ryan closely guard the boxes-o-wine at the 2004 Bocci Night. 'Baller Pauline Levesque was not available for the photo-op.

Rotary clubs get together on centennial parade float

Float pictures and thank you letter from Ginny Roy, committee chair -

Pictures posted by Bristol Rotary

Article by Ken DiMauro, The Southington Citizen

In celebration of Rotary International's 100th anniversary, three area Rotary clubs have joined to sponsor and build a float that will be featured in this Sunday's Mum Festival Parade in downtown Bristol and the Apple Harvest Festival Parade on Oct. 2 in Southington. Dolly Chamberlin, former president of the Plainville Rotary Club and member of the club's parade float committee, said Rotarians in Plainville, Southington and Bristol have been working on the float, which is being stored at Trumbull Restoration Co. in Plainville.

Ginny Roy, chairwoman of the Southington Rotary Club's Centennial Committee, said it was her group's idea to build the float and the members invited Plainville and Bristol to participate. She said the anniversary float was a good way to publicize Rotary and its 100th birthday.

Chamberlin said the three groups have been planning the float since April. Use of a trailer was donated. The float will feature a large mockup of a four-tiered cake. Rotary International is marking its 100th anniversary and Plainville's Rotary is celebrating its 50th birthday, she said.

In addition to the cake and a large banner with the organization's motto, "Service Above Self," the float will have items of note from the three towns, including chrysanthemums and apples. The mums will be placed on the float before the Mum Parade and baskets of apples will be on the float for the Apple Harvest Festival. Covered bales of hay will be at the base of the float. Chamberlin said the float has room for three or four Rotarians, too. - complete article