Head-Shaving Event Set at McGuire's Ale House

In 1998, a 5-year-old boy's battle with cancer ended. But a family's war on the disease was just beginning. Mike Connors' part of that fight is remembering his cousin's son by organizing a local head-shaving event for March 18 to fund cancer research.

"Keaton would've been in college now," said Connors, a Newtown resident.

Connors recalls watching his cousin, Robin Raphael, and her son, Keaton, go through the rigors of cancer treatment on their medical visits to Boston.

Since her son passed away, Robin started the Keaton Raphael Memorial and travels frequently to advocate for cancer awareness and research, said Connors.

Connors also was inspired to help.

"I helped with an event in New York a few years ago, and I've been wanting to organize one for a while now," said Connors.

When thinking of a place to host the event, Connors went knocking on the door of McGuire's Ale House, the newly opened restaurant in the old Hot Shots location on Mount Pleasant Road.

"I think Mike asked me the second day we were open," remembered Shaun Fuller, owner of McGuire's. "I immediately said, 'Let's do it.'"

"To open up his doors to this is great," said Connors of Fuller. "He said yes right away."

Fuller opened McGuire's on January 30 after months of renovating.

"I first saw the property for sale four years ago in The New York Times," said Fuller, 48. "I made an offer but the owner wouldn't take it at first, so I stayed on it and we opened almost four years later to the day."

Fuller, who lives in Yonkers, was drawn to this area by his brother, who used to live in Bethel. He hopes to relocate to Newtown with his family at some point.

When asked if he planned to participate in the shaving part of the fundraiser, Fuller explained that he would have, but he's already "follically deprived" so there's not much to shave.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation will receive 100 percent of the funds raised, said Connors. Participants can sign up as individuals or teams on the website. And if people are reluctant to part with their locks, they are welcome to come and watch or make donations.

The event will have several area barbers on hand, as well as games, facepainting and activities for kids. There will be raffles, a silent auction and four live bands, including NeverReady, Adults, Bourbon Cowboys and No Clue.

The St. Baldrick's Head-Shaving Event will be Sunday, March 18, noon - 4pm, at McGuire's Ale House at 130 Mount Pleasant Rd. Contact Mike Connors at Michael.connors0806@yahoo.com with questions.