Simsbury Honors Several 'Hometown Heroes'

SIMSBURY, Conn. — The Town of Simsbury has announced six recipients of its 2026 Hometown Hero Awards, recognizing residents and organizations for contributions that have benefited the community.

This year's honorees are Christine Poler Fleming, Mike Long, Garance Herve-Mignucci, David Ryan, the Lions Club of Simsbury and the Simsbury Loan Locker volunteers.

The recipients were recognized during a public ceremony Monday, June 8, at Simsbury Town Hall.

The Hometown Hero program was established in 1986 as part of Connecticut's 350th anniversary celebration under then-Gov. William O'Neill.

Communities across the state were invited to recognize residents whose actions or service helped make their towns better places to live.

In Simsbury, recipients are selected by a committee that includes the first selectman, a member of the Board of Selectmen from the opposite political party, a representative of the Simsbury Historical Society, a business leader, a previous Hometown Hero recipient, and a member of a veterans or service organization.

According to the town, the committee reviews nominations of individuals who have demonstrated selfless and altruistic behavior that significantly contributes to the betterment of Simsbury.