This page gathers the GOD is Watching the Apples Facebook series in reading order. Clicking the title of any entry below links to the full original Facebook post. To read the full series to date, begin with Post 1 and continue in sequence. Or simply choose any post that interests you.
Post 1 — Every great business starts with a dream and a family willing to work for it. (January 19, 2026)
A reflection on the Topshe family history, vision, and hard work that laid the groundwork for the creation of Tops Marketplace.
Post 2 — Who ya gonna sell groceries to: The cows? (January 22, 2026)
A look at the faith, risk, and determination behind the Topshe family’s decision to build Southington’s Tops Market in what many saw as the middle of nowhere.
Post 3 — A family business grows when the next generation steps up. (January 25, 2026)
A look at how the next generation of the Topshe family, along with trusted local partners, helped turn Tops Market into a true community institution.
Post 4 — “When you ask someone how they are—make sure you mean it.” (January 29, 2026)
A tribute to Doug and Maddie Topshe and the warmth, generosity, and human connection that made Tops Market feel like part of the family.
Post 5 — Sometimes a question changes your life. (February 2, 2026)
A moving account of how George Topshe’s kindness changed Betsy Tooker’s life and reflected the deeper heart of Tops Market.
Post 6 — Betsy Tooker’s Early Memories of Tops Marketplace (February 6, 2026)
Betsy Tooker recalls the hard work, faith, and quiet grace that shaped her early years at Tops and helped define the spirit of the Topshe family.
Post 7 — The Longhorn and the Good Old Days (February 7, 2026)
A lively look at the Topshe family’s Longhorn venture, where hard work, improvisation, and community fun became part of the larger Tops story.
Post 8 — Fond Memories of a Simpler Time (February 10, 2026)
A nostalgic look at the open fields, family animals, and changing landscape around Tops Market during its earlier years.
Post 9 — Before Tops, For John, It All Started With Family (February 12, 2026)
An introduction to John Salerno’s early family life in the Bronx and the close-knit world that shaped one of the book’s three voices.
Post 10 — Life Growing Up Was Good For John Salerno, But If It Weren’t For Some Odd Twists Of Fate, He Wouldn’t Have Been Around To Experience It Or Tops Marketplace (February 14, 2026)
A powerful reflection on the fragile turns of fate in John Salerno’s family history that made his life—and his connection to this story—possible.
Post 11 — WHEN PREJUDICE COULDN’T STOP A DREAM (February 18, 2026)
The story of John Calvanese’s perseverance in the face of prejudice and how his determination helped build a lasting family legacy in Southington.
Post 12 — The Piano on the Fourth Floor: A Lesson in Faith and Perseverance (February 20, 2026)
A moving reflection on missed opportunities, family heartbreak, and the perseverance that carried John Salerno’s family through loss and hardship.
Post 13 — THE CALVANESE FAMILY BUSINESS PROSPERED WHEN THEIR NEXT GENERATION JOINED (February 23, 2026)
A story of how the next generation of the Calvanese family transformed loss, vision, and hard work into what eventually became the Aqua Turf Club and a lasting business legacy.
Post 14 — AN ACT OF KINDNESS THAT RIPPLED THROUGH A LIFETIME (February 25, 2026)
A stranger’s kindness to John Salerno’s family became a lifelong lesson in generosity.
Post 15 — FROM MR SOFTEE TO TOPS MARKETPLACE (March 3, 2026)
John Salerno’s years with Mr. Softee helped shape the generosity and community spirit he later brought to Tops Marketplace.
Post 16 — LOVE AND THE DUMPSTER CHRISTMAS (March 10, 2026)
A tender chapter of love, hardship, and joy in lean times that eventually led John and Nancylee Salerno to Tops Market.
Post 17 — JACK AND JUNE: COUSINS, NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS IN FAITH (March 12, 2026)
Family, friendship, and faith shaped John and Nancylee Salerno’s spiritual journey and future direction.
Post 18 — FROM CUSTOMER TO OWNER (March 14, 2026)
Relationships, mutual trust, and a shared willingness to act in faith led John Salerno and Jack Kastner to buy Tops Marketplace and to invite Betsy Tooker to become part of their venture.
Post 19 — A SLOW START AND A LEAP OF FAITH (March 18, 2026)
In the face of slow sales and real financial risk, Jack Kastner’s insistence on giving—and John Salerno’s reluctant agreement—helped define the spirit and future of Tops Marketplace.
Post 20 — GOING ALL IN AT TOPS MARKETPLACE (March 20, 2026)
Buying the building in 1984 marked a turning point, giving John Salerno and Jack Kastner the chance to invest fully in Tops Marketplace’s growth, identity, and future.
Post 21 – FROM CUSTOMER TO OWNER (March 14, 2026) John Salerno transitions from a regular customer to business partner with Jack Kastner, purchasing Tops Marketplace with Doug Topshe’s guidance and Betsy’s invaluable input.
Post 22 – KEEPING THE FAITH (March 25, 2026) As youth leader at the Fellowship of Life Church, John shares stories of faith and miracles with his students and young employees, preparing him for challenges ahead.
Post 23: – GYPSIES, THIEVES, AND SAINTS (March 27, 2026) Jack Kastner’s wisdom on mercy and forgiveness guides John and Betsy through difficult ethical decisions about theft and punishment at the marketplace.
Post 24 – GOD IS WATCHING THE APPLES (March 29, 2026) A young boy’s clever sign about apples becomes the inspiration for John’s understanding of how God watches over us in unexpected ways.
Post 25 – THE HEART OF TOPS AND THE FAMILY: NANCYLEE (March 31, 2026) Nancylee’s role as mother, nurse, and partner proves essential to the Salerno family and the marketplace’s success through her energy and perseverance.
Post 26 – THE FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST (April 3, 2026) Among Tops’ many wonderful customer relationships, one of the most fulfilling has been with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.
Post 27 – A DARK DAY AND A NEW HOPE (April 6, 2026) John Salerno recalls one of the greatest challenges to his faith occurred on April 22, 1991, the day he lost Jack Kastner. As Jack’s life ended however, a new, special one was just about to start.
Post 28 – A LONG GOODBYE (April 9, 2026) As hard as it was on Nancylee, John and the children, it was comforting to know they were able to support Nancylee’s mother, Ruth, when she needed it most.
Post 29 – ADRIFT (April 30, 2026) The year after Jack’s death, Bill also died. “Losing both of them was horrible,” John recalled. For Tops to survive, something would have to change.
Post 30 – A NEW DIRECTION (April 15, 2026) After the death of his business partner, Jack, and Jack’s brother, Bill, who was like a partner, John turned to Betsy as his new partner and co-owner of Tops.
Post 31 – HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS AND HIJINX (April 18, 2026) While Tops had its share of challenges, they were mixed with experiences of tenderness, joy, and sometimes even comedy.
Post 32 – MAKING IT WORK BY FITS AND STARTS (April 21, 2026) To keep pace with the rapidly changing industry, Tops constantly reinvented itself , but John still prayed for a homerun and that’s when catering was born!
Post 33 – IF YOU KNEW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING INTO (April 24, 2026) “If you knew, you might never have done it.” That might be said of John and Betsy’s experience with the Mountain Room at Mount Southington ski area.
Post 34 – TOPS AND THE ARTS AT ANGELORIA’S (April 29, 2026) Another unique opportunity developed for Tops through their partnership with the Arts at Angeloria’s.
Post 35 – EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE (May 3, 2026) In addition to the Mountain Room, Carmela Marie’s catering, and specialty dinners at the Arts at Angeloria’s, more opportunities came to Tops Marketplace.
Post 36 – A FAMILY AFFAIR AND RUNNING ON A TREADMILL (May 6, 2026) Over the years, all five of John’s children, along with Nancylee, worked at Tops. It was truly a family affair, but balancing work and life became a difficult challenge.
Post 37 – PRESSURE FROM ALL SIDES (May 9, 2026) Over the years, all five of As competition from larger supermarket chains and government regulations intensified to stay in business, Tops needed to modernize and expand.
Post 38 – THE BUSINESS PLAN: MOTHER KNOWS BEST (May 12, 2026) John spent a lot of time developing a detailed business plan but was worried it wouldn’t be enough, so he shared his concerns with his number one fan: his mother.
Post 39 – THE CHEF WHO BECAME FAMILY (May 15, 2026) Patrick created gourmet-quality prepared meals. Like many who worked at Tops he became as much family as employee. But like any family, Tops was not immune to tragedy.
Post 40 – SERVICING HIS LADIES (May 18, 2026) Long before Door Dash or Uber Eats, Tops Market offered home delivery. When John returned, if Betsy asked where he was, he would jokingly answer, “I had to service my ladies.”
Post 41 – KID’S FEST – WHEN AN IDEA CATCHES FIRE (May 21, 2026) As the saying goes, “There are few things so powerful as an idea whose time has come.” It must have been the right time for Kid’s Fest to become a reality.
Post 42 – KID’S FEST – WHEN SUCCESS TEACHES YOU TO STEP BACK (May 24, 2026) For Betsy and John, Kid’s Fest was a labor of love, but success created problems. It taught them an important lesson in managing visibility.
Post 43 – WHEN THE BUSINESS WON’T LET GO (May 27, 2026) With Betsy’s partnership secured, John turned his attention to family. Betsy recalled, “That was a wonderful period for them.” Still, John couldn’t fully separate from the business.
Post 44 – BUILDING MORE THAN A STORE (May 30, 2026) The first Tops renovation had proven what John and Betsy already believed. So in 1998/99, they undertook a second one. Despite the challenges, the results were spectacular.
Post 45 – BETSY’S UNEXPECTED HONOR (June 2, 2026) In 2003. Betsy became the first, and to date, the only woman ever to receive IGA’s International Retailer of the Year Award.
Post 46– AWARDS, ACCOLADES, AND MOST OF ALL, ADMIRATION (June 5, 2026) Betsy was stern and held Tops employees to high standards, but they understood, respected and admired her.
Post 47– THE BREAKING POINT (June 8, 2026) Conflicts between Nancylee and John reached the breaking point. Nancylee divorced John and moved into a condominium. Emily asked to move in with Betsy, who said yes without hesitation.
Post 48– BRIDGING THE DIVIDE (June 11, 2026) Even after their divorce, John and Nancylee continued their Sunday dinners with the children unbroken Family remained the glue that held the relationship after the marriage ended.
Post 49 – A NEW REALITY (June 14, 2026) John adjusts to single life in his mid-50s, finds a new partner in Lisa, and faces the emotional decision of selling his family home to start fresh on Mulberry Street.
Post 50 – A TALE OF TWO HOUSES (June 17, 2026) Betsy buys John’s South End Road home while John and Lisa move into their new Mulberry Street house — all on the same chaotic moving day.
Post 51 – ALL IN THE FAMILY? (June 20, 2026) John’s new life with Lisa unravels as his children’s anger deepens, and as their relationship ends, a long-neglected one quietly reemerges.