VOLUME XLI, No. 5 JUNE 2018 The Hampton Gazette

MEETINGS EVENTS

RD 11 Tri-Town Meeting, PHHS Library VOLUME XLI, No. 5 JUNE 2018 Monday, June 4, 6:00PM

EDITOR Board of Selectmen, Town Hall Community Room THUMBS UP to the Fire Department Dayna McDermott-Arriola and Ambulance Corps, and to their Monday, June 4, 7:00PM rapid response in rescuing a BOARD OF DIRECTORS RD 11 Referendum, Town Hall Community Room Juan Arriola, Interim Chair Tuesday, June 5, 12-8PM Goodwin trailblazer who suffered a Patricia O’Neill Boss, Treasurer stroke a half a mile into the woods. Renée Cuprak, Secretary Library Board, Fletcher Memorial Eleven EMTs arrived mid-morning, Angela Fichter Thursday, June 7, 4:00PM Diane Gagnon including the fire chief with the Peter Witkowski Board of Finance, Town Hall LL gator, to transport the patient to Tuesday, June 12, 7:00PM PRODUCTION the hospital where he is recuperating, Green Committee, Town Hall Conference Room Mary Oliver, Art Direction thanks to their prompt and expert Wednesday, June 13, 7:00PM The Hampton Gazette is published monthly, actions. and as a non-profit 501(c)(3) venture, it is Senior Luncheon Potluck, Community Center, LL registered with the State of Connecticut and Wednesday, June 13, 12:00PM THUMBS DOWN to the disappearance IRS, and is supported by advertising revenues of signs around town. Spring is a and donations. All contributions are tax- PHHS Board of Education, PHHS Library busy time, and residents are deductible. Tuesday, June 19, 7:00PM advertising schools, fairs, flings, CONTACT INFORMATION Editorials, Planning & Zoning, Town Hall Community Room plant sales and votes in our public articles, calendar or event information, press Tuesday, June 25, 7:00PM releases or questions: please email to spaces. Please respect your neigh- [email protected] in Word format HES Board of Education, HES Library bors’ right to use these areas and (not pdf) or to Editor, Hampton Gazette, PO Wednesday, June 27, 7:00PM leave their signs alone. Box 101, Hampton, CT 06247, by the 15th of each month. All submissions to the Gazette For more information on Hampton Happenings, please There’s plenty of room for are subject to editing. The Gazette reserves visit our Town online at www.hamptonct.org everyone’s message. the right not to accept submissions.

CIRCULATION The Hampton Gazette is Dear Readers, available online at hamptongazette.com, and As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, our retrospective review of the subjects and in print by request, free of charge, to every home in Hampton. Domestic subscriptions organizations we’ve covered through the years illustrates the importance of our town are available by requests at cost; international newspaper in keeping residents apprised of happenings, such as those recounted in may be charged extra postage. To subscribe, the Annual Report in this issue, and in preserving our history. What is most apparent or receive email notification of the current however, are the contributions of residents to our newspaper. Since the Gazette’s issue on the Web, contact the Editor at hamptongazette.com inception in 1978, 91 residents have served as board members, 385 people have penned letters of opinion, and every year, approximately one hundred present and former ADVERTISING Please contact us by email townsfolk contribute information in the form of notices, articles, columns, and for advertising policies and rates. Payments photographs. should be mailed to PO Box 101, Hampton, CT 06247 Though less newsworthy or artistic, charitable contributions also keep the newspaper in PHOTOS print. The first request for donations was in the third edition of the Gazette in June 1978, (jpg high resolution, please) may be emailed to [email protected] 40 years ago, in an article that detailed costs, $120 per month at the time, expenses supplemented with the many local businesses in town. With far fewer advertisers, the EDITORIAL POLICIES $700 monthly amount to publish the town newspaper today has been augmented with Each letter to the Gazette must be signed and various fundraisers –occasional galas, Stop & Shop cards, the “Gathering Place”, the include and address & telephone contact for Memorial Day Barbecue, and most recently the community calendar, which featured local verification. Signing all correspondence to the artists, and which, because of its success, we plan to continue in future years. Gazette is encouraged, but at the request of the writer, a signature may be withheld. Letters And the generous donations of our patrons. We’ve enclosed a coupon and an addressed written on behalf of an organization require envelope in this edition and thank you, in advance, for your continued support. Your the signature of an authorized spokesperson. All letters submitted to the Gazette are subject charitable contributions, and your contributions of articles, columns, announcements, to editing and the Gazette reserves the right to opinions, poems and photographs, are what make The Hampton Gazette a community reject any or all letters. Readers should be newspaper. aware that the opinions of individual writers The Gazette are not necessarily those of the Gazette. The Gazette will not print letters it regards as libel- ous. Photographs and articles published here CONTRIBUTORS: Deb Andstrom, India Arriola, Jamie Boss, Anne Christie, Stan Crawford, Matthew Gailey, Dave Goodrich, are the property of the individual photogra- Angelika Hansen, Sarah Heminway, Sue Hochstetter, Ethan Jacobson, Marcia Kilpatrick, Lisa LaBelle, Christina Mazza, pher or writer and may not be reproduced Michelle Mlyniec, Charlene Randall, Jasper Sha, Janice Trecker, Leslie Wertam. Cover photo: Randy McMahon without express permission of the contributor. Time Capsule In Hampton 40 Years Ago: 10 Years Ago: · In “Little River Not So Little” Lois Kelley describes our town’s · “They Hatched!” announces that “All is well tributary as BIG on beauty, purity and brook trout. with the (wren) family at Trail Wood”. · “The Store: a Vital Link” provides a history of the General Store · The front page details a community walk from its opening in 1816 to the present. along the Cohantic Ledges with the State · “Lights at Chelsea Inn?” answers the question of the revival of the Archeologist. village’s historic public house. · Pete Vertefeuille’s local photographs illustrate 30 Years Ago: Wendell Davis’ article on “Farm Lanes”. · The new elementary school is approved by a vote of 292 – 256. · “A Century of Grange Membership” recognizes 50 year certificate recipients Margaret Hoffman and Alfred Vargas. · Consolidated school students plant a sugar maple tree for their friend, Frannie Wade. 20 Years Ago: · Pearl Scarpino describes a first in "Grandma Goes to a Hockey Game", where she learned, among other things, that "checking isn't necessarily a bank transaction, and icing isn't something you always put on a cake." · The front page announces the Cub Scouts receipt of the Little River Grange Community Service Award. · EarthCare encourages gardeners to “Take It Easy” with advice on raised beds, slopes and plant types. Hop aboard the bus to travel Nationally to Tanglewood in Lenox, MA, 40 Years Ago: for a concert celebrating · One of only 21 known complete copies of Gutenberg’s Bible composer and impresario sells in London for the equivalent of $2.4 million US dollars. Leonard Bernstein’s 100th · The film “Grease” starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John birthday on August 25. The opens. “Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb begins its run as the top song for seven weeks. concert will feature classical · The rainbow flag is first used as a symbol of gay pride in a parade artists Midori Gotō and Yo-Yo in San Francisco. Ma, plus the Tanglewood 30 Years Ago: Festival Chorus. Among others · The movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” premieres. George conducting the Boston Michael’s “One More Try” holds the top spot on Billboard Symphony Orchestra: Keith Magazine’s song list. · Baltimore Oriole’s baseball player Cal Ripken plays his 1,000th Lockhart, John Williams, and consecutive game. Michael Tilson Thomas. 20 Years Ago: · The movie “The Truman Show” is drawing crowds and everyone is Tickets: $50 and must be listening to “The Boy is Mine” by Brandy and Monica. reserved by June 15 (the $25 · Terry Nichols is sentenced to life in prison for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing. ticket price is nonrefundable), · Actress Maureen O’Sullivan dies at age 87. by emailing: hamptontownac- 10 Years Ago: [email protected], writing to · Bill Gates steps down as Chairman of Microsoft to work full time Rec Commission, Town of at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Hampton, Box 143, Hampton, · Several box-office hits premiere during the month including CT 06247. For more information, “Sex and the City”, “Kung Fu Panda”, “The Incredible Hulk” and “WALL-E”. and reserve your space, please · French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent (72) and musician Bo call 860.455.9875 Diddley (80) pass away. 3 After Board of Education Chairman Rose Bisson’s brief presentation on the elementary school’s $2,174,969 proposal, there was discussion concerning the school’s decision to eliminate the full-time reading teacher. Though Superintendent Olah explained the alternative plans in delivering reading instruction, Bisson did admit that the teachers voiced opposition to the decision, as did some of the residents in attendance. The need for an additional $17,000 for a Business Manager to oversee the school’s finances was also questioned, as there have been, reportedly, no problems with the school’s Business Office. The issue of school buses, a perennial theme, was also raised. The school currently has 94 students and uses three school buses which accommodate 70 students each. Board of Finance member Perry Matchinis urged the board to conduct an independent analysis of utilizing two buses instead of three. The school’s studies of this issue have thus far been conducted by bus companies.

The Fire Department’s request for funds to build an addition on the Fire SPLIT DECISIONS AT POLLS House also fielded a number of questions. Cahill explained that the Town Voters at the May 29 referendum approved the does not qualify for grant funding for projects such as these because of Town Government Budget by a vote of 197 to 79 our economic situation. The Town has no debt, and the General Fund and funding for the addition to the Fire House by will remain at 10% of the Town’s operating expenses with the approval of a vote of 175 – 101, but the Hampton Elementary the $500,000. Department member Jake Berard explained that time is School Budget was defeated, 127 – 148. unnecessarily wasted when accessing needed equipment in emergencies, The referendum followed the May 22 Annual a problem that the addition to the building will eliminate. Stan Crawford Town Meeting where approximately 60 residents shared the story of a recent rescue at Goodwin Forest which saved the life addressed the dozen items on the call, the first, of the hiker, Shannon Haddad reminded residents of how fortunate we the nomination of Sue Hochstetter to serve as are to have volunteer respondents and their level of expertise and equip- Moderator. Most of the items were unanimously ment when so many towns need to pay for emergency services, and Dick approved without discussion, such as authorizing Brown’s remark, “It’s a relatively inexpensive expenditure to upgrade our the Board of Selectmen to accept State funding services,” ended the discussion. ¢ for roads, and to act as liaison for Trailwood’s application to the Neighborhood Assistance Act, TOWN CLERK: CALLING ALL which will award tax credits to donors. Kate DOGS — ANNOUNCING Donnelly was returned to her seat on the Regional District#11Board of Education by LICENSING FOR JUNE! acclamation. Dog licenses for the 2018-2019 year will be available in the Clerk’s Office during There was also little discussion concerning the regular hours starting June 1. Fees for the Town Government budget after First Selectman licenses are: Neutered Male or Spayed Al Cahill’s presentation of the $1,632,306 Female - $ 8, and intact Male or Female - $19. Kennel licenses proposal which listed as increases 3% salary are $51 for ten tags. A late fee of one dollar per dog per month adjustments for all town employees, hikes in (or $10 per month per kennel license set) will be assessed after June health insurance, and the replenishing of the 30th. Proof of valid rabies vaccination and/or spaying or neutering must Capital and Non-recurring accounts which were be presented if the dog has not been licensed in Hampton in the past not funded last year in order to produce a level year, or if the rabies vaccination expires before the end of the previous spending plan. Cahill noted that Special Town licensing period. Meetings would be required this coming year to request funding for the projects the town approved The Town Clerk’s Office is open on Tuesday 9AM – 4PM and Thursday earlier in the evening under the 5-Year Plan, as 10AM – 7PM. Please feel free to call the office at 860.455.9132 ext 1 the Board of Finance reduced the Building and to arrange licensing by mail if the office times are impossible for you. Maintenance account by $30,000 in order to Remember, licensing is important for the management of rabies and retain a level mil rate. therefore contributes to the health and safety of our canine and ¢ REFERENDUM CONTINUED NEXT COLUMN human communities. Leslie Wertam SENIORS This group of neighbors and friends will meet in the lower level of the Community Center on Wednesday, June 13 and share a Pot Luck Picnic at noon at the Community Center. Hot dogs, hamburgers and barbecued chicken will be provided. There is no charge to residents 55 or older who bring a salad, dessert, or beverage to share. Please join us!

Here, one can engage in issues affecting Hampton, watch a movie, or plan trips. Occasionally there are visiting speakers or musicians. There is no charge to be a member of this organization. For more information, contact Stan Crawford via email : 4 [email protected] or call: 860.933.8177 ¢ that taxpayers probably opposed the budget because it wasn’t “high enough”, stating that because of budgetary constraints, the school continues to “do without”.

But other audience members challenged the charge that the school was underfunded, noting that last year ended with a $250,000 surplus of unspent funds. One resident reminded board members that surrounding towns were lowering their budgets because of declining populations and reductions in the State’s Educational Cost Curious about essential oils or puzzled about aromatherapy? Sharing. RD# 11’s student count dropped by Andrea Kaye and Marjorie Russell will provide some answers with 11 last year and the district lost $367,391 in State funding. their presentation on essential oils June 9 at Fletcher Memorial Library. Distilled from plants, essential oils (essential in the sense of Superintendent Ken Henrici returned to preserving the essence of the substance) were used for centuries in the board two proposals: his original medicine. Currently, they have found a niche in aromatherapy, recommendation which called for an amount but they can also function as safe insect repellants and cleansers. level with the current year’s appropriation; and

a .3% increase, a reduction from the .69% hike Hampton resident Andrea Kaye has been interested in essential oils voters opposed. He detailed the reductions which for the last 15 years, starting with lavender and tea tree oil. A retired included adjustments in health insurance and psychotherapist, she says she loved how they smelled as well as their workmen’s compensation, cuts in instructional therapeutic uses. Looking for something that would be fun and supplies to correspond with actual expenditures rewarding after her career, she began working on aromatherapy and in library books due to a shift toward digital certification at Aromahead Institute School of Essential Oil Studies. information, and reduced costs for certified staff Marjorie Russell from Centerbrook has been a youth counselor resulting from this year’s resignations, which for the past 30 years. She received board certification as a Behavior would be replaced with new teachers on lower Analyst in 2011 and has been actively educating folks about pay scales. Henrici said that he was “very holistic health and natural solutions with essential oils for the confident” that either proposal would “serve the past few years. needs of the students and recognize the needs of the towns”. The program is free and participants will receive free samples of the oils. For more information, call 860.455.1086 during library hours. Despite these recommendations and assurances, Foster and Sally Ireland of Chaplin, and FROM THE REGISTRARS OF VOTERS Scotland’s Dennis LaBelle advocated for returning the May 8 proposal to taxpayers, The polls will be open on Tuesday, June 5 from noon to 8PM in the less the donations; but Hampton’s Rose Bisson Community Room at Town Hall to decide the Regional District #11 and Kate Donnelly, and Scotland’s Jen Nelson FY2018-19 budget. Registered voters and citizens listed on the October, and Bud Smallwood voted against this motion, 2017 Grand List as owning at least $1000 worth of property are eligible with Nelson calling it “an insult to taxpayers”, to vote. Those who wish to be registered and vote in this referendum and Donnelly reminding members that, have until 12PM on Monday, June 4. Absentee ballots are available in historically, taxpayers have responded with the Town Clerk’s Office during regular Town Hall hours up until the an even greater defeat. opening of the polls. ¢ Board members also rejected Smallwood’s suggestion that additional funds be applied to the RD#11 BUDGET RETURNS TO TAXPAYERS towns’ assessments. Last year, the board used The Regional District #11 2018-2019 budget proposal will return to $300,000 in unspent funds to reduce the towns’ voters at a June 5 referendum following the defeat of the original proposal assessments, but this year they voted to apply of $6,441,465 on May 8 by a tri-town vote of 277 to 289. half that amount. The board currently holds a $400,000 surplus. At their May 15 meeting, the school board heard from many audience members who claimed that residents were unaware of the referendum, In the end, the board unanimously approved though the school’s newsletter sent to all tri-town residents on the reducing the budget by $19,000 from the weekend preceding the vote announced its date and time. They requested insurance and compensation lines, resulting in that the board return the same amount to taxpayers less the $700 a .4% increase in the budget. Voters in all three collected after board member Stacy Foster of Chaplin asked residents to towns will decide whether or not the reduction, donate to the school when the budget failed. Supporters also opined or the appropriation, is sufficient at the June 5 referendum. ¢ RD #11 BUDGET CONTINUED NEXT COLUMN 5 son of a man whose life he had saved during the conflict. Randy’s adventures took him to Alaska to log timber. He came to love parachuting from planes. He had over 8,000 recorded parachute jumps. He worked for NASA making parachutes for the space shuttle and eventually opened his own business designing competition parachutes. His obvious passion was for British Triumph automobiles. Be it a TR3, TR4 or TR6, you could find any of them at his house. Just pass down Main Street and his stable of British antiques were parked in his side yard for all to see.

He is now off on his final adventure. How fitting that such a man and lover of nature should pass on this particular day…Arbor Day, 2018. We will miss you Randy. A Friend

FAREWELL TO RANDY April 27, 2018, the last Friday in April of this REMEMBERING MARION ARLINE BURNHAM HALBACH year. Early on this morning a long time resident Marion Halbach passed away on April 24 surrounded by family and of Hampton, champion of Hampton’s unique friends. Born on February 2, 1922 to Jesse and Bertha Burnham, Marion beauty and thoughtful conservationist, passed on was raised in Hampton and raised her fami- to new adventures. ly here. She graduated from the Center School and Windham High and attended Randy Thompson was unique in all aspects of secretarial school, utilizing her office skills his life. First and foremost, he was his own man, working for James L. Goodwin. owing only to himself. Every day of his life was marked by his firm belief in the continuation of Marion married Charles Halbach on Hampton as the jewel of the northeast corner Valentine’s Day in 1942 and celebrated of Connecticut. His work on the town’s 66 years of marriage before Charlie’s conservation committee was beyond reproach. passing. Her sisters, Ethel and Helen, also predeceased her. He knew in his heart that Hampton was a special place in the universe. Marion had a strong sense of civic du-

Most knew Randy as a quiet, thoughtful and ty. During World War II, she served as an caring man who never bragged, boasted or went Air Raid Warden. She was on the Board of Directors of the Fletcher Me- back on his word. He would help anyone in morial Library and served as a board member and volunteer at Day Kim- need and was always there for his family and ball Hospital as well as volunteering at Windham Hospital and with Lit- friends. Randy always stood by his own set of eracy Volunteers. She was a secretary for the American Cancer Society and donated many hours to the Pierce Memorial Baptist Home. personal standards and could never be swayed otherwise. When her girls were young, Marion supported various programs at the

The other side of Randy was the adventurer. Consolidated School. She was a member of the Little River Grange and His early life was spent in the Army, serving his served as a Juvenile Grange Matron. Marion and Charlie regularly hosted country in Vietnam. There were three types of foreign students from UConn and from the Future Farmers of America service in Vietnam. There were those who spent Program. Marion assisted her husband with the 4-H horse club, The their year on a secure basecamp and out of Hampton Hill Rustlers. An avid gardener, she generously shared her per- harm’s way. There were those who would spend ennials and descendants from her flowers continue to grace many Hampton gardens. a fair amount of time out in the countryside only to return to the safety of the basecamp at Marion was a founding member of the Hampton Gazette – the Halbachs night. The third kind was where Randy ended hosted the meeting during which the idea of a town paper developed. up. Out in the jungle for weeks on end, never She was a member of the Editorial Board, providing historical infor- being able to change his clothes, always wet mation and vintage photos of Hampton. She was an original member of and dirty, always on the move encountering the Antiquarian and Historical Society. The Burnham-Hibbard House numerous firefights along the way and seeing his was gifted to the Society by Marion’s aunt, Mildred (Burnham) Hib- friends die up close. When he returned, he bard. Family history was a major interest of Marion’s, and she published never talked of what he saw to his family. Most two related articles in Reminisce magazine. recently he was happy to have connected to the 6 CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 Marion was also a founding member of the Howard Valley Christian Church where she served on multiple committees and in various roles. prominent historical citizens. Abolitionist She taught Sunday School, assisted with Vacation Bible School, and was Theodore Weld, Governor Chauncey Cleveland, a primary organizer of the Women’s Valley Circle. For many years, noted folk artist John Brewster Jr., naturalists Marion and Charlie kept the books and organized the annual service – Edwin Way and Nellie Teale, and experimental both of which made it possible for the historic church to retain its status forester James L. Goodwin, among others, all lived as a house of worship. During their stewardship the Howard Valley in Hampton. The Society works to keep Hampton Scholarship was established. residents aware of the contributions of these

important persons. Marion and Charlie regularly showed their antique cars in the Memorial Day Parade and provided rides for children at the “Hole in the Wall Camp”. Marion drove many miles delivering “Meals on Wheels” to residents – sometimes delighting the people she delivered to by bringing along her young grandchildren. All generations are blessed with fond memories of days spent at White Kettle Farm with “Oma”, sampling fresh fruit cobblers and crisps, catching grasshoppers and fireflies, playing cards or “Merry Milkman” in front of a warm fireplace, gathering together for family reunions and visiting with neighbors on the front veranda.

Marion is survived by her three daughters, Marie Halbach, Charlene and husband David Randall, Jr., and Kathie Moffitt, grandchildren Luke Moffitt and his wife Pamela, Captain Jeffrey Randall, USCG and his wife, Linda, Jennifer Randall Egger and her husband, Jason, and Kate Bassett, and great grandchildren Jonathan and Bailey Bassett, Luke Moffitt, Jr. and Amanda Moffitt, Alyssa Randall, and Jaydon Egger. More than fifty years after its incorporation in HAMPTON ANTIQUARIAN AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY: 1967, the Society maintains a quiet though active presence in town. Each year, the Society A Thumbnail Sketch participates in The Last Green Valley Walktober “History is but a story told over time. It explains where we’ve been events, presents informative and entertaining and how the changes in the world have impacted daily life. It moves programs, and sponsors a Holiday Open House slowly”. This is a quote from an article written for the Gazette ten years in December. It maintains the Burnham Hibbard ago introducing new readers to the Historical Society and it still holds House Museum (open Memorial Day and by true. Allison Davis’ Hampton Remembers and Discovering Hampton appointment), where it displays numerous by Janice Trecker, both book projects of the Hampton Antiquarian Hampton artifacts. Residents are encouraged and Historical Society, tell the stories of earlier Hampton lifeways. to visit the Museum and experience Hampton’s Originally called the Historical Society, the “Antiquarian” part of our history through its artifacts and personages. ¢ name was added, prior to incorporation, following the decision to accept donations of historical papers and manuscripts along with the Susan Hochstetter household objects that form the core of the Museums’ current collection. These paper goods, including ledgers, survey maps, letters and deeds, have been sent for preservation and storage to the Dodd Research Center at UCONN where they are archived in the “Hampton Collection”. They are being, or soon will be, digitized, making them MONTHLY PROGRAMS AT protected from harm, while being readily accessible by computer to THE HUNTINGTON HOMESTEAD anyone who would like to review them. This technical availability and June 2: Early Local Native Tribes 1PM archival preservation is the current manner in which history is being Hampton residents Beth Regan, Mohegan Council preserved and presented. member, and Juan Arriola of Native American

descent, will speak on the region’s early tribes. The Society’s museum building was generously donated in 1974 by $4 per person; free to members and children 12 Mildred Burnham Hibbard. It is an 1830 vernacular style Cape. and under. The Burnham Hibbard House represents “everyman’s” home. It is June 9: Meet and Talk with Joseph Plumb Martin interpreted as a living museum, depicting the stages of development of from 11AM-3PM. A former Continental Soldier of the house. The Museum is furnished with donated artifacts with a the 8th Connecticut regiment during the American Hampton provenance. It is neither a big farmhouse nor was it the Revolution will reminisce on “the times that tried home of a nationally noted person (although Hampton had its share of men’s souls”. Donations for programming are those). First a tenant house (rental), then a private home, then a most welcome. Please turn to page 18 for more boarding house – its history is modest. Hampton can be proud of its about our neighbor to the South. ¢ 7 HOURS Wednesday 12-8PM, Thursday & Friday 9AM-12PM, & Saturday 9AM-3PM ONLINE: fletchermemoriallibrary.org 860.455.1086

NEW BOOKS Lots of good novels this month, from popular works by Jeffrey Deaver, Anne Cleeves and Anne Perry, to literary fiction from Rachel Kushner and Michael Ondaatje. Biographies of Vivian Maier (photographer) and Agatha Christie, plus new DVD’s. ADULT FICTION Tessa Arlen Death of an Unsung Hero Ace Atkins Robert B. Parker’s Old Black Magic Fredrik Backman The Deal of a Lifetime Alex Berenson The Deceivers Sue Burke Semiosis Anne Cleeves The Glass Room (Vera) Jeffrey Deaver The Cutting Edge Jude Deveraux As You Wish Charles Frazier Varina Lisa Genova Every Note Played Martha Grimes The Knowledge Judith A. Jance Duel to the Death Rachel Kushner The Mars Room Beverly Lewis The Road Home Christine Mangan Tangerine Jo Macbeth Macbeth Michael Ondaatje Warlight UPCOMING EVENTS James Patterson The 17th Suspect June 6 FML Book Discussion Group 6:30PM Anne Perry Twenty-one Days We will be discussing Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Lisa Scottoline After Anna Benedict. We always welcome new members! ADULT NON-FICTION June 9 Essential Oils 101 Class 10:30AM - NOON Pamela Bannos Vivian Maier: A Photographer’s Life & Afterlife A free class taught by Marjorie Russell and Andrea Asne Seierstad Two Sisters: A Father, His Daughters, Kaye, learn how essential oils can support every system & Their Journey (Syria) of the body and your emotions. Pick up a free sample. Laura Thompson Agatha Christie: A Mysterious Life Discover Essential Wellness! June 13 Brian Tracy Art Opening and Watercolor TOP SHELF GALLERY Demonstration 4:30 – 6PM. Hampton artist Brian Tracy The June-July show is Landscapes: Farms & Fields, featuring oils and watercolors will offer a presentation on watercolor painting at 5PM. by Brian Tracy. The show opens June 13, with an artist’s reception at 4:30PM, Light refreshments served. and includes a watercolor painting demonstration along with volunteer painters at 5PM. June 16 Make a Father’s Day Card, Story & Craft 9AM - 3PM. Come to the library to make a Father’s Tracy received his BFA in painting from UConn. Besides landscapes in vivid Day card for your special person. Story, craft, and colors, he creates portraits, generally in conté crayon, at his studio in Hampton. snack, too! All ages are welcome. Brian has shown his work at various venues throughout Eastern Connecticut and June 20 Quiet Corner Reads 2018 with Author Marie participates in Artists Open Studios of NECT at the Hampton Community Benedict, 7PM at the Mansion at Bald Hill, Woodstock. Center every autumn. ¢ Tickets are available at the Library for $15. June 22 2018 Summer Reading Kickoff 10AM Interested in showing your paintings, prints, or photographs? Fletcher Memorial Library’s Hampton resident Susan Lynch and the Mossy Rock Top Shelf Gallery is looking for artists willing to display their work for a month or two. This safe, well-lighted venue is available during library hours. Contact Anne Christie at Marionettes will be performing at the Hampton [email protected] or call the library at 860 455-1086. More information is also Elementary School. The theme this year is “Libraries available on the library website, www.fletchermemoriallibrary.org. Rock”. Wednesdays Knitting Group NOON – 3PM. Have a THINK PHOTOS THIS SUMMER! cup of tea or coffee and work on a needlework project, For the third Annual Fall Festival, the library will once or just socialize. All are welcome. again sponsor a photography contest for amateur Fridays Story Time, Song & Play 10 – 11AM photographers. Entry categories include seascape/ An interactive program for children (0-5) and their landscape/nature, wildlife, people, and pets. There caregivers using a variety of musical instruments, will also be a junior division for ages 17 and under. rhymes, songs, finger plays, puppets, as well as a Limit - four entries per person. Entry forms can be found ¢ story or two. on the town website, and are available at the library. Time to take stock of old and new photos you might 8 like to share! ¢ HAMPTON GRADUATES RECEIVE STATE AND NATIONAL RECOGNITION Who in town would have ever imagined that the Christadores could become even more famous for something other than their legendary corn-on-the-cob? But Cole Christadore, son of Glenda and On January 12, in a game against Norwich Tech, Daryl, has earned even greater Marissa broke the 2014 girls’ basketball record of renown, gaining recognition for his 1,420 career points scored, and later that night, masonry skills at the local, state and her foul shot surpassed the boys’ basketball record national level. of 1,431 set in 1984, breaking both of the school’s A senior at Ellis Tech, Cole won first basketball records during one magical game. place last year in Skills USA, Marissa ended the night with an additional ten participating with students across the State in various contests, including points, but her career on Windham Tech’s court his area of expertise, masonry. Later, Cole would place third in the entire would continue to soar, as she later collected 388 nation, qualifying him for the World Masonry Competition in Russia, more points this last season for a total of 1,829 along with six other students, one of whom was chosen. This year, Cole career points scored. won the state competition again and is leaving right after graduation for the national competition in Louisville, Kentucky the week of June 25th. “I’m really excited for her because she’s so His instructors are confident he will again be eligible for the world deserving. Not just because she’s a great scorer, competition as well. but because she does so much for the team, the

program,” Coach Tom St. George said in an “Cole lost a year starting masonry as a sophomore, but he kept his head interview with the Willimantic Chronicle after down, worked hard, asked a lot of questions,” according to his masonry the game. “She tries to help out her younger instructor, Elliot Hayden. “I can’t say enough good about him. A great teammates as much as she can, and that’s what work ethic, smart, polite and so easy to teach. He listens, responds, takes makes her such a great leader.” it all in – and you can see it in his work. He’s the perfect student. I’d trust him anywhere.” Marissa confirmed that assessment in the same “I’d give him my wallet!” adds Masonry Department Head Michael article. “I never really think about points because Daigle. “He’s an outstanding young man. Boys don’t come along like that I’m really focused on us playing better as a team. very often. The last one was a decade ago,” Daigle recalls. “He, too, had I never thought about records or anything like that. a farm background, a good work ethic. Cole helps others. He’s humble, a It’s important to me to give my teammates, pleasure to have in class, and I look forward to him being very successful especially the younger ones, an opportunity to in the field. Cole has also earned distinction on the school’s honor roll score, too, because we need to build chemistry throughout his academic career. and develop as a team. I won’t be around next

year but I want them to be successful. It’s my Congratulations, Cole, to you and to your family. We wish you luck responsibility to try and help them improve in your upcoming contest, and look forward to learning of your together, and I’m proud of what we’ve future success. ¢ accomplished together. “Marissa, who was named the “Mighty Tigers” most valuable player all four seasons, culminated her illustrious high school basketball career by earning Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Class S All State honors.

Congratulations to Marissa, and her family; the community wishes you continued success on and off the court! ¢ India Arriola

Please make sure to send the good news of your graduates to: [email protected] so that we can publicly applaud The “sound of broken records” was music to the ears of Marissa Shirshac their accomplishments! this year, as the Hampton resident, and senior guard for Windham Tech’s “Mighty Tigers”, surpassed prior records set on the school’s basketball court. 9 SPRING FLING & FUNDRAISERS AT PARISH HILL The 2nd Annual Spring Fling will take place at Parish Hill Middle/High School June 9th from 11AM to 3PM. This event, put on by the Junior Class and the PHACT/PTA, will have something for everyone in the family. Come enjoy some classic fair food like cotton candy, fried dough, snow cones and burgers and dogs as well as delectable delights from local food trucks. The fun for all ages includes Knockerball, the National Guard inflatable obstacle course, a dunk tank, batting cage, and fun activity stations for the little ones. We will have many local vendors selling and showing off their goods and services. Interested vendors can contact Lisa LaBelle ([email protected]). We are looking forward to providing a fun day for the all ages while supporting our school and community.

The following fundraisers are scheduled to benefit the middle school students’ trip to Washington D. C. •Car Wash on June 16 from 9:30AM to 2:30PM at Advanced Auto Parts on Route 6 in North Windham. All cars will be $5. Please consider stopping in to help support the students’ trip. •Water Bottle Sales at the Transfer Station on July 7 and 21 and August 11. Students in grades 6 and 7 will be selling ice cold water bottles for $1. ¢

India Arriola recently performed in the Arts at the Capital Theater’s production of “E.NUF: Stopping the Desensitization of the American Heart”. The students, under the direction and guidance of their theater teacher, created an entirely original docudrama in which they used news headlines, clips, feeds, and articles, as well as monologues, interviews, screen plays and historic documents to write a script illustrating the reality of gun violence, school shootings, police brutality, natural disasters, civil unrest, discrimination, poverty, homelessness and addiction, projecting headlines and images and recreating the movements and sounds of the tragedies “to awaken the American conscience.” A National Honor Society member, India has earned distinction on her school’s honor roll throughout her high school career and has earned Gold Keys for her poetry in Scholastic Writing Competitions. We wish her success The film “Fair”, directed by Thayne Hutchins, in her future artistic pursuits. ¢ won Best Picture at the May 18 Quiet Corner Photo courtesy Renée Cuprak Film Festival. Student filmmakers from nine Connecticut high schools submitted short films which were judged for editing, storytelling, directing, cinematography, lighting, pacing and creativity. The competition included awards, prizes, and a red carpet entrance and interview, during which Thayne praised the creative process of film-making because the artist “has control over every element”. Said Thayne of his award winning film, “It’s about two women who train for the match of their lives. Saying anything more would give away the ending.” One can view “Fair” in its entirety at www.quietcornerfilmfestival.org. A senior at Woodstock Academy, Thayne is attending Wesleyan next year where he will major in film studies. We look forward to viewing Thayne’s future productions. ¢

10 MATTERS OF OPINION Generally, our citizenry has responded with high rates of voter participation. Perhaps the most important role our town newspaper has served through the years has been in providing space for our residents to opine; and they But the subject that has fueled the most have responded to that opportunity prolifically, with 385 people penning controversy is the fate of Regional District opinions from 1978 to the present. #11, breaking the record in 2004 for the

number of letters to the editor submitted in a There was initial reluctance on the part of the citizenry to submit an single month – exactly nine in favor of, and opinion to the Gazette, in spite of a plea from the original board: “when nine against, building a new high school. issues are controversial, the Gazette must report them objectively, but the Subsequent issues surrounding RD#11 - Gazette does have room for opinion – yours.” But in 1980, the issue of Scotland’s withdrawal from the district, “the bank”, the Savings Institute’s proposal to locate a branch in Hampton, returning grades 7 and 8 to the elementary sparked enough controversy for residents to debate the matter on the schools, dissolving the district, building a pages of the town newspaper. The “hot topics” that followed: the cooperative school with neighboring Brooklyn, continuation of 1-84 through town, senior housing, developmental fully regionalizing the district, and whether education, the gun range, and the methods of disposing of our trash and or not we should study matters regarding the approving town budgets. Construction projects, such as the town garage district - generated many editorials – thirty and the new elementary school, which were ultimately approved, and a in the last decade alone. new middle/high school, which ultimately failed, always inspire the expression of viewpoints, and debate over the residential development of Mostly, though, townsfolk have written to us Bennett Drive continued for months, with writers raising concerns on with thanks. As one resident wrote of the changes to the zoning regulations, the environmental impact of industrial anonymous gift of firewood: “This mining, sand and gravel excavation, stonewall removal, and the value of extraordinary gesture is one of the reasons subdivisions. Other recurring themes through the decades include our I love living in Hampton”. ¢ roads – pot holes, snow removal, speeding vehicles, traffic hazards, litter, and unleashed dogs; and issues related to land use – residential Dear Taxpayers, growth, open space, business zones, and the plan of conservation and I have a couple of questions concerning the development. RD#11 revised budget: The Gazette has occasionally penned its own opinions, beginning with its 1) How much are we paying a superintendent first editorial entitled “Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty” which we’re not bothering to listen to? The superin- encouraged attendance at Town Meeting, to the most recent, an editorial tendent initially recommended a 0% increase, critical of certain campaign tactics in the last municipal election. In compromising at .3%. He described both between, editorials have centered on governance - asking “What’s Going scenarios as “serving all the needs of the on at Town Hall?”, and a few months later, “What’s Going On in students.” Despite this, board members Hampton?” - and school budgets - “A Time to Listen” identified the rea- insisted on spending more money than the sons the budget wasn’t approved until October, and a few years later, superintendent recommended. I suppose “Here We Go Again”, reiterated those recurring budgetary themes. We’ve supporters of this train of thought would claim also reminded readers of the importance of the first amendment, of they’re protecting our students’ academic exercising their right to free speech in “The Price of Liberty”, and in report- experience. The superintendent isn’t? ing the news even when it’s controversial in “Don’t Shoot the Messenger.” 2) Last year, $300,000 of unspent funds was applied to each town’s assessment to lower the Political ink appears to be dependent on contests, particularly when there’s tax rate. One board member expressed his a race for First Selectman as there was last year and in 2011, which reluctance to do this again by stating produced a dozen editorials, and in 2009, which split its two dozen that the taxpayers neither understood, nor between candidates and district dissolution. A few municipal primaries appreciated, this. Appreciate it? You’re have also proved contentious, specifically with a couple of Republican returning our own money to us! races for the Office of Tax Collector, and a contest for the Democratic 3) The school’s claim it is underfunded and Registrar of Voters. Those were not the only examples of strife within the continues to “do without”. How does this political parties. In 2005, publicized divisions in the Republican Party reconcile with the fact that last year alone the culminated with Hampton’s one and only Town Committee Primary; and school left $250,000 in unspent surplus funds? two years later, editorials ran for months on the issue of cross endorsement Obviously the school didn’t need a quarter of a after a Democratic Caucus nominated Republican candidates rather than million of the tax dollars they collected from us. their own, leaving the municipal ballot devoid of choice. If the students are still “doing without” then why wasn’t at least a portion of that money Not surprisingly, budgets have generated a lot of letters to the editor, spent? particularly when they linger, which was the case when the elementary school budget was subjected to five referenda before it was finally Lastly, having taught in inner city schools all my approved. No budget debate, however, has ever proven as contentious career, STOP complaining that your school is as the forum we employ to vote on them. From 1991 to 1997, multiple impoverished because of the “tri-town letters from citizens finally convinced officials to send budget proposals to taxpayers who don’t value education”. referenda rather than voting for them at the Annual Town Meeting. Juan Arriola11 Quotes & Quotable Any individual or committee that tries to selectively The electorate can judge and make invite and/or exclude citizens from a meeting is intelligent decisions about vital public compromising the town. business only if supplied with all of Lynn Burdick, April 1988 the pertinent information. I must say that your Gazette is exceptional! Bill Welch, October 1988 A tremendous effort must be required to What changed September 11 is the end publish such an effective local newspaper each month. of our ‘island’ mentality. Oceans will If you have not won a Pulitzer Prize yet, it is probably no longer protect us as we join the rest an oversight that will be corrected shortly. of the vulnerable world. Let us say we Robert Day Hastings III, August 2002 have matured in the last month. Mankind’s level of civilization should be judged Hence forth we will live with the by the quality of its compassion for those unable knowledge that violent incidents will to speak for themselves. be perpetrated upon us. We will learn Margo Hallett, to be brave, we will learn to be stoic, April 1998 “If the Hampton Gazette ever needs and we will learn to grieve. Historically, Thomas Gaines, October 2001 an editor, you know where I am! educational options So we set forth in the second decade of have always caused It does encourage me to consider this new millennium with a renewed a great deal of anxiety: commitment to mend and build, to calculators and such an endeavor here. We have pledge “eternal vigilance”, to report on computers, what we observe, and to provide a desegregation, bilingual an awful local weekly.” venue for the citizenry’s views, with education, even recess! Bill Moyers, June 1979 the understand that we, all of us, can It seems that anxiety is only hope to preserve our liberties by a necessary component exercising them. of educational growth. Dayna McDermott, February 2011 Felix Winters, May 2004

They could have said they were too Sometimes we find it difficult to reverse our plans and/or busy or they didn’t have the time, or decisions, believing that doing so is an admission of a rationalized they’d done their share. mistake or failure when it is, in fact, a success. They could have said all this and Charles Halbach, May 1996 more, but they didn’t. They came When it comes to protocol, consistency is forward. They volunteered. Dave Goodrich, August 2001 what is most important. Kathi Newcombe, November 2014

A salute to all of Hampton’s electors No matter what side of the issue we favor, we all lose who made the effort and took the when one person is shouted down…We have always time to participate in the greatest of been free to speak our minds at town meeting. Let us all American responsibilities – make sure that we cherish this right and treat our the privilege of participation in neighbors with the respect we would like shown to us. government by voting. Dick Brown, June 1986 Dan Meade, December 2005

Hampton Reservoir, photo courtesy Randy McMahon It is ridiculous to say giving people the opportunity to vote is ‘too costly’. It cost many people their lives. Virginia & Bill Welch, May 1997 As costly as our civil liberties, we

encourage you to exercise them. Every single person who attends the festivities will not It’s always worth the expense. only be refreshed and strengthened himself, but will also Juan Arriola, May 2014 help to strengthen the friendliness of our town.

Alison Davis, July 1979 Sometimes a community such as ours, Negative campaigning…You do not want to go down when facing possible changes in its that road. Nor does the town. It has been basically a character, divides itself into two good town, lo these many years. camps: the “old-timers” and the Robert McDermott, November 2001 “new comers”. Sidney Marland, May 1987 My purpose in writing this letter is to remind voters

that the bottom line decision is Towns, boards and people who don’t ours. “If the Hampton Gazette ever needs Dana Kennon, May 1983 want to push forward and participate GET LEFT BEHIND. an editor, you know where I am! The Gazette is a chronicle of Al Cahill, February 2008 the texture of Hampton – words It does encourage me to consider spoken at Memorial Day, years Our small community scars easily of volunteer work recognized, and scars heal very slowly. such an endeavor here. We have issues of the day, voices Dan Lamont, December 1988 from outside our boundaries, an awful local weekly.” nature stories, nostalgia of In our newspaper we have a column Bill Moyers, June 1979 times gone by. dedicated to the views of our citizens. Kaye Johnson, March 2007 It’s called “letters to the editor”.

Those of us who can control our Let’s keep our discourse civil in future elections. Janet Robertson, December 2005 emotions do subscribe to this method. Pete Vertefeuille, September 2012 Voters make the ultimate decision as to which candidate will serve in office. That decision isn’t meant YOU CANNOT TRUST to be made by a small committee of people, but by all THE GOVERNMENT. people. John Gorman, May 2016 Maurice Bisson, October 2007

If you can’t afford higher taxes, don’t Hampton residents seem uncommonly generous in sit at home and complain about things, sharing their wealth, whether it be of knowledge, of get up to the Town Meeting and have a talent, of idyllic backyard or pondside, or of tools say in what goes on in our community. and equipment. What greater treasures can one give Arlene Becker, May 1986 or receive?

Lois Kelley, September 2001 My complaint department is open. I respectfully request above board professionalism from Jean Sforza, April 2015 educators when it comes to presenting facts that relate to students, serving as the role models we’ve hired, or elected, them to be. Jimmy Halloran, June 2014 GOODWIN CONSERVATION CENTER June 2 Connecticut Trails Day Event · Geocaching and iNaturalist App 1 – 3PM Learn to incorporate technology, adventure, and the outdoors with Goodwin Naturalist Jasper Sha in this family hike to Governor’s Island using GPS coordinates to find hidden stashes and the iNaturalist App to identify animals, insects, and plants. · A Walk With James L. Goodwin 3 – 5PM Join Goodwin Program Director Beth Bernard for a walk around the forest and grounds as James L. Goodwin would have known them to discover evidence of land management including the site of the old sawmill, some ancient apple trees, and timber harvest. · Night Hike, Bonfire, and S’mores 8 – 10PM Enjoy a delightful evening hike under a blanket of stars as we look and listen for CONNECTICUT AUDUBON wildlife. After the hike, join us for a campfire and a s'mores treat! GRASSLAND BIRD CONSERVATION CENTER June 3 Friends of Goodwin Forest Trail Run 9AM 218 Day Road, Pomfret A challenging 30k course and 10k course, the event includes June – July Photography Exhibit by commemorative awards for each finisher and homemade treats for the Aaron Bourque & Deborah Eccleston different division winners. Registration Fee: $33, $28/seniors $20/youth June 2 Nature Sketchbook Journaling GOODWIN’S MONTHLY EVENTS 9AM - NOON June 2 Birds of Black Spruce Pond and the Natchaug Trail 8 – 10:30AM June 6 – August 29 Wednesday NOON Walks Join Goodwin Naturalist Deb Field for an early morning exploration June 7 & 19 Bird Walks/Breeding Bird Surveys of the Black Spruce Pond and the Natchaug Trail that promises plenty 7AM sharp. of songbirds in its variety of habitats. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots June 22 & 23 Whip-poor-will Walk I & II 8:45PM suggested. June 13 & 14 Senior Walk 10AM – 12:30PM & NOON – 2:30PM June 26 Bull Hill Bird Watch/Hike 8AM These easy to moderate walks on forest trails are very popular, and not TRAILWOOD just for seniors! All are welcome. Hiking sticks are available to borrow. 93 Kenyon Road, Hampton June 16 Gardener’s Roundtable 10 – 11:30AM June 28 Trail Wood Bird Walk 8AM This workshop is intended for gardeners of all experience levels who For more information on all listed programs, call share best practices and pitfalls for gardening in the area; come with 860.928.4948 or visit www.ctaudubon.org/ your questions, your expertise, and your own stories of success and pomfret-home failure in your gardens. June 16 Living in Harmony: North Direction 2:30 – 4PM Mohegan tribal member Chris Harris “Turtle” returns to present the JOSHUA’S TRUST last of this series of living in harmony with Mother Earth and to explain how the North correlates to the medicine wheel and the cycles of life. June 2 Utley Hill Preserve 8 – 10AM June 22 Scientific Illustration Workshop: Summer Flowers and Accompany birders Mike Curtis and Dave Parry Pollinators 1 – 4PM on this 2.5 mile hike. Bring binoculars, but not Join Virge Kask, Scientific Illustrator in UConn’s Biology Department, children under the age of 8, please. Meet at for a scientific illustration workshop. Basic anatomy of plants, insects, Recreation Park in Columbia. Rain cancels. and other pollinators will be covered as well as drawing techniques. June 2 Down by the Old Mill Stream 12:45PM Supplies will be provided. This 2 mile hike will include several old mill sites June 23 Discover Goodwin Forest Youth Series: Turtles 1 – 3PM and a former supply pond that is now an important Join environmental educator Lynn Kochiss and guest expert Bill Powers wildlife habitat. Meet at Recreation Park in as we explore the world of painted turtles and observe them in the Columbia. For more information, contact leaders pond. Registration is required and all children must be accompanied Ann Dunnack at 860.228.3992 or Joan Hill at by an adult. 860.228.2849. June 24 Soils: The World Beneath Our Feet 2 – 4PM June 9 Connecticut Open House Day Registration is required for this program with soil scientist Kip Kolesinskas NOON – 4PM on soil properties and management to include a walk to explore the The Atwood Farm on Wormwood Hill in Mansfield soils, land use history, and vegetation of Goodwin. will feature a demonstration at the Weaver’s June 30 Dragons and Damsels NOON – 2PM Join Michael Grady as we soar into the world of dragonflies, which have Cottage, the barn, the hen house, the pigsty, been alive since the Carboniferous period and, at a fraction of their the orchard, the carriage shed and the blacksmith’s original size, are ready to be netted and observed. shop. For more information or to register, please visit [email protected]. This year is a particularly good year for ticks, which means not so great for people. Please be sure to perform tick checks after every outing. 14 Goodwin Trail photo courtesy Randy McMahon natural settings are the earliest to flower and persist the longest, silver caterpillars swelling until pollen bursts along their spines to awaken the honeybees and welcome the daffodils. The original purpose for spring’s lilacs was to screen the privy, and they still deserve a grove where their fragrant panicles invite with Dayna McDermott passage. The viburnum family is among the most varied. Plant ‘Dawn’, the earliest bloomer, and FLOWERING SHRUBS ‘Korean Spicebush’, the sweetest, near an entrance, Valuable contributors to the landscape, shrubs serve multiple purposes where the perfume of their pink flowers will be throughout the year. They visually anchor our home to its surroundings, appreciated. Larger varieties require space: the lace- provide foliar fences to conceal unsightly views or frame attractive ones, cap flowers of ‘Summer Snowflakes’ cloak the demarcate property borders and suggest paths, offer structure and horizontal limbs like fallen doilies; and the burgundy permanence, and depending on the type, supply berries and shelter for foliage of the columnar ‘Onodaga’ is complimented wildlife in winter, and some of our most magnificent fall foliage. Many also with its spring flowers, pale pink petals circling play an important role in the flowering year. cranberry centers.

Forsythia is the first shrub to convince us of this -- golden bursts in earliest Although spring’s ‘Bridal Wreath’ is ubiquitous, spireas spring. Arguably the unfussiest of plants, it is not without requirements, also bring summer bloom. ‘Anthony Waterer’ is specifically its placement -- massed and at a distance. All shrubs serve smothered with deep raspberry inflorescences, specific purposes and spaces, ranging from those small and delicate ‘Snow Mound’, with clusters of white flowers enough for inclusion in the garden, to those which play roles similar to spec- along cascading limbs, and ‘Gold Flame’, grown imen trees. primarily for its fiery spring and fall leaves, displays a

kaleidoscope of pink florets crowning foliage that Though the blossoms of most shrubs have a life expectancy of three weeks, matures to dark green. Later in the summer, the longer with cooler, gentler weather, briefer with intense heat or storms, glorious Rose-of-Sharon unfurls its hibiscus blooms, there are a few exceptions for inclusion in the garden where shrubs, crepe petals of pale pastels to deep shades of blue, because of the space they consume, must earn their keep: kerria, cheerful lilac, lavender, orchid, mauve, wine, pink and peach. yellow blossoms along willowy lime green limbs in spring and fall; potentilla, Planted in allees they resemble wedding bowers. a fountain of delicate leaves laced with soft yellow flowers from June to autumn; and roses, whose several varieties provide us with six months of Autumn is reserved for hydrangea and its many blossoms and companion perfectly with many flowers. cultivars, as the market has expanded exponentially in

recent years. Some varieties start flowering in summer, Other shrubs with less longevity of bloom though worth their weight in such as ‘Annabelle’, a mound of blooms emerging as the garden include: daphne ‘Carol Mackay’, a mound of leaves rimmed green globes and aging to white. Others wait till fall, ivory and pale pink wands of flowers that rival every scent in the garden; like the old-fashioned favorite, panicles of ever- weigela, from ‘My Monet’ with its pink flowers echoed in leaves variegated maturing hues opening cream, flushing pink, and cream, pale green, and pink, to the sultry ‘Wine and Roses’ appropriately darkening to mauve. There are varieties with blue named for its rose colored blooms and dark purple foliage; fothergilla, its blossoms, and purple, and pink, and some with white bottle-brush flowers partnering with early spring’s narcissus and differing shades of blue, purple and pink on the bursting into fall flames comparable to maples; “beauty berry”, a vase of same shrub. Others entice us with names such as violet flowers in late summer developing into clusters of amethyst fruits ‘Little Lime’, ‘Vanilla Strawberry’, and ‘Polar Ball’. persisting till Christmas; “beauty bush”, which disappears without the gar- Of particular interest in fall are the oak leaf den’s floral compliments to enhance its rose, tubular buds opening into hydrangeas, with foliage turning every conceivable white petals flushed with yellow, apricot and pink; and the many cultivars autumn hue against ivory racemes and new, lime- of “butterfly bush” with their jewel-like racemes of cerise, violet, lavender, green growth, and the latest to bloom, ‘Tardiva’, indigo and magenta. its delicate sterile petals surrounding miniscule fertile Flowering shrubs are the stars of the shade garden in spring, far showier clusters, which mature to the color of antique than the flowers on the forest floor – trilliums, lady’s slipper, sweet parchment and withstand our weather conditions to woodruff - all delicate woodlanders. Due to their considerable and look attractive all winter. evergreen mass, rhododendrons are candidates for delineating the garden’s It might seem strange to use as a criteria when borders, their leathery leaves smothered in late spring with floriferous globes selecting a shrub for its flowers consideration of its from pale yellow to deep magenta. The several varieties of azaleas provide appearance in winter, however, long after the flowers the woodland’s essential layering between trees and earth with a tapestry fade the shrub remains in the garden, and we are of petals through April and May; and in June, the limbs of the mountain grateful for the callicarpa’s berries, the lime green of laurel are completely obscured with clusters of pink buds which open white kerria’s twigs, rose hips, the exfoliating hydrangea, flowers and resemble miniature tea cups decorated with pink streaks. the dried seeds of spirea and rose-of-sharon. Because Later in the summer, clethra contributes interest in the shade garden with whatever we plant with the promise of the flowers six weeks of fragrance from the white panicles of ‘Summer Sweet’ or the they bring us in spring, summer and fall, gardeners rose racemes of ‘Ruby Spice’. always have an eye to the season without them. ¢ Large flowering shrubs serve multiple purposes in the lawn, forming walls, screens, frames, focal points and habitats for wildlife. There are stellar selections for every season of the year. The pearly catkins of pussy willows in 15 farming. There were two silos and a large barn which was taken apart and moved to Pomfret. A member of the Farm Bureau, Richard Jaworski built the first milking parlor in town, which still remains along with many of the out buildings.

One of Hampton’s pioneer families, the Burnhams settled here more than a quarter of a century prior to the town’s 1786 incorporation. The name is no longer omnipresent in Hampton, but the members of the family are: Halbach, Jaworski, Waite, Moffitt, Vertefeuille, Christadore -- the progeny of Marion Halbach, Ethel Jaworski, and Helen Waite who spent much of their childhood at their grandparents’ farm which we remember this month. As we honor Marion in this issue, we recount the contributions of her family to the town at large, and to the Gazette in particular this anniversary year, as the recollections of the original mem- bers of “They stand along our roads. the editorial What stories they could tell! board remind us that the concept of a town newspaper was conceived in “the Have you noticed them? Halbach’s living room”. Charlie Halbach’s wisdom can be found in the numerous editorials he penned – one of his finest included in this Barns, some easily seen from the road issue, as well as the accomplishments of Cole Christadore, one of the youngest generation, and here, a memoir of Marion, whose and others behind their houses, family has graciously shared her memories with us of growing up on the Burnham farm, along with the recollections from Hampton Remembers almost unnoticed. Some are still of her sister, Ethel Jaworski, and those of her mother, Bertha Burnham, being used and others stand empty, offering us instructions on the rural arts of our rural history. ¢ gradually deteriorating beyond repair.” Marion Halbach The Hampton Gazette June, 1988

Everyone who has lived in Hampton for a while understands that properties are identified with the names of the owners who dwelled there for a long time. Thus the home at 131 Main Street was known as Lester and Nina “Burnham’s” until their granddaughter Ethel, the eldest daughter of Bertha (Bennett) and Jesse Burnham, and her husband Richard Jaworski started running the farm after he returned from World War II. Thus the place eventually (and still) would become known HAYING TIME ON THE FARM as the “Jaworski’s”. When it was time for haying on the farm, it was a big event. There was One of the largest in town, the Burnham farm so much hay to be brought in, stored in the barn for the winter months. encompassed two hundred acres and an ice, a My father, Jesse Burnham, told Charlie that they mowed hay every day coal, and a lumber business. The Jaworskis raised – even if it was supposed to rain. It’s sort of hard to explain just how chickens, pigs, cows, and horses, and hosted this all worked, but here is some information.

exchange students from all over the world to learn The hay was raked into rows in the fields by a buck rake by going around and around in a circle. When the rake got full, they stepped on 16 the pedal, and it left a clump of hay in a row. We girls used to ride on – and at every so many feet my father would the rake. When it got full of hay we’d stamp on that pedal and dump insert wires to separate the compressed hay into the hay into a pile. My older sister, Ethel, was the lady of the family individual bales. It was a very dirty, dusty job. and she never seemed to be involved in the haying, but my younger My father would come home at night all covered sister Helen and I were the “tomboys”, and so we liked helping with with hay chaff – it’s a wonder he didn’t have lung the hay. cancer or something. The baled hay was for sale – the loose hay was used for the farm animals. ¢ Marion Halbach

I used to make cottage cheese. When your milk got sour you just put it on the back of the stove or where it was warm until it separated. Then you put it into a cheesecloth, let the whey drip out and then you added your salt and pepper to it. You got to have your reg’lar raw milk to do it. I remember Gramma Burnham used to skim off the cream and sell it to someone in Scotland, and of course she didn’t’ get all the cream off, she’d make cottage cheese with what was left. And she gave the whey to the pigs. ¢ Bertha Burnham

I had to make three or four bed quilts when I was a young girl. Gramma would cut out the little Next, the hay would be loaded by hand onto a wagon – “by hand” squares and have them in a box and if I came to means with pitchforks. When a hay wagon came in from the fields, visit them at night I’d have to sew a certain num- they’d back it up into the barn. Then from the loft of the barns there ber of them before I could go home. And then was a huge ice-pick-like clamp that would be lowered down by rope. It after the squares were all made Gramma would would take a big bite of the hay to bring up to the loft. The rope was lowered and raised by horsepower – horses were hitched to the ropes, and as they were walked away from the barn the rope was pulled and the big bite of hay was raised into the loft area, where it was directed and dropped by farmhands. Then the horses were walked back towards the barn, and the hay clamp was thereby lowered again for another bite. This went on for as long as it took to empty the hay wagon…and then on to the next ones.

Later on in the winter, they’d bring a big baler into the barn. We had a lot of hired help up in the loft, and my father ran the baler on the ground floor. The hired help would take pitchforks full of hay and drop it down into the baler. Then it was compressed

put them together in strips…And then the women would all get together and put it together THE DEED-tails and tie it…It was ‘course all hand sewing. It was The Arkells bought the property in 1992 from the Wakemans, monotonous, by kerosene lamps of course. who purchased it from the Jaworskis in 1975, who bought it from I still have them. ¢ Jesse Burnham in 1951, who acquired it through the estate of Ethel Jaworski Lester Burnham in 1945, who purchased it from Edward Bennett in 1906. The deed indicates that it was referred to as the Photos courtesy of the Burnham/Halbach families, “John Brown Farm”. The Burnhams owned surrounding properties Milking Parlor, Mary Oliver 17 Boy Scout Troop 93 has been working on their Backpacking merit badge, learning how to pack, how to prepare meals on the trail, and how to hike safely with respect for the natural world. Putting these skills to the test, they set out on their first two-night backpacking hike in April, covering about 20 miles of the Natchaug and Nipmunk Blue trails. Very quickly we started having equipment problems, and the Scouts quickly learned that CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 every extra ounce in your pack wears you down on the trail. We forayed into the Yale Forest where the hills were sharp and unforgiving. The largest SCOUTING NEWS was supposed to be Turkey Hill at 892 feet, however we soon found out it was not alone as we scaled the sides of Walker Mountain and Coye Hill, both about 1000 feet. What we thought would be a practice hike turned into a strenuous marathon that challenged even the most experienced hikers in the Troop. On the third day, we hiked to our goal of Breakneck Pond, then left exhausted, but very proud of our accomplishments. We will continue our Backpacking adventures on the Appalachian Trail this summer.

On May 11-13 the Troop welcomed its newest members with a camping/hiking trip at Mashomoquet State Park. We hiked to the fabled Wolf Den, made dinners in foil packets to progress on Cooking merit badges, and the afternoon and evening included table games, Boffer battles, Manhunt, s’mores, and ghost stories around the campfire.

With the backdrop of our Goodwin State The Boy Scout Troop is for boys in grades 6-12 and meets Tuesday Forest, the Cub Scouts held a treasure-hunting- evenings at the Congregational Church from 7-8:30 PM. The next Court themed Pack meeting on May 1st, a night of of Honor ceremony is June 19th. For more information contact: John jokes, awards, snacks, and a rousing game of Tillinghast, 455.9387 or [email protected] ¢ kick-ball. Three fifth-grade Webelos received Matthew Gailey, Star Scout the Arrow of Light, the highest rank in Cub and Ethan Jacobson, Tenderfoot Scout Scouts: Om Brown, Mason Bright, and Jonah Mlyniec, who will continue their Scouting journey in Boy Scout Troop 93. Om and Jonah were also presented with the prestigious World Conservation Award for their study of “Whatever my future situation the environment and their conservation project - making bee houses. Pack 93 awarded the in life may be, I shall always following rank badges: Tiger to 1st graders Ari’el Witt and Sam Caisse, Wolf to 2nd graders love my country...” Blake Zevetchin, Kolden Garrison, and Rocco Samuel Huntington to George Washington Texera, Bear to 3rd graders Brett Mayer, Ryan Rondeau, Zane Finch, Cody Bailey, and Ethan The Governor Samuel Huntington Trust (GSHT) owns Bray, and Webelos to 4th grader Michael the birthplace of Samuel Huntington in Scotland. The Praytor. Congratulations to all! farmhouse dates to 1720. For the past twenty years, The GSHT has been applying for grants and fixing up the house as the The Cub Scout Pack is NOW for boys and condition was poor. Tours have been given but now, for the third year in a row, we have regular and exciting programming! girls in grades K-5 and the next Pack meeting is June 2nd at the Pachaug Forest Youth Camping Samuel Huntington was born in 1731 and grew up in the Third Society of Site in Voluntown. During this ceremony, Windham parish which later became Scotland in the mid nineteenth we will retire the tattered flags that we have century. His grandfather, Simon, was a founder of Windham. Samuel was collected and “crossover” our Scouts to the the third son and fourth child born to Nathaniel and Mehetabel. He was next grade level rank. For more information not one of the chosen sons to attend Yale, but his refusal to become contact: Michelle Mlyniec, 860.465.7344 a lifelong farmer led him down a much different path. In fact, he has an or [email protected] ¢ American dream story. Michelle Mlyniec 18 HUNTINGTON HOMESTEAD CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 WHERE THE HOME IS ART has worked on have been 18th or 19th century houses and Victorians. The beautifully restored room where this interview is being conducted is the perfect advertisement for the restoration services of Paul Pribble What he likes most is the problem solving Productions, LLC. Skill, artistry, and comfort are all evident in the aspect of restoration. Whatever challenges he Pribble home. encounters, he has a plan on how to overcome Paul and his wife Laurie have lived in Hampton for 27 years. Born and raised them. Constraints are limited only by the weath- in Southern California, Paul doesn’t miss Los Angeles, even though moving er, access to materials, and the client’s funds. from there meant giving up a lucrative career as an advertising photographer. Photography, however, was going digital, and he didn’t want “to spend a lot Paul tells the homeowners what the house “says” of time on a computer”. needs to be done.

Paul’s involvement with designing and constructing sets came to “The house will tell me what I need to do.” Hampton with him. He has been providing sets for media, commercials, A perfectionist, Paul has to pay attention to performances, theater and film, an aspect of his career that has continued for all the aspects of the room or the home from over forty years. In 2012, for example, the Gazette featured Paul in an article beginning to end, from foundation, to framing , entitled “Horrors”, which showcased his work as a Production Designer for a to trim , as well as what the wall finish and film that he described as “Andrew lighting will be so that every- Wyeth meets Alfred Hitchcock.” thing will all work togeth- Paul still works on commercial er and look sets. Past clients include Big Y, appropriate. ESPN, ShopRite, the Food Net- work, and Party City. Two current He also pays scrupulous clients are Bob’s Discount Furni- attention to the home’s ture and Yale Hospital. character. If, for example, a window in a house is So, how, one might ask, did a crooked, it should be put background in commercial back crooked, otherwise it photography and multi-media set would look strange to have design and construction ever lead a plumb and level window the Pribbles to Hampton? installed in a home that has Paul knew a lot of a lean to it . “The window’s photographers throughout the crookedness becomes part country. He and Laurie would of the character of the home,” travel to New York to meet with he explains. friends who were also photogra- phers and to explore the northeast He has found interesting corner. These travels inspired things in the floor boards and them to start looking for a small in the frames of the homes he town in New England in which to has worked in. He has resettle. Originally seen only in photographs, they weren’t sold on the house discovered shoes in many they saw advertised that would become their present home, but they decid- of the chimneys he’s repaired. Whenever he ed to take a trip to see the place in person. The house was not in great finds an item in the floor boards, the frames or the chimneys, he always puts it back. shape. But the three acres sold them. In Los Angeles, they lived on one-tenth of an acre. Though his work involves lots of tools to get Laurie, an Artist’s Representative, wanted to open a small bakery, and many the job done, the tools that he says he most of us remember The Little River Bakery that operated for several years. Paul utilizes on a job site are “a reciprocating saw and was looking for something other than photography and movie sets. He tried a hand plane.” The past and the present are his hand at auto restoration, but the health concerns resulting from vapors symbolically represented in these two tools. and dust flying around from grinding car paint which constantly necessitated His love for old homes is what motivates him. an air mask led to his decision to look elsewhere. He worked with Ron Old homes have character, he says, and that is Parrow for about a year, but dangling from trees and cutting branches with the reason clients want their homes restored. saw dust flying around still wasn’t exactly what he wanted to do. As we speak, you can feel the pride he has in his Self-assessing his vast skills, among them, cabinet maker, he decided to start restorations. His work is his advertisement, as is a restoration business. his respect and appreciation for antique homes, their character and their quirks, from crooked Twenty years later, Paul has worked in Woodstock, Hebron, Scotland, windows to shoes in the chimney. ¢ Pomfret and Hampton. His clients are all within the New England Juan Arriola perimeter he has set for himself. His areas of expertise are plastering, painting, carpentry, siding and windows. Generally, most of the homes he 19 I have just learned from (multiple and reliable) rumor mills, that our neighbor sun bathes in the nude. While I have no problem with this philosophically, there is the issue of proximity. The neighbor's pool is completely visible from our deck, our sliding glass doors, and our upstairs windows. There's no issue thus far as we're at work and at school, however this summer, I won't know where to look! To say nothing of where my children will! Please help, (not a peeping) Tom

HUNTINGTON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 My Dear Neighbor: Samuel did a lot for colonial Connecticut and My, what a busy little neighborhood you have in your little parcel of our new republic. He first became an attorney our town. “Multiple” people, you say, have been buttonholing you by studying with the man who had the most in public, making furtive phone calls, and raising knowing eyebrows books in town, Reverend Ebenezer Devotion. over mocha latte, to tell you what they themselves have seen next door Samuel worked in a law office in Windham to your home, while you, to date, have witnessed not so much as an Center for a while. In 1760, Samuel moved to exposed thigh or flash of décolletage peeking through the shrubbery? Norwich. He married the Reverend’s daughter, Thank goodness for your informative and industrious friends. Otherwise Martha, a year later. The need arose to become you may have remained blissfully unaware of the goings-on next door-- a King’s Attorney and Judge and Chief Justice of other than the unexplained horde of concerned citizens hiding in your the Connecticut Supreme Court. Samuel was iris beds and peering over the front fence. I hope you’ve laid in a store elected to the Connecticut General Assembly, of lemon squares and iced tea; multi-party neighborhood espionage can be quite exhausting. and from 1775 to1783 he was an influential member of Connecticut’s Standing Order Your dilemma reminds me of my grandfather Erastus, who summered headed by Governor Jonathan Trumbull. In on the Maine coast and one Sunday in a near-apoplectic fit shouted 1776, Samuel signed the Declaration of Inde- to my grandmother that “the barbarian artist” who’d rented an island pendence along with the fifty-five other signers. cabin across the bay had at least three women keeping him company, He became President of the Continental Con- and they were all diving off the rocks naked. gress in 1779. In the year 1781, however, when the last state ratified the Articles of Confedera- “However would you tion, our new country became “The United know that?” asked my States in Congress Assembled.” The American grandmother, citizens were now part of the new republic. In a less-flappable soul than her husband. this sense, it may be said that he was the first President of the United States. Governor of “Why, I saw them with my Connecticut for ten years was his final political own eyes, through the position. Samuel was responsible for hav- telescope!” ing the old Hartford State House built. It was not finished until right after his death in 1796. To be fair (and your Auntie Mac is trying, really she is), it is understandable that you do not wish to witness anything of an Due to recent donations and grants, our late excessively social nature happening next door, especially if it involves 18th century-style lean-to (kitchen) is now a pool. Pools always invite loud laughter, squealing, splashing, and furnished. Museum staff are in search of a inevitably shrieks of pain as someone has either skinned their knee butter churn that makes butter, a Great walking or attempted to drown their sister or skewered themselves with a Wheel (wool spinning wheel) in working barbecue fork. And that, dear, is why God invented tall hedges. condition and an old looking flour barrel to Alternatively, you could remind your neighbor that you certainly hope really keep flour in. We welcome you to come that a health department official does not find out that there is no fence home to your New England past! ¢ around the pool. If there is, however, problem solved - merely ask if a towel could be draped over the fence in the area Christina Mazza (Mehetabel Huntington) frequented by the sunbather for his or her own privacy. Explain that for some reason your yard seems to be overrun with onlookers and modesty dictates that you protect virtue wherever it is, er, exposed. ¢

20 Your Auntie Mac INVASIVE SPECIES Upon reading the newspaper today I learned that the coyotes that have multiplied and spread across every sector of Connecticut, including rural, suburban, and city areas, are immigrants from the west, not the great- grandchildren of the original coyotes of New England that were extermi- nated over a hundred years ago. These aggressive western coyotes not GREEN THUMBS: only eat rodents, they also eat house pets, birds, fruits and vegetables. A pest control company owner was quoted as saying that he was hired Plant sunflower seeds for the birds, pollinators to trap a coyote that was tearing down a farmer’s sweet corn to eat and and important insects. Early June finds the soil that the coyote ate watermelon too. Come on now. A western coyote warm enough to plant sunflower seeds. wouldn’t even know what a watermelon was, and a critter that tears down They will root quickly and can be grown in a sweet corn is known as a raccoon. Apparently, the farmer was not a local, pot, raised bed, or the garden. They need to but merely an immigrant from a city, like New York maybe? And the pest be planted in a sunny location. They also tend control operator was a scammer. Still, the data (what people actually get paid to collect) show that people are to grow and face the direction of the sun. The becoming terrified of coyotes in compound heads of sunflowers are packed Connecticut. The state’s top coyote with pollen and can host 70 species of native expert (and you know the government moths and butterfly caterpillars. Insects are collects data) says that coyotes aren’t important for birds to feed to their chicks that terrible, that incidents between before they fledge. When birds are migrating coyotes and humans rank third after deer south they need the high-fast fuel for their and bear incidents. It didn’t really journeys. Sunflower lovers are the following describe what incidents happen between birds: cardinals, grosbeaks, chickadees, deer and people and bears and people, titmice, crows, jays, finches, nuthatches, and I was afraid to ask. I am guessing that deer “incidents” include cars hitting sparrows, buntings, juncos, redpolls, towhees, deer, especially during mating season woodpeckers, wrens, and pine siskins. There when the deer chase each other around. are many sunflower varieties to plant which I suspect these deer incidents also include confrontation between deer are beautiful and bright for the garden. There and gardeners. Last summer I saw deer invading my flower garden in are some very large and tall, and also some midday, in spite of my sprinkling cayenne pepper on my phlox (works shorter varieties. Plant assorted kinds and you on daylilies, though). I ran out of the house yelling loudly at the deer will enjoy the beauty. Some varieties provide and demanding that they leave or I would hit them. The deer merely an ample supply of seeds for the birds to eat. glanced at me and kept eating till I got within ten feet of them. I’ll bet Try ‘Mammoth Gray Stripe’, ‘Paul Bunyan’ they were rude immigrant western deer. and ‘Aztec Gold’. The bear incidents may include bird seed feeder mayhem. A Hampton woman, well schooled in local wildlife, went out to her garden one sum- Related natives to beautify your garden are mer day, then turned around, and there he was, right between her and in the aster family. Try some of these: the birdfeeder: Mr. Bear. She knew not to run, because then you become coneflowers, tickseed and black and prey and Mr. Bear can run faster than you, so she turned on her charm brown-eyed Susans. ¢ and spoke softly and kindly to Mr. Bear. He soon became immensely Marcia Kilpatrick bored with Mrs. Nice and ambled away. I don’t think he was an immigrant bear. He was a great-grandchild of old New England bears, who know that The Agriculture honey tastes better than people, and he had better manners than western Commission will hold bears. a plant and seed swap The experts claim you are more likely to get bit by a dog than a coyote. on June 9 at Town Hall Of course, they did not subtract the victims who were bit by the family from 10AM to NOON. dog for breaking into your house, and we know coyotes would never bite Everyone is invited to you for that. Still, California did a study of coyotes attacking humans that bring vegetable or covered the years of 1977-2015 in Canada and the US. There were 367 attacks during those years, but no deaths, whereas a Florida newspaper ornamental plants, reported on cases from 1993 to 2010, where nine people died after being cuttings, and seeds, hit by a golf ball. Nothing was said about whether the golf ball was drunk, clearly labeled, or and we all know that driving and drinking do not go together. In case you unused pots and never played golf, a drive is the swing of the club to move the ball off the trays to share. tee. In case you do play golf, wear a helmet. Golf is a lethal sport. ¢ Angela Hawkins Fichter THE ANNUAL REPORT OF featured Fletcher Memorial on our August front page, and in September, Our Lady of Lourdes graced our cover when the church commemorated its THE HAMPTON GAZETTE 140th anniversary. The Congregational Church reported their special MAY 2017 – MAY 2018 celebrations and events, and the need for $100,000 for capital improvement We annually review our coverage of news and events projects, a goal they eventually reached. over the course of the year, which always begins with Our local organizations came together at the 2nd Annual Fall Festival, where the important subject of budgets. We also covered the Gazette participated with a poll asking a local, state and national question: the Annual Town Meeting and its adoption of new What’s the best treasure you ever brought home from the dump? What’s your ordinances, and our First Selectman continued to report favorite place in Connecticut besides Hampton? What did you learn about our to us monthly on municipal matters. Last year we country this year? Our answers revealed that the transfer station is full of finds, detailed the Planning and Zoning Commission’s our favorite area of the state is the “Quiet Corner”, and our country is “deeply deliberations in permitting a gas station in the business divided”. People also contributed to a community poem titled “I survived…” district, and this year we welcomed the Patel’s which revealed that we’re pretty resilient. The Gazette published ten other enterprises, which include a package and convenience poems submitted by residents, and a very favorable review of the memoir store as well. We also welcomed Stonehurst, an event published by our Chairman, Jimmy Halloran, who also received praise from facility, a little later in the year and further along the U. S. Senator Chris Murphy, who sent a letter to the editor congratulating Route 6 corridor. Jimmy on his “impressive accomplishment”. Our municipal election warranted much coverage since A few months later we bid farewell to Jimmy on our front page. His was one there was a race for the Chief Official as incumbent of thirty obituaries we published this year. This was the year’s harshest reality, Al Cahill faced challenger Michael Quick in a contest that all the people we lost, some of whom lived among us for nearly a hundred prompted a 62% rate of voter participation to return years, some of whom were far too young, and many who contributed greatly Cahill to the position. The October issue was dedicated to our town. This month we honor Marion Halbach, whose contributions were almost entirely to the election, with the views of the two legendary, and Randy Thompson, who we recognized earlier in 2018 as our vying for First Selectman presented on our front page, Citizen of the Year. a report on their debate, and remarks from other candidates. Ten letters to the editor were also published, We were fortunate to record the memories of those who shared their along with a post-election editorial critical of certain “Random Recollections” – Pat Donahue, June Pawlikowski, Daryl Perch, Morris campaign tactics. These were among the twenty opinions Burr, Louis Chatey, Scott Johnson, and Jo and Al Freeman; and to record the published this year. histories of “Those Who Serve” - Stan Crawford, Joe Wierzbinski, Juan Arriola, Alex Muir, Dan Postemski and Gordon Hansen. We published key-note The First Selectman’s contest was not the only speaker Renee Cuprak’s Memorial Day Address, and shared the words of controversial vote in town. In August, a chronicle of wisdom of the veterans who delivered these addresses for the last four referenda concerning Regional District#11 provided a decades. Our contributing historian, Jean Wierzbinski, wrote a wonderfully history of the district’s challenges prior to votes on full informative article titled “Down by the Old Mill Stream”; and we started a regionalization of the district, or its dissolution. The series, “Our Rural Heritage”, to memorialize our old barns while they’re still Gazette reviewed the report of the committee charged standing. Thus far we have featured Burell’s, Freiman’s, Halbach’s, Burdick’s, with studying regionalization, which recommended full and this month, the old Burnham farm. regionalization of school governance, a recommendation that would later fail, 159 – 247, in a November 16 vote. We continued our regular columns, Marcia Kilpatrick’s sage gardening advice Though the Gazette covered the report and public hear- and the delightful tales of Cindy Bezanson’s chickens, Auntie Mac, whose ing of the committee charged with studying district etiquette column never fails to enlighten and amuse us, and “Traveling” with dissolution, the committee’s opposition to dissolving Angela Fichter, who shared her humorous accounts of Europe, Asia and the district precluded a vote of the people. Other “Red-Eye Flights”. On a serious note, “Traveling While Brown?” awakened us controversies surrounding RD11 included the State to a cruel reality in our town, and “Text Me, Save Them”, to the nation-wide Elections Enforcement Commission’s dismissal of a opioid epidemic. complaint filed against polling officials during the referendum that decided to study the issue of district Pete Vertefeuille’s lovely photographs continue to enhance our articles. dissolution; and another filed against the RD#11 He was one of our local artists featured in our community calendar. We are superintendent for posting signs to announce a public already planning next year’s. hearing on regionalization that utilized Parish Hill High School’s colors, mascot, and slogan, “Go Pirates!” This April we started celebrating our 40th anniversary by reprinting the first front page and publishing remarks from the original board members, a review Supporters of Parish Hill apprised us of the several of the newspaper’s progression, a collage of headlines, and the monthly accomplishments of the school, the staff and the students, reminder, “40 Years Ago” in Hampton and beyond. We’re providing brief and Hampton Elementary School students submitted histories of the subjects and the organizations we’ve covered through the years informative articles on subjects ranging from pilgrims to – so far a review of our farms, the fire department, and this month, the penguins. Our town organizations continued to report opinions we’ve penned. We accepted the resignation of Jan Leitch with regret, their news – the seniors, the scouts, the events the and Jimmy’s passing, and welcomed Diane Gagnon, Renee Cuprak, and Peter Recreation Commission and the Historical Society Witkowski to our board. They join Juan Arriola, Pat Boss, Angela Fichter, sponsor, the monthly programs offered in our nature Dayna McDermott and Mary Oliver as we embark on another year, looking preserves – Goodwin Forest, Trail Wood, Joshua’s Trust, back on the last 40, and forward to this next one. ¢ and the Fletcher Memorial Library, which informs us \ monthly of new books, special happenings, and the local The Editorial Board of artists displaying at their “Top Shelf Gallery”. The Gazette 22 The Hampton Gazette Browning & Browning 580 Providence Road Brooklyn, CT 06234 Cell 860.377.1906 Office 860.774.4005 x122 Fax 860.774.0345 Email [email protected] Mark S. Benard Web BrowningAndBrowning.com Broker Associate “Independently Owned & Operated”

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