Check us out online at www.lakechaffee.org ------THE LAKE CHAFFEE NEWSLETTER Volume 5(?) Number 4, December 5, 2001 ------Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

He sees you when you’re sleeping; he knows when you’re …. Santa has decided to take time out of his extremely busy pre holiday schedule to visit the kids from Lake Chaffee. He is scheduled to appear at Lake Chaffee Hall on Saturday, December 15th from 11:00am until 2:00pm. (see related story on page 2)

Fire Destroys Home of New Lake Chaffee Residents Jeffrey Coutre and Stacy Squires of 55 Lakeview Drive had recently moved into their home. They were scheduled to receive their bread and flowers from the Lake Chaffee Welcome Wagon. In a most unfortunate turn of circumstance, their newly acquired shorefront home was engulfed in a flaming inferno. Ashford Fire Department Volunteers battled the blaze for several hours and other town’s fire engine companies also responded to the fire at 55 Lakeview. The Ashford Town Fire Marshall was overhead saying that a recently converted heating system might have been the cause of the blaze. Our hearts and condolences go out to our new neighbors in this extremely difficult time. On January 4, 2002 the LCIA plans to host a Benefit for the Lake and for the Victims of the Fire. More details on the benefit have yet to be received as of press time, but the LCIA plans to host the benefit party at either the Lake Chaffee Hall or the Ashford Town Hall. If you are interested in volunteering or donating or attending the Benefit, please call LCIA President Gay Leedie at 487-3754. ASHFORD FIRE COMPANY CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS Many of you saw the brave firefighters engaged in the World Trade Center Fires on Television. In October we witnessed the bravery and courage of local volunteer firefighters battling the blaze on 55 Lakeview Drive. Thanks to their efforts the fire was contained and no other properties were affected. Recently the Ashford Fire Department had signs posted calling for Volunteers. The routine call number for the Ashford Fire Department is 875-2543. Special Thanks From the LCIA to Mike Maloney The Board of Directors and members of the LCIA would like to thank Mike Maloney for volunteering to lower the lake this . Dredging requests necessitated the lower than usual lake level this year. Inside This Month’s Edition Clean Sweep a Success/Bazaar Info…………….p.2 Honor Roll………………………………………p.6 Announcements/Santa Visits Lake Hall...………..p.3 School Bus Safety Article …………………….p.7 Halloween Party Pictures……………. ………….. p.4 Welcome Wagon……………………….. …...p.9 President’sCorner…………………………………..p.5 Letter to the Editor………………………. ……p.9

Check us out online at www.lakechaffee.org------THE LAKE CHAFFEE NEWSLETTER Volume 5(?) Number 4, December 5, 2001 Page 2 Clean Sweep a Success Sandra Moquin is one of the leaders in our community. She currently holds LCIA positions as Beach Chair, Board Member, and Business Editor of the Newsletter. Sandy submitted a letter of appreciation to all those who recently volunteered in the Annual Fall Beach Clean up. A Word from the Beach Chair Person: I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the following people who helped Clean Up the Beach. Peggy James, Ward James and Bonnie Archenbault helped with pulling out the dock and the buoys, and Eddie King, Linda Parent, John Bennet, Ashley Luskey Sharon Bickford, Clint Bickford (and kids!) Eugene Moquin and Randy from the neighboring property of 31 Lakeview all helped with the raking and general cleanup. Bill and Hal Strapko pulled the dock onto the beach (which was heavy work!) Thanks to all who assisted in Fall beach cleanup! For those who were unable to participate in our annual beach clean up. No Problem! On-going maintenance is always appreciated; you and your children who frequent the beach will be able to reap the benefits of your continued efforts in keeping up this beautiful parcel of waterfront property. HOLIDAY BAZAAR Fruit Basket Prize: Gerry Dufresne “Sulley”and “Wishing Well” To REPORT: Be Raffled off December 15th The Lake Chaffee Holiday Bazaar was During the Holiday Bazaar an additional raffle financially successful for the LCIA. The annual was conducted for the wonderful Wishing Well event was held on Saturday, November 17, at and the Sulley Stuffed Animal. The wishing well the Lake Chaffee Hall. The Bazaar was well is an original design by Emmy and Ed King. It attended thanks to the efforts of Recreation has a unique multi angled bottom frame where the and Fundraising Chairs Emmy and Ed King. boards are layered and weaved together to give a The Kitchen raised $99.85 profit, the Table textured basket weaved effect. The labor- rentals brought in $70.00, the Fruit Baskets intensive carpentry involved in making this well netted $53.25, the Bake Table netted 138.52, makes it a special gift that would make an ideal and the Raffle netted $1261.46. Thanks to all ornamental feature for a garden or a utilitarian who volunteered, all who rented tables, and wellhead cover. It is so attractive and unique it most especially, to all who attended and could even be used as an indoor decorative purchased goods at this year’s Bazaar. feature, or other creative uses (e.g. a gazebo for Holiday Bazaar Raffle Winners: elf’s). The Sulley Stuffed Animal is an adorable st huge furry blue creature that would make a 1 Prize #2466 Jackie Rodridque wonderful furry Christmas Gift. Tickets are still 2nd Prize #281 John Pirzl rd available for $2.00 each or 7 tickets for $10.00. 3 Prize #2291 Kay Warren Tickets are on sale now each Saturday Night during Bingo and the Sulley Stuffed Animal and Wishing Well are also on display at the Lake Chaffee Hall. The Drawing for the Sulley Doll and Wishing Well will be held on Saturday December 15, between 11:00 and 2:00pm.

THE LAKE CHAFFEE NEWSLETTER Volume 5(?) Number 4, December 5, 2001 page 3

Announcements Eugenie Bagley was recently elected to the Happy Birthday Wishes Town of Ashford’s Library Board. She was Ron Gates October 23 also named treasurer for the Library Board. Irene Gates November 21 Items For Sale Lori Thompson December 9 -1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SL Births: Needs work but comes loaded with many Congratulations to Ingrid, Erik and Scotty unique features. Asking $700. 00 or Best Offer Hanka who recently added a new member to call 487-3619 and ask for Karen or Sandra their family. A baby boy! His name is Noah . -1988 Ford Bronco II with power window, and The entire family recently attended our locks, AM/FM, 5 speed, 4 wheel drive. Asking Newsletter Meeting and the little bundle of joy $999.00 or Best Offer. Call Sandra or George was a wonderful contributor to our meeting. at 487-3619. Condolences to Pauline Backhaus who had a Roommate wanted for Waterfront Cottage death and illness in her family during the Looking for a Roommate. Female Professional Thanksgiving Holidays. to live in 2 bedroom Cottage-like house on Ed King recently sustained a serious injury to Lake. Beautiful Views of the Lake. All House his finger. He has been a carpenter all his life Priviledges.1/2 utilities and $300.00 month and and never had a circular saw attack him like 1/2month security deposit. Please leave that. He is recovering but has a huge bandage message and will return call. Call 487-4312. on his finger that looks like a giant “We’re Wanted:Old Realty Sign Frames Number One” sign. The LCIA can use them! Kay Warren was named an alternate on the Please Call Gay Leedie at 487-3754. Economic Development Commission for the Town of Ashford. SANTA TO VISIT LAKE IN CHRISTMAS PROMOTIONAL TOUR DECEMBER 15TH AT LAKE CHAFFEE HALL All kids should mark their calendars for Saturday December 15th from 11:00pm until 2:00pm. Santa has agreed to visit Lake Chaffee Hall to have his picture taken with kids and receive last minute letters to Santa. The LCIA is working on arranging for pictures to be taken with Santa for a reasonable price. There will be cookies and hot chocolate and the Drawing for the Wishing Well and Sulley Stuffed Animal will be held during Santa’s Visit. The Newsletter would also like to collect letters to Santa to be published in the next newsletter. So you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout…

Anthony J. Horn Independent Insurance Agent

Specializing in Medicare Supplement Insurance

Since 1984 Otherlines include Long Term Care

And Annuities Res. (860) 487-3583

P.O. Box 459 Ashford, CT 06278 THE LAKE CHAFFEE NEWSLETTER Volume 5(?) Number 4, December 5, 2001 page 4 ------HALLOWEEN SPOOK HOUSE A SMASHING SUCCESS! Kids lined up to see the LCIA Spook House at both the Halloween Party and the popular demand encore on Halloween Night. The events were well attended and critically acclaimed by the little goblins who attended.

Best Costume winners: Most Original Best Costume Scariest Ages 1-3 Talisse Thompson Amanda Maloney Mike James Ages 4-7 Taylor Holmes Dominic Testa Samantha Flake Ages 8-12 Scott Wyman Shanna Steele Nicole Cody The Spook House and Halloween Party were smashing successes! Over 50 kids came to the Halloween Party. The Kids and Parents enjoyed games and prizes and candy and cupcakes. The Spook House was held in the Kitchen Area of Lake Chaffee Hall. Recreation Chair Ed King oversaw the project. Emmy King was the main decorator and Gay Leedie, Linda Parent, Gerry Dufresne, Bill Thompson, Mark and Cheryl Trudeau, Marilyn Delgrosso, Linda Crowley, Laura Koropatkin, and Mike Grant all helped out to make the Spook House and Halloween Party a fun filled time for adults and kids alike. The Spook House was greatly benefited by the Ashford Parks and Rec. Committee’s donation of their old “Freak Night paraphernalia. The Spooky sections were a huge hit with the kids. The kitchen area was completely transformed into a dark and scary room. The area was divided into a spooky cemetery, with funny headstones that glowed in the dark and a neat fog machine that filled the area with spooky smoke. Ghouls and goblins and bats were hung from the ceiling and spooky murals and sheets covered the walls. Another area had a witch’s den, with a brew and assorted instruments of fright. The final area had a guillotine beheaded some poor unfortunate soul. The overall effect was perfect. It was certainly scary, but not too scary. Adults in ghoulish costumes escorted the little ones through the maze like spook house. Kids and adults kept wanting to go back to see all the wonderful details that were put into the spook house. It was a wonderful example of volunteers getting together and making a memorable event that the kids will cherish and remember.

THE LAKE CHAFFEE NEWSLETTER Volume 5(?) Number 4, December 5, 2001 page 5 ------ADVERTISING RATES will go to the LCIA Fund for We are still soliciting local community programs and $25.00 per issue/ $200 year businesses and professionals maintenance. Please call us if ½ page sized ad for placing ads in our newsletter. you know of anyone who would Each newsletter has brought us like to advertise in our $50.00 per issue/$350 year new advertisers thanks to the newsletter. Ad rates are as Full-page sized ad efforts of our Business Editor, follows: Sandy Moquin. We hope for To find out more or place an ad more advertisers in future $5.00 per issue/ $35 year call the Editor at 429-6285 newsletters. Money collected Business card ads or Business Editor Sandy from advertisers will go to cover Moquin at 487-3619. costs associated with the $15.00 per issue/ $100 year newsletter, and remaining funds ¼ page sized ad Suggested Names for the Newsletter! The Lake Chaffee Newsletter wants a new Times, Chaffee Journal, Its Your Lake News, name, and we have solicited submissions for Name Chaffee Community News . These are all Ideas. Previous names in the past for the wonderful suggestions. Please drop by any further newsletter are as follows: suggestions to the Editor’s box at 10 Perch Drive or The Lake Chaffee Newsletter leave a voice message with your suggested names The Lake Chaffee Gazette or to cast a vote on one of the above names. If we Lake Chaffee News have a universal consensus we will name the paper Here are some of the Suggested Names we have after the selection that receives the most votes. You received thus far: can also cast your vote online at The Lake Chaffee Fish Wrap, The Fish Wrap www.lakechaffee.org. Remember we want a catchy, Chaffee Chews, Lake News, News for You, fun and interesting name that everyone will want to Chaffee Tribune, Chaffee Gazette, Lake Chaffee read. telephone directories. WEBSITE TO BE A Tool for President’s Corner Communication I am so pleased by the increased pride in living on Lake Chaffee! One third of you responded to our Help us make the Lake Chaffee website an effective call for increased contributions to our LCIA Dues. tool for communication among LCIA members. Our Halloween Party had a large turn out of *If you have a computer, go to costumed children and baked good donations. The http://www.lakechaffee.org click on DIRECTORYand haunted kitchen was such a success that several see if (a) you are listed and (b) if the listing is families stationed themselves at Chaffee Hall for complete. Halloween Night to let more kids enjoy the haunted *If you have an e-mail address, please send it to house atmosphere. Our beach clean up was made Bob Layton ([email protected]) for inclusion easier by the number of people that volunteered. *If you have unlisted or unpublished telephone Our Bazaar had an increase of local patrons. I think number, just call Bob Layton (429-2417) we are moving in the right direction in community and request that it be removed from the Directory of involvement. And I hope we can provide an LCIA members. atmosphere that will make more people want to get The LCIA board approved the Lake Chaffee web site involved. to generate income for our association. The income Our Board of Directors has been working on ways to will be generated by advertisers such as realtors and save money for the Lake. We are reviewing every septic service companies…but only when we can expense and trying to find less expensive ways to show that our website draws visitors. The get service, from septic pumping to phone service. I membership directory, serving our community’s am planning to tackle some of the bigger problems need to contact one another, is a good reason for this winter, ordinance enforcement to governing each of us to visit the website rather than using options. We will be sending out a new survey to access your needs and wants. And from the results we will be determining the directions the board will take Lake Chaffee. Have a safe and Happy Holiday! -Gay Leedie THE LAKE CHAFFEE NEWSLETTER Volume 5(?) Number 4, December 5, 2001 page 6 ------LCIA HONOR ROLL: PAYING MORE THAN THEIR DUES The LCIA would like to Kari Olson Mr&Mrs Clinton Platt formally thank all those who Albert Fyler Marilyn Rechard contributed more than the Nellie Mora Eleen Simpson mandatory dues during our John Mayer John King annual collection of LCIA Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Veron Gearheart dues. Thanks to the Beverly Holloway (Beebe) John Reagan generosity of those listed Delores Testa Nancy Depold below, we have exceeded our Laura Koropatolisn Arthur Miller goal of raising $3000.00 in Carol Natitus Henry Haeussler cash donations. However Mr. & Mrs. J.E. Bergstrom Claudette Poirier there is still a lot of work to Theresa Platt Annette Nerine be done, and the LCIA has Mr. & Mrs. James Ussery Mr&Mrs Christopher Holmes many future fiscally Joan Quarto Ralph Sherman important decisions to make. Lorraine Jones Mr&Mrs Tony Horn We also need to address a Barbara Kittredge John Bialaski number of neglected areas Mr&Mrs James Kidney Mr&Mrs Michael Sullivan such as docks and common Todd Giglio for Nadine Sue Cowen areas and roads. If you have Lescarbean Mary Mckeever not yet made a donation Mike &Gay Leedie Mr&Mrs Anton Radell please reconsider. Thanks to Mr&Mrs Clinton Bickford Jacqueline Kennedy all those who did donate! Scott Garrigus John Parslow DONOR LIST Mr&Mrs Ronald LaMonica Anonymous Donor Jon Pirzl Mr&Mrs Charles King for work on Mother’s Beach Michael Tulman Mr&Mrs Raymond Foster Mr&Mrs Michael Cote for Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Flaherty Jeffery Conture paving Westford Drive Linda Parent Mr. & Mrs. Gary Lathrop Lucien Lebonte Betty Dunn Mr. & Mrs Frank Bartolomeo Rose Fogg Pauline Backhaus Mr. & Mrs. Harry Bagley Peter Gidman DML Enterprises LLC Mr. & Mrs. Weigand Stanley & Ann Brown John Dupuis Mr. & Mrs. WB Thompson Mr&Mrs Robert Kersten Mr. & Mrs. WB Thompson Mr. & Mrs. Dana Fogg Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Dufresne Marilyn DelGrosso Michael Malony Deana Soja

THE LAKE CHAFFEE NEWSLETTER Volume 5(?) Number 4, December 5, 2001 page 8 child watch for stopped traffic and check School Bus Safety with the driver prior to crossing the street. Every year many children are hurt or killed by cars 4th PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILD OFF OF or school buses. Some of these unfortunate SNOW BANKS NEAR THE ROAD. accidents can be prevented by following these Children can slide off of snow banks into simple “Safety Guidelines”. oncoming traffic or school bus wheels. st 1 : WATCH YOUR CHILD AT THE STOP. 5th DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO Even though your neighbor is telling the RUN INTO THE ROAD TO “CATCH latest news/gossip/etc. The driver does have THE BUS”. “blind spots” and cannot see your child or If your child is late for the bus, do not allow his/her younger brother or sister near a them to run into the road to catch up with wheel when approaching or leaving the stop. the bus. Motorists may not see your child 2nd DO NOT HAVE YOUR CHILD “RUSH” running into the road, especially around THE BUS. The driver is trained to stop ten curves. feet before the stop. The Child can easily CONCLUSION: slide under a wheel of the bus, especially in Remember our children are our future. Let’s slippery weather. protect them with these simple guidelines. 3rd IF YOUR CHILD HAS TO CROSS THE After all life is already challenging enough STREET, MAKE SURE THE DRIVER for them. NODS FOR HIM/HER TO CROSS. By: Karen Holmes Many vehicles go through the bus sign lights Certified School Bus Instructor regardless of the ramifications of injury and For Double A Transportation $450.00 fine. It is better yet to have your Resident/Owner 7 Maple Drive ******************************************************************************************************************************** To Contact the LCIA Board If you have questions or concerns regarding your community or the LCIA , you should feel comfortable contacting any one of the following people. They may not have an immediate answer for you, but they will endeavor to contact people who can give you an adequate answer to your query. President: Gay Leedie, 58 Ashford Dr, 487-3754 Vice President: Emmy King, 127 Lakeview Dr., 429-0711 Secretary: Linda Parent, 129 Lakeview Dr., 487-6028 Treasurer: Jack Pirzl, 3 Amidon Dr., 487-3736 Directors: Sharon Bickford, 12 Westford Dr., 429-7473 Marilyn Delgrosso, 121 Lakeview, 487-3740 Dennis Flaherty, 131 Lakeview, 429-3418, Betty Dunn, 23 Shorefront Dr., 487-3944 Bill Thompson, 10 Perch Dr., 429-6285 Sandra Moquin, 41 Lakeview, 487-3619 Director Alternates: Eugenie Bagley, 54 Ashford Dr., 487-4203, Jason Sherman, 5 Oak Dr., 487-4607 Gerry Dufresne, 87 Lakeview, 487-3590

THE LAKE CHAFFEE NEWSLETTER Volume 5(?) Number 4, December 5, 2001 page 9 Lake Chaffee Halls’ Floors Jane Cole named new Subscription Editor Jane Cole has been a frequent newsletter meeting Now Squeaky Clean attendee and contributor. She recently volunteered On Sunday November 10th The Hall floor had a to oversee Subscriptions, and most specifically, sealer and Wax coat applied. Now if you look persons who live outside of Lake Chaffee part of the year, or who have a second home somewhere, and at your feet you can see your face reflected on would like to have the newsletter mailed to them. If the shiny floor! Thanks to all who worked on you know of someone or if you would like the the floors. Tony McCarthy, Mark Trudeau newsletter mailed to you please let us know. Jane with help from Ed King and Gerry Dufresne. can be reached through the Editor’s box at 10 Perch Thanks for all your efforts! Drive. CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES Letter to the Editor All are invited to attend the following Christmas Laura Koropatkin and Marie Lashua Wrote activities at the Eastford Baptist Church. These Ideas To Bring Money in to the LCIA -The first Christmas Carol Sing 12/9/01 @ 7:00pm Or Just Fun Ways to Get Everyone Involved: -Sunday School’s Christmas Program 12/16/01Breakfast @ 9:45am, Program @ 10:30am 1) Card Night/Las Vegas Night with Living Christmas Nativity December 23 showing at Chips 5:30,6:15,&7pm in the center of town in Eastford 2) Dance for Adults Christmas Eve Serviceat the Church 12/24 @ 9pm. 3) Dance for Kids with Adults ------Supervising Lake Chaffee Newsletter Managing Editors: Gay Leedie, Bill Thompson 4) Kids Movies on the Beach or in the Business Editor: Sandra Moquin Hall Subscription Editor: Jane Cole 5) Walk A Thon/bike a thon Contributors: Eugenie Bagley, Marilyn Delgrosso, 6) Boat Races Dennis Flaherty, Ingrid, Erik, Scotty & Noah Hanka, 7) Selling Candy Lori Thompson, Emmy King, Irene Gates, Jane Cole, Betty Dunn, Sharon Bickford. 8) T-Shirt, Sweat Shirts, Hats Sales Photography: Bill Thompson With Lake Chaffee Logo Published 10-12 times a year by the Lake Chaffee 9) Supervised Camp Nights on the Improvement Association, Inc. P.O.Box 308, Stafford Island Springs CT 06076. 10) Darts Night Opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the association itself. 11) Door to Door Collections Newsworthy articles or photographs are welcome Thanks for your ideas, they sound great! and may be sent to the above address or delivered The real challenge is to make them happen. to 10 Perch Drive. We appreciate all ideas and suggestions and volunteering for programming to help raise revenue for the LCIA! The Editor Welcome Wagon Welcomes New Lake Residents Lori Thompson, Ingrid Hanka and Sharon Bickford have been attempting to meet with new residents, and dropping off welcome wagon packets of bread, plants, LCIA bylaws and Town Information to new neighbors. If you are interested in working with us in welcoming new community members please call Lori at 429-6285. Welcome New LCIA Residents Jeffrey & Carissa Lebrun 52 Westford Drive