MEMBERSHIP NEWSLETTER

                                                          Spring 2005

 

 

 

From Your President  

 

Due to heavy work commitments, Candace Clark found it necessary to submit her resignation as Society Secretary in February.   Prior to her election as Secretary at the 2003 annual meeting, Candace had been an active member and Trustee for several years.   I know I speak for all of the members of the Board in expressing our sincere thanks to Candace and regret at her resignation.

 

While on the Board, she undertook the daunting task of overhauling the by-laws of the Society.  Candace has generously offered to complete this extensive revision.  We expect to offer the changes for membership consideration at our 2006 annual meeting.

 

Ben Isaacson was appointed to fill the remainder of Candace’s term as Secretary.

 

I am very pleased to report that Terri Wilson has agreed to become the new Collection’s Curator for the Historical Society.  Many of you will recall that Terri was Executive Director of the Historical Society from 1992 to 1999.   She has remained active as a docent at the Living Museum and as a volunteer at Society events.  Terri lives in Avon with her husband, Lee.  She works for BEACON, a trade association in biomedical engineering located in Hartford , CT.   

 

 

Annual Meeting

 

The annual meeting of the Avon Historical Society was held Wednesday, April 27^th at the West Avon Congregational Church.  Officers for 2005-06 were elected:

            President – Ruth Woodford

            Vice President – Ed Borkoski

            Secretary – Ben Isaacson

Dennis Dix, Jr. continues in his second year of a two year term as Treasurer.  Tom Tyler was reelected as trustee for another two year term.  Mary Harrop has also rejoined the Board with her election as trustee for a two year term.   Patrice Celli and Bill Stokesbury are beginning their second year of two year terms as trustees.

 

Several changes to the bylaws were approved which will provide more flexibility in filling trustee positions.   These changes were recommended by the Board in response to the difficulty in finding people willing to serve as trustees who also meet the previous requirements of three years active involvement with the Historical Society.  Also of note, the members present voted to change the number of trustee positions to no fewer than four and no more than eight.

 

Following the short business meeting, Eric Hammerling, Executive Director of the Farmington River Watershed Association, gave a very interesting and entertaining talk and slide show about the 1955 Flood, changes since then to the Farmington River and whether such a flood could happen again.   While it is not likely, anything is possible.  For more information on the Farmington River Watershed Association, call 658-4442 or go to www.frwa.org.

 

Attendees were invited to share their memories of the flood.   Al Leone spoke of the terrifying night he spent caught in the raging flood waters while trying to rescue the Bartolomeo family.   Fortunately Al and the Bartolomeos survived but others were not so lucky.

 

Derrin Barn

 

At the annual meeting of the Historical Society, Len Tolisano to describe the efforts of the Horse Guard to preserve the Derrin Barn which is located on the East side of West Avon Road, very close to the edge of the road.  Len explained that when the Horse Guard purchased the Derrin Farm in 1954 the cow barn was converted to a stable for the mounts.  After a new stable was constructed on Arch Road the barn was used for storage. 

 

The barn is over 100 years old and parts of the structure are starting to rot.  The one story addition on the rear of the barn has already deteriorated to the point that it cannot be saved.  The main barn roof is starting to rot on the southeast corner but can be repaired.

 

The Horse Guard is proposing that the State of Connecticut lease the barn and 1/4 of an acre to a new non-profit group that would raise funds and apply for grants to save the barn.  The lower barn would continue to be used for Horse Guard purposes and the upper barn would be put to a new use.  It was suggested at the meeting that perhaps a museum of farm tools might be a good use and would tie into the Derrin farmhouse across the street.

 

A motion was made and passed that the Avon Historical Society supports the efforts of the Horse Guard to preserve the barn.   

Share Your Memories of the 55 Flood

It will be 50 years ago this August that Connecticut was hit by successive hurricanes, first Carol   followed days later by Diane.  These two storms caused millions of dollars in damages around the state and cost 87 lives in Connecticut alone.  Though Avon was spared any deaths, it had its fair share of damage.  But if you speak with younger people you’ll find that many of them have never heard of the flood and have no idea of the devastation it caused here and elsewhere in the state.   We don’t want memories of this event lost.  This July and August the Living Museum will feature an exhibit on the 1955 flood in the form of letters, photos, and artifacts, etc. of those fateful few days in 1955.  If you have something to share that you can loan us for those two months for the exhibit, please bring it by the Living Museum on Sunday, June 19 between 2 and 4 pm .  If you are unable to come that day but have something to share, contact Terri Wilson by email at  AHS.mail.1830@sbcglobal.net.

We are also hoping to capture and record an oral history of memories and experiences people had during the 1955 flood.  If you are interested in participating, contact any board member, call us and leave a message at 678-7621, or email us at AHS.mail.1830@sbcglobal.net.

Pasta Festa Sunday, June 5

Let’s make history at the largest party Avon has ever seen.  Come join your neighbors and friends in the continuing celebration of Avon ’s 175^th anniversary of its incorporation.   On Sunday, June 5th (rain date June 12), we’ll celebrate Avon ’s Italian connection.   Many Italian immigrants settled in Avon, some working in the construction of Avon Old Farms School , others were employed at Ensign-Bickford or local farms.  Many lived off Avon Old Farms Road on Columbus Circle .  On June 5 we’ll meet on Avon Old Farms Road to dine, dance and have a good time.  Food will be prepared and served by local restaurants and clubs. There will be strolling musicians, entertainment, a band and dancing in the streets!   BYOB and a decoration for your table.  Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. 

Ticket donations: Adults $15; Children 12 and under $7.50; Children 3 and under free unless they require a chair at the table.  Mail your check to Mary Harrop, 100 Climax Road , Avon , CT 06001 to ensure your reservation to this fun event.

Decorate your table and be eligible for prizes.  Table decorations will be judged by Ray Dunaway and Caroline LaMonica in the categories for “the most” Avonian, American, Italian, Creative, Historical, Humorous, Elegant, and Preppie.

Great Avon Photograph, Archive and Artifact Search

 

As part of the 175^th anniversary celebration, an Open House was sponsored by the Society and the Avon Free Public Library on April 1^st and 2^nd.  The public was invited to drop in and bring items of possible historical interest to discuss with library personnel and Society volunteers.  Over the course of two days, visitors and volunteers shared, donated, reminisced, and learned.  We saw ledgers of a sawmill and cabin from the old Lusk property on Lovely Street and Dr. Benjamin Siliman’s account of a trip from New Haven to Monte Video Drive.  While perusing the file on Huckleberry Hill School , a visitor noticed that we didn’t have a photo of her graduation class of 1939.  A call to a former classmate led to the loan of the photograph which was copied for the collection.  Copies of newspaper articles celebrating the success of a former Avon Little League player were donated to the History Room collection and his Little League uniform was donated to the Historical Society.  While “quality versus quantity” was the rule, we delighted in the enthusiasm and interest in Avon history and we hope to make the open house an annual occasion.                                                                 Ginny Vocelli, Library Director

 

Derrin House Update

 

Work has begun on the installation of new windows and a concrete basement at the Derrin House and will conclude late this year. D’Esopo and Company, Inc. was low bidder for the repair and replacement of the windows.  Pembroke Hill Associates was low bidder for the basement floor.  Len Tolisano is project manager for AHS. 

 

Once the windows and cellar work are completed, interior repairs and painting will be overseen by Len.  Volunteers are needed.   If you’d like to help in any way, contact Len by email at leonardtolisano@yahoo.com.

 

Annual Appeal

 

The annual appeal has concluded with the raising of $6,650 toward our goal of $10,000 for the needed improvements to the Derrin House.  Although successful, we still must raise an additional $4,400 to pay for the Society’s share of project’s costs. 

 

Our thanks go to the following friends who made donations since the last newsletter:

 

Angels ($500+)

Seth Hamilton Stuart

 

Sponsors ($100 to $199)

Sharon Genovese

            Bruce Manternach

 

Friends (to $99)

Mrs. John Alsop

Patrice Celli

Bill and Norma Goralski

Miriam Levy

Patricia and William Vibert

Suzanna Whitney