Letters to the Editor - January 5

Christmas Bird Count honors mother

When my mother passed away in 1987, the Sharon Audubon Society honored her by establishing the Trixi Strauss Christmas Bird Count. I realize that is quite a mouthful and that “Christmas Bird Count” comes easier to the lips and to the pen.

Also, sadly there probably do not remain many of the birders with whom my mother shared so many hundreds of happy hours throughout the year.

But she loved her birds, and her zany birder friends. Who else rises happily before dawn when it’s 5 below to trek through the snow to see what can be spotted?

So, if on occasion discussion of the Christmas Bird Count could include her name, I’m sure she’d be smiling somewhere.

Are there binoculars in heaven, or does one just get sufficient vision to easily spot any special fliers? Hmmm, wonder who gives out the rare bird alerts.

Marianne Czernin
Salisbury

 

Community aid appreciated during holiday

 

The Kent community embraces one of the true spirit of Christmas — giving and sharing — so that others may have a bright holiday season. We are grateful for the generosity of individuals, families, businesses and civic organizations for their donations to the Kent Food Bank and Kent Santa Fund.

We especially wish to thank the Kent Volunteer Fire Department and those who donated to its Stuff-a-Truck; Jim Blackketter and the House of Books’ Angel Tree; the congregations of First Congregational, Sacred Heart and St. Andrew’s Churches; the Kent Community Fund; Kent School; South Kent School; The Kent; the residents of Templeton Farm; the Santa Fund elves; and the many individual and anonymous contributors of food, presents, gift cards and money. Families in need in the community, including 35 youngsters, and Kent seniors received food and gifts thanks to your collective efforts and kindness.

We are grateful for the opportunity to work with so many caring people again this holiday season and to be able to bring holiday cheer to dozens of families. Thank you again for sharing your bounty with others. Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2012.

Lesly Ferris
Bill and Fran Goodsell
Joyce Kearns
Town of Kent Santa Fund, Food Bank
Kent

 

Road repair work in Sharon is impressive

 

End-of-the-year kudos are due to Sharon’s first selectman, the Board of Selectmen and the town’s Public Works staff for the improvements in Sharon’s roads.

They have begun a road repair and maintenance program which is promising. They have begun to fill some of the holes that should have been taken care of in past years. They have wisely allocated budgeted sums to the most needed areas.

First Selectman Robert Loucks has been quoted as stating that 37 miles of the town’s 54 miles of paved roads have been completed. That is almost 70 percent of our roads, despite three storms and much summer rain. That is a superb beginning. Let us hope that in 2012 the ongoing maintenance program will slow the deterioration of completed work, and that the remaining 30 percent of our roads will be reviewed and, where necessary, renovated.

What a fine way to end 2011! Keep up the good work.

Roger H. Lourie
Sharon

 

Community embraces residents after damage to house

 

During the early morning of the last snow storm to hit the Northwest Corner, we were awoken at 3:30 a.m. to find that a large tree had fallen on top of our house, causing a lot of damage.

We have always loved living in this community because of its closeness, but the timely response to our misfortune was truly unbelievable.

We would like to sincerely thank Scooter Tedder, who probed through the darkness to assess the damage; The Lakeville Hose Company; The Salisbury Ambulance; The Town of Salisbury; Root Tree Company; Gawel Carpentry; and the very nice gentlemen from Connecticut Light and Power.

We wish you all the best on this holiday season and again, our deepest thanks!

Lorraine and Don Stevens
Salisbury

 

Ladies Auxiliary appreciates the donations

The Lakeville Hose Co. Ladies Auxiliary would like to thank LaBonne’s, Sweet William, On the Run, Black Rabbit and The Woodland for their generous donations of the assortment of baked goods that helped make Hometown Holidays. Also, big thanks to everyone who donated to the toy drive.

Happy New Year everyone!

Jessica Sherwood
Shannon Conklin
Lakeville

 

Area supports United Way

As co-chairs of the United Way of Northwest Connecticut Annual Campaign, we wanted to thank the thousands of people who contributed time and money to this year’s effort.

Despite a difficult economy, the generosity of the people of Northwest Connecticut is nothing short of amazing!

Almost $800,000 was pledged from workplace campaigns, corporate gifts, special events and many individuals from all 16 of our communities. The majority of this money stays right here to help our partner agencies work on community solutions for our friends and neighbors in the human service areas of youth and families, hungry and homeless, and sick and at risk.

We want to specifically thank the 2010-11 campaign cabinet, company campaign coordinators, corporate sponsors, United Way staff, our local media outlets and the United Way volunteer board of directors for taking an active, hands-on role in shaping the future of our Northwest Connecticut community.

On behalf of the entire United Way family, we wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.

JoAnn Ryan
Matt DeRienzo
2011 campaign co-chairs
Torrington

 

Nursery school thankful for support

Thank you to everyone who attended Pancakes with Santa. The event, which benefits Kent Community Nursery School, was a big success! Our guests enjoyed a festive atmosphere with a delicious breakfast, crafts for the children and — of course — time with Santa. As the children sat on Santa’s lap discussing their Christmas wishes and parents snapped those memorable pictures, it was nice to look around and see everyone enjoying the holiday season.

Thank you to all who helped make this event possible. Special thanks to KCNS parents and board members; Beardsley Gardens; Robert Twink; Bank Street Theater; Etre Beau Salon & Spa, Mountain Falls Fitness Studio; and Kent Wine & Spirit. Also, thanks to Gawel Excavating; Kent Greenhouse; Sundog Shoe & Leather; Doc’s Trattoria; Fife ’n Drum; Kent School; Davis IGA; and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

From all of us at Kent Community Nursery School, thank you for your ongoing support. Happy holidays from our family to yours!

Kristin Wilkins
Fundraiser Chair
Kent Community Nursery School
Kent

 

On the other hand, look at some of the exhibits at Ellis Island

In his Dec. 15 column on the evolution of the Pledge of Allegiance, Dick Ahles commented on the Daughters of the American Revolution and their supposed “take” on foreigners.

Mr. Ahles, have you ever visited the refurbished Ellis Island and its museum of immigration? There’s a floor devoted to dozens of showcases exhibiting the possessions many nationalities brought with them on their voyages to America.

There’s also a display of detailed books on how to become an American citizen, free of charge and printed in all of the languages these potential new Americans spoke.

The entire exhibit, as well as the books on American citizenship, were paid for by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Bill Knowlton
Liverpool, N.Y.

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