Letters to the Editor - March 15

Mink pelts were stored in the old building in Kent I would like to thank Asher Pavel for his excellent article about the Kent Historical Society’s museum, Seven Hearths (“Historical Society moving to new home in old building,” March 8). However, there is one minor correction to be made.In discussing the location of the early fur trading establishment within the old building, he says that mink “pellets” were stored on the floor there.While we have gotten much attention and a few chuckles over this claim since The Lakeville Journal came out, it is in fact mink “pelts” that were bought, sold and stored in that area. We occasionally find a few mice pellets in the house, but the only evidence of the elegant mink is a yellow-chalked word on the pre-Revolutionary beam!Seven Hearths will be open this summer with a whimsical toy exhibit, so please stop by to remember your own childhood treasures and see our newly exposed evidence of the fur trade in Connecticut. For more information about Seven Hearths, visit our website at www.kenthistoricalsociety.org. Margaret SmithExecutive Director, Kent Historical SocietyKent In honor of Carl Williams Editor’s note: In keeping with the tradition of his father, the late Carl Williams of Salisbury (also known as Corporal Doggerel in these pages), Peter Williams of Newmarket, N.H., his son, wrote the following poem to honor his dad while accepting for him the Housatonic Youth Service Bureau Community Service Award in January. It is very appropriate that this poem appear on the same page where so many by Corporal Doggerel made us think, puzzle and laugh, all at the same time. Thanks to Peter for sharing this with us. Corporal Doggerel was my namePoetry was my gameFrom Canaan to Salisbury to Lime Rock and LakevilleI regaled you with insight Shakespeare would have called quite shrillWhether SWSA, flora, fauna or weatherI enjoyed spreading cheer to all of us togetherI did a lot in my long and productive 91 yearsFrom teaching, canoeing and skiing at 90 without any fearsBut my greatest and proudest joy since 1983Was my community service to the town of SalisburyFrom the Housing Trust, to the Board of FinanceThis place was my first love, even better than my years in FranceThe Paul Harris and Donald T. Warner are awards I adoreWe all know if I was still around I’d be in line for moreIn my long journey I’ve skied, canoed and portaged many a mileBut it’s my work with the town and its residents that gave me my biggest smileThough my voice may now be silent, it is not a bad thingAs where I am now there is no far-right wing. The snow is aplenty and powder to the kneeAnd Salisbury always outskis Berkshire, to my greatest of gleeThe rapids are easy and run without careAnd the cries of the loons pierce the Canadian night airI live in a precious place in Connecticut’s NorthwestMake no mistake, this place we call home is simply the bestSo carry on, my lifelong skiers, coworkers, neighbors, family and friendsAs I line up for my next assignment, I’ve asked for the same one again. Peter WilliamsNewmarket, N.H. Student thankful for ski program I would love to take this opportunity to thank the Salisbury Winter Sports Association and the Herbert Coffing Williams Fund for their generous financial support that makes the Salisbury Central School ski program a possibility.Many kids might not have the time or money to learn how to ski, but the great ski program at Salisbury Central School makes that possible. Every Tuesday during the winter for four weeks, fifth- through eighth-grade students traveled to Catamount after lunch. Once there, we had a ski lesson that taught us at our own personal skiing level. We learned in groups — some small and some large. After our fantastic lesson, we got an armband that signaled to us which slopes we could use and then we headed back out to explore the mountain for the rest of the afternoon and into the night.The fun times we had at Catamount with our friends during this time is memorable. For years we continue to tell stories about our adventures on the mountain, and we couldn’t make these memories without support from SWSA and the Herbert Coffing Williams Fund.On behalf of Salisbury Central School’s fifth- through eighth-grade students, I would like to thank these admirable nonprofit groups for making these trips possible. Ellen CowgillEighth-grader, Salisbury Central SchoolLakeville Stay local for your purchases of liquor This is a plea to Rep. Roberta Willis to vote “no” to Gov. Malloy’s proposed liquor bill.I like to drink. I like to drink moderately good stuff at as cheap a price as I can find. Year round I drink Heaven Hill whiskey. I can get Heaven Hill, a longtime favorite Cornwall libation, at Richard Bramley’s Cornwall Package Store. To my knowledge, Heaven Hill is not sold elsewhere in the area. It is a great whiskey at a great price. Every Tuesday I pay Richard $8.99 for a fifth of Heaven Hill.Now I can get my drink a lot cheaper if I drive to New Hampshire where they don’t have a tax on liquor. Up there, a half gallon of Bacardi Dark Rum costs $13. At Richard’s it is $10 more. Trouble is, driving to New Hampshire (which I do twice a year to visit with my ward) costs for gas about $70 round trip. Likewise, even driving to Sheffield, Mass., where at Silk’s Variety — sometimes — I can get liquor cheaper, usually costs more in gas than it is worth.So, Roberta, I don’t want big- box liquors. I would rather stick with local business Richard. He is close by. He sells Heaven Hill whiskey. He and Pat earn a living that they spend in Cornwall. Also, Cornwall Package provides employment for three to four clerks. Wm. Earl BrecherWest Cornwall Block’s gift to Salisbury children The production of “Mulan Jr.” by the SOAR Winter Drama Program, which was so graciously hosted by The Hotchkiss School, would have pleased Zenas tremendously. When Zenas Block founded the SOAR program (Salisbury Central School’s enrichment program) he was challenging the school and the residents of Salisbury just as he had always challenged himself all his life.With Lanny Mitchell’s gifted direction, the performance was perfection — a delight for all the performers, as well as the audience. Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make this possible. Elyse Harney Salisbury Thank you for a blessed evening event On Saturday, Feb. 25, the Salisbury Congregational Church Board of Deacons sponsored a dinner to support me and my family during my healing. On behalf of the deacons and for myself, I wish to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making the evening a true blessing for us all.The event was planned as a potluck supper with a free will donation. The attendance and participation in the occasion was joyous and enthusiastic. As well as my church family, folks from every circle of town gathered together to celebrate.The attendance and outpouring of generosity exceeded all expectations. The food was a banquet, with the table filled with healthy, delicious food imbued with the taste of the extra ingredient of love in every bite. I know that each dish was prepared with me and my recovery in the cook’s heart.I love living here in this community because every day I witness generosity and kindness — someone opens a door at the post office, another makes a contribution to Extras, a neighbor volunteers at the day care and more.I know that many came because they are concerned for me, and I am so glad that the tone of the event became that of a wedding celebration. I was humbled and honored to be the “identified recipient” of so much. The event was a celebration of community spirit and a manifestation of our commitment to taking care of each other — that was the joy which was palpable in the room. I am uplifted body, mind and soul. I am profoundly grateful to each and every person who participated, including those who could not physically attend yet contributed auction items, sent a note, gave a call or spoke to me. Theresa CarrollSalisbury Swim meet was model of sportsmanship This is a letter to everyone near and far. This is to honor everyone and every school that participated and was a spectator at the Berkshire League swim meet at The Hotchkiss School March 3.This was the finest example of sportsmanship, from the competitors to the spectators, this area has ever seen. There should be a videotape to be shown around the country of energy sent throughout the pool arena. The competitors were at their finest, and both the individuals and teams set records, shaving seconds off their times. One Housatonic Valley Regional High School student took 10 seconds off her time, and that is unheard of. Spectators stood and cheered everyone on. If you don’t know much about swimming, but you’re a race fan, you would have witnessed the best drag racing in a pool. The competition was fierce and hundredths of seconds divided the standings. Whether it was your team or not, you cheered for our young adults giving 150 percent. All the students talked to and congratulated each other, the parents talked in excitement and the coaches talked amongst themselves. Sportsmanship reigned throughout the Hotchkiss pool, and was at its finest. I would go so far as to say the students, coaches and spectators set the bar as high as it can go for everyone to follow in the way our events of all school activities should be carried on. The enthusiasm for all was something to be proud of by all.If you have never been to a swim meet, come and watch next year. Keep your eye on the three middle lanes, and don’t be surprised to see an outside lane swimmer come out of nowhere and take the event.In the corporate world of sales, they expect you to “wow” the customer. To every school competitor, coach and spectator: WOOOOOW! Al GouldNorth Canaan Shame on Region One board, administration After reading the articles in the Waterbury Republican, The Lakeville Journal and Litchfield County Times regarding the delay in naming the science-technology center at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, disappointment, hurt and rage do not nearly describe how I feel about the Region One Board of Education (Board Chairman Phil Hart in particular) and Patricia Chamberlain, superintendent of schools.Jack Mahoney devoted his life to educating the children of Region One. In fact, in his later years, there was little that pleased him more than seeing one of “his” students and catching up on their lives. I can verify that Jack remembered, with humor and love, each and every one.What turned out to be the last years of Jack’s life was his intensity and passion for building the science-technology center at Region One. He profoundly believed in public school. He understood that the future of this country lies in educating all its children and providing them with the opportunity to compete in the new worldwide arena. That science and technology was the key. That is why this building was so important to Jack. Not politics, not intimidation, not mean-spirited insinuation. All Jack ever believed in was children and that good education conquered all.How ironic then that Chairman Phil Hart is quoted in the Litchfield County Times as saying, “They see Pat Chamberlain as behind everything, but this is nonsense. There is universal agreement that the building will be named after Jack.” Then why delay, Mr. Hart? What was the purpose behind the disgraceful tactics, which I witnessed last week? How disgusting that Patricia Chamberlain with validation from the Region One Board of Education somehow felt it appropriate to make up some outlandish excuse to hinder what is clearly the right thing to do.The only thing that Jack Mahoney ever cared about was providing the students at Region One with the finest educational experience he could create. It is apparent to me that this is not the primary motive of many members of the Board of Education and, sadly, the Region One administration. Shame, shame, shame on all of you. Amy D. SchuchatSharon Liability at garage impacts residents Spring has come early this year. Flowers in danger of freezing are peeping through their beds. I mentioned to another Sharon resident, who is also my business partner, Howard Randall, who had just completed a cleanup on my property, that I would like to avail myself of the free mulch at the town garage to protect these early blooms. I was very dismayed when he said this was no longer possible and showed me a notice dated March 8 on Sharon selectmen’s office letterhead, signed by the first selectman, stating, “for liability purposes, only town of Sharon employees are allowed on the town garage premises.”So, no more wood, no more chips, no more mulch or sand, no more dropping off brush or asphalt or anything at all for Sharon residents. I am wondering if this notice was sent to all residents and when this new policy will officially begin. I hope to find some answers at the next Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday, March 13.For years, Sharon residents have used this facility to obtain wood, mulch, sand and other items, and to drop off yard waste of various types. It’s been a wonderful resource for all and will be much missed if this notice means these services are ceasing completely.Hopefully it will be possible to continue with some alternative such as arranging for drop off and pick up of materials at the gate. Perhaps an intercom system could be installed to alert the town crew. Possibly the newly reinstated Long Range Planning Committee can come up with some less cumbersome options. It may not be cumbersome for residents to drop off at the gate. Waiting to pick up might be. There could be other costs involved if the town crew must ferry loads back and forth from the gate. Perhaps the town budget can be readjusted in some way to boost the liability insurance needed. Until there is a resolution, I hope Sharon residents and town crew both will cooperate with this mandate. With spring cleanup time approaching, it will be a hardship for both but would be harder still if some serious liability for which the town does not have adequate insurance should befall us. Anne SaundersSharon