Deep River | ValleyNewsNow.com

Deep River Selectmen Announce First Members of the New Town Hall Auditorium Restoration Committee

December 14, 2011 By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— The board of selectmen Tuesday announced five prospective appointments to the new town hall auditorium restoration committee, but is holding off the formal appointment until additional volunteers step forward to serve on the 11-member committee.

The new Deep River Town Hall Auditorium Restoration Committee was created under a resolution approved at a Nov. 22 town meeting, taking the place of the Deep River Town Hall Restoration Association Inc. that had coordinated restoration work at the historic 1892 town hall since the early 1980s. The association has previously decided to disband and transfer its donated fund for the restoration work to the town.

First Selectman Richard Smith said five residents had volunteered to serve on the new committee, including former Selectman Arthur Thompson, Carol Jones, Janice Kemetz, Dennis Schultz, and Richard Nagot. Thompson had pushed for formation of a new committee to complete the auditorium restoration during his term on the board of selectmen that ended last month.

Smith said three members of the former restoration association board of directors are expected to volunteer to serve on the new committee, leaving three openings for additional volunteers. The board is expected to formally appoint the 11-member committee at its Dec. 27 meeting. Smith said Building Official Richard Leighton has already prepared a list of improvements needed to meet all current fire safety and building codes for the second floor auditorium, and would meet with the new committee to discuss the project early in 2012.

In other action Tuesday, a handful of residents at a town meeting approved a 15-year contract with the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority for disposal of solid waste and recyclables. The contract, which provides for a tipping fee of $59.50 per ton, was approved on a unanimous vote.

Deep River has been a member of CRRA since the regional trash authority was established in the late 1980s. It is one of 13 area towns that send solid waste to the authority’s regional transfer station in Essex, where it is compacted and trucked to the authority’s Mid-Connecticut incinerator in Hartford. Contracts for 70 Connecticut cities and towns served by CRRA expire in November 2012.

Smith said a long-term contract with CRRA was the town’s most cost effective option for disposal of solid waste and recyclables based on both the tipping fee, and the close proximity of the regional transfer station.

Filed Under: Charles Stannard, Deep River, News

Where the Winter Wild Things Are – National Wildlife Refuge System and How to Track Wildlife

December 13, 2011 By admin

Join wildlife biologist Kris Vagos at the Deep River Library on Saturday January 21 from 1-2 p.m. to learn about your National Wildlife Refuge System and how to track wildlife. Also you will have the opportunity to participate in activities related to habitat loss.

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

Deep River Rotary Club provides Dictionaries to Elementary School Students

December 9, 2011 By admin

Deep River Elementary School 3rd graders are overwhelmed with excitement at receiving their own dictionaries from local Rotary Club of Deep River.

Last month Deep River Rotary Club provided dictionaries to all the 3rd grade students at Deep River Elementary School as part of their involvement with The Dictionary Project. DR Rotary enjoys providing all students with a dictionary of their own given to them as a gift for use in school and later taken home. Gail Onofrio of Tri-Town Youth Services and Past President of Deep River Rotary Club is head of the committee for the Dictionary Project. Gail stated, “The kids are absolutely rapt with the dictionaries as you can see in the photo”. Rotarian, Jimmy DeLano, was stopped at Deep River Elementary School’s PTO BINGO event by another 3rd grade girl and she told him, ” Thank you for giving me a dictionary, I love it!”.

For more information on Deep River Rotary Club please see our website, www.deepriverrotary.com or call Jimmy DeLano (860)227-1159

Filed Under: Deep River, News

Deep River Town Meeting to Vote on 15-Year Contract with Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority

December 7, 2011 By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— Residents will vote at a town meeting Tuesday on a proposed 15-year contract with the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority for disposal of solid waste and recyclables. The Dec. 13 town meeting begins at 7 p.m. in town hall.

The contract would require the town to send all solid waste and recyclables to the CRRA’s Mid-Connecticut incinerator and collection facility in Hartford. The solid waste is compacted first at the regional transfer station off Route 154 in Essex, just south of the Deep River-Essex town line. The contract, which would expire in 2027, calls for a tipping fee of $59.50 per ton, with some provisions for a higher fee if there is a sharp increase in fuel oil costs.

Deep River was one of the first towns to join the regional trash authority when it was established in the mid-1980s. Currently 13 area towns compact solid waste at the regional transfer station in Essex for trucking to the Hartford facility.

CRRA contracts with 70 Connecticut cities and towns expire on Nov. 15, 2012. Area towns have been asked by the authority to act on new long-term contracts by town meeting votes in the coming weeks. Lyme has already approved the new contract with CRRA.

Filed Under: Charles Stannard, Deep River, News

Mount Saint John Christmas Boutique

November 28, 2011 By admin

Local Crafters and artisans will display their wares at the First Annual Mount Saint John Christmas Boutique on Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 135 Kirtland Street, Deep River, CT 06417.

Enjoy live entertainment by the Mount Saint John Christmas Choir and Visit with Santa. Homemade soup, sandwiches and beverages available for purchase. The school’s Culinary program is featuring a bake sale.

Shop for all your gift giving this season, choosing from a variety of items including quality crafts, artisan items, wreaths, baskets and freshly cut Christmas trees.

Great fun for the whole family. Admission is free!

For more information or to reserve your table as a vendor, please contact Vicki McKenney, 860.343.1340 or mckenneyv@mtstjohn.org

Filed Under: Arts, Deep River, Old Events

Book Review: “27 Months In The Peace Corps. My Story, Unvarnished” by local author

November 25, 2011 By admin

John Guy LaPlante

The following book review will be of interest to local readers as it concerns a book written by one of our own, a man who has for years written a column for local print newspapers as well as for our three on-line news sources. I got to know him a few years ago when I emailed him about one of his columns and have ever since enjoyed corresponding with him and reading of his adventures.

John Guy LaPlante, an octogenarian who has adopted Connecticut as his home, has probably had more adventures since he retired than many people have in their lifetimes.

First there was his trip Around the World at 75, Alone! Dammit! followed by his journey through Asia In 80 Days, Oops, 83! Dammit! Each of these odysseys was followed by a book, as titled above. Now he gives us his latest work 27 Months In The Peace Corps. My Story, Unvarnished.

His tale begins as he explains why he became interested in Peace Corps. Without giving away any details, it had something to do with a concert. He moves on through the application and vetting processes, both very detailed and sometimes grueling. His delight at being accepted is somewhat tempered when he learns that he will be sent, not to a Francophone country, as might befit his ability to speak French, but to Ukraine, as an English teacher.

Then come the challenges of getting ready for the trip: deciding what to take, how to deal with all the responsibilities that will remain in Connecticut. The story of getting to the train station and why he had to leave a wastebasket on the train are clues that his experience and his ability to narrate it are going to be unique. A preliminary meeting in Philadelphia is followed by the flight to Ukraine. Here he discovers, as do all Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), no doubt, a little bit about what he is in for. He will be posted to the city of Chernihiv.

Three months of training, including some less-than-successful language lessons and he is now a full-fledged volunteer, facing groups of college-age students in English language discussion groups. As his tale progresses, we meet all sorts of fascinating people: his students, American and Ukrainian Peace Corps staff members, his three host families, American ex-pats living in Ukraine, European travelers, an Iranian family with whom he shares food on a bus and Joe Biden. That’s right, he crossed paths with the Vice-President.

Peace Corps Volunteers are expected to do more that just teach. In the course of his two-year service, John undertakes a few projects, with varying degrees of success: one is to develop a guide to using the city transit system which consists of three different modes: trolley buses, buses and marshrutkas (mini-vans), all very baffling and greatly in need of some sort of organized guide; his other project is to digitize the local library, an institution he comes to greatly appreciate. Add to this a French club and his desire to see and do as much as he can while there and it’s easy to see why the whole experience was such a great adventure.

A few common denominators are the fact that he misses his home and family although we never get the feeling that he is homesick. He misses many of the things that we take for granted (toast!) and he obviously misses the lady in his life, identified only as Milady Annabelle, with whom he is lucky to connect during his service.

However, this is not just a narrative or travelogue. This book would be invaluable for anyone, 18 or 80, contemplating service in Peace Corps. The processes of both getting in and getting out are carefully detailed. The benefits are clearly laid out as are the drawbacks. Of particular interest are the suggestions, drawn from a lifetime of experience, that he makes for improving Peace Corps and the experiences of those in it. Many of the chapters end with a “Did You Know” section in which he reminds readers of information about Peace Corps. He is not afraid to “tell it like it is”; we see Peace Corps, warts and all. But on balance, the reader will come away from the book feeling that John’s experience in Peace Corps was a positive one, one that makes it easy to understand why many Peace Corps volunteers “re-up” for another round of service.

John writes as he speaks and in so doing tells a captivating tale. This is a book which can be easily read on two levels: by an armchair traveler who will see the story of a bold retiree undertaking something normally appealing to younger folk (indeed. for a while, he was the oldest active PCV in the world) or by someone interested in joining Peace Corps. In either case, you are guaranteed an enjoyable “read.”

Filed Under: Deep River, News Tagged With: osn

Deep River Town Meeting Authorizes New Structure for Town Hall Auditiorium Restoration Effort

November 24, 2011 By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— Voters at a town meeting Tuesday authorized the formation of a new committee to coordinate the ongoing effort to restore the auditorium at town hall.

About 15 residents turned out for the meeting, approving the board of selectmen’s recommendation for a new committee and a special town fund on a unanimous voice vote. The resolution had three parts, beginning with the rescinding of a February 1981 town meeting resolution that gave the Deep River Town Hall Restoration Association Inc. sole authority to coordinate restoration of the historic 1892 town hall.

In recent years, the restoration effort has focused on upgrading the second-floor auditorium for wider community use. The board of selectmen earlier this fall urged the association to expedite the restoration effort utilizing a fund made up of private donations to complete the fire safety and building code improvements. The funds held by the association total about $250,000.

After meeting with the board of selectmen on Nov. 8, the association directors agreed to disband the organization and support the selectmen’s goal of establishing a new town committee to complete the improvements to the auditorium as soon as possible.

The second part of the town meeting resolution establishes a new 11-member Deep River Town Hall Auditorium Restoration Committee to coordinate the effort to restore the auditorium. A third part of the resolution creates a special town fund, to be called the Town Hall Auditorium Restoration Fund, that would be comprised of the donated funds now held by the restoration association.

Former Selectman Arthur Thompson, who pushed for a revised structure for the restoration effort during the final weeks of his term, said the transfer of the funds to the new town special fund would require approval from the state Attorney General’s office, and the regional probate court in Old Saybrook, because the association was both a non-profit corporation and a charitable organization. Thompson said it could take up to two months to secure the required approvals.

First Selectman Richard Smith said the board of selectmen would appoint the new committee during this waiting period, with some members of the association board of directors expected to volunteer to serve on the new committee. Smith said he already has received a list of required fire safety and building code improvements for the auditorium from Building Inspector Richard Leighton.

Smith said the new committee would develop a plan to complete the improvements using the donated monies in the Town Hall Auditorium Restoration Fund. “It should move pretty quick,” he said.

In other business, the town meeting confirmed reappointments to the planning and zoning commission and the zoning board of appeals. Confirmed for a three-year term on the planning and zoning commission were incumbents Janet Edgarton, Nancy Fischbach, and Thomas Walsh. Confirmed for three-year terms on the zoning board of appeals were incumbents Jerome Ackerman, Margot Gamerdinger, and William Harris.

Smith announced there is a new opening on the seven-member planning and zoning commission with the resignation of Angus McDonald Jr., who began his term as the new Democratic selectman this week. McDonald, who replaces Thompson on the board, participated in his first meeting Tuesday. Smith said there is also an alternate vacancy on the commission.

Filed Under: Charles Stannard, Deep River, News, Town Hall

First Congregational Church of Deep River, Ye Olde English Christmas Faire

November 21, 2011 By admin

The month of December is an especially busy time for our congregation and offers many opportunities for members of the community to join us as we celebrate the Christmas season. Begin the month by attending our “Ye Olde English Christmas Faire” Week-end. To order tickets for the Dessert by Candlelight or Concert, call (526-5034) or stop in at the church office, which is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 2:00.

Friday, December 2 ~ Dessert by Candleligh
Enjoy our gourmet desserts ~ $6.00 with seatings at 6:00 and 7:30p.m.
Saturday, December 3 ~Ye Olde English Christmas Faire, 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Do your Christmas shopping in decorated booths filled with homemade decorations, candy, pies ,cakes, wreaths, toys, games, knitted and crocheted items, and much ,much more. Stop by the Country Kitchen and take home some seafood bisque or loaves of bread. If you are interested in Treasures, antiques, and Specialty items, be sure to stop at King’s Treasures and Queen’s Attic. Visit the Reindeer Restaurant for breakfast or lunch. You can even have your picture taken with Santa!
Sunday, December 4 ~ Festival of Christmas Music, 6:00p.m.
Featuring Bil Groth, Pianist. Tickets: Adults: $10.00, Children 6-12: $5.00, Children under 6: Free

Please contact the church office at 860-526-5045 or email: office.drcc@snet.net for more information about any of the above events.

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

Deep River Town Meeting to Establish Replacement for Disbanded Town Hall Restoration Association

November 16, 2011 By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— Voters will be asked at a town meeting Tuesday to approve a resolution establishing a replacement for the now disbanded Deep River Town Hall Restoration Association Inc. The meeting, which also includes confirmation of appointments to the planning and zoning commission and zoning board of appeals, convenes at 7 p.m. in town hall.

The resolutions related to the ongoing town hall restoration project include rescinding a February 1981 town meeting resolution granting sole authority for the town hall restoration efforts to the Deep River Town Hall Restoration Association Inc., and adopting a new resolution establishing an 11-member Deep River Town Hall Auditorium Restoration Committee to “oversee and complete restoration of the Deep River Town Hall auditorium to the extent that funds are available.” A third resolution would create a special town fund called the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium Restoration Fund.

The review of authority granted to the Deep River Town Hall Restoration Association began earlier this fall, when the board of selectmen met with members of the association to obtain an update on the ongoing restoration plans for the second floor auditorium at the historic 1892 town hall. Improvements to the town hall began in the late 1970s, but in recent years have focused on upgrading the auditorium to meet all current fire safety and building codes.

The selectmen in October formally objected to any move by the non-profit association to create a permanent endowment fund from the private donations provided for the auditorium restoration work. The funds, believed to total about $240,000, had largely been invested in the stock market.

First Selectman Richard Smith said the board of selectmen met with members of the association board on Nov. 8, a session where the association members offered to disband the group and transfer authority to a newly created town committee. “It was their idea,” Smith said, adding that he expects many of the association members to be appointed to spots on the new committee. The board of selectmen will appoint members of the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium Restoration Committee.

“It will just be a better structure,” Smith said, adding that the goal is to use available funding to complete as many of the auditorium code upgrades as possible.

“People want to see it finished,” Smith said, adding that many of the donors want to have the improvements completed as soon as possible. Smith said expenditures from the new special fund would be approved by the board of selectmen based on recommendations from the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium Restoration Committee.

Voters at the town meeting will be asked to confirm appointments to the planning and zoning commission and zoning board of appeals for three-year terms ending in December 2014. The reappointments to the planning and zoning commission, all incumbents, are Janet Edgarton, Nancy Fischbach, and Thomas Walsh. The appointments to the zoning board of appeals are Jerome Ackerman, Margot Gamerdinger, and William Harris.

Filed Under: Charles Stannard, Deep River, News

The Life of the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium 1893 – 2011

November 16, 2011 By Linalynn Schmelzer

The Deep River Restoration Association announces the first historical exhibit on the Town Hall Auditorium. The exhibit highlights the unique history of the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium with photographs, postcards, antiques and interviews. This exhibition demonstrations the modest elegance of the Deep River Town Hall, built in 1893, it has held many events and is a major thread in the tapestry of Deep River history.

The Life of the Deep River Auditorium 1893-2011 is open at the Deep River Library for the month of November. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday the exhibit will have an attendant to discuss the exhibit with from 12-2pm. Bring your questions.

In this photograph of the 1931 production of College Flapper, there are eighteen men in costume on the Deep River Auditorium Stage, many whom where prominent figures in Deep River. Many more images will be on display, including the original 1893 dedicatory program for the Deep River Town Hall.

This exhibit is made possible by a generous gift in the estate of Charles Messerschmitt. The Restoration Association has worked with local residents, town officials, the Deep River Historical Society and stacks of old newspapers to put this distinct collection together.

For more information please contact the coordinator Linalynn Schmelzer 860 304-8459 or Linalynnschmelzer@yahoo.com. You can also find the Deep River Auditorium on Facebook.

Filed Under: Deep River, News Tagged With: swn

Model Train Display at Deep River Town Hall

November 11, 2011 By admin

The Deep River Parks and Recreation Commission is pleased to announce that as part of our annual Holiday festivities, the Connecticut Shoreline Train Group will have a holiday model train display for all ages to enjoy in the Deep River Town Hall auditorium on November 30, December 1 and December 2.

The group is made up of seven members who have been building and displaying trains together for over 25 years. The members are Bob Lee, Jimmy Skeffington, Rob Larsen, Sandy Alonzo, Paul Jiantonio, Mike Tierney and Pete Sulinski. The model train layout will include an N-Scale modular layout which is approximately 16 feet long, and a 34 foot on 30 modular layout. Also on display will be other various gauge trains, including HO, G and a 3-rail Lionel. The group participates in train shows and displays throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania.

The display will be open to the public on Wednesday, Nov 30 and Thursday, December 1, from 6:00-8:30 pm and on Friday December 2 from 5:00-9:00 pm. Admission is free.

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

DR Elementary School PTO Bingo Night

November 11, 2011 By admin

Deep River Elementary School PTO will be hosting their annual BINGO Fundraiser at John Winthrop Middle School on Friday November 11 from 7-9pm.

Doors Open at 6:30. Lots of prizes, pizza and goodies as well as a great raffle. Bingo will have guest MC – Dr. Jack Pietrich, Principal of DRES.

Please come and support your local PTO. Any questions or if you care to make a donation, please call Jimmy DeLano (860)227-1159.

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

CT Superior Court Judge Guest at Deep River Rotary Luncheon

November 8, 2011 By admin

Judge Jim Abrams

Judge Jim Abrams from the Connecticut Superior Court, Middlesex Judicial District, will be the guest speaker at the Deep River Rotary Club weekly luncheon at 12 noon on November 15, 2011, at the Ivory Rest in Deep River.

Jim Abrams is a resident of Meriden and serves as a Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court, where he has presided over civil, criminal, family, foreclosure, and housing matters. Jim is an honors graduate of UConn School of Law, received his BA degree from TrinityCollege, and is an Adjunct Professor at Quinnipiac University. Prior to being appointed to the bench, he had a civil litigation practice and was Corporation Counsel for the City of Meriden. He also served ten years as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives.

Deep River Rotary Club meets weekly every Tuesday at 12 p.m. at The Ivory Rest in Deep River. If you are interested please call Jimmy DeLano (860)227-1159 for more info.

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

Deep River Library PresentsTellabration! A Celebration of the Oral Tradition

November 4, 2011 By admin

Tellabration is a mammoth storytelling event – and that’s no Tall Tale! It’s a storytelling phenomenon, made up of dozens of storytelling happenings all over the world. Its purpose is to introduce adults, as well as children, to the pleasures of the oral art of storytelling. It is one of the programs offered by The Connecticut Storytelling Center, based at Connecticut College in New London.

On Wednesday, November 16 at 10:00 a.m. at Deep River Library at 150 Main St. Deep River a Tellabration will be held for preschoolers. Tellers Jeanne Bent and Jeanne Donato will perform. For more information contact Ann Paietta at 860-526-6039 or apaietta@att.net.

Storyteller, children’s librarian and former classroom teacher with over twenty years experience working with children, Jeanne Bent tells folk and fairy tales at festivals, libraries and classrooms throughout Rhode Island and Connecticut. Her interactive storytelling style delights audiences of all ages. Play & Learn, with Storyteller Jeanne Donato as her presentations are designed to feature Storytelling, Creative Drama, Music, Movement, Writing, Humanities Enrichment, and Enhanced Learning Techniques. She is a Master Word Weaving Instructor, A Certified Master Balloon Artist, Resilient Educator Trainer, Educational Kinesiologist, and Brain Gym Instructor. She is the National Storytelling Network’s Rhode Island State Liaison and co-authored “Storytelling in Emergent Literacy: Fostering Multiple Intelligences,” a rich resource for educators and parents.

A full listing of over 25 Tellabration sites in Connecticut with dates and times can be found by logging onto www.connstorycenter.org/tellabration.htm or by calling The Connecticut Storytelling Center at 860-439-2764.

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

TTYS Sponsors Family Yoga Morning in Deep River

October 31, 2011 By admin

Tri-Town Youth Services, at 56 High Street in Deep River, will sponsor a yoga family fun morning with yoga instructor, Jennifer Ryley-Welsh. Parents and their children (ages 4 and older) will spend an hour moving, breathing, and laughing together. No yoga experience is necessary. The family yoga class will take place at Tri-Town on Saturday, November 5 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. The cost is $10 per family. Please call 860-526-3600 to register.

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

Deep River Selectmen Await Meeting With Town Hall Restoration Association

October 27, 2011 By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— The board of selectmen is hoping a joint meeting next month with directors of the Deep River Town Hall Restoration Association Inc. will bring consensus on how to complete a long-running restoration of the town hall auditorium and utilize funds donated to the association.

Selectmen met with members of the association board of directors on Sept. 27, urging the association to assist in drafting an updated town meeting resolution and authorization for the association, which was established under a 1981 town meeting resolution and later became a non-profit corporation. Before the joint meeting was held, the board on Oct. 11 adopted a resolution expressing opposition to placing funds held by the association in an irrevocable endowment fund.

Sally Carlson-Crowell told the selectmen at Tuesday’s meeting the group was “a little bit concerned,” about receiving “demands” from the selectmen before the joint session was held. She said directors of the group, including long-time director Ted Mackenzie, had recently discussed dissolving the association based on concern with the direction of the review process.

Selectman Arthur Thompson said the board is not seeking to disband the association, but needs to clarify the future plans of the association and the use of more than $200,000 in donated funds held by the association. The funds were donated by residents to support the restoration of the town hall auditorium, a project that began in the late 1970s.

Most of the funds have been invested on the stock market, with the value shifting in recent weeks based on gains and declines in the market. Thompson said the funds should be held in safer investments, and used to complete all necessary improvements to the town hall auditorium. “I’m not sure the people who donated that money want it to be played on the stock market,” he said.

First Selectman Richard Smith said the board needs to have the association “let us know what you want to do,” to complete all necessary improvements to the auditorium. He suggested the funds held by the association could be combined with some town funding to complete the project. Smith said he has no objections to having a local resident hired by the association continue to coordinate scheduling the use of the auditorium.

Concluding Tuesday’s discussion, Carlson-Crowell said the association directors are “looking forward,” to the joint meeting with the selectmen.

Filed Under: Charles Stannard, Deep River, News, Town Hall

Deep River Park and Rec. Halloween Festivities

October 26, 2011 By admin

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

Deep River Rotary Annual Arts, Crafts Pumpkin Fair

October 21, 2011 By admin

Deep River Rotary will be holding their “Annual Arts, Crafts Pumpkin Fair” on Saturday October 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine!) at Marvin Field Deep River, Connecticut, across from Deep River Congregational Church.

There will be a trophy award for Best of Show

Entry Fee: $45.00 arts, crafts, $100.00 for Food Vendors (includes spices/herbal vendors)

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

Deep River Resident Talks about Peace Corps Opportunities Oct. 23

October 20, 2011 By admin

John Guy LaPlante

With summer over, the Acton Public Library will open Sunday afternoons again on Oct. 23 with a special Peace Corps program.

This is its 50^th anniversary—it was founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. More than 200,000 Americans have served in more than 100 countries. Celebrations are being held all over the country.

Peace Corps is a proud service—one of Uncle Sam’s most popular. More than 200,000 Americans have served in it. Celebrations are being held everywhere.

Local journalist and recent Peace Corps Volunteer John Guy LaPlante will speak on “Don’t laugh, but Peace Corps may be for you! Yes, you!”

He went in at 77 and at 80 became the oldest Volunteer in the world. “Peace Corps thought it was a deal, but I didn’t,” he says. There are more than 8,000 serving in more than 100 countries.

Peace Corps has been known as a young person’s game. But more than ever it is also inviting older people to join—people 40, 50, 60, 70 years old—“even an old goose like me.”

With reason. Older folks have experience. Wisdom. Maybe a bigger desire to “give back” and “do good for the good of it.”

He became a university teacher in Ukraine. “Ukraine and teaching were just two of the big surprises for me,” he says. “I had many surprises. I want to tell people about them.”

He also likes to tell about the many good things and benefits of Peace Corps—the perks! “It can be a good deal,” he says. “That surprises people.

“As many people get older, so many need a break from their work and their routine after a while. Peace Corps can be a great solution.”

He tells of his experiences—mostly good but some not so good—in his book, “27 Months in the Peace Corps. My Story, Unvarnished,” just published. “My whole, true story,” he emphasizes.

This is a return engagement to the Acton for him. Some will remember his talk about his remarkable solo trip around the world. The library has his book, “Around the World at 75. Alone, Dammit!” on its shelves.

He says, “More people should inject a bit of adventure into their life!” “Not too hard to do. Consider Peace Corps!”

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

Ghosthunting 101 for Kids Workshop

October 13, 2011 By admin

Put it on your calender! Haunted New England Paranormal is coming to Deep River Library Saturday October 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Learn about the paranormal from a group that has 27 years of experience then investigate a building full of history. Come join us at the library. For ages 10 and up. For more info please call the library at 860-526-6039.

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

Deep River Voter Registration Deadlines

October 11, 2011 By admin

Voter registrations will be held on Saturday, October 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and on Tuesday November 1 in Deep River Town hall.

Deadline for new voters is October 25 by mail and November 1 in person. Limited registrations will be held on Monday November 7 from 9 a.m. – 12 noon for those whose qualifications as to age, citizenship or residence are attained after November 1.

Any questions call 860 526-6059 or 860 526-9213

Joanne Grabek /M. Brownlee Registrars.

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

Deep River Rotary’s Unusual Double-Header Starts 10am This Saturday!

October 11, 2011 By admin

“Join the parade! Wear crazy hats! Hold hands! Celebrate and have fun!”

That’s the Deep River Rotary Club’s invitation to one and all for its double-header celebration on Saturday, Oct. 15. That’s the day that the club is calling Heritage Day. Also, Elephant Day!

Said Hedy Watrous, club president, “It’s all about elephants and their tusks. Their tusks were all-important to us at one time. Gave work to a lot of our people. Made our town Queen of the Valley..!”

The first celebration will be at the Town Landing at the foot of Kirtland Street at 10 a.m. The club will re-dedicate the scenic deck that was its gift to the town 20 years ago. That’s where the tusks arrived from Africa.

The second will be the unveiling and dedication of the elephant statue the club is giving to the town. That will be at 11 a.m. on the Main Street side of the Town Hall.

Said John LaPlante, chairman of the project for the club, “These are big events for anyone who takes pride in our town’s unique history. We’re making them educational. And fun!”

The parade will be from the Town Landing to the Town Hall. It will be an informal, hop along, limp along, everybody-welcome parade. The town’s great pride, the terrific Junior Ancients Fife and Drum Corps, will lead the way.

“The more, the merrier,” he said. “Come join us whatever your age. We mean it about the crazy hats. Make your own! Try making a fantastic paper hat!

“And bring along your dog, your pony, your monkey!”

After the elephant is dedicated, the Stone House will open its doors wide from noon to 2 p.m.

Jeff Hostetler, president of the Deep River Historical Society, said, “We have great exhibits about the elephants and their tusks and all the things we made from them and how that led to our great piano industry. So many people in town have never seen these marvelous exhibits. Come enjoy them. This is a free day.”

Filed Under: Community, Deep River, Old Events

Saturday, Oct. 15, is Elephant Day in Deep River!

October 7, 2011 By admin

“This is where the Elephant Statue will be!” Deep River Rotarians often get asked “Where will the elephant be put?” The answer is, “Right in front of the Town Hall on the Main Street side! Right across from Adams.” Pointing where are (from left) Rotarians Rev. Tim Haut; project chairman John LaPlante; Tinder Baser; president Hedy Watrous; and Skip Routh (photo courtesy of Gina Sopneski).

After much planning, the dedication of the Deep River Rotary Club’s elephant statue will take place Saturday, Oct. 15, at 11 a.m.

It will be the climax of two ceremonies that morning to celebrate the town’s unique ivory heritage. Six sites for the elephant were proposed. The Town Hall won out.

“The statue is our gift to the people of the town,” said club president Hedy Watrous.

“Children will love it,” she said. ”Everybody will love it. What other town in the country can have an elephant as its mascot?”
The statue shows a big, wide-eyed African elephant about to take a step forward. It has its trunk raised and pointed forward. That’s because it’s a fountain. It spurts water from its trunk.

“This is all about elephants,” she said.“Elephant ivory from Africa!. How that became our big industry in town—ivory products of many kinds and piano keyboards. In Ivoryton also. That’s why we felt a statue of an elephant was so important.”

She promised the ceremony will be interesting.

The main speaker will be Brenda Milkofsky. She is an expert on the history of Ivoryton and Deep River. She is the retired senior curator of the Connecticut River Museum where she served as founding director.

One hour earlier, at 10 a.m., a separate ceremony will be held at the Town Landing. It will be the re-dedication of the Scenic Deck overlooking the Connectiuct River. The deck was the contribution of the Rotary Club when the Town Landing was built as a park in 1990-91.

The main speaker at that one will be Jeffrey Hostetler, president of the Deep River Historical Society. Its museum—the Stone House—has long been recognized for its excellent exhibits on ivory and piano-making.

John Guy LaPlante, the chairman for the project, said, “The Town Landing is where the ships loaded with tusks from Zanzibar in Africa arrived. Then the tusks were delivered to our factories to keep hundreds of our people working.”

The club never got around to dedicating its scenic deck back then.

LaPlante said the two ceremonies will be “short but sweet.” He added, “Much of what we are doing has been made possible by the Town. The Town has cooperated in every way.Very supportive. First Selectman Dick Smith has been a big help.We are grateful.”
As a special tie-in, the Deep River Historical Society is inviting everyone to enjoy its exhibits about ivory and pianos.

Hostetler said the Stone House will be open from noon to 2 p.m. People can stroll or ride over after the Town Hall ceremony. No charge.

The Deep River Junior Ancients Fife and Drum Corps will play at both ceremonies.

Michele Roise, its director, said it will also play during an informal parade planned from the Town Landing to the Town Hall.
Everybody is invited to join in the celebration and the parade. Children especially.

“Bring the kids!” LaPlante said. “We want them to know. We want them to be proud. Elementary school kids. High school kids. College kids.”

Ivoryton folks are warmly invited. Also members of the Deep River Lions Club, present and past.

LaPlante said, “The beautiful gazebo at the Town Landing was the contribution of our friends, the Lions. Their gazebo and our scenic deck are enjoyed by many people, as we know. And will be for many more years to come.

“We’re planning the two ceremonies as a great double-header!”

Many townspeople helped to transform the Town Landing into the gem that it is today. It was a big community effort.

“We invite everybody who worked on that to come down!”

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

Deep River Selectmen to Seek New Town Meeting Resolution for Town Hall Restoration Association

September 28, 2011 By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— The board of selectmen will seek a new town meeting resolution and authorization for the ongoing activities of the Deep River Town Hall Restoration Association Inc.

The board met Tuesday with directors of the association that was established as a non-profit corporation in 1979. While the group was involved initially in coordinating general improvements to the historic 1892 town hall, more recent efforts have focused on restoring the second-floor auditorium for broader community use. A 1981 town meeting vote approved a resolution authorizing the group to coordinate town hall restoration efforts.

William Bouregy, a local attorney who serves on the board of directors, said the association has about $280,000 in various accounts. He said the money is used to fund ongoing improvements to the town hall auditorium, with about $33,700 spent on improvements and stage equipment since 2008. Most of the fund is from donations from town residents, including a large contribution from the Charles Messerschmidt Memorial Trust in 2005.

Bouregy said the association has hired local resident Linalynn Schmelzer as a part-time promoter/manager to promote use of the auditorium by local and area theater groups, while also coordinating use of the auditorium. There are fire code limitations on use of the 130-seat auditorium, with each use authorized under a special permit approved by Fire Marshall Richard Leighton.

Selectman Arthur Thompson said many of the association’s current efforts, including the manager/promoter, are not authorized under the 1981 town meeting resolution, which refers to a plan for building improvements that is largely complete. Thompson said he also has concerns about the ongoing nature of the association’s efforts, noting “at some point, not right now, this authority should end.”

Ted Mackenzie said the volunteer group has pride, but no sense of ownership, of the effort to restore and maintain the town hall auditorium. “We would be very happy to turn the whole ball of wax back over to the town,” he said. Mackenzie added the association does not have sufficient funds to complete all required fire code improvements related to the auditorium.

First Selectman Richard Smith said the board is ready to work with association members in updating the authorization resolution to cover all of the association’s current activities. Selectman David Oliveria said he views the promoter/manager position as “a good thing if it is authorized.”

The board agreed to hold one or more workshop meetings with association directors to work on updating the town’s authorization resolution. The revised resolution would then be presented to voters for approval at a town meeting.

Filed Under: Charles Stannard, Deep River, News

What It’s Really Like to Be A Peace Corps Volunteer?

September 25, 2011 By admin

Deep River resident and journalist John Guy LaPlante recently returned after a full hitch as a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV). He will give his first public talk about his experience at Deep River Public Library September 25 at 3 p.m. It is free. Since the meeting room is not large, reservations are suggested.

LaPlante completed the full 27-month term as a PCV. A surprising number of Volunteers come home early. Some 8,00 serve in 74 countries. He was a university teacher in Ukraine – a former Soviet republic striving to make it as a new democracy– but also did various other things, as is expected of Volunteers.

All are invited to LaPlante’s presentation, especially anyone thinking of joining Peace Corps. This is its 50th anniversary—a proud year. Many people do consider joining the Peace Corps – young people are always still welcome, but emphasis is now being placed on older, experienced men and women.

LaPlante turned 80 while in service, becoming the oldest Volunteer in the world. He will talk about the pay, the numerous benefits, the challenges and difficulties, and the pride and the satisfaction.

He is known for his wide-ranging columns published previously in the popular – now defunct – Main Street News and currently in ValleyNewsNow.com, OldSaybrookNow.com and LymeLine.com. He wrote the just-published book, “27 Months in the Peace Corps—My Story, unvarnished.” John also wrote “Around the World at 75. Alone, Dammit!” and “Around Asia in 80 Days. Oops, 83!” He will sign books and add a personal note if desired. No obligation to buy.

LaPlante will meet afterward with anyone thinking of joining. He says, “What I want to do is spread the word about what a good deal Peace Corps can be.”

Filed Under: Community, Deep River, Old Events

Deep River Firehouse Study Includes Alternative Sites for Firehouse

September 15, 2011 By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— The Fire Department Study Committee has submitted a preliminary report that reviews options for a new or expanded firehouse, including alternate sites for a new firehouse if the town decides not to pursue a renovation and expansion of the existing firehouse building on the corner of Union and Elm streets.

First Selectman Richard Smith said the committee is expected to submit a final report to the board of selectmen in November, a step that would be preceded by a public information meeting where residents would have the opportunity to discuss options for a new or expanded firehouse.

The board of selectmen established the committee late last year to analyze the needs of the Deep River Volunteer Fire Department, and options for a new or expanded firehouse to replace the existing 1961 firehouse. The formation of the study committee came after residents rejected a $2.4 million renovation and expansion project for the existing firehouse on a 347-312 vote in a July 2010 bonding referendum. A more costly project was rejected by a wide margin in a November 2007 referendum.

Smith said he is pleased the preliminary report included a review of alternative sites, allowing the selectmen and town residents to consider the option of building a new firehouse at a different location.

The report reviews nine alternative sites for a new firehouse. But most of the town owned sites, such as Plattwood Park and Devitt Field, would require a loss of public recreation land. The committee also cautioned that relocating the firehouse too far away from the downtown area could result in changes to the insurance services rating for local property owners. The insurance services rating determines fire insurance rates for properties and a downgrade in the ISO rating would lead to higher rates for property owners.

While the preliminary report made no recommendations, Smith said he is hoping the committee would make a recommendation for a possible firehouse building project in its final report. The recommendation would allow selectmen, and ultimately town voters, to address the firehouse issue in 2013.

Filed Under: Charles Stannard, Deep River, News

Deep River Town Hall Restoration Association Preserves History

September 7, 2011 By admin

Deep River Town Hall Auditorium April 7th & 8th 1931 in the Production of the College Flapper. Do you recognize anyone?

The Deep River Town Hall Restoration Association is ready to present the first historical exhibit on the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium. The Life of the Deep River Auditorium: Past, Present and Future, has been designed by Linalynn Schmelzer. This Exhibit is made possible in the estate by a gracious monetary gift from Charles Messerschmidt. The Restoration Association contacted a variety of resources to uncover the history that resides in the Deep River Auditorium, including the Deep River Historical Society, residents, town officials and stacks of old newspapers. It is projected that the exhibit will first open at the Deep River Library in late October and then travel around to other Tri-Town and Middlesex County libraries.

The Exhibit is in three sections; which includes images, audio and visual clips, and a display of historic items. “It has been an intriguing and in-depth process uncovering old photos and their stories for this exhibit”, stated Mrs. Schmelzer. The video clips include interviews with past performers as well as some who remember the Town Hall when it held the Post Office. Sally Carlson-Crowell, a board member for the Deep River Restoration Association, shares a photograph of her parents on the stage in a production titled, “College Flappers” from 1931. In this photograph, her mother, kneeling in the second row on the right, was a student in the Deep River High School, what is now the Deep River Elementary School.

The “College Flapper” production of 1931 was advertised as the biggest event ever staged in Deep River. It had prominent people as characters and guaranteed laughter. It was sponsored by the Baseball Association and directed by Universal Production Company. In this photo you can notice men dressed as women and you may notice Mayor Dickinson as the King of the Flappers or Gilbert Mather as the Football Coach. What you cannot see is that this production had a special baby pageant that featured 100 local children, ages 5 to 8 making it the biggest event.

A few local residents have been recognized in this 88 year old photograph. Pam Arnold Andenti was able to identify her sister, Phyllis Arnold Eldlidge, fifth in the second row kneeling on the right. Phyllis, who is 99 years old, was a junior at the Deep River High School. There were many towns people in this show, if you can identify anyone please contact Linalynn Schmelzer.
When people gather and begin looking back through the years, as they will for the 3rd Annual Deep River High School reunion taking place at the Historical Society, Sunday September 18th from 1-4 pm, there are chances that more photographs and stories will be unveiled.

If you would like more information on the High School Reunion please contact Audrey Ely at 860-526-5237.
If you have old photographs or stories, nothing is too big or small, please contact Linalynn Schmelzer 860-304-8459 or Linalynnschmelzer@yahoo.com. You can also stay up-to-date with the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium on Facebook.

Filed Under: Community, Deep River, News

Deep River Fire Department Annual Chicken Barbecue

September 6, 2011 By admin

The Deep River Fire Department will be holding their Annual Chicken Barbecue on Saturday, September 17 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the Firehouse, 57 Union Street in Deep River.

Tickets are $12.00, Seniors are $10.00 and Children 12 & under are $8.00. All proceeds will benefit the Department and all donations are tax deductible.

For advance ticket sales or more information please call 860-526-6042 and leave a message.

Filed Under: Deep River, Old Events

Deep River Public Library Book and Bake Sale

September 1, 2011 By admin

The Friends of the Deep River Public Library are sponsoring a Fall Book and Bake Sale on the grounds of the Deep River Public Library on September 17, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free and all proceeds go to the library.

Most book are $1-$5 (including some antique and collectible books).

Come for great bargains and the many other activities in town on Deep River’s Family Day.

Filed Under: Community, Deep River, Old Events

Director Defends Mount St.John’s School at Deep River Meeting

August 24, 2011 By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— The executive director of Mount. St. John’s School Tuesday defended policies and procedures at the facility before a small group of concerned neighbors at a meeting of the board of selectmen.

Douglas DeCerbo answered questions from residents about the private, non-profit facility that serves troubled boys between the ages of 13 and 18 under contracts with the state Department of Children and Families. The century-old facility overlooking the Connecticut River off Kirtland Street has been affiliated with the Norwich Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church.

Recent police calls to the facility, particularly the Aug. 4 arrest of 15-year-old male juvenile for an alleged second degree assault that injured another student, had led to a new round of questions and concerns from homeowners in the surrounding neighborhood. The questions led First Selectman Richard Smith to ask DeCerbo, who has meet with the board and residents previously, to attend Tuesday’s meeting.

DeCerbo maintained the number of police calls for incidents arising at or from the facility have actually decreased in recent months. He said a total of 14 incidents led to police calls or arrests over the past year, though nine of the 14 occurred outside of Deep River while students were on leave to their hometowns and families. If a student does not return to the facility after a home visit, the incident is reported as a runaway out of Deep River.

DeCerbo said the facility, which operates an accredited school and vocational training programs, has actually been accepting students with less extensive criminal records, and better chances for success in behavior and academics. “The youth we are getting now have a higher level of skills and motivation,” DeCerbo said, adding “we’ve been having a lot of success with these kids over the past year and things have gone better.”

DeCerbo said the facility had 23 students as of Tuesday, though it allowed accepting up to 32 boys under provisions of the DCF contracts. He said the population has not exceeded 30 in recent months.

Under questioning from neighbor Jack White, DeCerbo said he has the authority to veto acceptance of a potential client if he believes the youth’s background and record is not appropriate for the Mount St. John program. He said the facility does not accept students with records of assault or “sexual acting out”, and does not accept clients who are suicidal. The youth arrested on Aug. 4 is no longer at Mount St. John.

Filed Under: Charles Stannard, Deep River, News, Schools