The Hebronian December 2008 Page 1 Volume 7, Issue 3 ... - Gulemo

The 

Free 

Hebronian 

Volume 7, Issue 3 For and About Hebron December 1, 2008 

Testimonies Gets Green Light from State 

Filming to Begin May 2009 

Matthew Troy wrote the script for Testimonies 

of a Quiet New England Town, and will direct 

the film in May 2009, thanks to a Culture and 

Tourism Special Initiative Grant awarded to 

Hebron Historical Society in early November. 

After two years of 

applying for numerous 

grants, the 

quest for funding 

to produce Testimonies 

of a Quiet New 

England Town, written 

and directed by 

Matthew Troy, has 

reached a successful 

conclusion. 

On November 10, 

the Hebron Historical 

Society was 

notified that it’s most recent Special Initiative Grant (SIG) application 

for Testimonies had received a thumbs-up. The Connecticut 

Commission on Culture and Tourism (CCT) approved a $50,000 

budget for the pre-production, production, and post-production 

costs needed for the film. 

“We’re grateful and humbled by CCT’s support for this project,” 

said Donna McCalla, who will be producing the film on behalf of 

the Society. “This grant is in addition to a previous Culture Tourism 

Partnership grant which was used to launch the website promoting 

the film, and a May 2008 Special Initiative Grant to hire an Executive 

Producer and a Certified Historian.” 

Five-time Emmy Award winner Karyl Evans, a 

well-known producer of films on Connecticut 

history and Connecticut slavery, will serve as 

Executive Producer of Testimonies. 

Using those previous 

grant funds, 

McCalla and Troy 

met with 5-time 

Emmy Award winner 

Karyl Evans, 

who agreed in June 

to serve as Executive 

Producer. Evans 

is best known for 

her work with Steven 

Spielberg on 

The Amistad; she 

has also produced 

numerous films relating to Connecticut slavery and Connecticut 

history, including her most recent documentary on New Haven’s 

Grove Street Cemetery. 

Evans will be working on production details and casting, which is 

scheduled to take place in New York and Hebron during January 

2009. At this time, there are six primary speaking roles slated for 

the film, and approximately 30 roles as extras. Casting calls for 

actors will be publicized in a variety of media outlets in December 

and January. 

In early November, 

Gregory Farmer, 

Circuit Rider for 

The Connecticut 

Trust and the National 

Park Service 

and Principal 

Owner of Agricola 

Corporation in Chicopee, 

MA, agreed 

to serve as Certified 

Historian for 

the project. Farmer 

brings a solid background 

in historical 

preservation and 

Gregory Farmer, Principal Owner of Agricola 

Corporation and Circuit Rider for Connecticut 

Trust for Historic Preservation, has agreed to 

be Certified Historian for the film project. 

Farmer brings decades of experience to 

Testimonies. 

analysis to the team. As Certified Historian, he will review the 

script for accuracy and provide consultative services on the film’s 

costuming and properties. 

Significant corporate grants supporting the film have also been 

received as a result of the efforts of Society members Mary Melfi 

(United Technologies) and Lynn Schroder (ING). 

Using flashback techniques, Testimonies focuses on the first trial Cesar 

and Lowis Peters faced following their attempted seizure by South 

Carolinian David Prior and his gang of slave traders. Troy emphasizes 

the drama of just one day – September 27, 1787 – to illustrate the 

moral conflict many colonists felt immediately after the Revolutionary 

War and their struggle for freedom from England and the issue 

of slavery. How could men fighting for the notion of “freedom for 

all” condone the existence of slavery in their very midst 

The Hebronian December continued 2008 on Page page 18

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The Hebronian December 2008 Page 2 

E-mail your news to: hebronian@gulemo.com

PHONE NUMBERS 

Emergency/Fire/Police 911 

Food and Fuel Bank 228-1681 

Judge of Probate 228-5971 

Resident Trooper 228-3710 

Office of Emergency 228-3713 

Management 

SCHOOLS 

Superintendent 228-9417 

Gilead Hill 228-9458 

Hebron Elementary 228-9465 

RHAM Middle School 228-9423 

RHAM High School 228-9474 

HEBRON HOUSING AUTHORITY 

228-4411 

14 Stonecroft Drive 

FIRE MARSHAL 

Randy Blais 

228-3022 Ext. 29 

BURNING OFFICIAL 

Telephone: 228-3022 

Cell: 202-3725 

Tony Pitrone 

ANIMAL CONTROL 

228-5971x150 

William Bell 

STATE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER 

860-713-2506 

Linda Wenner 

PARKS AND RECREATION 

228-5971 Ext. 129 

15 Gilead Street 

Director: Richard Calarco 

AHM YOUTH SERVICES 

228-9488 Infoline: 211 

Pendleton Drive 

Director: Joel Rosenberg 

FORM OF GOVERNMENT 

Council/Manager 

Town Manager: Jared Clark 

Town Clerk: Carla Pomprowicz 

SELECTMEN 

Jeffrey P. Watt, Chairman 

Mark Stuart 

Gayle J. Mulligan 

Brian D. O’Connell 

Will Moorcroft 

TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 


Fax: 228-4859 

15 Gilead Street 

Monday - Wednesday 

8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Thursday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Friday 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

TOWN GARAGE and 

TRANSFER STATION 


Fax: 228-5988 

550 Old Colchester Road 

Public Works Director: Andrew J. Tierney 

Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Saturday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Sunday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT 

Routine Business: 228-3022 

44 Main Street 

Fire Chief: Paul Burton 

SENIOR CENTER 


Fax: 228-4213 

14 Stonecroft Drive 

Director: Sharon Garrard 

VISITING NURSE 

Telephone: 860-456-7288 

Fax: 423-5702 

34 Ledgebrook Drive, Mansfield 

TOWN OFFICE CLOSINGS-2008 

New Year’s Day Jan. 1 

Martin Luther King Day Jan. 21 

Lincoln’s Birthday Feb. 12 

Washington’s Birthday Feb. 18 

Good Friday Mar. 21 

Memorial Day May 26 

Independence Day Jul. 4 

Labor Day Sep. 1 

Columbus Day Oct. 13 

Veterans Day Nov. 11 

Thanksgiving Nov. 27 

Christmas Dec. 25 

DOUGLAS LIBRARY OF HEBRON 


Fax: 228-4372 


Director: Mary Ellen Beck 

Monday and Wednesday 

1 - 8 p.m. 

Tuesday and Thursday 

10 a.m. - 8 p.m. 

Friday 

Noon - 6 p.m. 

Saturday 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Closed Saturdays July and August 

LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORY 

State Senator 19th District 

Edith Prague 860-240-0579 

State House Representative 

55th District 

Pam Sawyer 860-240-8700 

U.S. Congress Representative 

2nd District 

Joe Courtney (202) 225-2076 

U.S. Senators 

Christopher Dodd 1-800-334-5341 

Joseph Lieberman 1-800-225-5605 

COMMUTER PARKING LOT 

Main Street and Wellswood Road 

This issue of the Hebronian is printed on recycled paper. 

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Fax 228-2984 

Friday 10 a.m. ~ 8 p.m. 

Saturday 10 a.m. ~ 5 p.m. 

The Hebronian December 2008 Page 3

Advice on Taming Unruly Computers 

by Allen Stein 

Seven Rules To Follow When Buying a New Computer – [Revised 

again because technology is constantly changing] 

The holiday season is just about here and many people buy computers 

for others and themselves. If you are planning on buying a new 

computer, take a few minutes and read this article. 

It all started with an email from one of our radio listeners asking “I’m 

thinking of buying a new computer, can you give me some guidance 

The ads are confusing and it is very hard to compare” - (Bill from 

Lebanon). 

Bill is just one of the people who have asked us this question; this is 

one of our most asked questions. “How to Buy a Computer” has been 

a topic more than once on our weekly radio show and I’ve had a few 

columns answering the question. 

First of all we recommend an Intel dual chip for desktops. If you are 

buying a notebook, we recommend the Centrino Duo that integrates 

the processor with advanced wireless networking and there is more 

memory on the chip to speed up processing. The Centrino Duo also 

has special features built into it allowing it to use less power than 

traditional chips. Less power use equals less heat produced thereby 

increasing battery time and overall life of the components; these benefits 

are important with laptops. Enemy number one of all computers 

is heat. The less heat the longer its life. 

Celerons are used on budget computers. Intel manufactures both the 

Core 2 Duo and Celeron Dual Core processors. The Intel Core 2 Duo 

will work faster than the Intel Celeron Dual Core because the Core 

2 Duo has more memory on its chip (this type of memory is called 

“cache,” and increases the cost). The Intel Celeron Dual Core will be 

less money. In our opinion, the money you save with a budget computer 

may not be the best investment in the “long run.” The service life of a 

budget computer is about 2 years at most. Getting a better computer 

such as a middle-of-the-road model will last you 4 to 5 years. 

Second, we recommend Windows VISTA Home Premium for most 

all home users and VISTA Business for business users. VISTA Business 

is designed for organizations that have a Microsoft network with a 

domain. Home networks will work fine with VISTA Home Premium. 

Budget computers will perform best with Windows VISTA Basic 

which offers very little innovation. VISTA Ultimate provides all of 

the features and functions of the operating system; power users may 

opt to purchase it. Our technicians recommend XP over VISTA for 

many users. A professional service center like The Computer Tamers 

can still provide XP on a new computer. You may want to consult 

with a technician to determine if VISTA is best for you. 

Third, your new computer should have at least 1GIG of RAM to run 

Windows VISTA. 

Anything less will slow down your system when it works on multiple 

tasks. We Tamers suggest getting 2GIG of RAM to get the most out 

of Microsoft VISTA and this will speed up the computer. 512MB or 

1GIG is more than enough RAM for XP. 

Fourth, we recommend for desktops a minimum of a 100GIG hard 

drive and suggest getting a 250GIG hard drive especially if you are 

going to do digital photography, music, and video. For laptops 80-200 

GIGS is fine. It makes good sense to keep your personal data on your 

hard drive as long as you back it up on a regular basis. Hard drive 

storage has come down in price and we Tamers think when it comes 

to hard drives, bigger is better so that you’ll have enough space for 

storing your pictures, movies, songs, and data. Get the biggest hard 

drive you can afford. 

Fifth, we suggest a CDRW drive so that you can copy data and music to 

CD’s. This is a drive that permits you to write audio and data CD’s. A 

CDRW is a cost-effective backup device as well. Consider a DVDRW 

so that you can write DVD’s and CD’s with the same drive especially 

if you plan to do video, audio or have large amounts of information 

to write and save. Also buy a USB “thumb” drive for backup – a 4 or 

8 GIG one will serve your needs for a long time. 

Sixth, this rule is often overlooked by computer buyers, yet it is an 

important one. 

When you buy your new desktop computer include a UPS backup unit 

to protect your computer from electrical surges and brownouts. UPS 

means Uninterrupable Power Supply. A small UPS is about $60 - $70 

and it is well worth the money. An inexpensive 

UPS is better than the best surge protector and also permits your computer 

to automatically shut down when there is a power loss thereby 

protecting your operating system and data. In Eastern Connecticut 

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there are many interruptions in power and browning. Laptops are 

automatically protected with their external power supply. You can get 

an in-line surge protector for your laptop power supply that can save 

it when the electricity isn’t stable. 

Seventh, buy your next computer from a store that includes setup and 

service so that you will enjoy computing immediately. Often people 

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Saturday : Closed 

Sunday: By Appointment Only 

try to do the setup and installation themselves and they spend many 

frustrating hours and often end-up with an unprotected computer 

that can be easily compromised while on the Internet. An unprotected 

computer is “red meat” on the Internet for viruses, Trojans, and spyware 

infections. A local computer store like the Computer Tamers can also 

copy your important data, pictures and music from your old computer 

to your new one as part of the initial setup. This is a valuable service 

that can save you a lot of time. 

Here is a summary of the seven rules to follow when you buy a new 

computer: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

Intel Core 2 Duo for a desktop, Intel Centrino Duo for a notebook/laptop, 

or budget computer with a dual-core Celeron 

(remember a budget computer will not serve you as long as one 

that is better equipped with the latest technology) 

Windows VISTA Home Premium for home use; Windows VISTA 

Business for businesses and Windows VISTA Basic for budget 

computers 

1 GIG of RAM at a minimum – better 2 GIGS 

100 to 250GIG hard drive for desktops, and 80 to 100 for 

laptops 

Definitely include a CDRW and consider a DVDRW to write 

DVD’s 

Buy a UPS backup unit for your new desktop computer – this 

is important! 

Get setup and service with your new computer from a dependable 

local computer service center like the Computer Tamers – this will 

save you hours of time and reduce your frustrations 

If you follow these seven rules, you will be happier with your new 

computer and it will serve you for many years to come. 

Allen is one of the Computer Tamers heard every Wednesday after the 5 

o’clock news on WILI AM 14 and you can learn more about getting your 

unruly computer under control by visiting www.TheComputerTamers. 

com and explore the free information compiled there for you. Be sure to 

visit the Computer Tamers sales and service center at 75 Bridge Street in 

Willimantic to learn more about buying a new computer. If your current 

computer needs some taming and some tender loving repair, be sure to 

bring it in for a free diagnosis while you wait! Unruly and slow computers 

beware, the Computer Tamers are here! 


HOLIDAY CONCERT TO BENEFIT 

HEBRON COMMUNITY 

by Ronald Miner Hughes 

Local 

Talk Radio 

Monday Thru 

Saturday 

Morning Guest 

Wayne Norman 

Mon - Fri 6 - 10 am 

Best of Wayne 

Wayne Norman 

Mon 5:10 - 6 pm 

Business Outlook 

Roger Adams 

Tues 5:10 - 5:30 pm 

The Neighborhood 

Hannah and Bruce Clements 

Tues 5:30 - 6 pm 

Computer Tamers 

Allen, Jaison & Mish Stein 

Wed 5:10 - 6 pm 

Republic Forum 

Alan Giordano 

John Monaghan 

Thurs 5:10 - 6 pm 

Let’s Talk About It 

Dennis O’Brien 

Susan Johnson 

Fri 5:10 - 6 pm 

Reality & Beyond 

Jonathan Duvall 

Clark Hinkley 

Matt Mello 

Sat 7:00 - 10 pm 

UCONN 

Basketball 

Men/Women 

On 

Good Company • Good Listening 


Taking a bow with Conductor after one of many 

performances with New Britain Symphony Orchestra 

He’s a new face in town to 

most in Hebron and Gilead, 

but a celebrated icon in 

Connecticut. Jason Castonguay, 

Concert Pianist 

and Vocalist will perform 

a benefit Holiday Concert 

open to the public at St. 

Peter’s Church in Hebron 

at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, December 

14 th . Attendees 

will have the opportunity 

to make donations that 

will benefit programs for 

the needy sponsored by 

Hebron Interfaith Human 

Services program. All proceeds will benefit those Hebron residents who qualify 

for assistance with such needs as fuel oil and food supplies. 

Jason, who has been a Gilead resident for over a year now, recently characterized 

living in Gilead as, “…like living in paradise.” It is the hometown of his 

promotional assistant, Ronald Miner Hughes, and Jason reports feeling like he’s 

lived here all of his life. 

Blind since birth due to Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), Jason began playing 

familiar tunes at the age of 3, began formal classical lessons at the age of 4, and by 

13 began Jazz lessons. In High School, Jason played and sang with Madrigal and 

Concert Choirs, began playing for many public and private events, and continued 

to take classical lessons at the Hartt School of Music of the University of Hartford. 

At Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) Jason earned a Bachelor of Arts 

degree in music performance (Jazz Studies) and in Management Information 

Systems (computer technology). At CCSU he entered the Jazz Studies program 

in addition to his classical piano study. 

During his college years, Jason developed his jazz skills in jazz ensembles and 

jazz combos, and performed extensively, during and after college, with the New 

Britain Symphony Orchestra as a featured performer in the annual Young People’s 

Concerts and Holiday Pops Concerts. 

The 1 st “Connecticut Idol”, Jason in 2004 won the first FOX-TV “Connecticut 

Idol” title and was featured in newspapers and interviewed on TV stations— 

appearing daily for weeks on FOX-TV, the station that flew him to Las Vegas to 

audition for the pop show, “American Idol.” There, an audience of over 9,000 

stood and cheered when he won auditions to the top level. Although executive 

producers lauded his impressive talent, they pondered for some time before 

concluding that his “stage image” might not be quite what they wanted. Had he 

gone any further with the TV show, it would have cost him the more appropriate 

audition that better captured not only his vocal talent, but his extraordinary and 

versatile piano talent—that was for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra where he 

won the “Search for A Star” competition and performed with the HSO at the 

Hartford Bushnell auditorium before an audience of some 2,500 people who were 

dazzled. One of the Bushnell employees remarked, “I’ve worked at the Bushnell 

for many years and I can honestly say yours was the best performance I’ve ever 

heard!” Since that time, Jason has performed again in Las Vegas, NV; Jacksonville 

FL; St. Louis, MO; and in 2008 he performed in Kentucky and Alaska. 


Every Thursday and Friday evening, Jason performs at Cavey’s Restaurant 

in Manchester and enjoys an increasing crowd of fans. Jason 

was honored twice last year in the Journal Inquirer newspaper. One 

feature article, “Manchester’s Maestro” stated, “…We are not bereft 

of sophistication…east of the river—we don’t mean only the Connecticut 

but also the Hudson…now we’ve gone a step further—the 

Café Carlisle, the home of Bobby Short, Eartha Kitt, and other famous 

entertainers, but those who have enjoyed its supper club need no longer 

head for the big city…Cavey’s now features Jason Castonguay, piano 

playing chanteur. He is creating a sophisticated atmosphere that need 

not take a back seat to his big city rivals…he not only holds his own 

against big city competition, but…puts Big City competition to shame. 

Castonguay provides an evening of musical pleasure that allows us to 

stay home in these green suburbs and enjoy everything our big city 

friends boast about.” 

People of all ages are moved, at times to tears, as they hear Jason’s 

renditions of their favorite oldies or romantic tunes of the 30’s, 40’s, 

50’s 60’s and on up. Jason has performed for several dignitaries, offers 

concerts and enjoys performing for private parties and public organizations. 

Jason performed last year for the Hebron Senior Citizens’ Center, 

and this year recorded a 2 CD album of frequently requested favorites. 

Hebron residents and visitors are in for an extraordinarily delightful 

afternoon of seasonal music and entertainment by a delightful young 

talent—and a new neighbor. The Hebron Interfaith Human Services 

may be contacted at (860) 228-1681 for more information. 

Visit Jason’s website to hear samples of his music and to read more about 

his life, interests, and impact on all ages. Jason welcomes you to sign 

his website guestbook. www.musicalmomentswithjason.com 

Just One Stop for All of Your Auto 

Service Needs - 24 Wall Street, Hebron 

and 

Tarca’s Hebron Automotive Repair and Hebron 

Quick-Lube ~ together we provide a car-care 

team that delivers the professional service, 

convenience, and knowledge to get you back on the 

road fast! And, we’ve been providing these services 

longer than any other area facility. We’re committed 

to your auto service needs...plain and simple. 

MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED 

Hebron Quick-Lube, 24A Wall Street, Hebron 

Mon.- Fri. 8 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. 

860-228-1314 

Tarca’s Hebron Automotive Repair, 24 Wall St. 

Mon.- Fri. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 

860-228-1200 

THE 

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Creativity Zone Program Launched 

Hebron Cooperative Nursery School (HCNS) is offering a new and 

innovative enrichment program aimed at children ages 4 - 6. Children 

will learn about and celebrate the natural world in an enhancing and 

fun filled environment. During the 15 sessions, children will explore 

art, music, science, geography, cooking, cultural traditions, games 

sports and language in an integrated learning setting. 

Maintaining a clean environment will be demonstrated through good 

stewardship, conservation, recycling and social responsibility. The world 

of science will be explored through hands on activities and experiences 

while the children learn about stars and galaxies and the plant and 

animal world. The children will cook and bake with fresh produce and 

whole foods. When available, seasonal items will be used and foods 

will be nutritional based. Thinking about the global community, the 

children will learn about different traditions, cultures and customs. 

Hebron Center Nursery School is focused on the growth of the child 

physically, socially, mentally and emotionally. The program is structured 

to promote motor development, independence and self-confidence, 

increase self-expression and creativity; encourage socialization 

within the school, as well as relationships between home and school; 

and elicit an awareness of the world around us. 

The program is October 21 - December 18, 2008 on Tuesday and 

Thursdays from 12:30 - 2:30. The program cost is $199 with a material 

fee of $15. For more information on the Creativity Zone program, 

please call (860) 228-1473. 


continued from page 1 

Carol A. Taylor’s pen and ink drawing in John Sibun’s Our Town’s 

Heritage: Hebron, CT 1708-1958 drew the attention of many local 

and state residents to the Cesar and Lowis Peters story. 

Following their rescue by Hebron neighbors, a faux trial was necessary 

in order to “sentence” the slaves to a length of servitude, thus making 

them “unavailable” for transport to the South for a long period of time. 

Central to the story is the role of Elijah Graves, the local tailor pressured 

to lie about Cesar’s purported theft of clothes. Lying in the 18 th 

century, of course, was an unpardonable sin, carrying both religious, 

legal and social repercussions. 

Hebron’s rescue of Cesar and Lowis Peters and their eight children 

is the earliest documented evidence of abolitionist action in Connecticut. 

It predates the Prudence Crandall story by 46 years, the 

Amistad story by 52 years, and Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s 

Cabin by 65 years. 

Part of this latest SIG grant includes hiring an educational resource 

consultant, who will determine the most logical and appropriate way 

to include the film in the current curriculum approved by the Connecticut 

Department of Education. 

“It does no good to widely promote and distribute the film to schools 

if we can’t demonstrate to teachers and administrators how it fits into 

the approved curriculum,” said McCalla. “We hope to hire someone 

who is intimately familiar with the curriculum approval process… 

someone who will work with us to ensure the film’s message reaches 

the most viewers.” 

In addition to the state and corporate grants that have been received, 

the Historical Society has been working for over a year to raise funds 

for their share of the film costs. In addition, almost $30,000 in “In 

Kind Services” have been raised. “What began as an $8,000 film short 

has grown into an almost $100,000 project,” said Troy. “It’s exciting 

to know that this significant piece of Hebron history has the support 

of so many local residents and state organizations.” 

Testimonies is scheduled to begin filming in Hebron and surrounding 

locations from May 22 through May 29, 2009. It will be shot entirely 

in 16mm format, which is considerably more expensive – but offering 

a much higher quality – than videotape. Troy’s professional colleagues 

at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts have volunteered 

their production services on the film, significantly reducing the costs 

of the project. 



7:10 AM PAUL HARVEY’S 

REST OF THE STORY 

7:15 AM JESUS IS VICTOR 

First Baptist Church of Willimantic 

Reverend Fred Shapiro 

7:30 AM LIGHT ON THE HILL 

Reverend Pastor John Heald 

7:45 THE MESSAGE OF TRUTH 

Columbia Baptist Fellowship 

Rev. Pastor Jack Schneider 

Sunday Morning 

Programs 

8:00 AM UKRAINIAN MELODIES W/GENE & MYRON 

Ukrainian music/information 

about Ukrainian events 

8:30 AM CHRISTIAN SCIENCE RADIO SENTINEL 

9:00-9:04 AM ABC NEWS 

9:04-9:30 AM IN HIS PRESENCE MINISTRY 

9:30-10 AM THE TRUTH 

WILI News, 

ABC News, Sports 

Weather 9, 10, 11 

& Noon 

10:05 AM THE BEST OF “THE COMPUTER TAMERS” 

Developing, processing and transfer to DigiBeta will occur the second 

week in June, with picture assembly and editing scheduled for 

completion by the first of July. Sound creation and production will 

occur in August. 

“Culture and Tourism was clear in its expectations: produce the highest 

quality film, use the highest quality production crew, and engage 

top-notch actors,” said McCalla. “That’s our goal, and we’re confident 

we can achieve it, especially given how well the production principals 

work together and are committed to this film.” 

Other project goals include promoting film production in eastern 

Connecticut, bringing economic benefits to the Hebron community, 

and emphasizing the importance of independent film producers in CT. 

Following its premiere, the film will be offered to CPTV and entered 

into a number of significant film competitions. 

Testimonies of a Quiet New England Town is currently scheduled for 

premiere in Hebron late September 2009. For more information about 

this major project, go to www.QuietTestimoniesTheFilm.org. 

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This is one of those personal stories that’s simply too good not to share. 

My closest friends know that I HATE EBAY! That’s because over the 

past couple of years I’ve been trying to “buy back” Hebron artifacts 

on EBay and donate them to the Hebron Historical Society. I’ve 

shed many tears over losing some real treasures, but the corker was 

earlier this year – April 2 to be exact – when, at $200, I finally had 

to stop bidding on a wonderful Benjamin Trumbull love letter. The 

letter ultimately sold for $472, and all I could do was kick myself for 

pursuing a history degree 40 years ago, turning my nose up at those 

Wichita State University students who knew business and accounting 

would give them a far more lucrative future – and the financial means 

to buy a single letter for $472. Ah, but those were the 60’s and all the 

ideals we had back then… love, peace, and history degrees…. 

Former Connecticut resident Linda Pingel (right) now enjoys bright 

sunny days on Texas beaches with her daughter Amy and granddaughter 

Brianna. Linda recently repurchased 87 letters to the Hebron Board of 

Selectmen, all of which are over 150 years old, and turned them over to 

Hebron Historical Society. 

Back to EBay. After the Trumbull letter episode, 

I swore I’d never do that to myself again. I felt 

the letter “L” permanently tattooed on my forehead. 

I was convinced that everyone in town 

knew I was bidding on that letter… and had 

lost it. I felt I had let the Historical Society and 

Hebron down. No doubt that precious letter is 

now stuffed in some drawer in Dubai. 

In late September, I got an email from Bryan 

Bentz of Stonington, someone I didn’t know, 

letting me know there was a collection of early 

19 th century letters addressed to the Hebron 

Board of Selectmen located under the “Stamps” 

category on (where else) EBay. I checked it 

out, and he was right; they were amazing letters. 

I have no clue how they had ended up in 

Florida (the seller’s location). 

So, taking a deep breath, I once again jumped 

on that fast-moving EBay train. And once 

again, I stopped when the bidding exceeded my 

$200 limit, heartbroken one more time. 


Hebron History Comes Home Through EBay 

By Donna McCalla 

That same night, I got a call from Texas! “That’s odd,” I thought as I 

saw the area code on Caller ID, “who do I know in Texas anymore” 

It was a woman named Linda Pingel, and she too had received an 

email from Bentz about the letters. She was determined to “win” the 

letters and return them to Hebron. 

As it turns out, Pingel, a native Nutmegger from Rockville, is the 

Hebron genealogy webmaster for an internet project called USGen- 

Web. USGenWeb is a network of volunteers consisting of webmasters 

who design and maintain the web content, contributors who submit 

material to the webmasters, and transcribers who turn the data into a 

usable format. The project is dedicated to free genealogy for all researchers. 

You can learn more about the Connecticut aspects of the project 

at www.ctgenweb.org. Hebron-specific genealogy can be found at 

Linda’s site, www.rockvillemama.com/hebronct.htm, which contains 

a wealth of information. 

The final bidding day was on Saturday, September 27. I was online 

watching all the activity and the usual last minute bids. Linda was in 

there frantically bidding to the bitter end. Suddenly a bid for $481 

came in at the final second from a brand new bidder, and the letters 

were lost. 

Or so I thought. I obviously didn’t know my new friend from Texas 

very well! 

Not willing to give up, Linda contacted the winning bidder, Jim 

Bedigian of Massachusetts, a few days later. “After you look at the 

collection, would you be willing to sell back any of the letters you don’t 

want” she asked. “We’d like to see Hebron history come home.” 

Once he received the collection, Bedigian found that he was only interested 

in 20 of the letters, 16 of which related to Hebron, and agreed 

to sell the remaining 87 letters to Linda for an undisclosed amount. 

He also agreed to scan those letters he kept, and email them to the 

Historical Society for its archives, which he has since done. 

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When the heavily insured collection arrived, I was shocked: first, by 

the quality of the letters (they are extremely well-preserved; the ink is 

sharp and the paper is in superb condition despite a few holes from the 

old wax seals), and second, by the content. Almost all of them deal 

with Hebron residents living in other towns “on expense.” They are 

primarily demand letters to the Selectmen for support payments for 

those who had left Hebron and were receiving food, shelter and other 

forms of welfare in neighboring towns. The letters paint an expansive 

and vivid picture of Connecticut – and Hebron – life in the mid 19 th 

century, and the trials and tribulations of so many. It will make a great 

story, one that has never before been written. 

Recently I asked Linda: “Why were you SO persistent in getting those 

letters back” Her answer was simple: “Although history belongs to 

all of us, I believe that historical documents belong to the source of 

their content ... so that the content can be shared freely with those 

who might relate to that history. Just one clue – for one person – in 

all of those letters could result in a wonderful discovery of someone’s 

ancestral line.” 

“To me, those letters are priceless and I am pleased that the Historical 

Society is going to display them for all to see. I plan to also put the images 

of the letters on my Hebron web site so that researchers in all states 

can view them and perhaps find a missing link,” she continued. 

So this EBay saga ends on a positive note with the unlikely meeting of 

two women – one who left Connecticut and landed in Texas, one who 

left Texas and landed in Connecticut – who shared the singular goal 

of buying a bunch of old letters. And in the end, thanks to Linda’s 

gutsiness, extremely valuable pieces of Hebron history have come 

home. I may even try EBay again… 

For all of you genealogists, the letters in their entirety will be scanned 

and placed on the Hebron Historical Society’s website, www.Hebron- 

HistoricalSociety.org, in the near future. 

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There are several letters in the collection that relate to Ira Peters, 

son of Cesar and Lowis Peters. In this 1847 letter, the Marlborough 

Selectmen respectfully ask the Hebron Selectmen to reimburse them 

for his care. Almost all of the letters in the collection relate to Hebron 

residents who were living “on expense” in other towns in the early 19th 

century. 

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Auction Raises Money for AHM – New Fundraiser Also Announced 

Celebrity auctioneer Bruce Ingraham 

of Coventry used his characteristic 

humor during AHM’s annual auction of 

goods and services. Here, he is assisted by 

Nick Aubin, one of several AHM volunteers 

demonstrating items donated to the annual 

event. 

Like many non-profit 

organizations throughout 

Connecticut, AHM 

Youth and Family Services 

is feeling the pinch of 

today’s sliding economy. 

That only motivates 

AHM Executive Director, 

Joel Rosenberg, to 

work harder and keep the 

AHM doors open. 

On Saturday, October 

18, AHM held its annual 

live auction of arts, antiques, 

goods, and services 

at their organization’s 

facilities on Pendleton 

Drive. Celebrity auctioneer Bruce Ingraham was again on hand to 

lead the bidding with his characteristic good humor. 

“At a time of such great economic uncertainty, it was reassuring to see 

people coming together to support AHM,” said Rosenberg. 

Enjoying the many delicious desserts provided by AHM volunteers, 

participants eagerly bid on the 120 items, including handmade quilts 

and throws, original art pieces, monthly cookie deliveries, Skybox 

tickets to a UCONN basketball game and a Hartford Wolfpack hockey 

game, Bushnell performances, Halloween pumpkin arrangements, 

antique furniture, vacations, home-cooked meals, restaurant gift 

certificates, front row seats to Quest for Home and the RHAM 2009 

graduation, season passes to RHAM sports and arts events, and much 

more. The basket silent auctions were also a great hit. 

“We set a very high goal of raising $13,500,” said Rosenberg. “But these 

are difficult times, and we knew it would be hard to reach that figure. 

Fortunately, AHM has a dedicated committee of auction volunteers, 

donors and participants. The quality of the donated items and the 

response from patrons who attended this fundraiser contributed to the 

overall success of the auction. At the end of the night, we had raised 

$11,200, and we were overjoyed!” 

AHM’s next fundraiser was recently announced, and Rosenberg is 

hoping again for the support of area residents. 

“We’re inviting people to honor someone special in their life with a 

donation that pays tribute to this extraordinary individual,” he said. 

“Honor a family member, teacher, coach, friend, employee, customer, 

valued business contacts and more with a gift to AHM Youth and 

Family Services.” 

Rosenberg wants everyone to know that their tax deductible gift can 

be directed either to support current AHM programs, or it can be 

placed into the AHM Children’s Trust Fund, where it will remain for 

perpetuity. “AHM will send out a personalized letter on your behalf, 

along with a certificate to the person you honor,” he said. 

You can learn more about this holiday fundraiser at their website, www. 

AHMYouth.org, or call Rosenberg direct at 228-9488. 

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AHM Celebrates Twenty Fifth Anniversary 

October 2008 will mark the Twenty Fifth Anniversary for Andover, 

Hebron, Marlborough (AHM) Youth and Family Services. To mark 

the milestone, several parties are being planned by the AHM Board 

of Directors and members of the youth services staff. The first event 

will be a celebration for the youth in middle and high school from the 

towns of Andover, Hebron and Marlborough. A Teen Center party 

will be held in the AHM Performing Arts Center on Friday evening 

September 19 th starting at 6:00 – 8:00 PM. There will be live music, 

food and beverages. Reverend Denise Esslinger, the pastor from the 

Gilead Congregational Church and a member of the AHM Board of 

Directors will co-host the party with Lindsey Karsmarski, the Teen 

Center Coordinator. The teen party is made possible through the 

generous support of the Forever Young Foundation. 

The second event will celebrate family life in the regional community. 

It will be a Twenty Fifth Birthday party for AHM. Activities at the 

family party will feature movement, dance, and drumming. There 

will also be food and beverages. AHM Board Members Heidi Byrne 

and Brenda Bula along with Becky Murray and Laurie Larsen from 

the AHM Family Resource Center will host the family celebration. 

This event will be held in the AHM Performing Arts Center on Friday 

evening October 3 rd starting at 5:45 PM. and is made possible through 

the generous support of the Marlborough Moms Club. 

The final celebration will recognize the contributions that members 

of the communities of Andover, Hebron, and Marlborough have 

made to youth services over the last twenty five years. This event will 

take place on Friday October 24 th in the AHM Performing Arts Hall. 

Special proclamations will be read by state leaders recognizing the 

Twenty Fifth Anniversary of youth services for the Towns of Andover, 

Hebron, and Marlborough Connecticut. A short film produced by 

RHAM High School graduate Ms. Dana Lovallo will be shown. The 

short film looks back at 25 years of youth service for the Towns of 

Andover, Hebron, and Marlborough. Robin Lane from the AHM 

Board of Directors and Joel Rosenberg AHM’s Executive Director will 

co-host the final celebration. AHM Board members are sponsoring 

this final celebration. 

For anyone wishing to attend any of the three celebrations please call 

to RSVP at the AHM offices at 228-9488. 

The perfect Holiday Gift from AHM Youth and Family Services! 

We invite you to honor someone special in your life with a donation that pays tribute to this extraordinary individual. Honor a family member, 

teacher, coach, friend, employee, customer, valued business contacts and more with a gift to AHM Youth and Family Services! 

Your tribute to this special individual may be directed to support current youth and family programs or it may be placed in the AHM Children’s 

Trust Fund, where it will remain in this community endowment for perpetuity. Either way, your tribute will serve as a lasting legacy to the 

person you honor with this gift. AHM will send out a personalized letter on your behalf, along with a certificate to the person you honor. If 

you have any questions, call our Executive Director, Joel Rosenberg at 228-9488. 

Honorary Donation or Memorial Donation 

AHM Youth & Family Services, Inc. 

Tribute Donation Form 

Honoree Name _ ______________________________________ Relation to Donor ________________________________________ 

Letter to be mailed: Directly to Honoree Picked up at AHM by Donor 

Honoree Address 

Donor Address 

& Phone Number 

Please make checks payable to: AHM Youth and Family Services, Inc. 

Do you want your donation amount noted in the letter to your Honoree 

Donation amount $______________ Yes No 

Donation directed to AHM Children’s Trust Fund AHM Current Programs 

Please Mail to: AHM Youth and Family Services, Inc., 25 Pendleton Drive, Hebron, CT.06234 

AHM Youth & Family Services, Inc. thanks you for your support to help make a positive difference in our communities! 


The History of Gospel 

by Rev. Fred Shapiro 

Note that Americans have always understood the necessity of a special 

day to give thanks. But a specific day was not officially set until 1941, 

when Congress voted the fourth Thursday in November would be a 

holiday of Thanksgiving. 

This month’s Gospel Record looks at the history of two Thanksgiving 

hymns. 

Come Ye Thankful People Come- Henry Alford 

When Henry Alford was 16, he wrote a statement of faith in the front 

of his Bible: 

“I do this day, in the presence of God and my own soul, renew my 

covenant with God and solemnly determine henceforth to become 

His, and to do His work as far as in me lies.” 

Alford was born in London, England, on Oct. 7, 1810. He was 

nurtured by Christian parents and influenced by his grandfather- an 

Anglican clergyman. 

Upon graduation from Trinity College, Cambridge, he began his public 

ministry in London as theologian, poet and musician. Dr. Alford was 

eventually appointed Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, known as the 

“mother-church” of England. His death in 1871 at age sixty-one left 

a void in the hearts of many people whom God had touched through 

his ministry, however he left the world a memorable hymn- Come Ye 

Thankful People Come. 

The hymn was written in order to invite people to celebrate the faithfulness 

of God through the beauty of the English countryside during 

Harvest as is displayed in the songs first verse. “Come ye thankful 

people, come, Raise the song of harvest home. All is safely gathered 

in, Ere the winter storms begin.” 

We Gather Together- music by Edward Kremser, lyrics anonymous 

We Gather Together” is a traditional Dutch hymn that was written 

at the end of the 16th century. Initially, the singing of this hymn 

was limited to the Dutch people. However In 1877, the lyrics were 

discovered by Edward Kremser. 

In order to truly appreciate the hymn, it is necessary to know its 

historical background. For many years, Holland had been under the 

scourge of Spain. In 1576, Antwerp was captured and sacked by the 

Spanish armies. Nine years later, it was captured again by the Spanish 

and all Protestant were exiled. 

Many other Dutch cities suffered similar fates. William the Silent, 

one of the revered leaders of the struggle against Spain was eventually 

murdered by a Catholic assassin. His youngest son, Frederick Henry, 

Prince of Orange, assumed the leadership for more than a quarter 

century. His rule was the great golden age of prosperity where rich 

culture developed throughout Holland. 

Commerce was expanded, and this was the period of great Dutch art, 

with such prominent painters as Rembrandt and Vermeer. In 1648, 

the Spanish endeavors to control Holland were finally destroyed beyond 

recovery. 

These historical events can be seen from the references within the 

hymn’s text that God will continue to defend: 

“The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,” 

(in first stanza) 

“so from the beginning the fight we were winning,” 

(in second stanza) 

“and pray that Thou still our defender will be.” 

(in final stanza) 

Edward Kremser who found the hymn and composed wrote the music 

was born on April 10, 1838, in Vienna, Austria, and died there on 

November 27, 1914. He was a choral director, composer and publisher 

of vocal and instrumental works. 

The English translator of this text, Theodore Baker, was born in New 

York City on June 3, 1851. He was highly respected as a music researcher. 

His famous Biograpical Dictionary of Musicians, became an 

authoritative reference book for all serious students of music. From 

1892 to 1926, Baker served as literary editor for the G. Schirmer 

Music Company. Upon his retirement, Baker returned to Germany, 

where he had received his earlier musical training. He died in Dresden, 

Germany, on October 13, 1934. 

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Hebron Artists Show: A New Annual Event 

overheard or directed to me, were positive. The artists were amazed 

with the out pouring of support by the community and enjoyed sharing 

their talents with each other as well as their neighbors.” 

State Representative Pam Sawyer, who also attended the event, noted 

that “The local artists from across town displayed remarkable collections 

of unique pieces of art, and from so many different mediums. The 

variety made this local show extraordinary. What a delightful event!” 

Local artists Jonnie and Pat Lujan displayed their Native American 

artwork at the Artists Show, and were one of the 10 exhibitors located 

at Old Town Hall. Pat is a photographer, and Jonnie is an artist. 

The Hebron Artists Show, held November 1, was so successful that 

talk is in the air for holding the event on an annual basis. 

Held at Old Town Hall and the Douglas Library, the show was the last 

scheduled event planned by the Hebron 300 th Committee celebrating 

the town’s anniversary of incorporation in 1708. 

Thirty-two artists participated in the event: Neal Alderman, Randy 

Anagnostis, Lety Bell, John Chesnes, Phyllis Christy, Stephanie 

Custance, Kimberly Dorval, Catherine Haugh, Lilly Humphrey, 

Diane Lally, Valerie Lavake, Marsha Lodge, Jonnie Lujan, Pat 

Lujan, Lynda McMahon, Jim Mirakian, Kathleen Monroe, Jill 

Pandolfi, Chuck Paprzyca, Judith Podell, Donna Raheb, Shari 

Reveron, Susan Santillo, Michele Sinkez, John Soderberg, Tom 

Stevenson, Linda Stevenson, Lucy Szwed, Dorothy Taggart, Kari 

Tew, Dawn Tyler, and Larry Zimmerman. 

In addition, four studios 

were also opened 

to the public: Wythe 

St u d i o , A r t i s a n 

Framing & Gallery, 

Gilead Congregational 

Church, and 

Golden Egg Studio. 

The Hebron 300 th Committee Chairman, Peter Moon, was also on 

hand to direct visitors to the various exhibitions. “When my wife 

Dottie and I arrived, the library parking lot was almost all full, as 

well as the American Legion parking, too!,” said Moon. “That was a 

very good sign! We went in early to the library, knowing we would 

be working the afternoon at the Old Town Hall - which held another 

ten artists. The lower meeting floor of the library was entirely covered 

with 20 exhibitors - some I even knew!” 

Following the event, a reception for the artists was held at the American 

Legion. “Most of the artists stayed and shared stories about the 

day’s events,” said Moon. And that’s when talk began about a repeat 

performance. 

“People commented that they would like to see this become an annual 

event and actually started making plans to form a group to make this 

happen,” said Pomprowicz. “I was so proud to take part in organizing 

this event.” 

Children from the Hebron Center Nursery School celebrated Halloween 

in style. Parents were invited to see a show by the children followed 

by a parade around the school and spooky fun for all. 

Donna Raheb was one of 20 exhibitors at the 

Douglas Library during the recent Hebron 

Artists Show. Raheb had copies of her 

“Henrietta Ham” children’s book on hand, as 

well as other collectible Henrietta Ham items. 

Photographs courtesy of Carla Pomprowicz. 

Carla Pomprowicz 

took a leading role in 

organizing the event, 

and was extremely 

pleased with the outcome. 

“I think a good 

time was had by all,” 

she later said. “The 

air was filled with 

good energy and excitement, 

and all the 

comments, whether 

Pumpkin Picking 

Children from Hebron Center Nursery School’s three year old program 

visited Hurst Farm. While exploring the farm, they met a variety of 

farm animals and picked pumpkins. 


Quest for Home Receives Rave Reviews 

At the end of Saturday’s performance, the cast and crew of Quest for 

Home presented flowers and gift certificates to Karl Jancis, Director, and 

Donna McCalla, Producer. The now-historic pump/canon, autographed by 

all members, was donated to Hebron Historical Society. 

Quest for Home, which played to large audiences on November 7 and 

8 at RHAM Auditorium, is over. 

The historical drama featured 100 actors and production crew, and was 

a reprisal of Burton Moore’s 1958 play written in honor of Hebron’s 

250 th anniversary of incorporation. The 2008 version of Quest featured 

19 scenes in two acts; each scene was a vignette of Hebron history that 

Moore believed important. Only the final two scenes were written to 

make them more contemporary. 

Thanks to the support of 

the Connecticut Commission 

on Culture and Tourism, 

Quest was produced by 

Hebron Historical Society. 

Other partners in the Culture 

Tourism Partnership 

Grant (CPTG) awarded 

in June 2008 were RHAM 

Drama Club, Hebron Historic 

Properties Commission, 

and Patio Productions. 

Popular teacher and director Karl Jancis 

is shown here helping Jesse Kirsch, son 

of RHAM teacher Elizabeth Kirsch, get 

into character shortly before Jesse went 

onstage. 

The women’s dressing room at RHAM was 

often chaotic, but filled with enthusiastic 

members of the Quest for Home cast. 

Karl Jancis, Social Studies 

teacher for the RHAM 

Middle School Purple 

Team and a seasoned veteran 

of school productions, 

served as Director, 

and spent two months 

coaching and rehearsing 

with the actors. Because 

of the large number of actors 

and scenes, rehearsals 

were broken into three 

groups. With only a few 

exceptions, rehearsals were held every day after school beginning in 

September and on selected evenings and weekends. 

Other weekends drew in community volunteers who built the unique 

sets used in the play. “We could not have done this without the time and 

commitment of Joyce Moorcroft, Donna Dumaine, Michael Gifford, 

and Paula Verrier,” said Donna McCalla, who produced the play on 

behalf of the Society. Other people answering the call to build sets 

were Steven Goode, Jeff 

Gonci, T.J. McGuire, Kari 

Tew, Dan East, and David, 

Carolyn, Nick and Parker 

Aubin. “Don’t let Karl fool 

you,” said McCalla. “He’s 

a fantastic director, but 

he’s also one heck of a set 

builder!” 

Backdrops not physically 

built were recreated using 

a rear projection screen 

Stage Crew Manager Steven Goode 

(center) is surrounded by his production 

staff, from left clockwise, Jacob StJean, 

Amy Hetherington-Coy, Collin Fitzgerald, 

Colleen Sargent, and Kelsi Fochi. 



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Jancis and McCalla were especially grateful 

to Kelly at Hebron Parks and Recreation Department, 

Tom and Karlene at the Amston 

Post Office, and the entire RHAM Middle 

School Office staff for selling advance tickets 

to the performances. “They were just great, 

and we appreciate their willingness to help us 

out with this important aspect,” said Jancis. 

Over 300 tickets were sold in advance of the 

Friday night premiere. 

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rented for the occasion and historical photos that are in the Society’s 

collection. 

“It was an amazing effort, and an amazing job by the students, teachers 

and community members who auditioned for the play,” said Jancis. 

With so many parts, everyone was guaranteed not one but three or 

more roles, speaking and non-speaking! 

“I’ve heard many positive things about Quest from many people, but 

what pleases me most is hearing that one special phrase – ‘I learned 

more about Hebron history from this play than I ever knew’ – and 

that was one of the Society’s key goals,” said McCalla. “I can’t say 

enough about the enormous talent that exists right here in our small 

community.” 

She also gives credit to a good friend who did a 

lot of the silent work necessary for such a massive 

performance. “I could not have pulled this 

off without Paula’s help in managing the many 

small details needing attention in the final weeks 

before we opened,” said McCalla. 

Especially important to the Society was creating 

a program that would be considered “collectible,” 

just as the 1958 program is today. Diana Wythe 

Tyler created an original watercolor for the cover, 

which everyone agreed is “simply amazing.” 

McCalla also credited Gulemo Printing of Willimantic 

for the program’s successful reception. 

“Lena Fontaine and Bjorn Stemberg went to 

literally untold lengths to ensure the highest 

quality program, and I’m very grateful for their 

professional support and assistance,” she said. 

Leftover programs will be available at the Old 

James Bussiere D.M.D. 

20 Liberty Drive 

Hebron, CT 

860.228.7878 

The actors weren’t aware that several in the 

audience were members of the 1958 Quest 

cast, some of whom traveled back to Hebron 

just to see the play again. “It was fantastic,” 

said Connie Johnson, who played Lowis 

Peters in the original play, and came with her 

daughters to Saturday night’s performance. 

Dwight Martin, part of Moore’s production 

crew in 1958, attended with Marie Billard, 

whose grandfather, Edwin Smith, was portrayed in Act 2/Scene 7 when 

Hebron’s Great Elm in the center of town was cut down. Martin and 

Billard were so delighted with the play that they stayed afterwards 

and talked with many of the young actors about their memories of 

the 1958 original. 

At the end of Saturday night’s performance, the cast presented Jancis 

and McCalla with beautiful bouquets of flowers and gift certificates 

to Donato’s Restaurant. The actors also all signed the creative “canon” 

(or is it a “pump”) built by Gifford, who donated the special prop to 

Hebron Historical Society where it is now on display for all to see and 

remember the effort that went into this mammoth production. 

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HVFD’s Annual Wreath & Poinsettia Sale 

Benefits Antique Fire Truck 

By Donna McCalla 

95 South Main Street • Colchester 

537-2348 

Hours M-F 7:30-6:00 

Sat 8:00-4:00 • Sun 8:00-2:00 

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Hebron Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., the auxiliary arm of HVFD, 

is holding its 3 rd Annual Wreath and Poinsettia Sale on Saturday, 

December 6 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and again on Sunday, 

December 7 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. 

Decorated and undecorated wreaths, Christmas cactuses, and poinsettias 

in 4.5”, 6.5”, and 2” pot sizes will be for sale. The holiday greenery 

will be sold at the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department Company 1, 

44 Main Street, Hebron. 

For that extra holiday gift or stocking stuffer, consider purchasing 

Antique Fire Truck tee shirts and reflective 911 address signs! The 

911 signs, popular in many Connecticut communities, help Hebron 

firefighter volunteers locate your home in an emergency. 

Please note that proceeds from this annual holiday plant sale will be 

used to continue the support of Hebron’s very first fire truck, Engine 

#1, a 1937 Ford Sanford. 

The restoration of this unique vehicle – which has almost disappeared 

from the Connecticut landscape – began in 2005. A group of Hebron 

volunteer firefighters decided they wanted to restore the truck to its 

original condition. It was disassembled, and parts were carefully tagged 

and categorized. 

A fundraiser group, established in 2007 and chaired by Harvey Desruisseaux, 

raised the initial $50,000 needed to get the truck restored 

and running in time for Hebron’s 2008 Memorial Day activities. The 

members conducted a number of fundraising activities, including hot 

dog sales at Ted’s, a boot drive at the annual Hebron Lions Fourth 

of July picnic, tee-shirt sales, and a raffle of five major prizes. Donations 

were also received from townspeople, businesses, and area fire 

departments. 

“Engine #1 still needs to have gold leaf striping applied,” said Bruce 

DeGray, who has been extremely active in restoration activities. “We 

look forward to having our restored fire truck participate in invited 

parades and local events for years to come,” he said. 

However, to share this unique vehicle with other communities, HVFD 

also needs a trailer to transport it to those events. 

“The wreath & poinsettia sale will help us enormously in obtaining 

additional funding for the striping and trailer purchase,” said DeGray. 

“We hope the Hebron community will support our efforts.” 

Proceeds from the third annual sale of Christmas plants will benefit the 

Hebron Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.’s efforts to pin-stripe Hebron’s 

1937 antique fire truck and to purchase a trailer to transport the truck 

to other Connecticut communities. 


Here’s a “Checklist” for Surviving a Financial 

Crisis 

Over the past few weeks, the news has been 

almost incomprehensible. It’s hard for many 

of us to make sense of the failure of major 

Wall Street firms and large banks and the 

$700 billion bailout of the financial sector. 

And it’s hard for investors to be calm when 

stocks have fallen almost 30 percent from their all-time high a year 

ago. What can you do to cope Consider the following “checklist” for 

surviving a financial crisis: 

_____Close your ears — but open your eyes. These days, you may 

hear some so-called “experts” talking about end-of-capitalism scenarios. 

Try not to listen to these doomsayers. We still have the most powerful 

economy in the history of the world and we will recover from these 

setbacks. However, even if you close your ears, you should keep your 

eyes wide open. Specifically, look for opportunities. Stock prices are 

down now, but they won’t always be — and, all else being equal, investors 

who buy into the stock market at lower prices are likely to earn 

higher returns than those who buy stocks when prices are higher. 

_____ Focus on things you can control. During a financial crisis, your 

success at weathering the storm depends on your ability to stay calm 

and concentrate on the things you can control. For example, you can 

control your emotions so that you aren’t panicked into making unwise, 

short-term decisions, such as putting all your money under your mattress. 

And, to a certain extent, you can even control your 

portfolio’s ability to withstand volatility. How By diversifying 

your holdings as broadly as possible. The wider your 

range of investments, the less you’ll be hurt by downturns 

that primarily affect one asset class. (Keep in mind, though, 

that diversification, by itself, cannot guarantee profits or 

protect against loss.) 

Members of the U.S. Navy visit 

Christ Lutheran Early Childhood Center 

In honor of Veterans Day two members of the United 

States Navy, Chief Leonard Viggiani and Petty Officer 

Alexis Bingham, visited the students of Christ Lutheran 

Early Childhood Center in Hebron on November 11, 

2008. Chief Viggiani and Petty Officer Bingham fielded 

questions from the School Age and Pre-K kids about life 

on a submarine and all the places in the world that they 

have seen while in service to our country. The children 

wanted to know all about each and every pin, medal and 

stripe on the uniforms and the gentlemen obliged all 

of their questions. 

CLECC extends 

a big “thank you” 

to Chief Viggiani, 

Petty Office Bingham 

and all of our 

service men and 

women. 

FINANCIAL FOCUS 

by Steve Blevins 

_____ Review and rebalance your portfolio. During this market decline, 

some of your holdings have probably fallen more than others. 

As a result, you may now own a lower percentage of a specific asset 

class than you had originally intended when you built your portfolio. 

Consequently, you may want to meet with your financial advisor to determine 

if you should rebalance your portfolio by adding more money 

to those asset classes that have fallen the most. You may also want to 

rebalance if your risk tolerance or long-term goals have changed. 

_____Look for quality investments. In this economic environment, 

it’s more important than ever to focus on quality investments. If you 

buy stocks, look for those companies with strong balance sheets. If 

you’re purchasing bonds, stick with those that receive high credit ratings. 

If we are entering a prolonged economic downturn, these types 

of investments will, in all likelihood, fare better than lower-quality 

stocks and bonds. 

_____Be patient. No one can predict when a bear market will end, but 

history has shown that turnarounds can happen quickly and unexpectedly. 

So be patient. The most successful investors have the courage to 

stay the course and take advantage of opportunities while others are 

“bailing out” of the financial markets. 

We may still have some rough roads ahead of us. But if you can check 

off every item on this list, you may be able to smooth out some of 

the bumps you’ll encounter on your journey toward achieving your 

long-term goals. 

IS YOUR BROKER GIVING YOU 

THE COLD SHOULDER 

At Edward Jones, the level of service you receive depends 

on your personal needs and preferences, not on the size 

of your investment portfolio. 

If you’d like to experience exceptional personal service, 

consider Edward Jones. We offer solutions for all your 

financial needs. Get to know us. 

Call today to schedule a free portfolio review. 

Steve Blevins 

Financial Advisor 

. 

10 Main St 

Hebron, CT 06248 

860-228-4909 

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC 



Respite from the economic worries 

found in stonewalls … 

By Kathy Hendrickson 

The holiday season is a time to build 

meaningful memories that last a lifetime. 

May the memories you make with family 

and friends this year be joyous, happy 

and cherished your whole life through. 

I don’t think anyone needs to be told that during these chaotic times, 

we need to find economical ways to draw strength into our lives. As 

we learned those first awful days after 9/11, one important step toward 

healing is to turn off the television for a while and take a walk outside 

our doors. We Hebronians have the good fortune to live in one of New 

England’s most picturesque regions. Here our strength is free for all. 

Strength comes from family, friendship, knowledge and, for me, from 

stonewalls. Recently as I walked took my own advice and walked 

through the woods with our golden retriever, I could feel the energy 

of the stonewalls reaching out to me. It was an energy that felt at 

once familiar. 

On this particular day, snapshots of memories skirted my conscience. 

Growing up, stonewalls lined the driveway of my family’s home and, 

later, defined the woods of my college campus where I took solace 

from the madness that was college life. 

One of the joys of walking alone through the woods is the fact that 

your thoughts can follow their own path. There is no need for witty 

conversation or self-monitoring of feelings. You are free to wander at 

will and let your sense of adventure be your guide. It is, of course, at 

times such as this that your mind experiences the same release of stress 

as the muscles in the legs release their tension. 

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To all those we know who have 

suffered the loss of a loved one, 

our thoughts are with you. 

May you find peace and comfort 

in your memories of holidays past. 

Best wishes to one and all. 

May the New Year bring health 

and happiness to you and yours. 

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Aurora-McCarthy 

Funeral Home of Colchester 

I have come to believe that it is possible for inanimate objects to speak 

directly to your soul. Whereas, I do not have regular conversations 

with trees, I can feel the energy and center of stillness that radiate from 

the stonewalls that grace our town. 

There is, after all, a sense of accomplishment in a stonewall. It’s purpose 

is not to keep something in or out, but rather to give a sense of 

definition to an otherwise vast expanse of space. 

The perfection of a stonewall is in its utter 

confidence that even in its crumbling state, 

with rocks all askew, it serves its primary 

purpose still. We can take a lesson from these 

walls and count on each other’s strength and 

constancy to share the burden of our responsibilities 

during this crisis. Individually, we 

all remain stones in the forest whose energy 

is dispersed into the earth. Together, we can 

bring stability to the vast expanse of worry 

and fear that appears to be behind each day’s 

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The stonewalls that give definition to Hebron 

allow you feel the safety of being gently 

embraced while at the same time feel the 

unbridled freedom of the opportunity just 

over the top of the wall. Reach for the opportunity, 

or stay within the embrace; either 

way, you are exactly where you are meant to 

spend this moment in your life. 


For RHAM Football, the W’s Are Coming! 

“We’re headed where we want to go,” exclaimed a confident Head 

Coach Tom Hammon about the RHAM football team. “The W’s 

[wins] are coming!” 

And if November 17’s Junior Varsity game against Bristol is any indication, 

he’s right. 

RHAM’s football program includes three major groups: the freshmen, 

Junior Varsity, and varsity teams. While the program is relatively new at 

RHAM, that hasn’t stopped the players and their coaches from working 

hard to produce winning teams and a winning future. 

What’s interesting about this year’s program is all the changes that 

have taken place. Hammon, a Federal Marshall by day with flexible 

hours, is totally dedicated to his coaching role at RHAM. He runs 

the federal Fugitive Task Force Unit and is the U.S. Marshall’s Warrant 

Coordinator in Connecticut. He brings years of focused discipline, 

as well as his experience playing football during his military years, to 

his players. 

“If you watch on a game-by-game, you’ll see that RHAM is becoming 

very competitive,” said Hammon. “The freshman program is doing 

very well, and the junior varsity wins almost every game.” Just seconds 

after he made this statement, RHAM ran the ball almost 65 yards, 

scoring what appeared to be an easy touchdown. The JV team is led 

by Coach Chris Riley and Coach Jarrid Clifton. 

Hammon noted that the success of any athletic program is paying attention 

not only to the varsity team, generally comprised of juniors and 

seniors, but also to the freshman team, who will play varsity football 

in the not-so-distant future. 

Leading the freshmen this year is Mark Gendron, one of Hebron’s 

Resident State Troopers. Even though he is a Salem resident, Gendron 

“wants very much to make a difference in the Hebron community on 

and off the job. I like working with teenagers and helping them through 

difficult times, and I want to know that I am making a difference and 

helping them grow into adults.” 

Gendron joins Hammon in his enthusiasm about the RHAM football 

players. “I think the most gratifying aspect is watching the progress,” 

he said. “At the beginning of the season, many of the players had never 

played football before. Our goal was to learn one offense and eleven 

plays. But now they know three different offenses and 58 plays, and 

they run them very proficiently. I have never been more proud of a 

group of people in my life as I am of these young men and what they 

have achieved on and off the field.” 

Having cops as your coaches might be intimidating to some players. 

“At the beginning of the year, many of the players were not sure if I 

was approachable or not since I’m a Trooper,” said Gendron. “But as 

the season progressed, the players found that I am not just a Trooper, 

but a person who cares about each of them as individuals. They 

know I will help them with problems or listen to them when they 

need someone to just listen.” 

There have been some truly telling moments in this year’s RHAM 

program. “The players told me one day that they wanted me to go 

with them to the Junior Varsity level next year,” said Gendron. “They 

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RHAM Football Coach Don Hammon, a Federal 

Marshall by day, has great belief in the 

future of the RHAM football team. “They 

are a great group of kids, and the wins are 

coming,” he said. 

wanted me to still be 

their coach. I even have 

one player that shakes 

my hand after practice, 

no matter how hard it 

was. Every time I shake 

his hand, I realize that 

I am making a difference.” 

“Frankly, the greatest 

thing we’ve been able to 

accomplish this year has 

to do with the academic 

improvement of our 

players,” said Hammon. 

“The boys are doing 

very well. At the start 

of the year, nine players were academically ineligible to play; today 

there is only one. Some of the players are even looking to play at the 

college level; I’m confident that’s where they are headed.” 

So how did all of these academic improvements in the program happen 

“We instituted a mandatory study hall for our players, and 

we keep in close contact with all their teachers,” said Hammon. “If 

they don’t perform, then they know they’re going to have a date with 

Wilma and Karen.” 

Wilma and Karen As it turns out, Wilma and Karen are two really 

huge, heavy logs. No one wants to run laps with Wilma or Karen in 

tow. It’s part of Hammon’s team-building approach that has proven 

successful in many ways. 

Freshman football coach Mark Gendron, one of 

Hebron’s Resident State Troopers, has worked 

hard to prepare the first year high school 

players for the future. “They’re working hard, 

and I couldn’t be more pleased with their get-itdone 

attitude,” said Gendron. 

ABC Dinner at Christ Lutheran 

Early Childhood Center 

“We use loving discipline 

in our program,” 

said Hammon. 

“The kids not 

only respect that 

discipline, they are 

flourishing under it. 

What I see is every 

day is character being 

built and that 

character is thriving. 

For us as coaches, it’s 

all about the kids.” 

On September 30, 2008 teachers, students and families of Christ 

Lutheran Early Childhood Center gathered in the Fellowship Hall 

for some alphabet fun. Each guest brought a dish for a letter of the 

alphabet. There was Apple crisp for A, Sushi for S, Quinoa for Q, 

Hot dogs for H, Yams for Y and much, much more. The kids got 

to go on an alphabet scavenger hunt all over the center and then 

get a prize when they had collected all of their letters. We all had 

fun and look forward to our Helping Hands night on 10/15/08 

when we will have pizza and put together care packages for the 

Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic. 

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“They don’t make town’s like that anymore!” This is typical of the e- 

mail comments I enjoy from readers of my website who are hopefully 

treated by recollections of what it was like to live over 40 years ago in 

the rural section of Hebron called “Gilead.” Throughout those 40 years 

of raising a family away from my hometown, it was always a treat for 

me to frequently re-visit Hebron and Gilead with my kids and point 

out over and over again the places, and tell over and over again, the 

stories of that special place where I grew up in a family of five kids—on 

a 400 acre dairy farm yet. At the time, I could only entertain visions 

of extricating myself from a small town to an urban place of exciting 

city life—away from farms and country folk with country ways I could 

not fully appreciate. In the summers I rode the tractor around the hay 

fields (and let me tell you it was a different experience from driving 

tractors today) dreaming of someday having an office in a busy place 

and wearing a suit and tie to work every day. I learned the meaning 

of “Be careful for what you ask—you may get it!” and I did. 

At Left: With Ronald Miner Hughes, Jason Castonguay, concert pianist & 

vocalist and family friend. 

At Right: sister Betty Miner Cordani (center); Nephew Michael Cordani 

(left); and Brother-in-law Bruno Cordani (right) at their Gilead home of 

over 50 years. 

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HOME AGAIN IN GILEAD—After over 40 years! 

by Ronald Miner Hughes 

Years later, for many years I 

got my fill of office, suit and 

tie, and all that goes with it. 

However, those colleagues and 

patients who visited any of my 

offices would always inquire 

about my pictures and trinkets 

of cows, and farms and, of 

course, had no idea what they 

were in for when they asked. 

The tables had turned—there 

I was, at one point with 2 offices 

at the same time, dealing 

with meetings, telephone calls, 

3 rd Pay phone number installed 

in Hebron at the “old” RHAM High 

in 1957. The first was at Hebron 

Elementary School and the 2 nd at 

Frank & Marion’s Grocery Store. 

deadlines, consultations, presentations, projects—with suit and tie and 

secretaries, to boot—but this time, dreaming of living in the country, 

near the cows and farms, and woods, and the likes. And now, after 

well over 40 years, I’ve come full circle and am delightfully, home 

again—not in just a small town, but the hometown where the memories 

were and are. But, now, I’m almost the stranger in town—to most, 

anyway. As I talk with my classmates (none left in town), who still 

hold Hebron close to heart, we say, “Who are these people living in our 

town They don’t know about all the things that once were—but yet, 

they say, “Welcome to our town.” Then they say after my response, 

“Welcome back!” And, of course, I say, “It’s great to be back!” And I 

think, “Oh, there are so many wonderful things I remember. I wonder 

if they’d like to know about these wonderful stories of half a century 

ago. Then, to my delight, I see, “Ah, they do!” I discover all these 

“new” people are interested and have gleaned from those still around 

from yesteryear, for lack of a better word, a “delicious” collection of 

not only 40 or 50 years—but 300 years and are celebrating it. What 

a wonderful time to have come back home. Can you imagine—and 

I know you can, what it’s like for your grandchild to say, “Grampy— 

show me the cows,” and I do. 

I wonder still, “Will people want to know 

what it was like to have dances at the Grange 

Hall, and have Christmas Caroling on hayrides, 

and ice skating on Way’s pond Will 

people want to know what it was like to listen 

carefully when your party line phone rang to 

know if it would be a double ring to indicate 

it was for you—or would it turn out to be one 

long and one short for Bob Warner’s house, 

or 3 short for Homer Hills’s house—or one 

long for Mr. and Mrs. Way’s house Does 

anyone care that their telephone numbers 

at that time were 3-0152 for the Warners, 

3-3623 for the Hills, or 3-4426 for the Way’s 

Will anyone care that in the 1950’s when 

we lived in Gilead, we had a Willimantic 

telephone number, and an Andover mailing 

address Will anyone care that Billy Hills 

was our postmaster and he knew everyone by 

first name and there were no street numbers 

Will anyone care that my Dad, Ralph Miner, 

had to call ACademy 8-3146 to ask Doug or 

Mary Porter for a permit to burn trash Will 


anyone care that my Mom, Emma Miner, milked cows in the morning 

before getting me off to school Will anyone care that there were 

6 school buses #1-6 for the whole town Will anyone care that we 

had to pay a long distance charge to call some of our neighbors who 

had Colchester, Manchester, Glastonbury, or East Hampton phone 

numbers—even though they lived in Hebron Will anyone care to 

know how Alice Fogil drove up and down Gilead Street in the middle 

of the night calling, “Fire! Fire!” to awaken us to a barn burning in the 

night I cared—my bicycle was in it! Will anyone care to know about 

the old water wells, now almost hidden, that are still in existence— 

though not used, but once important supply systems for the farms 

Will anyone want to know about Edna and Jesse Post’s Jersey cow that 

was led up and down Gilead Street on a regular basis Will anyone 

want to know about Norm Warner’s team of horses that were also led 

up and down Gilead Street—long after they were working, but just 

for exercise in their retirement Will anyone want to know about the 

mysterious bell ringing in the steeple of the Gilead Church—when 

no one seemed to be there Will anyone want to know about the ice 

cream parlor at Grandpa Fogil’s store—and the free candy he gave to 

almost every kid who came to the store—not to mention the free ½ 

gallons of ice cream he gave out on Christmas Will anyone want to 

know about one of the first TV’s in Gilead—with a hidden antenna in 

the attic to avoid too many kids from showing up every night Will 

anyone want to know about Annie Foote’s cream-colored convertible 

just about every kid in town rode in Will anyone want to know 

about the run-away tractor at Wellesway Farm Will anyone want to 

know that all the Gilead kids had an Aunt Do, a Grandma Foote, a 

Grandma Ding, an Uncle Adolph, and a Grandpa Fogil—who really 

weren’t our grandma’s or uncle or aunt Will anyone want to know 

about the May Baskets and June Boxes in Gilead Will anyone want 

to know about George Borsotti’s car accident caused by a blue lighted 

Christmas tree in Gilead Will anybody want to know where Jack 

Lendy’s “shack” was, and what’s there now Will anybody want 

to know about the Harrison’s Parcheesi games Will anybody want 

to know which teacher drove a school bus and shook the living daylights 

out of kids who were out of line Will anybody want to know 

where the first payphone (ACademy 8-9484) in town was installed 

Will anybody want to know who Rosemary Secord was and why her 

radio was haunted Will anybody want to know who had the first 

car in Gilead with electric windows (1950 Lincoln) Will anybody 

want to know where Charlie Barrasso’s name was inscribed in wood 

Will anybody want to know where Charlie Warner hid a Nichol in 

cement Will anyone want to know who smoked a cigarette in one 

of Jean Simon’s three attics Will anyone want to know what “riding 

the goat” meant to Gileadites Will anyone want to know who in 

Gilead had a huge fireworks display and watermelon for everyone in 

their Gilead yard every 4 th of July Will anyone want to know what 

Gilead Minister used sheep instead of a lawn mower—and whose dog 

ate all of his chickens but one Will anyone want to know about the 

story of the mysterious Mrs. Henwell and Albert of Gilead I suppose 

all of these crucial historical facts may remain a mystery along with 

all those not even mentioned here. It’s not a wonder that I cannot 

remember what happened to me yesterday. Someone said my mind 

is too cluttered with Gilead’s and Hebron’s “important” memories! 

Someone said I should write them down. Perhaps I’ve started. Please 

feel welcome to visit my website: www.HughesSpeaking.com to share 

more memories. 

Yes, it’s great to be home—once again in my favorite town, once again 

in an historic farmhouse, and once again, with family, and with friends 

who were and friends who’ll be! 

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HIHS Announces Annual Appeal 

Hebron Interfaith Human Services, located at 

20 Pendleton Drive, recently sent out its annual 

appeal to Hebron residents. Distribution of food 

items at HIHS has more than doubled since March 

of this year, and help is needed as the winter 

months approach. 

Hebron residents 

recently received 

a mailing from 

Hebron Interfaith 

Human Services 

asking for help as 

the winter season 

approaches. 

HIHS Chairman 

Robert Fitzgerald 

was blunt in his 

appeal. “There are 

people in Hebron 

who do not have 

enough foot to eat, who do not have fuel oil to heat their homes, 

who do not have money for prescriptions, who cannot afford quality 

childcare so that they can work at a job, and who do not know how 

to look for a job or qualify for a state program.” 

“In our town, individuals and families faced with these crises do not 

turn to a municipal office. Rather, they turn to Terry Young, a social 

worker who is the Executive Director of HIHS and her legion of 

volunteers,” he continued. He also noted that while 300 bags of food 

were distributed in March of this year, by September, the need had 

grown so much that 776 bags were distributed. 

Hebron residents have always stepped up to the plate when it comes 

to food donations, as evidenced by the ever-present donation boxes 

at Ted’s, last May’s highly 

successful Troop 28 Boy 

Scout Food Drive, and 

even recent food and cash 

donations at Quest for 

Home, where nine heavily 

loaded boxes of food items 

were collected along with 

almost $38 in cash. 

Young is very happy to see 

this support, and noted 

that cash donations, no 

matter how small, go a 

long way. “We can buy 

food at FoodShare for 

14 cents a pound. This 

means a $5 donation allows 

us to buy 35 pounds 

of food.” 

Rick White, HIHS Vice Chairman, spends 

a lot of time at HIHS organizing food 

donations and putting them on the shelves. 

“We’ve been really blessed in Hebron,” he 

said. “People care about their neighbors 

and understand that HIHS needs their 

donations to help those neighbors during 

hard times.” 

In his letter to residents, Fitzgerald emphasized that HIHS receives 

“absolutely no tax dollars from the Town of Hebron. We raise money 

through fundraisers, grants, and donations from the local faith communities…The 

coming year is going to be tough and we need your 

financial support. Our motto is ‘A hand up, not a handout,’ and our 

programs work!” 

For questions about the services that HIHS provides to the Hebron 

community, call Young at 228-1681 or Fitzgerald at 228-4170. 

STONE WALLS 

by 

Tom Clark & 

Dan Garrison 

“Highest Quality Workmanship” 

Fully Insured 

Ct. Reg. #578959 

Tom 

860-228-1883 

Dan 

860-228-9433 



Hebron Elementary Celebrates Veterans Day 

Music teacher Lyn Nagel led the assembly in 

a rousing rendition of Lee Greenwood’s God 

Bless the USA. 

Monday, November 10 

was, as Superintendent 

Eleanor Cruz later described 

it, “a special moment” 

when the nearly 

700 Hebron Elementary 

School students honored 

66 local veterans attending 

the school’s annual 

Veterans Day Assembly. 

The events began around 

1:00, when veterans 

gathered in a reception 

room and enjoyed delicious snacks and beverages provided by HES staff 

members and parents. Lynn Snietka and Patty Pekarski coordinated 

the plans for refreshments and table decorations. 

Other veterans visited the individual classrooms of their sons, daughters, 

or grandchildren, where they talked about the time they served in 

the military and answered questions about their experiences. 

Jardo Opocensky, Jr. met with 

Mrs. Snayd’s 3rd grade class where 

his granddaughter, Lauren, is a 

student. Opocensky used humor to 

describe his time with the Marine 

Corps in Vietnam, fully engaging the 

students’ attention. 

Thomas Sousa, Jr. and his wife, 

Tammy Sousa, both served with the 

U. S. Army. They discussed their 

experiences with students of Mrs. 

Lacasse’s 6th grade class, which 

includes their son, Thomas III. 

Jardo Opocensky, visiting his 

granddaughter Lauren’s 3 rd grade 

class, asked the children “How 

many of you know what a Huey 

is” Chuckling at the few small 

hands that went up, Opocensky 

said, “I see those hands, but I 

don’t see it in your eyeballs!” He 

carefully described the large helicopter 

that was the workhorse of 

the Vietnam War, and then went 

on to tell of his experiences as a 

1965 enlistee in the United States 

Marine Corps. His humorous 

presentation clearly captured 

the minds and attention of the 

Emily Snayd’s students. 

Thomas and Tammy Sousa 

went to their son Tom’s 6 th grade 

class and related their own experiences 

in the U. S. Army, as well 

as a PowerPoint presentation on 

the history of Veterans Day. Tom 

is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, 

and Tammy served as a Warrant 

Officer 3 in the Military Police. 

Tom Sousa, who served in Operation 

Iraqi Freedom, related 

that “being away 13 months 

made me really appreciate my country.” Tammy Sousa spoke to the 

class about the lack of clean, drinkable water in the areas where she 

was deployed. 

Joining the Sousas in Jessica Lacasse’s class was Edmund Kureczka, 

who told the children, “War is not good… it sounds good in the movies, 

but war is not good.” His cautionary words caused a moment of 

thoughtful consideration before the questions to the three veterans 

started flowing. 

Following the classroom sessions, the children were dismissed to the 

gymnasium where the formal program, organized by Christopher 

Lapsis, was began at 2:00. Music was provided by the HES band, 

with a standout performance of Taps by Kelly Whitesell. 

Emmy Award winning journalist Kara Sundlin from Channel 3 

served as Master of Ceremonies. Following a video message from 

Jennifer Love Hewitt on the importance of honoring our nation’s 

veterans, Sundlin asked each of the veterans to stand as she called 

their names. It was impressive to everyone to see so many who came 

to the ceremony. 

Lexie Burgess then read the “History of Veterans Day,” followed by 

music teacher Lyn Nagel’s rousing rendition of God Bless the USA. 

Christopher Epps spoke on the difference between Memorial Day and 

Veterans Day, followed by Jack Hallbach, who led the assembly in a 

moment of silence. Emily Everlith read J. L. Sager’s poem “Thank a 

Veteran for Your Freedom.” 

Lapsis closed the ceremony with thoughtful comments, and presented 

an HES fleece jacket to Sundlin, who promised to wear it on air, much 

to the delight of the students. 

“In these uncertain times, it was heartwarming and uplifting to participate 

in the Veterans Day ceremony,” noted Cruz. “It reaffirmed how 

important it is to acknowledge those who have sacrificed so much to 

make this great country safe for our children. I was deeply proud of 

our students – how respectful they were and how they demonstrated 

their appreciation for all the veterans that have served us bravely over 

time.” 

2 BIRCH STREET • WILLIMANTIC, CT 06226 

fax 860.450.1600 • gulemo@gulemo.com 

456.1151 


. 



Gilead Cemetery Association 

Elects New Officers 

The Gilead Cemetery Association has elected new officers for the 

2008-09 fiscal year. 

At their annual meeting, held in September, James L. Derby, Jr. was 

chosen to succeed Helen Hodge as president. Hodge died in late August. 

Derby was formerly the association’s vice-president. Replacing 

Derby as vice-president will be Calvin Fish, a native Gileadite who 

handily lives next to the cemetery. 

Continuing on as Treasurer will be Robert Warner, who has served in 

that position since 1982. Although Warner’s 26 years as Treasurer is 

notable, continuing as the organization’s Secretary is Maralyn Porter, 

who has functioned in that capacity even longer. Porter has been 

Secretary since 1971. 

Later into the meeting, Porter’s husband, Wilbur Porter, was reappointed 

as the cemetery’s superintendent, a position that he has 

held for nine years. 

The non-profit group oversees the operation of the private cemetery, 

located on Gilead Street. It has no connection with either the Gilead 

Congregational Church or the Town of Hebron. 

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The Gilead Cemetery Association has elected officers for the 2008- 

09 fiscal year. The new officers are (l-r) Calvin Fish, vice-president; 

Robert Warner, treasurer; Maralyn Porter, secretary, and Jim Derby, 

president. 

THE 

HEBRONIAN 

The Hebronian 

Wants to hear from you. 

E-mail us your news or story at: 

hebronian@gulemo.com. 

Send pictures in .tif format, 

at 200 or better dpi. 

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THE HEBRONIAN 

Published by Gulemo Inc. 

2 Birch St. 

P.O. Box 465 


Circulation: 3,800 

Advertising 

Cathie Greene 860-456-1151 

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BUSINESS 

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS 

PAGE 

Accountants.......................... 9, 13 

Automotive........................... 7, 19 

Banking................................ 29 

Basement Finishing............... 2 

Chef Services........................ 26 

Child Care............................ 22 

Computers............................ 5, 29 

Construction........................ 11 

Countertops.......................... 16 

Dentist.................................. 17 

Electrical............................... 14 

Embroidery........................... 27 

Eye Care............................... 8 

Farm Supply......................... 8 

Financial Advisor.................. 20 

Foot Doctors......................... 21 

Fruit Arrangements............... 23 

Funeral Homes..................... 21 

Furniture.............................. 30 

Garden/Landscape................ 18, 32 

Gifts..................................... 23, 30 

Grocery Stores...................... 12 

Health Care.......................... 31 

Interior Design..................... 19 

Package Store........................ 7 

Painters................................. 3 

Pet Supplies.......................... 8 

PETA.................................... 28 

Pharmacies............................ 25 

Printing................................ 27 

Radio.................................... 6, 9 

Screenprinting...................... 27 

Sewing Machines.................. 4 

Sharpening Service................ 10 

Stone Walls........................... 26 

Tax Preparation..................... 9 

Tractors & Equipment.......... 11 

Travel Agency....................... 17 

Vacuums............................... 4 

Wallpaper............................. 24 

PLEASE SUPPORT 

OUR ADVERTISERS 



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