President, Dave Pasqualicchio Report:

It has been a harsh winter. The January meeting was postponed with an impromptu meeting, the following morning.  However, spring is in the air; yeah! 

Happy 9^th Anniversary to FVA; celebrating with cake, baked by Marsha, Mm..Mm.. Good!   The goals for FVA 10^th year are in place, which include the start of the Quinlan Park project, continue to build membership and renew our commitment to beautification of Forestville and betterment of our community. I am proud to be the President of an organization with membership who enjoys the challenge to work for a better Forestville community, completing goals promptly and 100%.

We welcome new faces in the crowd, Sheri Devoe, Mike Boman, Linda Labrico and Sarah Boilard.

The casino bus trip was a huge success with a profit of $4,200.00. Wow!  Thank you, Tom Massarelli and Tim Dudzinski, for the idea and implementation, of what is sure, to be an annual event.

·         Great news!  FVA will receive the annual Chamber of Commerce, Spirit of Bristol Award on June 9^that the Aqua Turf. I’d like to see good representation from membership; more information to follow.

·         Everyone is welcome to the Bristol Rising Pasta Supper, March 3^rd, 5:30 – 8:30pm at Nuchie’s

“Do you care about Bristol or are you just negative? Nuchie’s invites all of you to hear Renaissance’s unbelievable presentation about Bristol’s future downtown and your part in it. You must hear it for yourself, at no cost to you. Only you can change Bristol Pride. Don’t miss it!” – Dave Pasqualicchio

          More information is available at their website, www.bristolrisisng.com

·         A road reconstruction project, in the vicinity of the railroad crossing, will commence May 2, 2011. It is a two month project and may pose problems with traffic and events.

·         Thank you Rick Leach for the prompt, printing of necessary documents, with no cost to FVA. It is a job well done and with great savings for our organization.

City Village Report:

Veteran and FVA member, John Lasnier, points out a true Forestville Treasure, the Forestville Cemetery, asking why more people don’t use it. Do they know about it?  It is a great place to rest.

·         We have a city related question for Kate Matthews, FVA member and council woman;    Will Rt.72, Broad Street, become a city road, when the new Rt.72 is completed?

·         Leo Bonola’s 2 minute segment:  The casino trip was successful and everyone had a great time. Many participants agree with Leo that another trip should be planned for this year, even if we have only 2 busses full. A great time was had by all.

·         Lucky Ed’s drawing: Gail Leach won the $22.00 gift certificate to Nuchie’s Ladies’ Night.

·        www.fvact.org   Visit the FVA website. It is a great source of general information, events, pictures and newsletter. Paul Kowalczyk, webmaster, has provided viewers with links to the duck race website and Facebook page.

·          Christine Levesque and her daughter Emily, thank everyone who bought Girl Scout Cookies at the meeting. The cookies will be delivered in March, to those who placed an order.

·         Marsha designed an outstanding activity board, covering all FVA activities.  It is beautiful…a must see.

Tom’s Report:   Tom Dickau reported $2,200 - 2,500 profits from the Christmas Ornaments. Not only did the firehouse ornament sell well, but also ornaments from previous years.

Marsha Lockhart won the 50/50 raffle at the Bristol Historical Society pasta fund raiser, recently held at Nuchie’s.  As always, having fun in the village, Don was told, by more than one FVA member, Marsha won hundreds of dollars while he was away, instead of the $88.00 she actually collected.  

Special thanks to Rick Leach for questioning the relationship of the Chamber, FVA and the duck race. The air has been cleared, a lot of work has been done and a good spirit of cooperation exists between all parties now. This year’s duck race has 32 prizes; all were donated plus, expenses were cut in several other areas which should give us more profit. The decision was made to sell all t-shirts with short sleeves, with a rubber duck logo and a craft show has been added to the festivities, on duck race day.

It would be wonderful if all members do their part in selling duck tickets. They will be available at the next meeting, but if you can’t wait they are available now. Call Tom at 860- 582-1537 or contact Marsha mmtldml@sbcglobal.net . We will make sure you get all you can sell. 

Tom surprised membership with historical, Forestville trivia.  He asked where the following places were located; he let us guess the answers and then gave us the locations as follows:

Where was Buynovsky's Grocery Store?

 Buynovsky’s grocery store was located on Central Street in the building directly across from Ultimate Wireforms (The old Forestville Boy’s Club)

 Where was Dom's Luncheonette?

 Dom’s was located on Broad Street where Sanditz Travel is now located.

 Where was a storage barn for both the E.N. Welch Clock Company and Sessions Clock Company located on Church Avenue?  

 In the white apartment building located between Sharon's K-9 Barkery and the Forestville Fire House.

 What three locations housed the Forestville Post Office?

 1. The present site on East Main Street

 2. The buildings across from Ultimate Wireforms where an antique store was recently located.

3. Where Frank's Stationery Store was located on Central Street.

Where was Manross Garage located?  (They produced a few automobiles here.)

This later became C&S Motors and was located where Cumberland Farms is located across from Central Square.

Treasurer’s Report:

Nancy Blanchette has submitted a detailed financial for 2010, available to all membership. It includes a comparison of 2009 and 2010.   If you would like a copy, stop in at Nuchie’s.

Membership:     Thank you to the many members who have sent in their dues. It has helped reduce the rising mailing costs for invoicing each member.  Businesses will be invoiced and once again we will thank Rick Leach for printing those invoices.  Dues are due; please respond promptly! 

  Individual/ Family- $15.00, Non-Profit- $25.00, Business - $50.00                             

Every year we ask for ideas for enticing new members. Betty Boukus, FVA member and Representative of District 22, took it upon herself to write “An invitation to join the FVA” to the newspaper.

Thank you, Betty for submitting a well written invitation.

Last year, the France family went door to door in their own neighborhood on Kenny St.  Apparently, people enjoy a personal invitation, as we have several new members from that area.

Who has another good idea for increasing membership???

Quinlan Park:

A special meeting was held at 5pm before our regular FVA meeting. It was open to whoever is interested and had input, in the future of Quinlan Park.

 Three years ago it was decided to renovate the park. Many people noticed the little things that needed to be accomplished in order to spruce it up, such as the honor roll, in need of new glass because the names can’t be read, monuments to honor veterans from conflicts not represented, overgrown trees, replacement of bus stop, etc.

Marguerite Petersen produced a professional plan to renovate the park and has attended the city meetings for approvals necessary for us to proceed with her plan. FVA members understand Marguerite’s plan is divided in phases, and appreciates the many hours and hard work her plan represents, but those members who are active in fundraising for this renovation have agreed this project must be simplified. A $250,000 price tag is not within our reach.  Flooding concerns, vandalism and city maintenance practices were discussed, as was the future of the Forestville Village Association as an organization.

The decision reached after much discussion, is to form a new committee, modify existing plan with quick resolutions for immediate completion and beautification; getting this project off the ground this spring and completed by fall.

Beautification:     THINK SPRING!·

·         Sylvia Arce brought to the attention of FVA that there isn’t a flag outside the Forestville Post Office. Upon further investigation, Dave found out, the flag pole needs a new rope and repair which will be underway soon. The Post Office will raise and lower the flag as needed.

·         A follow - up is needed on the Christmas wreaths at Wal-Mart.

Fundraising:

·         Al Barnes Golf Tournament- tentative date was June 24^th, but due to conflicting schedules it will be held in the late summer.

·         The Casino bus trip future looks bright for first Saturday in January 2012.

·         Central Square Bricks for $75.00:  This may be the last call. Ron Trafford will talk to Shaun Casey about the earliest spring installation.

·         THE 7^TH ANNUAL PEQUABUCK RIVER DUCK RACE is on the agenda now. LET’S SELL DUCKS!

 FUNDRAISERS……. ANY  IDEAS?

Correspondence report with Maryellen Holden, AKA Waddles:

Maryellen, once again, has organized the volunteers for a successful home show. Thank you Waddles!

·         Received – thank you for flowers from Sue Ritter, Gary’s passing.

·         Get well to Kate Mathew’s Dad, recent surgery.

·         Thinking of you John Lobaczewski

Please let us know if someone is not feeling well, deserving of recognition, or sympathy. Also, if a member is homebound or is in need of a small chore; we are here for you. 

FVA Coming Events:

·         Summer Concert

·         Memorial Day Parade…. Sponsors needed… new parade route because of road construction at the railroad tracks.

·         United Way Builder’s Reception  in April