Forestville Village Association, the “Spirit of Bristol”

                                                                Minutes/Newsletter

                                                                 September 14, 2011

President, Dave Pasqualicchio Report:

We are back!  What a great turn out of membership and it is a pleasure to see you after a much deserved summer break.  Now, settle back and roll up your sleeves.  FVA busy season is in full swing. Let’s approach this volunteer work with enthusiasm, bond friendships, have some laughs, fun and just do it!  Hard work reaps the reward of self satisfaction.  We are the Forestville Village Association: an inspiration for all.

Sunday, August 28^th Hurricane Irene left a destructive impact on the Forestville community, and exposed flood issues for Bristol that must be addressed; sooner than later.  On a sad note, Shane Seaver lost his life, when his canoe flipped in the flood waters, by the bridge; Condolences to his family.

The 3^rd phase of bricks has been completed for Central Square.   Thanks to the persistence of Ron Trafford, Shawn and Lucy Casey came out of retirement, to do the job for us.  Thank you, Shawn and Lucy and thank you Ron.

The summer concert went well after a day’s postponement, because of rain.  Special thanks to Nancy, at Ultimate Wireform, for use of a lovely setting with nice ground maintenance. It made a great spot for the concert. We will probably do it again next year.

After believing that Tom may be too busy this year, Dave is relieved and happy to learn that the Pumpkin Festival plans are underway.  Please, pick up a pumpkin to carve and enter in the contest, and make sure to create a scarecrow, for Joanie’s annual Scarecrow Contest.

City Village Report:

·        “Forestville Post Office”

 A public meeting will be held on October 6, 2011 at 5pm. at the Council Chambers, City Hall on N. Main St.   It is extremely important we all attend to voice our opinions and state reasons why our Forestville post office should remain open, in its present location.

Matthew LeBeau, outreach organizer for Senator Blumenthal and guest speaker at the FVA meeting, gave us valuable insight into steps to be taken to help keep our post office open, answering all our questions.

1)  Write your request to not close the Forestville Post Office to:

Patrick Donahoe

Postmaster General

U.S. Postal Service

 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW

 Washington, D.C.   20260-0010

2)  Also write to the lady who makes the final decision J  

 Tatiana Roy, Managing director,

CT Valley District of U.S. Postal Service

 141 Weston St.

 Hartford, CT.  06101-9000

Thank you Matthew and a special thanks to Councilman Terry Parker for keeping FVA informed.

Senator Blumenthal, Mayor Ward, and all the Councilmen have been working to keep the Post office open. Now, it is important the Village people do their part, by writing to the above people, attend the meeting and use our local post office.      Support! Support! Support!

·        Tom Dickau “doings”:

The Sixth annual Pumpkin Festival plans are underway. The committee has met and advertising  started at the Mum Festival Family Weekend. It would be appreciated if FVA members would donate a bag of wrapped candy for the goody bags, which are handed out at the festival. Please leave your donation at Nuchie’s by October 5^th or reply to Marsha for more information.

The 8^th annual FVA Christmas Ornament will be designed by artist, Rick Fitzsimons.  Nuchie’s will be depicted on one side with Johnny’s Restaurant on the other.  Make sure to get yours early if you are a collector. It promises to sell out early!

Tom requested $20.00 for a table at the Mum Festival, to get information out, about the Pumpkin Festival and  $30.00 for the table at the Historical Society Holiday craft fair.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Tom informed us of a dinner/dance, Bristol Stomp ll, presented by Team Bristol 2011. It will be held Saturday Oct.1 at the Bristol Polish Club. Tickets are $15.00 each.

·         Leo Bonola, deputy sheriff, expects a lower turn out at the golf tournament, due to the fall date. As luck would have it, the tournament scheduled for September 23^rd, was cancelled due to rain. Next year a June date will be scheduled.

·         Jim “chicken man” Levesque won the monthly raffle, a $25 gift certificate to Garnish Restaurant. Jim is also known as a Forestville center watchman, volunteering his services in the cleanup effort of Garnish and Nuchie’s, after the Flood. You can always count on Jim when disaster strikes.  

·         Nomination of FVA Officers will be held at the October Meeting with the election held at the November meeting.

·         Christine Levesque, along with Jessica Dumont, is involved in the creation of a room called “Memories of the Past”, to be located in Greene Hills School.  She has requested photographs, pins, school flags, articles of interest and report cards; anything pertaining to Greene Hills School through the years.   Christine promises to copy or photograph your memorabilia, if you would like it returned.

·         Frank Owsianko hung U.S. Flags throughout Forestville for the 10 year observance of 911. What a nice tribute! Thank you Frank; know it is appreciated.

·          Councilman, Dave Mills notified us of a Public works meeting. If you have any flood related questions or issues or with Rt.72, call Dave Mills.

·         Theresa Acompora   spoke to the group promoting Miss Forestville and Miss Forestville Outstanding Teen.  The Miss Forestville Scholarship Organization is seeking contestants for the premier pageant to be held October 22^nd. If you have a daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter or a niece and think she would like to earn Scholarships, contact Linda Lubrico 860-302-2566.

·         Sad news, both Sanditz Travel and the Barkery have closed in Forestville center.

·         Good news! A West End Neighborhood Group has been established. Garnish Restaurant has reopened.  The Stafford Diner, under new management, offers a breakfast special on week days (yummy home fries) and a senior discount each Wednesday. 

Treasurer’s Report by Nancy Blanchette:  

Everything is paid and up to date – except the items that came to me today.

TD Money Market: $10,004.16

Checking:  about $12,500.00

Savings: $35,548.00 as of June 30

FVA Membership 2011:    

The year is rapidly coming to a close; do you believe it? New members joining us, as of Oct 1^st, will be placed on the 2012 membership list, but of course, welcome to attend meetings and join in the fun immediately.  FVA membership dues include membership from January to January. Presently, FVA has 160 resident and business members.   

Beautification 2011:

“Mums” the word!   Plant a Mum, pick up some litter, and sweep up some sand; tend to your yard and neighborhood. We are making a difference in the village.  Many favorable comments come our way.

911“Never forget” is beautiful display by a resident on Zipp Ave.  Nice touch!

Quinlan Park Project:    Lindsey Karl, an architect, has revised and simplified Marguerites plan for the park. Ed Swicklas has been a great help and City planner, Alan Wiener will try to move the process along. Hopefully, Quinlan park will be somewhat completed by Nov. 11^th, Veterans Day. When we receive the ok to work, we will need manpower !!!   ****   Volunteers, have your work gloves ready for action !!! ****

 

Correspondence report ;  Welcome back, Maryellen

·         Sympathy to the family of Art Petersen

·         Sympathy to the family of Barbara Doyle

·         Happy Retirement, Don Mueller, American clock and Watch Museum

·         Received thank you from United Way  for supporting the Back to School program

·         Beautification award to Olga Baron Fronczak, 4 Fredrick St. Wonderful job,; your property looks great.

·         Wishes of a speedy recovery   to Carrie Tye, manager of TD bank

Fundraising:

·         8^th commemorative Christmas Ornament: Nuchie’s on one side, Johnny’s on the other. All eight will be available for your collection or gift giving.

·         Casino Bus Trip is scheduled for January 7, 2012. Nuchie’s reunion will be held at 12:00 pm prior to the 2:00 pm bus trip.  More information to follow.

·        Al Barnes 8^th annual golf tournament – cancelled.

·        Turkey Shoot: targets will be available at the October 19^th meeting and the shoot will take place at the November 16^th meeting.  Targets sell for $25.00 or a $1.00 a slice. The winner receives a $15.00 gift certificate.

FVA Coming Events:  

·         Veteran’s Day Ceremony, November 11, 2011

·         Very important, election of officers at the November meeting

·         21st Children’s Holiday Festival- December 4, 2011 at 1:00 pm

                     Next meeting- Wednesday -October 19, 2011- 6pm- at Nuchie’s

  Village people, please support our local business members who support us!!