President, Dave Pasqualicchio Report: First and foremost I would like to comment on the response from FVA membership in regards to the recent Fall Pumpkin Festival. Wow! … would be the best description of you! Volunteers worked well together, organized, with time lines.   Hard work made for a long day; start to finish, and you looked like you knew what you were doing.  Amazing!!  I was impressed with the overall make-up of the festival with a variety of events and vendors; especially pleased with the community who supported your efforts. FVA, take a bow, applause and be proud.

Welcome returning veteran FVA members and our special guest, Cindy Scoville from the Chamber of Commerce. Cindy introduced and explained “Ducks on Parade,” a public art project that will bring ducks of all sizes and designs to the streets of Central Connecticut in the spring of 2012.  Being successful in other communities, it is expected to build a sense of community, promote tourism, increase foot traffic to local businesses, enhance the visibility of local artists, beautify business districts and towns, create good will for sponsors/owners and increase awareness of participating partners.

City Village Report:

·         Councilman Terry Parker informed us, the Oct.6^th forum held at the Library concerning the Forestville Post Office, was well attended with FVA membership well represented; a testament to community and this Post office.   Many constructive points were made. The future of the PO is now in their hands and only time will tell.

·          Matt Dyer introduced himself as running for city council in the third district. His intention is to involve himself in the Forestville Village Association and he is willing to sit down and discuss any potential issues that the association would like to discuss, including the post office issue.

·        Councilman Dave Mills said RT. 72 is complete and the Greene Hills project is going well.  The Pine Lake funds earmarked for a parking area would be better used for handrails and a fishing pier.  Parking in the Cul-de-sac is ok.

·         Tom Dickau led his “Pumpkins” (looking good in orange) to another successful Pumpkin Festival for the community to enjoy, with no charge, thanks to our numerous sponsors.

Thank you,   Sponsors and contributors:   Roberts Foundation, TD Bank , Liberty Recycle, Kiwanis Club of Bristol, Max Pizza, Tiny Teeth, Central CT. Chamber of Commerce, Tollman Spring Company, Art Ward, Garnish, Nye Agency, Kay Burke, Bristol Cleaners and Custom Tailoring, Bristol Auto Club, Ted Pawlick, Sharon Clout, F.N. Manross Library, and Sharon Baillargeon – K-9 Barkery.

Forestville Village Association would like to thank all businesses, organizations and individuals, who donated candy, time, pumpkin carving and support to make the 2011 Pumpkin Festival, a successful community event.

Here is a little recap for those of you who were are unable to attend the festival.  Waddles, the Forestville Duck and   Penny the Pumpkin led the parade, which was under the direction of Sandy and Joe Gozzo.  Very cute costumed puppies paraded in front of the judges.    Sam from the Bristol Auto Club provided endless monster mash music for dancing and hula hooping.  Joan and Ron Trafford did a nice job with the scarecrow contest with 11 entries. Christine Levesque with her Girl Scout troop filled 250 goodie bags.  Kate Matthews and her enthusiastic crew kept a couple hundred children busy with games, frosting cookies, painting pumpkins, spitting pumpkin seeds, face painting and eating donuts off a string. There were vendors with yummy pumpkin roll, corn chowder, pizza and popcorn, among other goodies. Let’s not forget the glowing faces of hundreds of carved pumpkins, at dusk; a fabulous, unforgettable sight in Forestville!

Next year’s festival will be held the Saturday after Columbus Day, October, 13, 2012.   If there are young strong males, who will volunteer, only to set up and tear down (½ hr. morning and ½ hour evening) the day of the festival, please let us know.  Call Tom Dickau 860-582-1537 or Marsha mmtldml@sbcglobal.net.   When the festival time comes, you will be reminded of your offer. We need your help!  J

 

·         The first Miss Forestville Scholarship Pageant was held October 22^nd at the Chippens Hill Middle School. The competition is affiliated with the Miss America Organization. The winners will go on to compete for Miss Connecticut and Miss Connecticut Outstanding Teen at the end of June. FVA member, Linda Lubrico is the executive director of the event.  Molly Westfall was crowned Miss Forestville and Kellie Lacko, Miss Forestville’s Outstanding Teen.

·         Leo Bonola, First Director, reported the Golf Tournament was cancelled due to rain. It just didn’t work out this year. The 2012 tournament will be scheduled for June.

·         Winner of the monthly raffle, Maryellen Holden, won a $25.00 gift certificate to Max Pizza.

·         The 2011 Christmas Ornament is on order and will be available soon.  Nuchie’s will be on one side of the ornament with Johnny’s Restaurant on the other. They will be $10.00 each. They should be a good seller. Past ornaments are also available.

·          Following tradition, Rob Newton, the voice of FVA, will conduct the election of Officers, President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, at the November 16^thmeeting.

·         Christine Levesque reminds FVA members, if they have or know of someone who has, memorabilia of Greene Hills School, to please contact her at pbnj32@sbcglobal.net or Call Marsha at 860-582-6245 and your message will be forwarded to her.  Any and all memorabilia will be copied or photographed and returned to you and be displayed in the”Memories of the Past” room of the new school.

·          Christine and her Girl Scout troop planted fall flowers by the Gateway sign and offered to plant seasonally. Thank you girls for your community involvement.

Treasurer’s Report  is available for review.  

FVA Membership 2011:    FVA needs a Membership Drive Chairperson; anyone interested?

Beautification 2011:  Forestville in all it‘s beauty, with words to live by:

 Good Better best; never let it Rest,

 Until your good is better; and your better is best.

Quinlan Park Project: 

Rick Leach has attended a Veterans meeting to better understand the Quinlan guide lines for renovation. The project, phase 1, has begun. City park department has removed the overgrown yews and shrubs, trees have been trimmed, the Honor Roll is being refurbished and contracted work is scheduled.  Hopefully, the park will be presentable for Veterans Day service.

Paul Blanchette of Ultimate Companies has donated the Flag Pole/installation purchase. Thank you Paul!!  Three benches have been sold. One bench remains for sale for $400, if anyone is interested in purchasing it. Other articles available for purchase include: Bus Structure, Fence, sign markers- memorials and trash receptacles.

Correspondence report  with Maryellen:

·         Jim Censi, Post Master of Forestville, thanks FVA for support.

·         Mailed 42 Thank you notes to Pumpkin Festival contributors and supporters

·         Sympathy to Anne Skempris

·         Congratulations to recipients of Humanitarian Awards: Ev Lyons, John Lodovico, Bud Funk and Judy Murrone

 FVA Coming Events: 

·        Friday, November11th, Veterans Day Service 1PM – Quinlan Park – Organized by  Rick Leach and Leo Bonola,  the Forestville custom is a short, solemn ceremony. Please attend!

·        Election of Officers  November 16th

·        Christmas Ornament  Sales  $10.00 each.  All 8 ornaments are available for sale.

·        Turkey Shoot-  winner on each target receives a $15.00  gift card to Gnazzo’s  

·        Festival of Trees at Manross Library.

·        Carol Sing – Monday, December 19^th

·        Chambers’ Children’s Holiday Festival Parade, Sunday December 4^th

·        Casino Bus Trip    Saturday, January 7, 2012 @ 2PM. Flyers and tickets are available; sign up now!

 Great, easy and fun, fundraiser!!  FVA makes$1000 per bus load of 55 people looking for a good time. Bus leaves Casino at 8:30 pm to return to Nuchie’s.  Cost: $30.00, due by December 10, 2011 includes, $15.00 food voucher and $15.00 in gambling vouchers.  

 

              Next Meeting – Wednesday, November 16, 2011       6PM -  Nuchie’s  

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