President, Dave Pasqualicchio Report and Remarks:

    Welcome, Happy New Year to all membership.  May 2009 be healthy, prosperous and productive for you and your families.

    Tonight, FVA celebrates our 7^th anniversary. Wow! Where has the time gone? Let’s look at FVA accomplishments beginning in 2002, with our inaugural project, the route 72 Gateway sign. We then acquired the Albertelli property to pave the way to Central Square and the clock.  These completed projects set the tone for changing Forestville’s identity for progress, respecting our fore fathers and the past, renewing our commitment for today. FVA stands vital, committed, a strong organization, to move agenda forward to fulfill our Mission Statement:  Members of FVA are community spirited individuals, who genuinely care for our village. We encourage all with similar interests to join us in making Forestville an even better place to live and work. Are we proud of FVA? Yes! We should be…..applause. Cake is enjoyed by all.

    Our 2009 resolution is to continue to build membership, engage personnel to become active and productive, solidifying efforts and reputation in the Forestville and Bristol Community.

    New faces in the crowd we recognize tonight are CPA, Bryan Ricci.  Returning new faces include, Peter Roberge and core veterans.  Where would the FVA be without you!

    Tonight, we continue to recognize and express our appreciation and support of deserving property owners who have renovated and enhanced their business.  A great acquisition, Peter Roberge purchased the Albertelli property and has relocated three new businesses to the Forestville Community:  Allstate Insurance, Sharon’s Barkery and CPA, Bryan Ricci.

    As the calendar pages flip, so do our annual events. It just doesn’t stop! Here we go again. With all these events and commitments, it would be easier to call it quits, but we will dig down and get it done. Let’s just do it!

City Village News:

·     The 7^th annual Carol Sing was well attended. Special Thanks to Peter Roberge, MaryLyn Gagnon, Skip Klepps, Chris Roberge and the BEHS Choral Group for leading us in this wonderful holiday tradition.

·     FVA participated once again in decorating the halls of the Bristol Library Festival of Trees. It has become a practice to raffle off the pieces, made by Debbie at Trade Winds for the event, to the membership in January. MaryJane Johnson was the winner.

·     Forestville council leader, Craig Minor has decided to step down from the city council after his term. Craig has kept FVA informed through the years.  Thank you, Craig for your service to the City and to FVA.

·     Forestville Historical notes of interest, The Oldest House in Forestville with Tom Dickau:   The house was the Pierce House, built in 1728 by Ebenezer Barnes on King's Highway, now called King Street. It was later sold to the Pierce family in 1795.  This is the Pierce family of the Pierce and Nortons that ran Lake Compounce.  The house stayed in those two families for over 200 years was later used for Bristol Brass employee housing and was torn down in the 1930's. It was located on the northeast intersections of King and Broad Street.

·     Forestville Trivia to ponder until the next meeting: What businesses were each of the following connected with: (These are within lifetime of membership) Gaeton Devevo, Anthony Christopher, John Zurawel, Aaron Holden, Anthony Korytko, Stanley Geryk, Del Forcier, John Puskarz, John Perfetto, Fred Gentile. Tom said he was going to make this a matching game, but didn’t think members needed that much of a hint!

·     www.fvact.org    Please continue to keep informed with late breaking FVA   news by checking the website daily. Paul Kowalczyk, webmaster, welcomes all news, photos, etc. at pakman2@comcast.net  583-6832.

·     Tom Dickau has requested in a motion to purchase 250 Sarah E. Reynolds ornaments for 2009. Also, he would like to replenish stock of past years’ ornaments, including the Railroad Station, Central Square, and 50 Greene Hills School. Motion was approved.

Leo Bonola Report: 

·     2009 promises to see a more relaxed Deputy Mayor, Leo Bonola. FVA Duck Man, will stay involved in the Duck Race planning and implementation with much more assistance this year.

·     Volunteers are needed for the Bristol Chamber of Commerce Home Show, on February 20^th, (5-9pm), Feb.21^st, (10am-6pm), Feb 22^nd (10am -4pm). Would you like to sell duck tickets and t-shirts for a couple hours on Friday, Saturday or Sunday? Let an FVA official know of the desired day and hour you wish to help.

·     Leo thanked Dave for the wonderful job at the Holiday Gathering and Mike Pasqualicchio’s outstanding food.

·     The monthly drawing winner, of $25 gift certificate to Sharon’s K-9 Barkery is Kim Daly.

·     Tom Dickau, 2009 Duck Report:  The monthly duck committee meetings have been active, producing redefined roles within The Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Forestville Village Association for our most important community fundraiser.  Maryellen Holden (duck lady) has committed with Tom to handle all ticket sales and chair the event.  Tom has picked up a good support team (including, Leo Bonola, Rick Leach, Ron Trafford, Marsha Lockhart, Rob Newton, Paul Kowalczyk, Sandy Gozzo, Penny Critchley and Maryellen Holden) from FVA and spokesperson Crista Elsdon, Mike Nicastro and Cheryl Thibeault from the Bristol Chamber of Commerce. We wish them well.

Membership:  “If you like what you see, Join us?!”

    Marsha recently mailed out all invoices to present membership, for renewal. Please respond promptly. FVA has asked all members to sign up one new member this year. This greatly enhances our membership role and operational capital.

    FVA is searching for new businesses to join FVA.  Would someone like to print a list of businesses on E. Main Street, especially Sessions Clock Building?  The membership committee will get together to search for new mailings. If you are interested in helping with this endeavor, please let Marsha know at mmtldml@sbcglobal.net or 582-6245.

    Plan to attend a FVA meeting, in 2009.  They are relaxing and entertaining.  We do not expect anything from you, but would like to introduce you to the members of Forestville Village Association. T- Shirts are available to new members.

Treasurer’s Report:

    Congratulations to our treasurer, Nancy Blanchette, Chairwoman of the Board of the Bristol Hospital. Nancy has informed us, she will remain treasurer of FVA, although some of her office duties may be distributed to the many qualified members.

    Nancy has done a nice job this past year, keeping tabs on FVA money and projects. Her report will include a summary of prudent spending, and what works and what is a waste of time.

    The treasurer’s report will be available on our website, www.fvact.org  the first week in February, and will be available at next month’s meeting.

Beautification:

    The holiday center decorations were beautiful, with the lights on the shrubs and trees in Central Square, Peter Roberge’s festival lighting of the Railroad station and Ultimate’s fiber optic tree.

    The evergreen boughs adorning the telephone poles, throughout Forestville were a simple touch, adding the holiday spirit to our streets. Thank you to Helen and John Lobaczewski for cutting and donating the evergreens. Thank you to Dr. Everett Lyons, Mike Rogers, Rich Riechler and the BEHS students, who made and hung the evergreen boughs and thank you to everyone who helped our Village of Forestville shout Merry Christmas to all who passed through.

Correspondence:

·     Dave received a note of thanks from Maryellen for all that he does and for “keeping us in line”.

·     Received a letter of thanks from retired Chamber President, John Leone for the recent donation to the Leone Foundation.

·     Received a Christmas card wishing all a Merry Christmas from White Insulation.

·     Maryellen has sent out notes of appreciation to all involved with FVA Carol Sing. Special thanks to Host Peter Roberge, MC MaryLynn Gagnon, DJ Skip Klepps, Santa Chris Roberge and the BEHS Choral Group.

Our sympathy was sent to:

·       Roy Diyulio for the passing of his brother

·       Rob Newton – passing of Father in law

·       Maryellen Holden-passing of Mom

·       Thinking of you to Steve Tobin, wishing him well with recent  surgery.

·       Special thanks to Matt Strus for his donation of poster board and paper supplies.

·       Thanks to Rick Leach for the printing of the monthly newsletter.

·       Congratulations Nancy Blanchette, Head of the Board at the Bristol Hospital.

Fundraising:     Save these dates on your 2009 calendar!!

·       Pasta Auction – March 12^th

·       Duck Race  - May 3, 2009

·       Golf Tournament – Friday, June 19^th

·       There has been discussion about an early summer night at the ball park watching a New Britain Rock Cats game. Information is being gathered about that and if anyone has other suggestions for fundraisers, please, lets us know.

·       The 2008 Christmas Ornament, depicting Greene Hills School was a complete sell out of 150 ornaments.  FVA will reorder more for the 2009 fundraiser.

Quinlan Park Plan:

Marguerite Petersen said the plans are moving along, but there is considerable ground work needed in place, before the project moves forward. Funding the project is a concern. Is there Grant money available?

FVA fundraising effort is focusing on the Quinlan project. It is a great way to express memorial recognition by donating to FVA Quinlan project.

When bricks are available for sale, notice will follow.

          The 2009 plan is to begin construction after funding and the plan is approved.

New Business:

·       February meeting vote to take place, concerning the United Way Event Sponsorship Packages. Last year donation was $500.

·       Day of Caring – May 15,2009

·       FVA Scholarship Form is available at www.fvact.org .  Please remind students of this wonderful opportunity available to all. It is a $500 scholarship.

·       Please mark your calendar for the March 15^th monthly meeting to be held at “Scoops and Dreams” at 6pm. All in attendance will be treated to an ice cream of choice.  Please make it a point to attend. It should be fun!

 Next meeting:

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

6pm – Nuchie’s

Please remember to support area business!

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©2008 Forestville Village Association, Inc.