Minutes20101013

President, Dave Pasqualicchio Report:

Let’s take FVA to new heights! We have built a base of volunteers, installing strong leadership. We have great people, doing a great job, welcoming additional volunteers every month with their new ideas for fundraising and community activities. The sense of pride and accomplishment is its own reward for those of us who beautify our village and help it prosper. The result; look at us now! Wow!

The Pumpkin Festival, an annual spectacular Forestville event, organized by the FVA, is sure to be outstanding. I’m truly impressed with Tom and cohorts.

The opening of Rt. 72 seems to be working. There is definitely less traffic, backups and less cigarette and paper litter. We are getting our village back slowly and we like it!

Bristol Sign Art will bid on placing a campaign thermometer in Quinlan Park, to kick off the fundraising campaign and Phase 1 of the park project. We need a goal date, plan of attack and perhaps a committee meeting?? FVA momentum could set the stage for moving the Quinlan project forward. It seems to be good timing now. Let’s do it!

Dave would like to thank Christine Levesque for a quick response designing the Bristol Pumpkin flyer, asking for sponsorship. We received a total of $330.00 from local businesses. Thank you!

In conclusion, in the 4^th quarter FVA will finish up strong with adrenaline flow and excitement. Time for a winter snooze!

City Village Report:

Rick Leach, FVA Vice President, presided over the meeting in Dave’s absence. We welcome new faces in the crowd; Carrie Tie, Manager of TD Bank and Cathy Eufemia. Returning members to this meeting include, Bill Englert, owner of City True Value Hardware, Kelly Dube, Cheryl and Allison Owsianko, and Bob Fletcher. Thanks for attending. We are always happy to see you.

· An unbelievable monthly drawing took place. A lifelong friend of Jean Della Vecchia and FVA member, Barbara Ozirsky, was in CT visiting our meeting, from her home in Florida. Ed Dubois, (we all know lucky Ed) wanted to make sure he didn’t win the monthly drawing for the 4^th consecutive month, so he gave Barbara his ticket. Ed also gave Barbara his usual seat next to Jean, being the nice guy he is. Barbara Ozirsky won the monthly membership drawing…….sitting in Ed’s usual seat and winning on Ed’s ticket. What are the chances of that?? Only at the FVAJ.

· Carrie Tie, manager of TD Bank is becoming a member of FVA. TD Bank has donated $1500 to the Pumpkin Festival, along with various items for the children and the dog parade. Good News! The bank wants to become involved in as many of our Forestville projects as possible.

· FVA voted to support the Greater Bristol Visiting Nurse Association with a $50.00 donation. The VNA serves the greater Bristol area, caring for the young and old, for the less fortunate and the gravely ill.

· Tom Dickau amended a motion made by Ron Trafford; form a committee to meet, to propose a plan to present to FVA for approval, before approaching the chamber concerning the profits and duties of the annual duck race.

· Pumpkin Festival Awards – Congratulations to the winners!

Mayor’s Award / Alexandria Briere

Miss Bristol, America Award / Victoria Kilbourne

Miss Bristol Award / Brianna Teodoro

Miss Mum Award / Selena Norton

Bob Montgomery- Bristol Press Award /Alyson Jenkins

School Awards

First Place/ Ivy Drive School

Second Place/ St. Matthew School

Third Place/ Greene-Hills School

Organization Awards

First Place- Asbury Methodist Church

Second Place- Bristol Public Library

Third Place- Sandy’s Baton Studio

Business Awards

First Place- M&M Tennis Court Company

Second Place-All-State Insurance Company, Church Avenue

Third Place- True Value City Hardware

Judge’s Choice

First Place- The Bunker Family

Second Place- The Bristol Public Library

Third Place- Danielle Rivard

Best Etched Webster Bank- Pine Street Branch

Most Creative

First Place- Alexandria Briere

Second Place- Luke Losacano

Third Place- Amy Bollinger

Best Theme

First Place- Frank and Emma Lewis

Second Place – Lilah Bollinger

Third Place- Margaret Huntley

FVA “Waddles” Award

Victoria Kilbourne

Best Jack-O-Lantern

First Place- The Cavallari Family

Second Place- Troy Jacquette

Third Place- Danielle Rivard

FVA, President Pasqualicchio Award

Peter Fredricks Salon

Scariest

First Place- Miya Spinella

Second Place- John Valley Sr.

Third Place- Josh Donaghy

Funniest

First Place-Jared Oathout

Second Place- D.J. Green

Third Place- Amy Wilkes

Spookiest / Dustin and Brandon La Buhn

PET PARADE WINNERS

Cutest Category- Coco- Dressed as a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader- Owner Allison Valley

Scariest Category-Zachary- Dressed as a Dinosaur- Owner- Claudia Barbuto

Most Original Category- Payton- Dressed as Piggy- Owner Eileen Holden

Funniest Category- Abbey- Dressed as “Wolf in Sheep Clothing”- Owner Kim Krenek

Best Disguise- Zoey- Dressed as a Lobster- Owner Michelle Laurendeau

Over-all Best in Show- Coco

SCARECROW CONTEST WINNERS

First Place- #10- Real Scarecrow- The France Family

Second Place-#3- Recycled Man Scarecrow- Barbara Losee

Third Prize- #6- Googly Eyed Scarecrow- The Bloom Family

FVA would like to express our sincere appreciation to Sharon’s K-9 Barkery for the dog parade, a highlight of the festival; to the Manross Library; Joan Trafford for organizing the annual Scarecrow contest which has become an integral part of the festival; Sandy and Joe Gozzo, a great parade with actual parade music and our own Waddles, AKA Maryellen Holden, leading the parade. Of course, we have to remember Ron Trafford, Kit Critchley, Rob Newton, Leo Bonola, Paul Kowalczyk, Rick Leach and Don Lockhart for their part in signs, lighting, road closure and pumpkin duty; Kate Mathews, her sister, Sarah Lupa and Mary Jane Johnson for planning and implementing the children’s games and activities.; and Marsha Lockhart, Geri Reilly, Penny Critchley, Gail Leach and FVA President Dave Pasqualicchio who held a variety of duties. A special thank you to Tom Dickau, our fearless leader and organizer of this event; we couldn’t have done it without you. FVA thanks sponsors, judges, deliverers of the bleachers and certainly anyone who took part in making the Pumpkin Festival a successful Forestville event. It takes an entire village to make an event memorable. Thanks to all!!

Tom Dickau writes: Congratulations and a job-well- done. To the many committee members and volunteers my sincere appreciation for all you did to make the Pumpkin Festival, first time under the total auspices of the F.V.A., a tremendous success. I think we provided an even better festival than last year despite the lack of police and the usual sound system. We improvised and did a great job. Everyone contributes and keeps giving when the need arises. Very few organizations can brag about the manpower and dedication of its volunteers like the F.V.A. can. Believe me; it doesn’t go unnoticed in the community. I receive too much credit for what takes place; the credit truly goes out to you who contribute so magnificently. I am so proud to be a member of F.V.A. and to work with each of you. Kudos to all!

Membership: If you like what you see, join us! **Always accepting new members**

· Terese France, of DTF Remodeling on Kenny St. and her family, volunteered to distribute FVA membership forms and pumpkin festival flyers to 80 neighbors. Thank you to the France family. Hopefully, it will help increase membership and other FVA members will follow your lead, in their neighborhood. Great idea!

· Remember you must have dues paid to date to attend the Holiday gathering on December 29^th, 6pm at Nuchie’s.

Beautification:

Mary Jane Johnson trimmed bushes, planted mums and mulched the area of our, Welcome to Forestville Gateway sign. While we are thanking her for the upkeep of the gateway sign, we have to include thanks for also cleaning up the flower boxes on the bridge and planting mini mums. Nice job, Janie!!

Don Lockhart has offered to refurbish the wood where needed and paint the gateway sign in the spring of 2011.

Thank you, Dave and Nuchie’s employee, John Fabrizio, for the fall decorating of the center island. It is a gorgeous display, promoting FVA Village and the Pumpkin Festival.

Ron Trafford and friends, including, Jeff Beaucar, Paul Kowalczyk, Don Lockhart and Rick Leach did a great job of hanging the festival banner real tight and high, over the river.

FVA is fortunate to have many volunteers working together, with their time and special talents to keep Forestville Village beautiful!!

Remove junk, plant a Mum and place a pumpkin on the porch and pick up litter. You will encourage others to do the same. Revitalization of neighborhoods starts with you. Believe it, it works!

Fundraising:

· The Pumpkin Festival proves Central Square has really turned out to be the spot to serve the community well. It is everything we wanted it to be. Now is the time to order a Central Square brick, to be installed in the spring of 2011. Have your family name etched on a brick in Forestville, forever and ever. The purchase price is $75.00. Last call; we may not be able to offer this opportunity again. Forms are available at Nuchie’s.

· Casino Bus Trip, Mohegan Sun: * As of this writing, a third bus is being filled.* Reserve your seat now at Nuchie’s or with Tom Massarelli, event organizer. The trip is planned for January 8, 2011. The cost is $30 and in return you get $15.00 food voucher and $15.00 for gambling. It is and early afternoon to evening event. Deadline is December 1, 2010. Come along; it will be fun!

· Turkey Shoot: No, we don’t shoot a real turkey! There is still time to sell 25 spaces on a paper target at $1.00 a slice. After darts are shot at the target, at FVA November 17^th meeting, the winner receives a $15.00 gift card to Gnazzo’s, in Plainville. Sell to family members, neighbors, office associates and club associates. You can do it! It is a nice easy fundraiser. Any questions, contact Marsha, mmtldml@sbcglobal.net or 860-582-6245.

· 2010 Christmas Ornament The past and present Forestville Firehouse, depicted as the 7^th ornament in our series of Christmas ornaments, will be available at the November meeting. *Bring your $10.00* As always, the other collectable ornaments; Forestville Railroad Station, Thomas W. Quinlan Park, Asbury Methodist Church, Central Square, Greene Hills School and Sarah E. Reynolds School are available at Nuchie’s. To buy all 7 in the series, to start your collection or for gift giving, the price is only, $65.00.

Quinlan Park/ Marguerite’s update:

I’m in the process of making the final (hopefully) changes to the drawings to satisfy The City of Bristol’s “Site Plan Review Committee”, which is comprised of Engineering/Public Works, Bldg./Zoning Enforcement, City Planner, Police Department, Fire Marshal, and Water Department. I have not heard from the CT DOT Bureau of Highways District #1. Once I make the corrections, I will be submitting the plans to the Land Use Office for further staff review.

Correspondence report with Maryellen Holden, AKA Waddles:

· A note to Betty Boukus to check on route for bus on Rt.372

· Condolences to Peg Bonola on death of her sister

· Our sympathy to Diana Mikulak on the passing of her Dad (Michaelson).

· “Thinking of you” Gary Ritter from FVA. (For anyone who knows Gary and would like to send him a card his address is: 191 Southeast Asprey Ridge, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34984)

· A note was sent to the school building committee asking them to retain the name Greene Hills. Bob Kalat responded, he will relay our concern to the committee.

Also, Bob Kalat is looking for any and all sports related memorabilia from Green Hills School, as he knows there was a great deal there at one time. He will be happy to make copies of what people have, if you contact him at rkalat@aol.com.

· A note to Mum Officials; a fine job with this year Mum Festival and Parade.

· Received a note of thanks from the Veterans Educational Service for the $50.00 donation, “A Tribute to Veterans”.

· Thank you Tom Kenyon for donation of canopy tent.

· Thank you Mary Jane Johnson for Mum plantings and maintenance at the gateway sign

· Speedy Recovery, Donna Dickau

· Thank you notes to Pumpkin Festival judges and sponsors

Thank you, Gail, Rick and Grandson Leach for decorating your truck (with Marsha and Don as helpers) and your time spent representing FVA in the Mum Parade, advertising the Bristol Pumpkin Festival.

Thank you, Paul Kowalczyk for updating the FVA website and being our Webmaster; www.fvact.org

Mark your calendar….Coming Events:

· Veterans Day Observance, Thursday, November 11, 2010, 1 pm at Quinlan Park Please take time to attend this short program, put together by Rick Leach and Leo Bonola, to show your respect for those who have served our country.

· Carol Sing – Monday December 13, 2010 – 6:30pm at the Railroad Station building, hosted by Peter Roberge. Bring your holiday spirit and singing voice to Forestville!

· Holiday Gathering, December 29,2010 - 6pm- at Nuchie’s

Please attend the November monthly meeting, the last of 2010. Included is Election of Officers and the Turkey Shoot. No meeting in December.

Next FVA Meeting , November 17^th, 6pm, at Nuchie’s