Historic Holiday: A Series of Splendid Happenings

The Old Saybrook
Dedicated
to
Preserving, Protecting
Historical Society
and
Promoting
the
History
of
Old Saybrook
Winter 2013
Historic Holiday: A Series of Splendid Happenings
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D edicated
to
P reserving , P rotecting
Officers
Marie McFarlin, President
Ed Mosca, 1st Vice President
Linda Kinsella, 2nd Vice President
Robert Pedemonti, Treasurer
Judy Chace, Recording Secretary
Trustees
Karen Emack-Dolson
Irmy Hermanson
Tedd Levy
William McLaughlin
Stanley Prymas
Matthew Rubin
Arlene Sakatos
Thomas Stevenson
Chairpersons
Administrative Assistant Archives
Diane Hoyt
Archivist
Greg Thompson
Facility Management
Stephen Gernhardt
Finance
Bob Pedemonti
Gardens and Grounds
Linda Kinsella
Hart House
Donna DiBella
Marie McFarlin
Lectures
Tedd Levy
Library
Ellen O’Herlihy
Membership
Bill McLaughlin
Newsletter
Bill Roberts
Public Relations
Tedd Levy
Registrar
Diane Lyons
School Liaison
Mike Rafferty
Student Volunteers
Marie McFarlin
Wendy Mill, Youth & Family
Ways & Means
Donna DiBella
Webmaster
Jim Rothgeb
Needed Chairs
Exhibits
Guides
Hospitality
www.saybrookhistory.org
and
P romoting
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O ld S aybrook
A Splendid Happening
The weekend of Dec. 7-9 was one
• The Monkey Farm, Wine Cask,
of the finest examples of what makes
Fromage and Kinsella’s Kitchen
this Society special.
that provided food Friday night
From the evening at the Childress
• Essex Printing’s staff, who worked
Home, to the day of the Home Tour,
with Donna DiBella so well
and with the climax with
the Wassail Party Sunday
evening, members,
friends, residents
and many visitors
experienced the beauty
of the season, through
the warmth of the spirit
of good will, in a small
town that cherishes its
history and cares about
preserving it.
Where to begin to
describe what one saw?
• The Hart House
Barbara Maynard, left, Pat Osborne, Irmy Hermanson, Hadass
decorated with
Rubin and Donna DiBella helped decorate more than 400 cookies,
the heart, soul and
which were sold during the house tour.
expertise of the
decorators who created a feast for
• Bob Pedemonti, who handled all
the eyes
the financial tasks
• The 14 student volunteers, who not
• And all those who willingly gave of
only greeted guests but provided
time and talent whenever asked
Christmas music with Kyle’s guitar
Everywhere there was laughter and joy.
and their beautiful voices
All this coordination and effort
• Sherry Eldreidge’s wonderland in
and vision takes a leader who not only
the gallery
planned, but also managed well over
• Bill DiBella, Ed Mosca and Matt
a hundred volunteers. This person is
Rubin, who greeted everyone in the
Donna DiBella, without whom none of
Archives
this would have happened.
• The wonderful, generous
Donna was thrilled to have a
homeowners
great committee that was right there
• The vendors who pleasantly added a
with her, thinking and planning and
special touch
working. They are an amazing group
• Linda Kinsella’s cookie party,
and the Society is thrilled to have such
where 400 cookies were baked and
wonderful, spirited workers.
packaged for sale
BRAVO to all of you for a splendid
• Molly’s Trolley that didn’t miss a beat
happening... a powerful reminder of
• The supportive sponsors, the
how a Community can work together
merchants who took ads, the stores
and bring a true meaning to the words
that sold tickets, our neighbor
“Happy Holiday.”
churches that were so helpful with
– Marie
the parking and the guides in every
home
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D edicated
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H istory
of
O ld S aybrook
Society Update
Our Annual Meeting, held Oct. 17 at The Dock
& Dine, was a pleasant evening. We were excited
to be among the first groups to have an event in the
renovated restaurant. Unfortunately, we were also
one of the last, as Superstorm Sandy did tremendous
damage and the restaurant had to close again.
The Dock & Dine has been a special part of Old
Saybrook history, and also a great supporter of the
Society. We hope that, somehow, it will find a way to
come back!
During the evening we voted on new officers and
trustees and honored some of our volunteers.
Linda Kinsella, past president
Marie with Barbara Maynard
Linda Kinsella spoke to us summarizing her two
years as president. It was two years of incredible events
and changes... the Hart House basement renovation,
the Centennial Parade and the commitment to the
StEPs-CT (Standards and Excellence Program for
History Organizations], a two-year program sponsored
by the Connecticut Humanities Council and the
American Association for State and Local History to
ensure our programs and collections remain vibrant
community resources.
In addition, this period saw the consortium of
Lower Connecticut Historical Societies produce the
“Get Lost” brochure, highlighting each campus; the
event at the former home of Katharine Hepburn;
increased use of the Campus -- from croquet to our
visits from the neighboring churches.
We are so grateful for Linda’s outstanding
contributions, dedication and hard work and are
thrilled that she accepted the role of 2nd vicepresident.
Bob Pedemonti addressed the financial status of
the Society. Since October, Bob has worked diligently
on our budget, as we faced an unexpected $4,000
insurance increase. Balancing this budget was quite a
challenge -- and he accomplished it!
We realize that our expenses will continue to
increase in the future and our utmost goal is to remain
fiscally responsible... not an easy task in today’s world.
We have a wonderful Executive Board and Board
of Trustees. Each has accepted many responsibilities
above what is expected. They are workers; they are
dedicated; and they are not afraid of a challenge (of
which we have many).
On Page 2, as you review the list of Committee
Chairs and members who have accepted specific
Marie with Bill Phillips
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continued on page 4
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Society Update, continued from page 3
responsibilites, please be sure to thank them for their
commitment and tremendous help.
As we continue to look at the rest of this year,
after our successful Home Tour, we will be finishing
the StEPS-CT program; the Strategic Plan; the
review and rewriting of job descriptions; a five-year
maintenance and facilities plan; as well as hosting many
events and other initiatives to be presented in our next
newsletter.
Someone asked why I accepted this position,
Marie with Stuart Otto
instead of merrily living the life of a retiree.
There are many reasons but one I will address
now. Every time I walk about our Campus or enter
our buildings, I am overwhelmed by the thoughts of all
those who made this happen.
I read names, look at pictures, enter rooms, enjoy
the gardens, pick up a book or a newsletter from the
past, and I am totally immersed in the thoughts of
those who contributed so much to do all this. It is my
inspiration.
– Marie
Diane Hoyt and Tom Stevenson
Donation: Quite Uncommon “Commons” Map
Gregory Thompson, Society Archivist, accepts a
highly valuable donation from our member, Patricia
Martindale Tripoli.
It is a circa 1800 map of Saybrook Colony, often
referred to as “The Commons,” which was laid out in
1741.
The map is attributed to surveyor Capt. Richard
Dickinson (1731-1820), and was part of the Arthur
Ingraham Martindale Genealogy Collection. It is a
one-of-a-kind treasure that we are pleased to add our
collection of historical maps.
The Society is grateful to Patricia and her siblings
for this special gift.
The map, newly framed by the Martindale family,
is prominently displayed in the Stevenson Archives.
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D edicated
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H istory
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O ld S aybrook
Hart House Gardens & Spring Thoughts
by Linda Kinsella, Keeper
Recently, while in a meeting at the Stevenson
Archive, I was easily distracted by the sight of the
beautiful Hart House Gardens covered with a fresh
coating of snow. The gardens are lovely in all seasons,
but many visitors miss the special scenes of winter.
On that day,
a bright red
cardinal and
his mate were
enjoying the
branches of
the FantinLatour, Old
Garden Rose
bush, which still
contained a few
rose hips.
January
is an indoor
month for many
of us in cold
Connecticut.
In days past, it
was a time to
look forward to
the new seed
catalog arriving
Hart House gardens in mid-summer form
in your mailbox.
Do you remember getting seduced by the pictures and
wonderful descriptions of bountiful vegetables and
flowers, which added to the dreams of planting your
own Spring garden?
Today, there are so many garden centers with
ready grown plants only a few people bother with
starting their own seeds indoors. Caring for sprouting
Gardeners Wanted
We need a few dedicated volunteers
to work in the Hart House gardens
one morning a week. Join the group,
make new friends and make a difference
in the appearance of the Hart House
gardens. No experience? No problem!
We will offer guidance.
seedlings is both economical and rewarding, though
many gardeners become a bit disillusioned because
they start their seeds too early. The excitement and
the plants often wither, waiting for the weather to be
warm enough to plant outdoors. I like to start seeds
around middle to
late March; that
gives them about
six weeks before
it’s warm enough
for planting.
America
seems to be in a
great gardening
boom. People
are interested
in eating pure
(non-genetically
modified), natural
food and are
willing to do the
work required
to grow it. I’ve
read the number
of households
with their own
vegetable gardens
has doubled in
the last two years!
For several growing seasons, Karl Haagensen
provided the best heirloom tomatoes plants to “Sally’s
garden” at the Hart House. He saved the seeds from
year to year and Edna, his wife, nurtured the plants as
they grew and produced the best tasting tomato you
ever want to eat.
Sadly, Karl passed away last summer, so we need
to find another supplier of heritage tomato plants.
Fortunately, there are many old Connecticut seed
companies still in business, like Comstock, Ferre Co.
and the Chas. Hart Seed Co., both in Wethersfield.
And many of the local nurseries sell heirloom seeds.
With your garden in mind, we are planning a new
series of interesting garden talks & tips, beginning in
March.
Call Diane Hoyt (860) 395-1635 at the Stevenson
Archive to leave your phone number or email address
for a notice of date, time and topic.
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D edicated
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O ld S aybrook
Yale College: Founded 1701. Removed 1716
by Tedd Levy
Barbara Maynard, our beloved Society member, No. 1 cheerleader,
former First Selectman and noted Old Saybrook historian, recently taped
a segment for Fox Connecticut News by the Yale College Boulder.
She related the extreme reluctance of Old Saybrook residents in 1716
to part with the Yale College, despite the governor’s order that it be
relocated to New Haven.
Sheriffs’ men had to hold off disgruntled local residents who objected
to the removal of the school, which had been founded in town in 1701,
and its large library. Eventually, some 1,000 books were transferred and
are located today at Saybrook College at Yale University.
However, Barbara explained, another 250 or so were “lost” and
never arrived at all.
http://www.courant.com/videogallery/73614633/News/Where-AreMissing-Books-From-Original-Yale-Library
A Grave Event: Tour of Cypress Cemetery
by Tedd Levy
“A Grave Event” guided tour of Cypress Cemetery
on Saybrook Point was led by the Cypress Association
and Historical Society member J.H. Torrance Downes.
The tour, having been earlier washed out by Supertorm
Sandy, was held Nov. 18.
Sponsored by the Old Saybrook Historical
Society, in cooperation with the Cypress Cemetery
Association, the Grave Event tour highlighted many
prominent Saybrook individuals that have their
final resting place in one of North America’s oldest,
continuously operating burial grounds. The cemetery
Among the 30 hearty souls that came out for “The Grave
Event” walking tour was Society member Jean Malinosky.
originally was laid out in 1635 as part of the Saybrook
Colony.
The enthusiastic crowd learned some of the stories
of the “ancient burial ground,” and also was treated to
refreshments provided by Starbucks and, as darkness fell,
was guided by lanterns provided by Harris Outdoors.
Attendees also were told that Cypress has recently
expanded and that plots are available for purchase. More
information is available at cypresscemetaryosct.org or
from Association President Jim Cahill, (860) 304-4683.
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D edicated
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About Our Volunteers ...
AWARDS: Elise Bischoff, Barbara Maynard,
Patricia Osborne, Stuart Otto, Bill Phillips,
Charles Weldon and June Woodhouse were
honored at the Annual Meeting for more than 15
years of outstanding service and dedication to the
mission of the Society.
OPPORTUNITIES: Our most critical volunteer
needs are Hospitality chair, guides, gardeners and
weeders, as well as Archives computer and clerical
assistants. We promise your time will be rewarding,
interesting and fun. Please call Diane Hoyt (860)
395-1635 for further information.
Cherished Volunteers...
As noted in previous newsletters, earlier in 2012,
we lost two incredible volunteers, Bob Duncan and
Allison Elrod.
Sadly, Junie Lewis, a former president of the
Society, passed away later in the year. Junie’s energy,
passion and hard work definitely helped move the
Society forward. Everyone respected and appreciated
her tremendous efforts to preserve Old Saybrook’s
history.
Junie asked that donations be given to the
Society. As she spent so many hours in the Hart
House, we will see that an improvement in the
lighting will be made in her memory.
P romoting
the
H istory
of
O ld S aybrook
Welcome Our Newest
Members
(April 1-Dec. 31, 2012)
Erin Royston Battat
Nancy Beaulac
Sarah Becker
Charles Beebe
Norma Bucko
Joyce & Scott Deford
Carrie D’Esopo
Deborah & Craig Ferrer
Mr. & Mrs. Karl Frost
Gene Hornsby
Annie E. Jensen
Nan & Mark Levoff
Catherine Logiudice
Diane Hunt-Mason
Nancy Pratt May
Lynn & David McFarlin
Rosalie Moynihan
Debra Pegnataro
Josephine & Aldo Peracchio
Lauren & Richard Peters
Susan Pillans
Chiara Scarpelli
Linda & Lawrence Tucker
Bryn Mawr, PA
Old Saybrook, CT
Old Saybrook, CT
Mystic, CT
Hawleyville, CT
Niantic, CT
Westbrook, CT
Old Saybrook, CT
Old Saybrook, CT
Dover, MA
Old Saybrook,CT
Old Saybrook, CT
Old Saybrook, CT
Essex, CT
Lexington, KY
Manchester, CT
Old Saybrook, CT
Old Lyme, CT
South Windsor, CT
Old Saybrook, CT
Atlanta, GA
Old Saybrook, CT
Old Saybrook, CT
Changes…
Diane Hoyt, our terrific corresponding and
recording secretary, will now concentrate her skills
and efforts as an Administrative Assistant in the
Stevenson Archives, helping with correspondence,
email, phone messages and visitors.
Bill Roberts has offered his marketing
communications skills to help with the Newsletter
and associated activities.
Don’t Forget to Vote
If you have an account with Essex
Savings Bank, we hope you will vote for
the Society on its customer ballot for the
bank’s Community Investment Program
this year. Voting concludes March 15.
Thank you!
Kyle Anderson entertained at Hart House.
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Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Old Saybrook, CT
Permit No. 52
The Old Saybrook Historical Society
Post Office Box 4
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
860.388.2622
www.saybrookhistory.org
Address Service Requested
Mark Your Calendars
It’s All Relative(s)
June 1 - Antiques Sale & Appraisal Day
If you wonder where you came from, consider
attending an informative genealogy workshop for
beginners held in the Stevenson Archives. The
program is conducted by Greg Thompson, Society
Archivist and professional genealogist, March 12,
19 and 26, and April 2 and 9. Sessions run from
6-8 p.m. All materials are provided. Enrollment is
limited. Members $65, non-members $75. Contact
Diane Hoyt at (860) 395-1635 for details.
On the Hart House Campus. Thus far, seven
appraisers and eight sellers have committed to
attend.
June 7 - Chamber of Commerce Breakfast
at the Hart House 7:30 - 9 am.
June 8 - Hart House opens for summer
June 9 - Member/Guest reception
in Hart House Garden 4 - 6 pm.
Chapman Lecture Series
Free, popular talks sponsored by the Society, in
cooperation with the Acton Public Library. Held
at the Library, from 7 - 8:15. Upcoming: March 28
– “Ella Grasso: Connecticut’s Pioneering Governor”
and May 23 – “Hidden In Plain Sight.”
This newsletter is generously
sponsored by
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