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A memorial service for Rose Roller Buell, 92, beloved wife for 67 years to the late Daniel W. Buell will be held on Saturday, June 25 at 11 a.m. at the Clinton firehouse.
Rose died peacefully June 1, 2011 after a short illness with her daughter Susan at her side.
She was the daughter of the late Rose and Joseph Roller who owned the famous Buffalo Farm, and a graduate of The Morgan School.
Her survivors include two daughters, Linda Holmes of North Branford and Susan Smith (Roy) of East Greenville, Pa.; grandchildren, Bonnie Finkeldey (Michael) of Clinton and John Ruik Holmes of Branford; great grandson Jeremy Finkeldey of Clinton, and a brother George Roller (Delores) of Grand Cayman Islands.
An expert seamstress, Rose was active in the Clinton Historical Society, the American Legion, Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, Tercentenary Committee, numerous other civic organizations, and worked the polls at elections.
She shared her husband's dedication to his ancestry; Dan was the last direct descendent of Samuel Buell, a founder of Clinton in 1663. The Buell Tool Museum at the Clinton Historical Society's Old Brick is their gift.
Rose and Dan were avid square dancers and in retirement toured the USA and Canada with the Clamdigger Campers.
Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main Street, Clinton is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Clinton Fire Department, 35 East Main Street, Clinton in her name.
Daniel A. Vece Jr., Clinton native, former three term First Selectman, Fire Chief and survivor of Iwo Jima, died April 16, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family. He was 86 years of age.
Son of the late Clotilda and Dan Sr, he was predeceased by his beloved wife, Isabel.
He is survived by his son, Tom Vece and wife Theresa, and daughters, Marsha Vece and Nancy Shuss and husband Chuck; two grandchildren, Ashlee Fox and Garrett Fox and wife Abbie, and great-grandson Ryker Fox.
Dan leaves a brother, Gerald "Bud" Vece and wife Carol, and numerous nieces and nephews; and longtime companion, Dibirma Burnham.
In his senior year at The Morgan School, Dan enlisted in the U. S. Marines to fight in World War II. He was a survivor of Iwo Jima. After the war, he returned to Clinton, and dedicated the remainder of his adult life to spearheading local civic and patriotic causes and raising his family.
He originated Clinton's Memorial Day parade and served as its marshal for 40 years. He was co-chairman of Clinton's Tercentenary Celebration.
A lifetime member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, he served as assistant chief for 20 years and chief for 10 years. The department's Firefighter of the Year Award is named for him.
His civic tenure included six years as First Selectman and 8 years as Selectman, membership on the Police Commission and Park and Recreation Commission, VFW Post #9918 and commander of the American Legion Post #66, the head of the Valley Shore 911 Emergency system, and president of the Iwo Jima Memorial Association.
Among Dan's honors are Clinton's Distinguished Citizen Award, Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year, public service awards from the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Republican and Democratic Town Committees, Junior Women's club, The Morgan School and American Legion.
In 2009 he was inducted into prestigious Connecticut Veteran's Hall of Fame.
A parishioner of St. Mary of the Visitation, he is a member of Clinton Historical Society.
With his brother Bud, he owned and operated Shore Television and Appliance.
Family and friends are invited to the Swan Funeral Home at 80 East Main Street on Monday, 2 to 8 p.m., April 25.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, April 26 at St. Mary of Visitation on Grove Street at 11 a.m. Internment will follow at Beaverbrook Cemetery with full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department or the Iwo Jima Survivors Association.
David Burghardt, co-founder and webmaster of Kelseytown Gazette, dies after short illness
David Burghardt, co-founder and webmaster of the Kelseytown Gazette, died at age 58 years at his home in Clinton on November 30, 2010 after a short illness.
He was born and raised in Madison, and as a summer high school exchange student to Peru and Chile developed a lifelong interest in international travel and learning. He was a theology major in college and later pursued a career as a jewelry and artifact importer, living in the southwest, overseas and Florida.
Upon his mother's illness, he moved to Clinton in 2006 where he continued his international traveling and contacts via the internet.
He had an encyclopedic mind. He had a passion for photography, history, politics, classical literature, books, flower and vegetable gardening, and the gingko tree.
He was an innovator. He taught himself to become a designer and webmaster for the creation of the Kelseytown Gazette.
He incorporated the Zenfolio program for slide show presentations and photographed the gravestones in the Indian River Cemetery, which receives hits from genealogists worldwide.
When David was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he viewed his illness as a learning opportunity for the student doctors at Yale; also, a time to convey the knowledge that would be needed to continue the Kelseytown Gazette without him.
Quietly, without fanfare, he performed his webmaster magic behind the scenes with few aware of the essential part he played in the Kelseytown Gazette's existence.
His presence in Clinton was like his beloved gingko tree behind the town hall, bursting in full leaf autumn brilliance, then gone.
David leaves his sister and brother-in-law, Dale and David Moore and mother, Constance "Dee" Burghardt, all of Clinton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, December 6, 2010 at 10 a.m. at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Madison.
Burial will be private and at a future date.
Memorial donations in his name may be made to the Madison Rotary Foundation Warm the Children Fund and the Yale New Haven Hospital Smilow Cancer Center.
David Burghardt, co-founder and webmaster of the Kelseytown Gazette, died at age 58 years at his home in Clinton on November 30, 2010 after a short illness.
He was born and raised in Madison, and as a summer high school exchange student to Peru and Chile developed a lifelong interest in international travel and learning. He was a theology major in college and later pursued a career as a jewelry and artifact importer, living in the southwest, overseas and Florida.
Upon his mother's illness, he moved to Clinton in 2006 where he continued his international traveling and contacts via the internet.
He had an encyclopedic mind. He had a passion for photography, history, politics, classical literature, books, flower and vegetable gardening, and the gingko tree.
He was an innovator. He taught himself to become a designer and webmaster for the creation of the Kelseytown Gazette.
He incorporated the Zenfolio program for slide show presentations and photographed the gravestones in the Indian River Cemetery, which receives hits from genealogists worldwide.
When David was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he viewed his illness as a learning opportunity for the student doctors at Yale; also, a time to convey the knowledge that would be needed to continue the Kelseytown Gazette without him.
Quietly, without fanfare, he performed his webmaster magic behind the scenes with few aware of the essential part he played in the Kelseytown Gazette's existence.
His presence in Clinton was like his beloved gingko tree behind the town hall, bursting in full leaf autumn brilliance, then gone.
David leaves his sister and brother-in-law, Dale and David Moore and mother, Constance "Dee" Burghardt, all of Clinton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, December 6, 2010 at 10 a.m. at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Madison.
Burial will be private and at a future date.
Memorial donations in his name may be made to the Madison Rotary Foundation Warm the Children Fund and the Yale New Haven Hospital Smilow Cancer Center.
Special Santa coming to town
A special Santa will be coming to Clinton this year.
If he receives the hoped for reception his elves, the Arbor Garden Club, will put the finishing touches of landscaping on Clinton Landing while Santa goes home with some lucky Clintonite to become his or her collector's heirloom.
Santa is the original creation of two garden club members, artisan Amber Bierkan who designed and handcrafted the sculpture and Gail Sherry who did the costume's sewing.
Amber's passion is Christmas. She operates a year round Santa's workshop in her home in preparation for decorating a room in a Pennsylvania mansion maintained by the Parks Department.
Each year (this is her 10th) she chooses a new theme for the room, then conducts research for authenticity and creative inspiration. With the skill of a draftsman lays out each item on design paper, and with the exception of sewing, creates and paints each item herself, with occasional shopsmith help from her father and husband, Dean.
The most surprising feature of Amber's artistry is that most of the materials she uses are recycled secondhand castoffs. She has recycled from rummage sales, shop closings, construction sites, and dumpsters. She even recycles her own Christmas room decorations, from one year into the next year's theme.
In the case of Clinton's Santa, his coat was cut from a coat purchased at Goodwill.
For an opportunity to view Santa in person, and to purchase a $5 ticket to complete the beautification of Clinton Landing, and perhaps taking Santa home, he'll be the following places in December:
12/1 Lions Club Christmas Party at Clinton Country Club.
12/5 Christmas in Clinton, in Town Hall green room. 2 to 6 p.m.
12/7, 8 and 9 Clinton Historical Society Luncheons at Old Brick.
Interested purchasers may also contact an Arbor Club member.
The drawing for the winning Santa will take place December 9 at the Arbor Garden Club Christmas party.
Lorraine Anderson, a guest at her first Clinton Historical Society holiday luncheon, admires the dining room in the Captain Elisha White House with its unusual corner fireplace.
David Perrelli, owner of Old Beautiful Antiques & Art, welcomed
guests at a holiday open house celebrating his shop's first anniversary
in the federal house at 57 West Main Street, opposite Grove Street. Assisting David with the food is his mother.
The Award winners at the Clinton Chamber of Commerce 30th annual awards dinner at the Clinton Country Club were l to r, Distinction for Public Service, Miner Vincent, founder of Families Helping Families and Best Foot Forward, Jane Scully Welch, founder of the Pretty Committee and for Business to Community Partnership and the Board of Education Business Person of the Year, Steve Sinni, owner of Chips' Pub 111.
The gals and guys of the Pretty Committee proudly posed with their award winning leader, Jane Scully Welch, at center in the yellow scarf. In her acceptance speech, Jane said the award really belonged to her crew of loyal, enthusiastic volunteers with their pick up trash bags, paint brushes and repair tools. Photo credit: Ted Welch
Hidden treasures in plain sight
The Bookloft & Old Beautiful, Antiques and Art
The
adage that you can't tell a book by its cover is a perfect analogy for
the Bookloft, located in the red painted, long rambling corn
crib structure across from Friendly's on the corner of West Main Street
and North High Street.
Historical
lore says the building was constructed in 1896 as a farm stand before
becoming a series of antique shops with an ever expanding chaos of
merchandize piled floor to ceiling and outdoors---one owner naming his
shop the Organloft for an organ he kept on the premises to play for
customers.
Today
under the ownership of Bob and Catherine Stein, the scene is serene,
with the Bookloft's interior containing a meticulously organized
inventory of 14,000 books.
There
are old books (one dated 1860), new books, rare books, collectors
books, books on unusual subjects, books signed by authors, leatherbound
books----- and not a musty smell or coating of dust to be found
anywhere..
The
Bookloft's extensive collection is divided into sections on World War
11, the Civil War, art, photography, childrens, religion, fiction; also,
poetry, sports, sea, hunting, music, antiques, mathematics, astonomy,
animals, gardening, cooking, early handyman and local history.
Most
books are purchased from estates and private collections, with
approximately 40 percent suitable for resale in the shop and the
remainder passed on to Goodwill. He never throws a book out, and Bob is
always in the market for new purchases.
If
a book is interesting, it's a keeper regardless of the subject. Bob
tells of one man who complained he should not sell a book that featured
nude male figures. Bob replied, "It is my store but I also noticed
you've been looking at the book for 15 minutes."
There are easy chairs and benches for browsers' comfort.
There
are also scattered antiques to retain the flavor of the former
occupants, and periodic signs of Bob's whimsy. When he hears a
customer burst out laughing, he knows his humor has been appreciated.
Mixed in with the World War 11 books is an original can of Spam, and in the religious section Bob has included Darwin.
In
a new self help section he's installing, he plans to add a bottle of
liquor. Also worthy of noting are the lower shelves in the front room
which are lined with National Geographics and sets of Encyclopedias---
their purpose, insulation for the building.
Prices range from very reasonable to expensive collectable.
Bookloft
Books of Clinton is open Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m to 4 p.m., and Friday
through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; Mondays by chance and whenever the Open
flag is flying. The phone number is 732-343-4197.
The
parking lot is located directly behind the store. Turn at the light
onto North High Street, and into the driveway on the right.
Old Beautiful, Antiques and Art
Sharing the Bookloft's parking lot is Old Beautiful Antiques and Art, located up the walk to the left and into the circa 1845 federal house.
Old Beautiful is the creation of David Perrelli, a Guilford native who switched his career from a paralegal in New York City to follow a boyhood passion for collecting.
Unlike the jumble of many antiques stores, David displays his antiques and art in a domestic setting of grace that speaks of his admiration for early craftsmanship.
He knows the history of every piece he purchases.
A 200 year old federal sideboard, he explains, came from the Curry family of Stamford. It's never been refinished and contains its original brass fittings.
A federal cardtable, built by Thomas Howard, is made of mahonogy from a single board. A matched set of 18th century chairs contains one signed by Matheis Butler of Dublin.
The glassware collection is flint, possibly much of it Sandwich but difficult to say because the manufacture also sold the molds.
A portrait over the fireplace is signed Andreas Mener, but most likely the sitter rather than the artist. The pair of urns on the mantel are french porcelain.
A small landscape is signed by the 18th century painter Corot. However, according to an expert in NYC, the actual artist is more likely to be Michael Daubigny because Corot generously allowed his students to use his signature.
David's current favorite piece of furniture is a late 18th/19th century corner cabinet, probably built in Connecticut. Its finish, glass and interior are original.
In these days of conserving resources, David feels, it makes sense to buy original timeless antiques rather than reproductions.
His philosophy at Old Beautiful, David explains, is to carry simple quality antiques at reasonable prices that can be used, and enjoyed, by the family in everyday normal living.
Old Beautiful is open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Telephone: 860-664-0028.
E-mail: david@oldbeautifulantiques.com.
For information and to view the collection, visit www.oldbeautifulantiques.com
Memorable moments from the journal of a volunteer at the Niantic Women's Prison
Upon
retirement from SNET, Hugh Adams of Janes Lane, a former Clinton
selectman, volunteered to help with tutoring in a math class at the
Niantic Women's Prison preparing inmates for taking the GED test to earn
a high school degree.
Hugh
has been tutoring math for 10 years. He started keeping a journal
when his incarcerated pupils' continually surprised him, making him
laugh, and choke back tears.
We are indebted to Hugh for sharing the following excerpts from his
journal that are reminders that the "women behind bars" are also
mothers, sisters, spouses and children.
Hugh's journal entries
"I
am teaching the basics of multiplication and decide to reward the
ladies' progress by showing them a short cut in the multiplying by ten,
one hundred and a thousand.
I tell them that normally I don't like to teach "tricks" when
instructing math but felt that this approach might be helpful in their
GED testing.
Several of women burst into laughter and said they could show me a few
'tricks' too."
"During
one of my weekly tutoring sessions, I am walking around the room when
my shoelace comes untied. I lean over to tie it to avoid tripping. An
inmate immediately quips, "I wouldn't bend over like that in here if I
were you."
I
am chatting with one of the students when a new, younger enrollee
enters the classroom. The person I am talking with announces proudly,
"That's my daughter."
"It
is visitor's day as I arrive. A young girl and her father enter the
security check-in area the same time I do. The little girl's hair is
tightly braided and tied with many white bows. She is dressed in a
meticulously ironed Sunday dress.
She walks with her head held high clutching a small greeting card for
her mother, like in a Normal Rockwell painting.
I want to tell her how pretty she looks, but remain silent not wanting to break the spell of the moment."
"I am walking down the long corridor to leave the prison when I meet a former student who has passed her GED.
She says, 'I haven't seen you in a long time. Are you still a Christian?'
I'm taken back and respond weakly, "I hope so."
She responds, "Christians are the only people who volunteer here."
"I am helping two women on percentage problems when one suddenly asks, 'Do you get paid to help us?'
I explain no, that I'm a volunteer.
She replies, 'Are you working off some community service time?'"
"The
woman I am tutoring in dividing fractions is unusually quick to pick up
the basics. 'You are very good with numbers,' I praise her. She
answers, 'Thanks, I should be. I was sent to prison for embezzlement.'"
-----------------------------------------------
"I am working with another student on long division with large numbers.
I suggest she use an easier rounded off number and try to estimate
the answer before tackling the more difficult multiplication. I go on
to help another student and when I return she is using the number 50 to
calculate the answer.
'I see you are estimating as I suggested.' Her quick answer, "This is
the way I figure how many bags of coke I can make."
She worked extremely hard at each session and earned her GED."
------------------------------------
A "mantrap" is a central entry room providing access to four sections
of the prison. All doors are electronically operated by one guard.
Only one door can be opened at a time.
I am waiting my turn in the mantrap to be 'released' following a
teaching session when a young lady enters from the visiting area with a
crying youngster in her arms. She soothes the child, softly saying,
"Don't cry. We'll be back to see Mommy soon.'"
---------------------------------------------
"I am waiting in the "mantrap" again to be released. With me is an
older woman with a small child. Through the glass window of the
visiting area, a young woman stands up and waves. The child bursts out
excitedly, 'Mommy. Mommy. There's my Mommy!'
-------------------------------------------------------
"'Mr. Man, can you help me." a voice calls from the other side of the
room. I'll try, I say as I walk to her worktable.
'My granddaughter would think I'm stupid needing help with this
problem', she says. I look at her paper and it is covered with lines of
zeros, many with black lines through them.
I make no comment but suggest she reads the math problem and then tell
me what we might do to solve it.
"Add?,' she asks. I rephrase the question using different works.
'Subtract, 'she corrects herself and I say, 'Right', Her face breaks
into a big smile.
She turns her paper over and begins drawing another set of zeros, this
time divided into 12 lines, one beneath the other. Pausing, she returns
to the top of the list and draws a line through the first 7 lines of
zeros and announces, the answer is 5!
I think to myself, what educational system failed this woman?
-----------------------------------------
"It's Christmas time. Ann and I have gone to Crystal Mall to do some shopping.
A woman approaches us and says, "You don't remember me, do you?"
I respond, "Yes, I do. I don't remember your name but I remember working with you in Niantic.'
I introduce her to Ann, "This is my wife."
She hugs Ann and says, 'Your husband helped me so much."
--------------------------------------------
I have been assigned a new pupil. She has requested tutoring in algebra to prepare her for taking college level classes.
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After class, many of the women say thank you. I want to respond and the same to you.
Enterprising 11 year old Chat Davenport
takes advantage of the snowstorm that the weatherman accurately
predicted to provide his neighbors with a greatly needed and appreciated
service. And that was just the beginning.
According to public works' figures,
Clinton received 20 inches to 28 inches of snow depending on the location
in town.