Thursday, July 9, 2020
cheshirecitizen.com
Volume 11, Number 39
John Barry arrives on Pilsner to deliver the mail, July 4, on the Church Green, in this re-enactment from a scene in 1775. See more photos, page A11. Photo courtesy of Mitzi Romano
Fall Festival canceled due to virus The Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel this year’s Fall Festival, adding the autumn event to the growing list of local favorites COVID-19 has disrupted. The announcement came last week with Yetta Augur, chamber president, issuing a statement that said: “It is with concern for our community that the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors have decided to cancel the Fall Festival for 2020.”
A special delivery on the Fourth of July The Cheshire Historical Society partnered with the Cheshire Horse Council on Fourth of July morning at the Bennett Family celebration on the Church Green to create a "back in time" vignette entitled "Waiting for the Mail." Volunteers,
dressed as Colonial women in 1775 Cheshire, waited for a rider on horseback who brought letters from their men fighting in the American Revolutionary War. The women read copies of authentic historic Cheshire letters of that time period.
John Barry surprised the crowd by arriving on Pilsner, his adopted champion thoroughbred, to distribute the mail to the women.
CHS student recognized for environmental issues essay Cheshire High School student Aishwarya Benzy recently was recognized for her essay on environmental issues. Last fall, Benzy was invited by Cheshire Garden Club Youth Chair Inge Venus to participate in the National Garden Clubs’ contest, entitled, “Challenges in Preserving our Natural Habitat.” Benzy’s essay took first place
among all Connecticut submissions and was forwarded to the New England Garden Clubs awards committee to compete with the other New England states. Here she also took first place and her essay was forwarded to the National Garden Clubs awards committee to compete with the other 49 states. While Benzy didn’t win at See Essay, A2
Cheshire High School student Aishwarya Benzy with Cheshire Garden Club Youth Chair Inge Venus. Venus presented Benzy with a National Certificate of Appreciation for her essay on protecting natural habitats. Photo courtesy of Geetha Benzy
Instead, the board will consider hosting a fireworks show in September, depending on state regulations at that time. Other ways to spotlight local businesses and non-profits also are being explored. The festival has only been canceled once before in 32 years – due to weather – and is the latest large local event to be called off due to ongoing COVID-19 public health concerns.
— Submitted See Festival, A2