Volume 12, Number 45
cheshirecitizen.com
Thursday, November 11, 2021
A day to thank veterans for their sacrifices As many as 90 veterans were expected for today’s Veterans Day observances at Cheshire High School. The school’s Nov. 11 activities to honor veterans are sponsored by BRAVE (Bringing Remembrance to All Veterans Everywhere) and organized by students who serve as BRAVE officers: Ishika Nanavati, Brianna McDonald, Kayleigh Coleman and Brooke Stevenson.
“We try to get other student groups involved in the event as well,” said Tim Galvin, CHS teacher and advisor to the group. BRAVE offers an open invitation to all veterans, he said, adding that students often invite multiple veterans as guests. This year, the Cheshire Senior Center has arranged to transport veterans to the school to partake in the morning's activities.
Veterans will be officially welcomed by CHS students, including players from the high school football team. The assembly will features the high school VIP choir group with a selection that includes the Navy Hymn and the national anthem. Speakers will give presentations, including the history of Veterans Day. A special video presentation was created and will be shown
Local roots of Catholicism are focus of history talk
Flynn-Harris said Catholicism in Cheshire began because of the Farmington Canal which was built in the 1820s.
A few changes were made to the regular observances due to COVID restrictions, the customary breakfast and CHS band performance will not be included this year. However, veterans and guests will receive a “grab and go” bag as they leave. See Veterans Day, A2
ELECTION 2021
GOP finishes strong, park referendum passes
A recent presentation at St. Thomas Beckett Church discussed the history of Catholicism in Cheshire. Patti Flynn-Harris, president of the St. Bridget of Sweden Women’s Society, and Diane Calabro, president of the Cheshire Historical Society, gave a talk on “150 years of Catholicism in Cheshire” during an Oct. 18 presentation to the Women’s Society.
as well.
Citizen staff
Here’s a wrap-up of results from the Nov. 2 election.
Diane Calabro and Patti Flynn-Harris recently presented “150 years of Catholicism in Cheshire” at St. Thomas Beckett Church.
area of the canal at the north end of sion Church and dedicated in 1861. Cheshire near where Manor Inn The current St. Bridget of Sweden “New Haven businessmen studied Restaurant is located today. This Parish was built in 1958. Up until was also called the Great Fill.” the success of the Erie Canal and 2017, Cheshire had three Catholic saw an opportunity to open a trade According to the talk, Irish workers churches: St. Bridget, St. Thomas route from New Haven into landand their families wanted to attend Beckett, and the Church of the locked northern Connecticut. Once church services and the Epiphany (the latter was closed fola charter was granted to make first Catholic Masses were offered lowing the church restructuring in this possible, workers were needed in 1832 at the Church of St. Mary’s that same year). to make this happen and Irish lain New Haven. It wasn’t until Flynn-Harris said, “Those first Irish borers filled this need,” she said. 1843 that the first Catholic Mass workers who labored on the Farmwas performed in Cheshire at the Calabro pointed out that this was ington Canal project never brutally hard work. “This was man- Booth House, a residence on dreamed that their pickaxes and South Meriden Road. Now the ual labor done with pickaxes, shovshovels were also sowing the seeds home of Cheshire Pizza and Ale, els and wheelbarrows. Over 144 of our faith in the Town of 133 Highland Ave., it was the site of Irish workers perished while buildCheshire. We owe a debt of gratiing in the location of Lock Nine, the the first Catholic Church in Cheshire, named St. Bridget MisSee Catholicism, A3
All Republican incumbents on the Town Council, Board of Education, and Planning and Zoning Commission retained their seats. The GOP will keep its seven to two majority on the council, and five to two majority on the school board. Returning Republican members of the council are First District Councilor David Veleber, Third District Councilor Don Walsh and at-large: Sylvia Nichols, David Borowy, Tim Slocum, and Sandra Pavano. Republican John Milone, co-founder of Milone and MacBroom consulting firm, is the only newcomer elected to the council. Veleber won his race over Democrat Cathy Doheny, 1,022 to 820. Walsh defeated Democratic challenger Karen Schnitzer by a margin of See Election, A3