Aline Ponton Chamberlain Feb. 27 1930 – May 14 2012

Aline Ponton Chamberlin was photographed at the age of 13 by the artist Norman Rockwell and appeared on the Thanksgiving Day cover of The Post in 1943. Image source: www.vanishedamericana.com

Aline Ponton Chamberlain, 82, of Willimantic, CT and St. Petersburg, FL died Monday, May 14, 2012 after a long hard battle with cancer. The cancer limited her physical activities but certainly not her spirit.

She was born in Bedford Quebec, Canada on Feb. 27, 1930, daughter of Raymond and Marion Soulia Ponton. She attended St. Peter’s School and Mount St. Joseph’s High School, Rutland, VT.

Aline, at the age of 13, was photographed by Norman Rockwell and appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post’s Thanksgiving edition of November 27, 1943.

She married Franklin F. Chamberlain on July 10, 1948 at St. Patrick’s Church in Wallingford, VT.

They moved to Willington, CT. and lived there for many years. She was a member of St. Jude’s Church in Willington, CT., and St. Philip’s Church in Ashford, CT where she worked in the rectory and sang in the choir.

Retiring to St. Petersburg, FL in 1989, they became avid bowlers on Mondays and Thursdays with very special friends. They were married 62 years; her husband died April 7, 2011.

She enjoyed being a homemaker, playing the organ, loved needlepoint, and was a very talented and creative seamstress.

She is survived by her sons, Daryll S. Chamberlain of Willimantic, CT and Kevin C. Chamberlain of East Hartford, CT; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren; six brothers and six sisters – Maurice Ponton, and his wife Marguerite of Shrewsbury, VT; Theresa Elsesser of Ocala, FL; Harold Ponto and his wife Gail of Williston, VT; Richard Ponton of Selbyville, DE; Mildred Buffum and her husband, Thomas of San Antonio, TX; Arnold Ponto and his wife, Mary Ann, of Orange City, FL; Margaret Singleton of Hemet, CA; Marie Mylott of San Antonia, TX; Robert Ponto and his wife Diane of Rutland, VT; Barbara Lamke and her husband, Richard of New Bern, NC; David Ponto of San Antonio, TX and Mary McDevitt and her husband, Jack of Milton, VT.

She is also survived by a sister-in-law Christina A. Ponton of Rutland, VT and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son Franklin F. “Skipper” Chamberlain, Jr.; her parents, and brothers Raymond Ponto, Jr. and Arthur Ponton.

Her family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, May 18 from 3 to 4 p.m. with funeral services at 4 p.m. at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic, CT.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Eastern CT, 34 Ledgebrook Drive, Mansfield Center, CT 06250.

Posted May 17, 2012

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National Bike-to-Work Day is May 18

With the theme, “It’s Easier Than You Think!,” Bike Walk CT is taking the lead to encourage bike commuting on National Bike to Work Day, on Friday May 18, 2012. All events are rain or shine.

Breakfasts for bike commuters will be held in Bethel, Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Norwich, Stamford, Waterbury, West Hartford, and the UConn Health Center (Farmington). See http://www.bikewalkct.org/bike-to-work for the details.

DEEP Commissioner Esty will ride into the West Hartford and downtown Hartford events, from Cheshire!

We plan to have a friendly competition among the events – the prize is bragging rights for the bike to work event with the highest attendance per capita for the city in which it’s located (so bigger towns won’t have an unfair advantage).

Another “prize” is showing that residents of your town are serious about non-motorized transportation and that it deserves attention and resources. Recruit your family, friends, co-workers, city officials and all the public and private sector employees you can convince that they should give bike commuting a try!

To be sure you have the most up-to-date information on the breakfasts and the meetups on May 18, click this link http://www.bikewalkct.org/bike-to-work/meet-ups

May 1 kicked off the three-month National Bike Challenge. Whether you bike daily or infrequently, for recreation or for transportation, we need you and all of your biking friends to sign up.

Our goal is to end the challenge as a top-10 state; with your help, we can get there.

And you will be eligible for prizes after just three days of riding! Visit the Bike Walk CT web site for details at http://www.bikewalkct.org

Bike Walk CT has a team of 10 and invites others to create their own teams … something like Bike Walk CT – Sound Cyclists… any name that identifies your team as part of the Bike Walk CT organization combined with your own identity.

Simsbury has an event planned for almost every day during Bike Month, including the unveiling of a new bike sculpture on Saturday, May 19.

If you know of other events, please let us know and we will add it to the May is Bike Month calendar, and post it on our web site, Facebook and in our eNewsletter. Send your information to bikewalkct@bikewalkct.org

Posted May 16, 2012

Related link: http://www.slideshare.net/bikewalkct/bike-to-work-on-may-18-events-scheduled-across-connecticut

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George L. Schofield, Jr. – May 14 2012

George L. Schofield, Jr. of Willington, CT served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 – 1946, where he became a 1st LT Aerial Navigator flying B-24s in the Pacific.

George Lester Schofield, Jr., 89, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2012 at Evergreen Health Care Center with his beloved wife of 68 years, Rose (Sedlak) Schofield, at his side.

He was the first son of George and Olga (Pobuda) Schofield, born in the town of Stafford Springs, CT. He thoroughly enjoyed his childhood years in Stafford with the Boy Scouts, camping, and outdoor activities.

He served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 – 1946, where he became a 1st LT Aerial Navigator flying B-24s in the Pacific.

He graduated from the UConn School of Agriculture with a major in dairy farming. With this love for farming, he ran the Schofield Family Farm since 1950.

Over the years he held positions in the trucking and transportation industry.

He was a member of the Strazza, Tonoli-Emhoff Post No. 26 American Legion of Stafford and the Willington Senior Center.

He leaves his precious high school sweetheart, Rose, whom he married in 1944. He enjoyed raising their four children, Patricia and Scott who predeceased him, and Sheila and Roger and his wife Carol, all of Willington, CT.

He leaves his grandchildren, Francis Malinosky and his wife Robin of Beaverton, OR and Valerie Dodge and her husband Adam of Vancouver, WA. He leaves two great-grandchildren, Christopher Malinosky-Rummell and Andrew Dodge.

Other loved family members are his sister Carol Bronson of Tolland, CT and sisters-in-law Doris Schofield of Monson, MA, Elizabeth Schofield of South Hadley, MA, Evelyn Schofield of Calloway, NE, Catherine Sedlak of Willimantic, CT, and Joyce Sedlak of Union, CT. He also leaves numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 4-5:30 p.m. with a funeral service to be held at 5:30 p.m. at Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT. Burial will be held privately in Union Center Cemetery, Union, CT.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Willington Fire Department No. 1, P.O. Box 161, Willington, CT 06279, the Union Elementary School, 18 Kinney Hollow Road, Union, CT 06076, or to Strazza, Tonoli-Emhoff Post No. 26 American Legion, 10 Monson Road, Stafford Springs, CT 06076. For online condolences or directions, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com

Posted May 16, 2012

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Save your appetite for the return of the Third Thursday Street Fest

Besides live music and other entertainment, the Willimantic Third Thursday Street Fest includes tables set up by local businesses, some offering samples of their goods and services. In prior years, for example, massage therapist Diane Marion has offered chair massages - a nice break for visitors after making a tour of everything going on on Main Street. Photo copyright 2011 by Brenda Sullivan.

Have you missed the Third Thursday Street Fest? Well, the new 2012 season begins this week on Thursday, May 17. Admission is free and all are welcome. Forecasts are for sunny skies and comfortable temps.

Downtown Main Street will be closed to traffic from 5 to 9 p.m., and the streets will be taken over by bands and other entertainers, food vendors of all kinds – from burgers to falafel – and tables with representatives of civic groups and other local organizations, as well as a variety of craftspeople and artists.

Good food tastes even better listening to the music by performers on the many stages at the festival, beginning at 6 p.m. until about 8 p.m.

Every year the Street Fest grows – drawing thousands of visitors from the area.

For details about each month’s music, food and other events, visit the web site at http://willimanticstreetfest.com (there you can also find an application to showcase your goods, services or band at a future Street Fest).

Third Thursday is also an opportunity to visit some of the restaurants, businesses, coffee shops and art galleries that make Downtown Willimantic special.

“Way uptown” is the home of Main Street Café and Brew Pub. That’s the one with all the awards, like the 2011 Best Brew in Connecticut, and 2010 6th Best Brew Pub in the World.

Then there is Cafémantic, in the beautifully renovated, colorful “Victorian” building with a large selection of fresh-made gourmet sandwiches and treats, as well as delicious coffees and teas.

Also on Main Street is the newly opened Fred’s Blues and BBQ and the City Side Deli.

The rock-climbing tower at the Willimantic Third Thursday Street Fest. Photo copyright 2011 by Brenda Sullivan.

Turn onto Church Street and find The Harp on Church, an Irish spot with tasty sandwiches and drink.

Go “way downtown” and you’ll find Tony’s Pizza, or buy their pizza by the slice at the Third Thursday Street Fest.

Also at the festival:

Domino’s Pizza with pizza and breadsticks; First Congregational Church with fried dough with various toppings; Hosmer Mountain Soda with its famous ice cream floats; Windham Bigg Play will have pulled pork and coleslaw; Wings Express selling Indian food like chicken tika masala, matter paneer and samosas; Ternullo Ministries offering French fries and onion rings; Chappy’s II has custom sausage and smoked products; Keiffer’s Kettle Korn also has Italian ice; Iglesia Corozon will have beef empanadas, rice with pigeon peas and roasted pulled pork; Raw Youniverse will make you an organic smoothie; and for your sweet tooth, cotton candy from St. Mary’s Church.

There truly is something for everyone at the Willimantic Third Thursday Street Fest – bring your friends and family.

Editor’s note:Please, if bringing your (friendly) family dog, keep him/her on a leash, plan to clean up after any accidents and bring some water because you, your children and your four-footed friend are likely to get thirsty. And if you have a good time at the festival, why not stop by the main information booth and buy a button to help support future fests. Each festival costs about $16,000 to produce. About $10,000 is covered through in-kind services and volunteer labor, leaving about $6,000 – which includes about $4,500 to pay performers, $1,000 for advertising and about $500 for insurance, Port-a-Potties, postage and other fest expenses.

Posted May 15, 2012, based on a press release from the Willimantic Third Thursday Street Fest organizers

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Gov. Malloy orders flags to fly half staff for Peace Officers Memorial Day

Trooper Memorial. Image source: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy directed the U.S. and Connecticut flags lowered to half staff today in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day, observed annually on May 15.

“Our brave men and women in law enforcement do tremendous work to make our communities and our state safer. National Peace Officers Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to honor them and the sacrifices they make to protect and defend Connecticut,” Gov. Malloy said in a written statement today.

“This day also gives us the chance to honor those who have given their lives in the line of duty. Their service to Connecticut will never be forgotten,” Gov. Malloy said.

Started in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, National Peace Officers Memorial Day corresponds with Police Week.

Flags will fly at half staff until sunset on May 15.

Posted May 15, 2012; Photo source Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles http://hsmv.state.fl.us/fhp/PhotoGallery/2008/PG051508.htm

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CT Sunday liquor sales expected to begin by May 20

The legislation allows liquor permittees to sell alcohol 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, as well as on the Memorial, Independence and Labor Day holidays, and on Mondays following any Christmas and New Year's Day that falls on a Sunday.

Connecticut residents may be buying alcohol on a Sunday for the first time, in this state, as soon as May 20. That’s what Gov. Dannel P. Malloy told reporters on Thursday morning (May 10) at a post-legislative session press conference.

The legislation allows liquor permittees to sell alcohol 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, as well as on the Memorial, Independence and Labor Day holidays, and on Mondays following any Christmas and New Year’s Day that falls on a Sunday.

Also:

• No one will be allowed to own more than three package stores (which is an increase from two under the old law).

• Minimum prices will remain intact, with one exception; retailers can sell one item per month for 10 percent below the cost of acquisition.

• Discounted items cannot be sold for less than 90 percent of the permittee’s wholesale cost.

The governor said Thursday the bill hadn’t arrived on his desk yet, but added that by early next week, he expects to receive the bill, give it a final review and sign it.

To read the full story, click here: http://www.ctmirror.org/story/16313/sunday-liquor-sales-should-begin-may-20

Posted May 12, 2012

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Reminder, upcoming Willington public hearing on energy audit

The Willington Board of Selectmen, the Board of Education and the Energy Advisory Committee will hold a public hearing beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15 in the Community Room at the Willington Public Library at 7 Ruby Road.

At this time, the committee will give a presentation of a detailed Energy Audit/Report for town-owned buildings at a potential cost of over $10,000.

Posted May 11, 2012

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Help make Willington even more beautiful on Saturday

In 2011, clean-up crews collected 1,580 lbs of trash. Our goal in 2012 is to collect 1,700 lbs. Please help keep Willington beautiful!

The second Annual Willington Clean Up Day is this Saturday, May 12, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

After helping to clean up debris, join your friends and neighbors for free pizza and beverages from noon to 1 p.m.

In 2011, clean-up crews collected 1,580 lbs of trash. Our goal in 2012 is to collect 1,700 lbs. Please help keep Willington beautiful!

We are asking residents to “adopt” a street (or a portion of a street) for clean up and/or beautification.

You can register at the Transfer Station on the day of the event.

On Clean Up Day, collect roadside debris and bring it to the Transfer Station for weighing.  You will be given a ticket for free pizza and a beverage in celebration of your accomplishment and demonstration of good citizenship!

This community event is ponsored by Willington Youth, Family & Social Services and the Willington Parks and Recreation Department…. but made successful by YOU!

Posted May 11, 2012

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