Date: Fri 01-May-1998

By Previous Employees

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Heritage-Heroes-Brashich-HVTD

Full Text:

Heritage Heroes Re-Live The Legends For Tourism Week And Beyond

(with cuts)

BY SHANNON HICKS

Regional history is being brought back to life, thanks to the efforts of the

tourism district that serves Newtown, Danbury, Bethel and surrounding towns;

local actors, actresses and playwrights; and a national week that recognizes

the business of tourism.

According to the April 27, 1998, issue of Travel Advance , a daily industry

newsletter, "A travel industry Association study found more than 65 million

Americans said they visited a historic site or museum or attended a cultural

event in 1996." The Housatonic Valley Tourism District has just created a

one-year Sturbridge Village -- history brought to live via actors in period

costumes -- except this "village" can move to any location to entertain

visitors.

HVTD has come up with a new and interesting way to celebrate the 15th annual

National Tourism Week this year. During the week of May 3-9, HVTD will

introduce residents of the area to the historic characters of local legend.

HVTD commissioned script writers and held auditions, to bring together a

company called Historic Heroes, who meet and greet visitors at various

locations.

Free public performances will take place at Gateway's Candlewood Playhouse

Cafe in New Fairfield, May 5-7. While Tourism Week will officially close May

9, Heritage Heroes will be available for programs for an entire year. (For

information on how organizations can arrange for a Heritage Hero performance,

call 743-0546.)

Tourism Week was set aside by the Tourism Works for America Council for the

first time in 1983. It is meant to give communities and the tourism industry a

chance to emphasize the economic impact of travel and tourism, as well as show

appreciation to the travelers who keep the tourism business active.

"This is the perfect time to kick off this exciting program," said Catherine

Brashich, executive director of Housatonic Valley Tourism District. "We will

make National Tourism Week last all year long and beyond."

The Heritage Heroes will continue to give voice to the history of the region

during the upcoming year. They will be on call, available for meeting planners

and tour groups to add to itineraries. Groups could arrange to be met by

"Charles Ives" at the Connecticut Visitors Information Center (I-84 Exit 2),

for instance, or enjoy high tea with "John and Mary Rider" at Danbury

Historical Society's Rider House.

"Local audiences will be introduced to the heroes, heroines and celebrities

from the past who represent the Housatonic Valley to the travel trade and

visitors in the present and future," said Ms Brashich.

Rich Reimold, the former head of the drama department at Western Connecticut

State University, directs the performances. Mr Reimold, like many of the

participating actors, is no stranger to local community theatres.

A preview performance was held April 28 in Ridgefield, the home of Timothy

Keeler, who played a part in the historic Battle of Ridgefield. Introduced

were the characters of Timothy Keeler (portrayed by Dan Wolinsky); Katie Leary

(Karen Tracy), the personal maid to Samuel Clemens' wife; a passionate

Benedict Arnold (Bob Brown); Captain Samuel Taranton (Sal Tarantino), a member

of the Connecticut Militia; and Rich Reimold's P.T. Barnum.

Each character conveys their experiences in area towns, giving background,

local color and texture for visitors. Characters still in development include

John and Mary Rider, Roger Sherman and Charles Ives. Mr Reimold emcees the

event, portraying P.T. Barnum.

"Heritage Heroes is a showcase for the talent and history of our district," Ms

Brashich said Tuesday afternoon. "We wanted to showcase the talent of the

area, especially the wonderful theatre in this region. We want to share

characters like this with the people of the area, and those who are visiting

the area.

"With this show, people should see us in a different perspective."

Public performances of "Heritage Heroes" will be at Gateway's Candlewood Cafe,

adjacent to the Playhouse in New Fairfield, Tuesday through Thursday, May 5-7,

at 7 pm each night. Admission is free, but seating is limited to 100 people

per performance. To make a reservation, call the playhouse, 743-0546.

Track And Field Teams Compete At Masuk

‘Color Our World With Hope’ Filled Newtown With Music, Meaning, And Community Impact

Nighthawk Baseball Team Beats Conference Opponents

Late Goal By Ruddy Lifts Nighthawk Lacrosse Team To Victory, Showcases Chemistry In Midfield

Reed Intermediate Presents Sold-Out Performances Of 'Willy Wonka Jr'

Well that is some spin. The Democrats have a super majority on the LC and passed the Education Budget without serious consideration of if the voters could afford the multi million dollar increase. "Was the request justified?" rather than "is this needed?" and "can the voters shoulder yet another large increase?" The voters rightly sent it back. Then for some reason all the discussion around reductions to the increase seemed to be coming from the classroom, rather than administration and overhead costs. Is this a coercive tactic to manipulate parents into supporting the budget like tacit threat of cutting freshman sports was two years ago? Who believes the Democrats did not caucus privately before the meeting and came in with a number already worked out? This is the Dems budget, they own it.

Education Cuts: Who Voted For What

I think it is important that we do not villainize every black box seen around a home, business, farm, or municipal property. A black exterior station does not always mean rat poison is being used. These stations can hold a number of different products, including monitoring blocks, snap traps, non-toxic bait, anti-tick bait stations, organic salt- or cornmeal-based control products, and newer fertility-control approaches intended to reduce rodent populations without traditional poisons. The better conversation, in my opinion, is not simply “black boxes are bad,” but rather: what is inside them, who is maintaining them, and whether the rodent issue is being managed responsibly. Exclusion, sanitation, trapping, habitat reduction, and careful monitoring should all be part of a responsible IPM strategy. To be fair, on my own property I do use rodenticides, including Bromethalin and Bromadiolone, in secured bait stations. But that is a choice I make for my property, based on my circumstances and the risk I am trying to manage. I also believe property owners should understand the tradeoffs and be encouraged to use the least harmful effective method whenever possible. I support protecting Newtown’s wildlife. I also support giving residents accurate information and not assuming that every black box represents reckless or unsafe pest control. The goal should be responsible rodent management, not fear of the box itself.

Discusses Policy Against Rodenticides

Debora, thank you! I accidentally doubled the project prices by adding the bond to the appropriation. Thank you so much for catching that and pointing it out. With the corrected numbers, the voters approved a combined $1.32 million for a salt shed ($600k) and library pavement ($720k), while rejecting the $1.12 million replacement turf. Regarding the 80s, I truly respect the hurdle of 14% mortgage rates. My point is simply that the math has shifted: in 1980, while the rates were higher, the price of a home relative to earnings was significantly lower. We are facing a different, but equally crushing, financial wall. Ultimately, it is disheartening that voters who recognized safe sidewalks and parking lots as essential, dismissed a playing field in the exact same condition. The turf has passed its life cycle and is just as much of a liability as the library’s pavement, the only difference is that this safety concern affects thousands of children who, coincidentally, cannot vote. These are apples-to-apples needs. I was hopeful our community would agree that all Newtown residents deserve safe conditions, regardless of which facility they utilize. Again, I would be remiss not to mention that when 82% of residents don’t show up, we have to deal with the interests of those who did. Hopefully, the next referendum will have a bigger turnout.

The ‘Me’ Generation

Thanks for the reply. I meant the numbers you presented in your letter. I found one place where other numbers were listed: https://www.newtownbee.com/04232026/get-out-and-vote-on-the-2026-27-proposed-municipal-and-school-budgets/?q=\\\%22advisory%20questions\\\%22. In that article, the numbers were cited as: Treadwell field: $1,125,000 Library: $720,000 Salt Storage: $600,000 As one who started out in the early 80's when inflation was double digits, my 1985 mortgage rate was 14%, and child care costs were comparable (in present value), I shared your grief but never considered the voters ironic or shameful. PS. I agree college tuition is ridiculous. Thankfully, universities are offering (or considering) waiving all or most tuition for middle class families (upwards of $200,000 incomes). Hopefully, they'll also reconsider their need for those funds in the first place.

Sure! Child care costs: https://www.ffyf.org/2022/10/13/data-child-care-prices-continue-to-rise-ahead-of-midterm-elections-outpacing-inflation/ (also from 2021-2025 we had 2 children in a local daycare in Newtown and it cost us $3200 a month, so that's a number I am very familiar with) Home price / median price vs income source: https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/home-price-income-ratios Tuition increase vs inflation: https://feed.georgetown.edu/access-affordability/noting-a-decline-in-middle-class-students-colleges-provide-more-aid/ Hope this helps :)

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Date: Fri 01-May-1998

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