Date: Fri 11-Aug-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Labor-Day-marshal-Ferris

Full Text:

Shirley Ferris Tapped As Parade Marshal

Shirley Ferris

Shirley Ferris remembers taking her kids to the Labor Day Parade every year

when they were young and, afterwards, enjoying that last foot-long hot dog of

summer. But never did she imagine she would lead the parade as Grand Marshal.

Mrs Ferris was given the honor this year by the Labor Day Parade Committee

because of her outstanding accomplishments and the example she has set in the

community, said committee member Kym Stendahl. Last year, the Ferris farm

received the coveted Dairy Farm of Distinction. Mrs Ferris was also confirmed

as State Commissioner of Agriculture. But these were just the most recent in

the long line of noteworthy contributions to the community.

"Being a native of Newtown and watching it grow and change with the times

while keeping one foot rooted in one of the town's oldest traditions, has

given me a perspective few others share," said Mrs Ferris. "I am deeply

honored to be Grand Marshal for 1995."

The youngest of nine children, Shirley grew up in a household of people who

knew what hard work could achieve. Her father, Fred Cole was a self-educated

man who stressed the importance of academics. As a result of polio he needed

braces and canes to walk but never considered himself "handicapped," said Mrs

Ferris. Her mother, Letta, attended school after age 40 in order to become an

LPN.

At 18 she married Charlie Ferris and fell in love with her life as a dairy

farm wife and mother. "The person who has had the most to do with whatever

success I've had in life is my husband. He has been my best friend for 40

years," said Mrs Ferris. "I have never met a more compassionate person or one

with higher principles...It wouldn't be accurate, however, to say he's always

been supportive of my various adventures, but that only caused me to be more

determined."

While raising her five children - Charles IV, Virginia, Colleen, Brendan, and

Aaron - she was an active proponent of the Farmland Preservation Program,

served four years as president of Fairfield County Farm Bureau, and served two

years on the Board of Directors of the State Farm Bureau. When her family was

grown, she earned a degree in history from Western Connecticut State

University, graduating with honors, and began writing magazine articles on

farming.

She became a reporter for the Brookfield Journal , and then was education

reporter for The Newtown Bee . Before being named commission, she was a

freelance writer for The New York Times, The Litchfield County Times, New

England Farmer, American Agriculturist , and other publications. During her

six years at The Bee , she "must have taken thousands of kids' pictures and

done hundred of stories on them," she said. "I tried to emphasize the `good

news' projects; made it a point to get kids in the paper that might not get

there any other way." When she was nominated as Commissioner of Agriculture,

she received letters from some of these youth saying what a good role model

she had been for them.

Her community activities also include four years as member of the Nonnewaug

High School Advisory Council, and two years on the board of the Fairfield

County Soil and Water Conservation District. She was an active member of the

Newtown Conservation Commission as well as the Newtown League of Women Voters.

She also began and continues to operate a farm produce and craft stand on

Route 302 with her daughter-in-law, Terri Ferris.

"This has been quite a year," laughed Mrs Ferris, "becoming commissioner,

becoming grandmother to three new grandsons on the same day, the upcoming

wedding of one of my sons, and now this incredible honor [of being chosen as

Grand Marshal]."