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People Places Things
All view of aspects of Living in Cheshire Connecticut.


Cheshire Student Detained by ICE Draws Local, State Attention
Rihan, a 19-year-old honor student at Cheshire High School, was detained by ICE agents on April 6, 2026. According to accounts from his legal team, he was traveling with his uncle when multiple federal vehicles stopped them approximately half a mile from his family’s home in Cheshire, Connecticut.
Richard Smith
Apr 106 min read


Ron Day View: An Exclusive "Living Room Session" with the Bow Tie Baron and the Songstress of Silk
Don: (Proudly) "It’s top-of-the-line, Ron. I head down to Stop & Shop or find those Crystal Light containers—perfect size, mind you—and I pack 'em up. I put a big sticker on the front: 'This box is recycled.' We were green before it was even a color!"
Ron: "I love it! Now, I have to ask about the 'Big Names.' I heard a certain Surgeon General was a fan?"
Don: "Oh, Dr. C. Everett Koop? A wonderful man. He sent me letters, Ron. He separated Siamese twins, but he couldn't

Cheshire Today Staff
Mar 276 min read


A Community Masterpiece in Progress The Ball and Socket Arts.
Join the Fun!
You don't need a hard hat to experience the magic. The best way to support Ilona and the team is to show up and soak in the creativity!
Pro-Tip for Neighbors: Check out the evening events for the most "electric" atmosphere. The way the lights glow against the old factory windows is enough to make anyone feel like a kid again, full of wonder and "Kid-sized" ideas!
The main building is still evolving, with plans for a history museum and a grand performance spa
Richard Smith
Mar 255 min read


Get out of the House Idea's March 2026
Cheshire Parks & Recreation Department
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭!
No Registration Required!
A leprechaun is small and green,
He hides where he cannot be seen,
But if you catch one on this day,
He must give his gold away!
Go in the parks and find a man
take a photo with your clan.
Bring the photo to parks & rec
To get a prize to collect.
𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥

Cheshire Today Staff
Mar 174 min read


141 Years of the Cheshire Grange No. 23
Each spring, the chapter presents the Cheshire Grange Community Citizenship Award. This honor is bestowed upon a non-Granger who has demonstrated extraordinary service and dedication to the Town of Cheshire. The modern Grange manages to feel both nostalgic and necessary. The town now looks forward to the 140th Community Fair, scheduled for August 22–23, 2026. This industrious project remains the Grange's primary community interface and revenue stream.
Richard Smith
Mar 85 min read


Cheshire Today Yesterday: March 5, 2007
March in town government meant numbers — and plenty of them.
Town Council discussions were centered on the proposed 2006–07 Public Safety Budget. Among the key considerations were upgrades to police communication systems and improvements to fire department equipment. While routine by municipal standards, these investments reflected a town steadily modernizing its infrastructure to meet evolving needs.
School security was also part of broader statewide conversations at t

Cheshire Today Staff
Mar 44 min read


The Architect of Excellence: Reflecting on the Tony Crane Era at Cheshire High
Tony Crane has officially retired from coaching at Lyman Hall. After his historic 2023 season—where he famously dyed his hair to celebrate the Trojans' first state tournament berth in 16 years—he led the program through two more seasons before stepping away to enjoy life as a "sideline spectator" and local legend.
Richard Smith
Mar 24 min read


Look who went out for dinner?
Whether you’re looking for a high-energy night out, a quiet family dinner, or a taste of local history, Cheshire’s Italian dining scene has a table for every temperament. From crystal chandeliers to red-sauce comfort, the town’s “Big Four” Italian restaurants each bring their own personality to the plate.
Here’s how they stack up for your next meal out.
Richard Smith
Feb 284 min read


Irish in Cheshire, Connecticut
Irish settlement in Cheshire accelerated with construction of the Farmington Canal, built between 1825 and 1848 to link New Haven with the Connecticut River. Hundreds of Irish men supplied the muscle that carved the channel by hand. They lived in rough, one-room wooden huts—“shanties”—clustered along the route. Dirt floors, minimal ventilation, and seasonal exposure defined daily life.
At the same time, Irish labor sustained Cheshire’s copper industry, including operations su
Richard Smith
Feb 255 min read


The Meaning of Paradox "Eternal Flame" in Cheshire Connecticut
The story begins in 1984, when Cheshire teacher Edith Tuxbury observed that, despite the town’s deep patriotism, there was no central memorial where the children of Vietnam veterans could reflect on their parents’ service.
By 1987, a committee of dedicated veterans formed to address that absence. Led by World War II veteran Richard Miller, and joined by respected local figures including John White, Frank Papandrea, Hank Carson, George Merriam, and Clifton Hartman, the group

Cheshire Today Staff
Feb 224 min read


From “Honey Pot” to Cheshire Country Club: A Mid-Century Legacy
For decades, 290 Country Club Road in Cheshire, Connecticut, was synonymous with sport, leisure, and community life. Known first as the Honey Pot Country Club and later as the Cheshire Country Club, the course evolved from a 1930s local enterprise into a respected mid-century golf destination before ultimately giving way to residential development. Its story is deeply intertwined with one of the region’s oldest landholding families—the Atwater's—and reflects broader changes i
Richard Smith
Feb 224 min read


The African American Cheshire Country Club: Connecticut’s Overlooked Pioneer of Black Leisure
A National Membership in Its First Season
The club’s rapid growth was extraordinary. By October 1917, only months after opening, the Cheshire Country Club counted 200 members from across the nation, including Washington, D.C., Knoxville, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and New York.
Coverage in leading African American newspapers—including The New York Age and The Chicago Defender—described the club in vivid detail. Reports emphasized that it was owned and managed entirely by and
Richard Smith
Feb 214 min read


St. Bridget of Sweden Parish: Faith, Foundations, and a Growing Cheshire
Father Jeffrey V. Romans, KCHS, was appointed pastor in May 2014.
Coming from a distinguished tenure at the Chancery Office of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Father Romans brought a clear sense of direction to the 3,000-plus families of the parish. His leadership was defined by a major milestone in June 2017: the canonical union of Cheshire’s three Catholic parishes—Saint Bridget, Saint Thomas Becket, and Epiphany—into a single, unified Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish.
Richard Smith
Feb 183 min read


Revitalizing Mixville Park A 10-Year Strategy for Accessibility and Environmental Health
Moving Forward Together
Cheshire’s 10-year strategy for Mixville Park shows a strong commitment to thoughtful stewardship and inclusion. By addressing accessibility gaps, restoring natural habitats, and linking wildlife corridors, the town is creating a park that welcomes everyone and protects the environment. By offering safe, welcoming spaces year-round, the park will better serve Cheshire’s diverse population, including families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Cheshire Today Staff
Feb 173 min read


From Mall Trips to Main Streets: How Cheshire Is Navigating Connecticut’s Retail Reinvention
Rather than allowing these sites to stagnate, Connecticut has moved toward reinvention.
The redevelopment of Enfield Square Mall offers one example. Plans are underway to transform the aging mall property into a mixed-use “Marketplace” concept featuring residential units, commercial space, and hotel components. State brownfield and greyfield redevelopment funding has played a key role in helping towns reimagine these corridors.
The message is clear: retail isn’t disappearin
Richard Smith
Feb 164 min read


In Cheshire, the season never really ends — it just shifts gears.
Youth sports in Cheshire represent more than standings and scores. They provide structure during the winter months, energy in the spring thaw, and mentorship across generations. From Saturday instructional leagues to varsity buzzer-beaters and spring tryouts, the town’s athletic ecosystem remains vibrant and interconnected.

Cheshire Today Staff
Feb 153 min read


Cheshire February 2026 Highlights: Development, Community Events, and a Heartfelt Farewell
Remembering James Van Der Beek
The town mourned the loss of James Van Der Beek, a native son who passed away on February 11, 2026. Known for his deep ties to Cheshire, James left a lasting impact through his community involvement and personal warmth. Tributes poured in from neighbors, friends, and local leaders.
James had recently been selected for induction into Cheshire Academy's D. Robert Gardiner Arts & Letters Alumni Hall of Fame Our deepest condolences go to the Van Der
Richard Smith
Feb 154 min read


McNamara Legion Field: Where Cheshire Grows Up Playing Ball
Over the decades, McNamara Legion Field has grown into the heart of youth baseball and softball in Cheshire. Today, it’s home to Cheshire Youth Baseball and Softball, along with its travel program, the Cheshire Reds.
The park now features:
Four baseball/softball diamonds
A basketball court
A children’s playscape
Parking for about 95 vehicles

Cheshire Today Staff
Feb 94 min read


The “Senager” Diaries: A Gentle Creak into Old Age
The Art of Aging Gracefully (or Not)
Aging means learning to laugh at yourself and the quirks that come with it. For example:
Your birthday cake becomes a fire hazard because the candles cost more than the cake itself.
At 9:00 PM, the phone rings, and the caller asks, “Did I wake you?” You reply, “No, I was just practicing for bedtime.”
You face tough choices like whether to brush your teeth or take a nap first.
I went to confession at St. Bridget’s. The priest asked for my s

Cheshire Today Staff
Feb 83 min read


The Cheshire Squeeze
When School Maps Redraw Communities
The most immediate change comes from the Cheshire Public Schools redistricting plan set to take effect in the 2026–27 school year. The closure of Chapman Elementary School and the redistribution of students to the newly constructed Norton School, the North building (formerly Darcey/Barnum), and Highland Elementary represent a major structural shift.
For many parents, the concern is less about facilities and more about continuity. Childcare

Cheshire Today Staff
Feb 75 min read
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