People Places Things

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

During the 1980s, the Cheshire Jaycees stood at the heart of civic life in Cheshire, Connecticut, playing a defining role in community celebrations, youth programming, and public service initiatives. Working closely with the Cheshire Department of Parks and Recreation, the Jaycees consistently delivered events that brought residents together while strengthening the town’s social fabric. One of the most cherished annual traditions was the arrival of Santa Claus at the Harmo

Kevin was born in Waterbury to Charles Martin Synnott and Margaret Carolan Synnott, but Cheshire is where he was raised and where his heart always lived. A proud graduate of Cheshire High School, he went on to Post College, earned a master’s degree from the University of Hartford, and later a second master’s and a doctorate from UConn. His academic resume was impressive by any measure—he taught at Albertus Magnus, Springfield College, Rhode Island College, Eastern Connecticut

Craig Carson, Paul Young and Peter Sossong were winners in the recent Cheshire Jaycee Junior Golf Tournament. The three placed first in the open division, second in the open division and first in the novice division, respectively. Carson and Young will represent the Cheshire Jaycees at the state tournament. The Cheshire Jaycees will sponsor a book drive for the Cheshire Correctional Institution library. Attorney Thomas M. Jackson and Dr. Robert Zatkowski, co-chairmen of th

Across the 1960s, the Cheshire Jaycees established themselves as a cornerstone of civic life in the town. Through educational programs, youth athletics, pageants, public safety initiatives, leadership training, and large-scale community events, the organization helped guide Cheshire through a decade of rapid growth and change. The traditions they built and the leaders they developed continued to influence local governance and community life long after the decade ended, leavin

By the end of the 1950s, the Cheshire Jaycees had firmly established themselves as a cornerstone of civic life in a rapidly changing town. Through leadership training, youth programs, recreation initiatives, fundraising events, and community celebrations, the organization helped shape modern Cheshire while preparing a generation of young men for future roles in business, government, and public service. Though many specific projects have faded into the background of local m

A graduate of Cheshire High School, Class of 1966, he was actively involved as a student, including participation with the baseball team and service on the Yearbook Committee. His lifelong connection to the town has shaped both his personal identity and his public career. Following high school, Dill pursued higher education in business and marketing. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Quinnipiac University and went on to complete advanced graduate studies at the Universit

The Gode Family and the Cheshire Fire Department Donald’s father, John Gode, was a charter member of the Cheshire Fire Department. Donald himself became a life member, continuing the family’s legacy of service. His son, Peter Gode, was also a member until his death, and Peter’s son, Andrew, later served as a firefighter near his home in Leesburg, Virginia.

Speeding remains a critical concern for many communities, especially in areas near schools and pedestrian zones. If Cheshire is considering installing speed cameras to improve traffic safety, then there are clear rules and steps the town must follow before cameras can be activated. This post explains what Cheshire needs to do, how speed camera programs operate in Connecticut, and how the revenue from these cameras is used.

For the fiscal year 2025, which ends on June 30, 2025, Connecticut splits unclaimed deposits evenly: 50% goes to beverage distributors 50% goes to the state’s General Fund This 50-50 split marks a shift from the previous law where the state received 100% of unclaimed deposits. The change aims to balance the interests of distributors, who handle the logistics and costs of the deposit system, with the state’s interest in funding public programs.

CHESHIRE Today, CT — The history of Cheshire is often told through its institutions—Cheshire Academy, its churches, and its civic traditions—but few family stories encapsulate the town’s connection to national culture and global conflict as fully as that of the Ferris family. Spanning early 20th-century academia, Hollywood’s Golden Age, and the battlefields of World War II, the Ferris legacy reflects both privilege and profound sacrifice.

The Roots of the Cheshire Jaycees The Cheshire Junior Chamber of Commerce received its official charter in May 1954 at Cheshire Academy. Early leaders included President William Sandwick, Treasurer F. Alden O’Neal, Projects Chairman Warren H. Dougherty, and Publicity Chairman Richard Haury. Leadership training was central to the organization’s mission, and Cheshire Jaycees played a significant role at the state level. A notable moment reflecting the strength and continuity of

Cheshire Today Cheshire’s semiquincentennial celebration will feature a variety of events designed to bring the community together and honor our nation’s founding principles. Some highlights include: Historical Exhibits: Showcasing artifacts, documents, and stories from Cheshire’s colonial era to illustrate the town’s role in the independence movement. Educational Workshops: Offering opportunities for students and adults to learn about the Declaration of Independe

Cheshire Today Dr. Wilbur J. Moore Born on July 15, 1896, in Watertown, Connecticut, Moore’s path to medicine began close to home. He attended Cheshire Academy before continuing his studies at Columbia University and the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. In 1921, newly trained and full of ambition, he returned to Cheshire to open a medical practice—setting up his first office in the Fred Porter House. From the outset, he embraced the role of the classic country do