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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

The concept of a town poor farm dates back to the earliest days of settlement in Connecticut. By 1640, Hartford had established a poorhouse along the Connecticut River. Each town eventually maintained a place where those without means could live and, if able, contribute light labor. In 1850, Hannah Brown sold property on what is now Country Club Road to the town for use as a poorhouse. An additional 15 acres across the street—today near Scenic Court—were maintained

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.

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.

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

For many longtime Cheshire residents, a home represents far more than real estate. It holds decades of holidays, raised families, backyard barbecues, and carefully tended gardens. But as homeowners age, the realities of upkeep — roofing, heating systems, yard work, stairs, and unexpected repairs — can become overwhelming.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

The 2035 system offers the Cheshire resident a life of unprecedented safety, longevity, and physical ease. The "human error" that once led to traffic fatalities, missed diagnoses, and inefficient homes has been successfully neutralized. However, the result is a "perfectly managed" existence. We are healthier and more comfortable than ever before, but we are also the most supervised population in the history of the town.

Weekends often include a three-hour session at C.J. Sparrow Pub & Eatery, listening to their favorite entertainer, Rickie Miller. Afterward, they Uber home because one of them had half a glass of beer. They don’t always drink—but when they do, it’s a 0.5% ABV Mexican-inspired beer called Cerveza Atletica. They may not be from Cheshire. They may never fully understand Cheshire. But in their own strange, DoorDash-powered, Uber-assisted way… they fit right in.

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.