The Civil War Comes to Life at CIS

Canton Intermediate School students study many aspects of the Civil War, but there’s no doubt that the yearly encampment brings history to life.

Each spring, the fifth-graders spend the better part of a day out on the school’s field, listening to re-enactors talk about various aspects of daily life in the Civil War era, while displaying many common items replicated or saved from the 1860s.

The 125 students learned about school life from Lynne McKenney-Lydick; the perspectives of Confederate soldier from former CIS teacher Tim Barth, aka Major Frye, of the 15th Alabama Infantry; daily habits from a Union soldier from Bill Foley of Ohio-based fortheloveofhistory.com; the life of a slave catcher from Jim Littlefield, aka Coswell Tims; period wet-plate photography from local photographer and filmmaker Ty Morin; and musical lessons from Jim Clark and James Williams of Connecticut Valley Field Music.

After the lessons, the day culminated in a chaotic field battle, always a student favorite.

The encampment is especially poignant because each re-enactor has a deep understanding of the subject matter and animatedly brings their characters to life, said fifthgrade teacher Erik Perotti.

“This is definitely the highlight of the unit, and for many, the highlight of the year,”
he said.

Canton Lions ask residents to review their Redbook phone listing

Submitted Release 

The Canton Lions Club launched their 2017 campaign for the Little Red Phone Book with a simple question: Is your name and number in the book?

If you’re not, the Canton Lions urge you to add your name and number to the book. Simply download the form “Errors and Omissions Change Form” found on http://www.cantonctlions.org/thelittleredphonebook.html, enter your information and send it in.

Since 1964, the Little Red Phone Book has been the only resource for residents looking for their neighbors, businesses listings, town agencies, members of Canton boards and charitable organizations. Who would have thought that a printed book of telephone numbers would become an enduring connection for Canton residents? Yet it’s true!

The Little Red Phone Book has helped Canton Lions help our community with scholarships to graduating high school seniors, free eye screenings for pre-school children, support for teams, the Canton Food and Fuel Banks, and much, much more. … Continue Reading

Author helps students make an impact through their writing

By John Fitts 

CANTON – Canton resident Julia Garstecki has always wanted to write, but that career has only taken off in the last few years.

Gartstecki, 44, is an accomplished writer who has published several several nonfiction titles for primary and intermediate readers.

“The one thing I wish I had done is started earlier,” she said. “It was something I always wanted to try and I feel I waited too long.”

See more in the May 4 edition of the Valley Press.

Budget Plan Goes to electors at May 22 meeting

CANTON – While the town’s proposed $37,767,987 million budget represents a 0.58 percent increase in spending, taxes would increase 2.45 percent under the plan.

The new mill rate would be 30.49. Each mil represents $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in assessed property. In this case, homeowners pay $3,049 for every $100,000 of assessed property. The “average” taxpayer, with a home assessed at $238,832, would receive an annual tax bill of $7,282, or $174 more than in fiscal year 2016-17.

If there’s no petition for a referendum, town electors will vote on the plan during the annual budget meeting at 7 p.m. May 22 in the Canton High School auditorium.

At least 150 need to be present for the budget to be validated. The reason the tax increase is greater than the rise in spending is due to Gov. Dannel Malloy’s proposed cuts in town aid. See more in the May 4 edition of The Valley Press.

Memorial Service for Lucille Battles Cecon is May 5

Submitted 

Lucille Battles Cecon, a long-time resident of Canton, died April 4 at Brookdale Managed Care Facility in Farmington.

On Friday, May 5 at 2 p.m., there will be a Memorial Service at St. Patrick Church in Collinsville. Father Ronald May the former Pastor of St Patrick”s will officiate. A reception will follow in the Church Hall.

Lucille had been an active member of St Patrick’s and served with many of its ministries.

Amongst other ministries she was Parish Council President for 2 terms and felt deep devotion to the service that the Haiti Team provided.

Midnight Snack Band to Play Outdoor Concert in Collinsville May 7

Your Silent Neighbors: Walter S. Case, Longtime Postmaster

Walter S. Case is buried in the Baptist Cemetery on Canton Springs Road, Canton.

By David Leff 
Town Historian 

Walter S. Case (1859-1941) took over the Canton Center General Store from George Lamphier in 1893 and became postmaster in 1898, a position he was to hold until 1940.  He was born in Barkhamsted and married Susie Church in 1890.  They were the parents of three sons and a daughter.  He was an avid Republican in politics and a Mason.  In his later years, he was a distinguished old fashioned-looking gentleman who wore glasses with round lenses and smoked a pipe.  He died a couple days before he and his wife were to celebrate their fifty-first anniversary.  After he retired, sons Gordon and Byron took over the store with the former as postmaster.  Case’s funeral was held at his Canton Center home with the pastor of the Canton Center Congregational Church officiating.

Walter S. Case is buried in the Baptist Cemetery on Canton Springs Road, Canton.

“Your Silent Neighbors” introduces readers to people out of Canton’s past.  It will appear on the first and fifteenth of each month.  Readers are encouraged to visit these gravesites and pay their respects to the people who have helped make our community what it is today.  Any suggestions, questions, or corrections should be addressed to Town Historian David Leff at onktaadn@comcast.net

Ally Doyle Memorial Fun Walk Set for May 7

COLLINSVILLE _ The Ally Doyle Memorial Fun Walk will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at the Rails to Trails starting and ending near the Crown and Hammer Restaurant and Pub.

Doyle lost her life at age 13 on April 24, 2016 due to a tragic accident.

“Ally was an amazing and talented 13-year-old Canton Middle School student,” her family wrote on the event website. “She had a great love for gymnastics, field hockey, academics, spending time at the beach, and being silly with her friends and family.”

Ally and her family, and their dogs, loved to walk on the trail. Proceeds will benefit the Canton Dollars for Scholars Ally Doyle Scholarship Fund.

Cost is $25 and online registration ends at 11:59 p.m. May 5.

Visit runsignup.com/Race/CT/Collinsville/TheAllyDoyleMemorialFunWalk.

Walkers can also register at the event.

Moose sightings stir up excitement in Canton

A young moose photographed in Canton. Photo by Colleen Plaskett

CANTON – It wasn’t an oversized bunny or a life-altering religious experience, but residents were excited to see a young moose Easter morning.

Following sightings in Winchester, Barkhamsted, New Hartford and other parts of Canton, several residents witnessed a young, male moose in a field and wooded area on Olson Road, near the intersection of East Hill Road on Easter Sunday. Several more sightings followed in the next few days.

Wildlife experts say it is not uncommon to see young moose by themselves in the spring.

To see what a local expert and a state Department of Energy and Environmental Department biologist had to say about the moose in Connecticut, see this week’s Valley Press.

Ally Doyle Memorial Fun Walk set for May 7

COLLINSVILLE _ The Ally Doyle Memorial Fun Walk will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at the Rails to Trails starting and ending near the Crown and Hammer Restaurant and Pub.

Doyle lost her life at age 13 on April 24, 2016 due to a tragic accident.

“Ally was an amazing and talented 13-year-old Canton Middle School student,” her family wrote on the event website. “She had a great love for gymnastics, field hockey, academics, spending time at the beach, and being silly with her friends and family.”

Ally and her family, and their dogs, loved to walk on the trail. Proceeds will benefit the Canton Dollars for Scholars Ally Doyle Scholarship Fund.

Cost is $25 and online registration ends at 11:59 p.m. May 5.

Visit runsignup.com/Race/CT/Collinsville/TheAllyDoyleMemorialFunWalk. Walkers can also register at the event.

Also on May 7, in the morning, is the second Burlington to Collinsville Classic 10K, sponsored by the Hartford Marathon Foundation. See more at http://hartfordmarathon.com/burlington-to-collinsville-classic/