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Lots of NEW in Guilford to highlight our OLD: Dedications Weekend- June 6 – 8

June 6 – 8, 2014 was an incredibly busy weekend in Guilford with 375th Anniversary related activities.  Bewteen Friday and Sunday four significant events unveiled 4 new sites for residents and visitors to enjoy and use.

First – Murals of Guilford iconic spots painted by Guilford school students were dedicated on the bridge over the East River on Sullivan Drive.  This bridge is at one of the trailheads for the East River Preserve.

 

South side of East River Bridge
Trail head for East River Preserve
Hiking through a field on the Preserve

Blazes on tree and East River below- just upstream from Foote Bridge
Guilford Train Station
New England Trail logo

Guilford’s Grass Island shack on the East River
September Guilford Agricultural Fair parade
Long Island Sound, etc.

 

Second – Rollwood Park at the corner of Stonehouse Lane and Old Whitfield Street was dedicated.  This little pocket park was once the site of the home of Governor Rollin Woodruff, 62nd Governor of Connecticut, who held the office from 1907 to 1909.  The Guilford Garden Club and the Town have been enhancing it with cleanups and plantings recently.  It is a lovely addition to the South Guilford District!

Michael McBride, Curator of the Henry Whitfield State Museum, telling about the property.
Michael McBride, Curator of the Henry Whitfield State Museum, telling about the property.
Words from the Guilford Garden Club
Words from the Guilford Garden Club
Flowering beauty
Flowering beauty
The iconic old fire place
The iconic old fire place

 

Third –  The Covenant Stone  that has the very powerful Guilford Covenant (aka “The Plantation Covenant”) and the names of our founders engraved in a large slab of Guilford pink Granite was dedicated. Located at “Covenant Point” at the intersection of New and Old Whitfield Streets across from the Whitfield State Museum (i.e. the oldest stone house in New England), the program included speeches and a re-signing of the Covenant by elementary school students. The original signed covenant and deed were on display in Town Hall, making this 2014 event even more meaningful.

Guilford’s Stone House Museum- built in 1639 – oldest stone house in New England. It was decorated in a fashion similar to its appearance for our 250th anniversary!
Enjoying the roses
The soon-to-be 2014 Covenant signers walking from the Stone house

Each student laid a rose on the Guilford pink granite stone
Raised hands of those whose ancestors signed the Covenant in 1639
Carl Balestracci, who successfully carried out his dream to have the Covenant Stone become a reality for Guilford

A current day female Guilford Covenant signer
A current day female Guilford Covenant signer
On display in Town Hall for one month- The Covenant with all the 2014 signatures
The original Indian Deed- Executed on September 29, 1639 and signed by Rev. Whitfield and Squaw Sachem Shaumpishuh, grantor of the deed and chief of the local tribe. Notice her bow and arrow signature.

 

Fourth- The Southern terminus of the New England Trail –  the latest and the eleventh addition to the the Nation’s National Scenic Trail system was dedicated.  Located at Chittenden Park, the day included music, speeches and a ribbon cutting for the boardwalk that leads from Long Island Sound to Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire.

The Southernmost point of the NET- leading over the beach to LI Sound
Dic Wheeler, Executive Director of ARTFARM in Middletown - stilter- with kids
Dic Wheeler, Executive Director of ARTFARM in Middletown – stilter- with kids
Walking on the board walk

Standing on the board walk – view from the beach end
Local hiker and organizer extraordinaire, Paul Mei, with one of the commemorative New England Trail posters
Local hiker and organizer extraordinaire, Paul Mei, with one of the commemorative New England Trail posters
Speaking above one of the NET signs- former Congressman John Olver (D-MA) who introduced the New England Scenic Trail Designation Act in 2007

The ribbon has been cut!
Some of the joyous attendees, standing on the board walk, for a group photo
Local blue grass duo- The Rosenthals- Phil and son Daniel

Thanks for viewing these images from our exciting dedications weekend! Do study the Covenant Stone.  Do hike the New England Trail and see the murals done by the students.  Do visit the Stone House Museum and rest a bit in Rollwood Park!

Peter

Filed Under: CT, Guilford, Guilford 375th, Uncategorized

Peter Otis bonfire picture on New Year’s Eve 2013 is highlighted in latest Connecticut Explored issue

I received a copy of the Summer 2014 (Volume 12/ No. 3) issue of Connecticut Explored .  “Connecticut history, one good story after another” is a wonderful statement printed on the front cover. Inside one also reads that this lovely magazine ” uncovers the state’s cultural heritage with the aim of revealing connections between our past, present, and future.”

Readers will find an article titled Milford, Guilford and Stratford at 375 written by Gene Leach (pp.44 – 46). Stay tuned for a copy of the page and image showing the bonfire on the Guilford Green during the Guilford 375th Generations Jubilee.

Peter

Take a look at the copy of page 44 below.

2014 CT Explored page 44- bonfire

Filed Under: Blog, Guilford, Guilford 375th, Uncategorized

Guilford 375th Anniversary Crystal Ball – Photos from a celebratory March 29th evening!

The Guilford 375th Anniversary Crystal Ball took place Saturday, March 29th at the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club in Branford.  Veronica Wallace’s team did a splendid job of locating a perfect spot, decorating the area and providing food, drink, music, dancing and conversational opportunities for all attendees.  Near the fireplace, special site for many of the evening’s somewhat formal portraits, was a display table with a magnificent arrangement made by Guilford Greenery Florist and pictures honoring the 375th’s five Diamond Sponsors – Bishop’s Orchards, East River Energy, Guilford Savings Bank, Page Hardware & Appliance Co., and Yale- New Haven Hospital.

The images are grouped together as follows: (1) BEFORE THE BALL, (2)  A TOAST TO GUILFORD WITH A BIRTHDAY CAKE, (3) GROUP/ TABLE PICTURES, (4) CANDIDS – DANCING TO “EIGHT TO THE BAR” AND OTHER FUN MOMENTS, (5) PORTRAITS BY THE FIREPLACE.

Images from last Saturday evening appear below. If there are pictures that you would like to buy, please follow the links from your desired photos through the FOTOMOTO pictures processor.  All images that are ordered and printed will be high resolution and not contain the copyright on the image.  If you have any issues with these photos or the ordering process, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

(1) BEFORE THE BALL – 

Exterior highlighted by a lovely tree
Exterior highlighted by a lovely tree
Lots of balls for Guilford's Crystal Ball.
Lots of balls for Guilford’s Crystal Ball.
Interior stained glass detail
Interior stained glass detail

Pictures from Guilford past were on display throughout the celebration area
Pictures from Guilford past were on display throughout the celebration area.
Melissa Carroll, Guilford Greenery Florist, arranging orchid centerpiece
Melissa Carroll, Guilford Greenery Florist, arranging orchid centerpiece
Pictures from Guilford past were on display throughout the celebration area.
Pictures from Guilford past were on display throughout the celebration area.

Table assignments and more pictures from Guilford's past.
Table assignments and more pictures from Guilford’s past.
Tables ready for evening guests
additional orchids for the windows
Additional orchids for windows

Magnificent arrangement made by Guilford Greenery Florist and pictures honoring the 5 Diamond Sponsors
Magnificent arrangement made by Guilford Greenery Florist and pictures honoring the 5 Diamond Sponsors
Iconic photos from the 5 Diamond Sponsors
Iconic photos from the 5 Diamond Sponsors
Pre-darkness exterior shot
Pre-darkness exterior shot

(2) A TOAST TO GUILFORD WITH A BIRTHDAY CAKE –

A toast to 375 years and many more to come…
Veronica Wallace

The cake before lighting
All candles lit- Guilford's 375th
All candles lit- Guilford’s 375th
Veronica Wallace and Joe Mazza

(3) GROUP/ TABLE PICTURES

Guilford's 375th Anniversary Committee
Guilford’s 375th Anniversary Committee



Fun with Guilford's 375th Anniversary Committee
Fun with Guilford’s 375th Anniversary Committee

(4) CANDIDS – DANCING TO “EIGHT TO THE BAR” AND OTHER FUN MOMENTS –


"Eight to the Bar's" Founder and Leader, Cynthia Lyon, performing at Guilford's 375th Anniversary Crystal Ball, Pine Orchard Club, Branford, CT
“Eight to the Bar’s” Founder and Leader, Cynthia Lyon, performing at Guilford’s 375th Anniversary Crystal Ball, Pine Orchard Club, Branford, CT




(5) PORTRAITS BY THE FIREPLACE –
















Thanks for letting me share these with you.  Contact me if you would like me to take on an assignment for you!

Peter

 

Filed Under: Blog, Guilford, Guilford 375th, Photos Shop, Uncategorized

Otis Image of Bonfire, Celebrants and Congregational Church Highlight Guilford Almanac Article

Seen in the 2014 Guilford Almanac published in January by Shoreline Times/ New Haven Register

Seen in the 2014 Guilford Almanac published in January by Shoreline Times/ New Haven Register, Page 4.

Last week I received a text from author Sarah Page Kyrcz about this photo that was included in her article alerting everyone in Guilford to the signature events that will take place throughout 2014 here in Guilford.  The celebration has only begun!  As Sarah writes, “Guilford is throwing a birthday party to rival any birthday party you have ever attended and everyone is invited!”  Click here to find the entire online Guilford Almanac.

See you at our upcoming celebrations!

Peter

Filed Under: Blog, Guilford, Guilford 375th

375th Images seen in Guilford Town Hall and Print Edition of the Shoreline Times

For the month of January the Guilford@375 Committee has the privilege of displaying documents and gifts and images about this year’s celebration in the display case of the Town Hall’s lobby.  We had a chance to visit the display today which is shown here.  One of my fireworks shots from New Year’s Eve is shown in the upper left corner.

Guilford@375 Display in Guilford Town Hall including Otis Fireworks Photograph

Also today the print edition of The Shoreline Times was delivered to homes along the shoreline.  On page 1 Sarah Kyrcz’s article A Blazing Kickoff for Guilford’s 375th appeared. This piece appears below for readers to see.

Shoreline Times, Jan. 10, 2014 “A Blazing Kickoff for Guilford’s 375th”

 

Shoreline Times, Jan. 10, 2014 – page 5 – “Guilford kicks off anniversary with bonfires and fireworks”

Shoreline Times, Jan. 10, 2014 – p. 5- continued

Thanks for letting me share this update with you.

Peter

 

Filed Under: CT, Guilford, Guilford 375th, Places, Uncategorized

Shoreline Times Uses Otis Guilford Generations Jubilee Photos

Today Sarah Page Kyrcz’s article appeared in the online edition of the Shoreline Times.  Its title is A blazing kickoff for Guilford’s 375th.

Take a look at the article here.  She summarized the day’s activities and included a few of my photos for effect.

The article begins this way

” GUILFORD – NO, IT WASN’T THE FOURTH OF JULY.

But, blazing bonfires and fireworks lit up the historic Green and heralded the new year as Guilford threw a huge New Year’s Eve party, Generations Jubilee, to kick off 2014 and the town’s 375th anniversary.

“It was a First Night scaled to a community, the size of Guilford,” said resident photographer Peter Otis.”

Thank you, Sarah, for your description of this lovely kickoff to our year-long celebration. Four more major events to go!

Thanks for viewing this article. Send me your comments please.

Peter

 

Filed Under: CT, Guilford, Guilford 375th, Places, Uncategorized

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