1. education
2. school

The Highland Herald
Issue No. 40
Scotland, CT
May 2015
photographs and postcards. Mark down June 6, 2015 on
your calendar and bring the family for the “Connecticut
Trails Day” walking weekend hike of the historic Waldo
property. This event will coincide with a Revolutionary
Artillery demonstration at the Huntington House.
Memorial Day
Scotland’s Observance of Memorial Day will be held on
Sunday, May 24th. It begins with the Wreath Laying
Ceremony on the Town Green, Routes 97 and 14, at
noon.
The parade will step off at 12:20 marching south from the
Town Green to the Scotland Cemetery. The Scotland
School and Parish Hill bands will perform. The main
ceremony and speakers will follow the parade. Keynote
speakers will be Robert Noiseux, Lt. Commander, retired,
United States Merchant Marine Reserve, and Mel
Hewston, past State Commander of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, Department of CT.
The 300th Anniversary Celebration day is scheduled for
Saturday, September 19, 2015 at the Waldo House. Join
us for a day of exhibits, military reenactors, antique cars,
blacksmithing, children’s games, and other activities to
celebrate both the Waldo House and the town! The
State Historian Walter Woodward will also give a
keynote address that day. Finally, a time capsule is being
planned in which Scotland residents will be invited to
contribute a memento!
Please join us in planning and organizing this year’s
events! If you have any programs you would like to share
please contact us. The Scotland Historical Society is
always looking for new members and meetings are held
the first Wednesday of each month at the Scotland
Volunteer Fire Department (7:00 pm).
For more information contact David Naumec at:
[email protected]
Waldo House Anniversary Events
This year is the 300th Anniversary of the Waldo House
and the Scotland Historical Society is planning a series of
events to celebrate this town milestone.
Anniversary events are scheduled throughout the year
and the historical society is seeking any town residents
interested in participating! Beginning in May, the Waldo
House will be open for guided house tours the first
Saturday of each month. Between May at October stop
on by to visit Scotland’s oldest home open to the public
and view restored fire places, furnished rooms, and the
blacksmiths shop!
On April 12, 2015 long-time historical society member
Kevin Ring will present a slide-show of historical Scotland
Mother’s Day Breakfast
The St. Margaret’s Men’s Club is sponsoring Mother’s
Day Breakfast on May 10th from 8 – 10:30 at the Church
Hall. Breakfast choices: scrambled eggs, pancakes, home
fries, sausage, fruit salad and beverages. Adults $6.00,
Children 5 – 11 $3.00, Children under 5 free. The
maximum per household is $25.00. For questions call
Alex Dickinson at 860-423-4210.
Arts, Theater and Events
Mother’s Day Breakfast
5/10 Breakfast 8-10:30, Adults $6, Children 5-11 $3
Maximum $25 St. Margaret’s Church
Memorial Day Observance
5/24 Noon on the Green
Open Gym
5/6-27 Wednesdays, 5-7 at Scotland School Gym
Scotland Farmers’ Market
Wednesdays from 3-6pm
May – October / Opens May 27th
St Margaret’s Church parking lot
Contact Sally Pappenheimer, 860-423-0533
Huntington Homestead Open House
1st and 3rd Saturday from 11am – 3 pm
Letterboxing trail is on the property.
Contact Kevin Ring, 860-423-1547
Waldo Homestead Open House
1st Saturday from 11am-3pm
Contact Dave Naumec, 860-277-1346
Editor: Judy Moulton. Unless otherwise specified, all articles are
written by our volunteers: Editor and staff. We welcome comments,
articles, photos and letters from town residents on town-related topics.
The Editor reserves the right to edit for spelling, grammar, clarity,
space, and statements that are considered defamatory or obscene.
Please send submissions and photos by mail or email to:
The Highland Herald Newsletter
PO Box 4 - Scotland, CT 06264
[email protected]
The Highland Herald is on the town website, www.ScotlandCT.org and
available in email format and in print at the Post Office at the end /
beginning of each month. If you can’t get a copy contact us for a mail
or email version. 860-450-8429
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Windham Theatre Guild
5/1-2 WTG Youth Chorus Concert, 7pm
5/9
Quiet Corner Fiddlers, 8pm
5/29-31 Cuckoo’s Nest, F-S 8pm, Sun. 2pm
www.Windhamtheatreguild.org, 860-423-2245
Norwich Arts Center
5/1
First Friday – Miss Lotte’s Cafe, 8pm
5/2
Miss Lotte’s Café, 8pm
5/9
Miss Lotte’s Café, 7pm
5/21 Open Mic, 6pm
www.norwicharts.org, 860-887-2789
The Benton
5/1-10 Fine Arts Exhibition
5/1-31 Remembering the Vietnam War
www.thebenton.org, 860-486-4520
The Jorgensen
5/1-3 A Midsummer Night’s Dream, F 8pm, S 2&8pm,
Sun. 2pm (CRT)
5/2
2Cellos, Croatian cellists, 8pm, cabaret 7pm,
sold out
5/3
Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Tale, 2pm,
adults $16, Children $14
5/14 Hunger, A play for two voices, 2pm, $7 children,
$25 Seniors, $30 Adults
5/28-31 Les Miserables (CRT summer series)
www.Jorgensen.uconn.edu, 860-486-4226,
www.CRT.uconn.Edu, 860-486-2113
The Bushnell
5/1
Jay Leno, 8pm, from $79, few seats left
5/7
Fascinating Rhythm, 7:30pm, donation of nonperishable food item
5/7-10 Beethoven and Mozart, Thursday-7:30, Friday,
Saturday- 8pm, Sunday-3pm, from $38.50
5/8
Johnny Mathis, 8pm, expensive seats left
5/11 Middletown High School, 7pm, call 860-9875900
5/12-13 The Giver, grades 6-8, Tuesday 9am & noon,
Wednesday 9:30am
5/15 David Sedaris, 8pm, $53, few remaining
5/17 Copland and Coney Island, 2pm
5/20 The music of Stephen Schwartz
5/22 A.R. Rahman, 8pm,
5/26-31 Once, Tony Award Best Musical, T-T
7:30, F 8. Sat. 2&8pm, Sun. 1&6:30, from $21
5/28-31 Mahler, Thurs. 7:30, F-S 8pm, Sun. 3, from
$38.50
www.bushnell.org, 860-987-5900
Goodspeed Operahouse
All month “Guys and Dolls” Wednesday-Sunday
Scotland Schools of the Early Years
Judy Moulton
Early residents of Scotland were believers in educating
children as were most New Englanders. Rev. Ebenezer
Devotion, of the Scotland Church, and his wife read with
their children and probably sent them to school. Rev.
Devotion was a Yale Graduate in Divinity.
Nathaniel and Mehetable Huntington were also
supporters of education. Three of their sons went to Yale
to study in Divinity. Samuel Huntington studied in Rev.
Devotion’s library and assisted by local lawyers he
became a lawyer in 1756.
Scotland Parish developed into five districts with a oneroom schoolhouse in each district. This organization
ensured no child had to walk more than 1 ½ miles to
school. Children were up early for chores and returned
usually to work after school. Sometimes students would
study winters and work the farm the other three
seasons. There was one teacher in each school. Quill
pens were used until about 1840’s and teachers had to
draw the lines on copy books until then. Normal Schools
were established at that time, also. The small schools
gave individual attention and help for students where
larger schools had to teach to the average student level.
At the time of incorporation of Scotland in 1857 there
were 171 students from 4 to 16 years of age. Total school
expenses were $681.58.
Teachers were paid small wages and often were
inexperienced.
They boarded in
various
homes.
The time a teacher
stayed in one
house
was
proportional
to
the number of
students in school.
As you might
guess, some teachers married a town resident. A state
law of the time required towns to give each small district
$35 as long as it had at least 12 students between the
ages of 4 and 16. Originally parents were assessed for
school according to the number of their children
attending.
Pudding Hill District
School, District 3,
was southwest of
Schoolhouse Road,
from Pudding Hill
Rd to Brook Rd. It
seems
to
end
where Kasecek Rd
On October 10,
1895 the town
voted
to
consolidate the
five
schools
into one and
that
the
building would
include
the
library. It was the first consolidated school in Connecticut
from 5 districts. They built the new building near the road
and the old Center School became the ell on the back of
the building. The new building was constructed with two
floors. Wooden sidewalks led from the school to the dirt
road. The first floor room was for 4 grades with the
primary students in the ell. Upstairs were rooms for town
hall business and elections and the library. Its slate
blackboards, wooden floors, large windows, gabled roof,
clapboard siding and a bell are signs of the turn of the
century school building. Originally a shed was built for
holding wood and an outhouse. A woodstove was used
to heat indoors. At first drinking water came from the
neighboring house, the Watson House. In 1904 a pump
was put in using the Watson House well but this pump
for school use. A pail was kept in the room with a shared
dipper. Electricity came to the new school in 1932. The
green shutters with the white “S” finished the building.
The 4 District School, Brunswick Scotland, was on the
southeast side of the intersection of Khourie Rd and
Hanover Rd.. The South District’s school was also
referred to as the Bakertown School and it was on Station
Rd on the north side midway between Plains Rd and
Murphy Hill Rd.
Students from all over town were brought to school in
horse drawn wagons. They brought their lunches. During
lunch was also recreation. Boys would play ball on the
green in warm weather and all skated or slid in winter.
Students were assigned to keep the rooms clean and to
care for the woodstove. The Audubon Society provided
coloring supplies. Originally the front of the building had
The 1st District was Center District and the one-room
schoolhouse was located where town hall is today. It is
believed the original schoolhouse is the back room of
Town Hall. The school in district 2 was located at the
southeast corner of the intersection of Pinch Street and
Brooklyn Turnpike, Pinch St. Schoolhouse.
begins.
th
three doors, but two were modified to be windows. The
town provide the transportation for the students, free
textbooks and some other school expenses.
Students memorized poems in literature class. There
were spelling bees, speaking contests and graduation
which took place at the Shetucket Grange Hall. The May
Pole Dance was popular with students. They also put on
plays with what they had learned.
trade or manual training school. The Normal School, for
educating teachers, had been where ECSU stands. On
October 16, 1964 the three towns of Chaplin, Hampton
and Scotland voted in a referendum to build a regional
high school for students when the Windham contract
ended.
In 1989 the elementary school needed more space and
the Board planned an addition. They also decided the
school and the town each needed a library. Again in 2008
the elementary school was expanded with a gym, a full
kitchen, cafeteria and lockers and showers. There was a
separate entrance for pre-school and now there would
be room for 7th and 8th graders when/if they leave Parish
Hill. In June 2005 the Scotland Public Library and D’’Elia
Tool Museum opened their new building in Scotland.
Now with schools across the State having enrollment
dwindle year after year, we have a different situation.
That is, how can we afford our schools for a much smaller
population and not tax people out of their homes.
George Washington and the Revolutionary War
A Hartford Courant issue of 1903 reported on The
Scotland School Case. It stated that Henry Phinney of
Scotland was refusing to send his two children to school
because of conditions of their ride. He alleged that the
driver of the carriage and its two horses, Harry Chesbro,
was” too young and too frail to operate it”. The Phinney
children testified of scrapes between Chesbro and
another boy on the carriage. The case lasted weeks in
Willimantic court. The Phinney children returned to
school.
An article listed as in the 1947 Hartford Times told of the
town’s efforts to raise money for a film projector. They
needed $500 and raised $534.47. Efforts included
collecting and selling waste paper, auctioning donated
articles, contributions given through the Ladies Aid
Society, Ladies Guild of St. Margaret’s Church spaghetti
supper and the Grange helping to reach this goal.
In 1935 there was talk of a new school and even an offer
of land for sale, but the selectmen decided instead to
install toilets and heat. With the “Baby Boom”
population growth, the number of students in school
exploded. It went from 38 in 1946 to 107 in 1956. The
two-room Scotland Consolidated School couldn’t handle
the increase. The first step was to send the eighth
graders to Windham by tuition. But they decided they
needed to build a bigger school. In 1962, a new six room
school was authorized. It was built on land purchased
from Mrs. Raymond Perry.
Students in grades 9-12 went to Windham High School,
Sources:
“Short History of Scotland Town Hall” B. Gardner 2006
“A Brief History of the Schools of Scotland”
“Welcome to my 100th Birthday Party”, HH 1996
“Scotland Consolidated School’s Early Days” D. Sutcliffe
“Scotland’s Day: Residents of the Town air their troubles”
Hartford Courant, Nov. 13, 1903
History of Windham County, CT Allen B. Lincoln, 1920
Other Town Records.
May Days
Nancy Hansen
Most of us probably think of the international distress
radio signal when we hear those two words together.
“Mayday!” repeated three times rapidly indicates
someone or something is in serious danger, and in need
of emergency assistance. It's a hail for immediate aid that
should never be broadcast unless you have a definite
crisis situation. However, most of us country dwellers
feel we need rescuing after the winter we just
experienced, where the snow and the cold didn't want to
end. We've all been saying our private 'maydays', and
hoping the arrival of spring will make it a distant
memory.
May Day has another, more ancient and far happier
meaning. In centuries past, the time around what we
know as the first of May or 'May Day', was marked for
celebrations of the returning season of flowers, fertility,
and ultimately, summer. What began as a devout holiday
to welcome back the times of warmth and plenty, sort of
devolved into a secular festival that in some cultures got
folded in with prevailing faiths. Yet vestiges of what May
Day once was trickled down through the years, though
they've become rather rare in this technological age.
Dancing around the maypole, crowning a May Queen,
and leaving little anonymous baskets of flowers or
sweets on the steps of neighbors have definitely gone
out of fashion.
That's really rather sad! Especially living out here in the
country, where you are closer to nature and more
acutely aware of the seasons, we could use a little
healthy festivity to remind us of how fortunate we are to
have May weather with us again. From a gardening
standpoint, May is the biggest month of planting up here
in the short season northeast, with May's final frost date
allowing us to get those tender plants in at last. The
nurseries and home centers will be bustling, and folks
will be out planting things and cutting the lawn. May is
usually when the winter clothing gets tucked away, and
summer wear becomes feasible. Windows are open, the
last of the road chemicals have been washed off cars and
pavement, and the rain doesn't automatically turn to ice.
Lilacs, fruit trees, and dandelions are in bloom, and the
last of the spring flowering bulbs are open. Birds are
nesting, and bees are busy in the flowers. We might see
the first spotted fawns, and dragonflies gradually replace
mayflies, and the gnats that are so bothersome in April.
Even the butterflies are bigger and showier. Everyone
and everything just seems happier in May.
So maybe we need to think about some new May
traditions. While prancing around a decorated maypole
winding ribbons might not be your speed, and making up
even little baskets of flowers takes time, there are things
we can do. Could you perhaps plant a few flowers or a
small tidy shrub where both you and your neighbor can
enjoy them? Maybe down by the edge of the property
where the road is close, so passersby have something
pretty to greet them? Or how about making some sun
tea or lemonade, and inviting a few folks over to share
that and cookies—just because it's May. Certainly our
local elderly, or those who are shut in for some reason,
could use a friendly visit and an impromptu bouquet. On
days when I was too busy to get outdoors, my boys used
to bring me handfuls of half-crushed dandelions and the
last of the violets, and I've never had a more heartfelt gift
of flowers. Stuck in an old canning jar, they beat
hothouse roses any day.
For many years, I gave my mother plants for her flower
garden every May. She is 81 now, and can't get around
as well as she used to. Last Mother's Day—which is a May
holiday—I bought her a big soft green glazed ceramic
pot, and filled it with a pink flowered rose bush and some
purple and white carpet alyssum. My oldest son and I
planted it, and set it up on bricks out back of their house.
It bloomed all year, and became her focus that summer;
something she could fuss with and not have to get down
on her hands and knees, which is getting too painful. It
gave her a reason to go sit outside, and get some fresh
air and sunshine. Such a small gesture, but it paid back
immensely in healthy ways.
My mother is gradually losing her memory and growing
feeble, and some days are very hard on all of us. This
winter has taken a toll on her spirits. Whatever we can
do to celebrate even the smallest things, we go for it. I
don't need a reason to rejoice in May days, the fact that
we have pleasant weather again is enough. I hope you all
do the same.
.
May 2015 at the
Scotland Public Library
860-423-1492
Mary Geragotelis, Library Director
Hours: Tuesday 2:30 - 7
Wednesday 2:30 –7
Thursday 9 – 12 & 2:30 –
Friday 2:30 – 7
Saturday 9 – 2
Please note: The library is CLOSED on Saturday, May
23 for Memorial Day Weekend.
Card Stamping Class: We’ll be making some lovely
greeting cards on Saturday, May 2 at 10 a.m. All supplies
are provided. This class is free and open to the public but
you must register as space is limited. Call or stop by the
library to reserve your seat.
Laugh & Learn: This session of Laugh & Learn for
children ages 5 and under and their parents/caregivers is
every Thursday at 10 a.m. from May 7 through June 11.
We’ll have stories, songs, games, and more. Sign-ups are
appreciated.
Building with K’NEX: How high can you build your
skyscraper? Our next K’NEX class is Thursday, May 14 at
4 p.m. All materials will be provided.
The Scotland/Canterbury Book Discussion Group will
meet on Tuesday, May 19 at 7:05 p.m. at the Scotland
Public Library. This month we are reading and discussing
our Quiet Corner Reads featured book, What Strange
Creatures by Emily Arsenault. Copies of the book are
available at both libraries.
Quiet Corner Reads Author Event: Save the date:
Tuesday, June 16 at the Pomfret School for our evening
with the author event. This year’s featured speaker is
Emily Arsenault, author of What Strange Creatures,
Miss Me When I’m Gone, In Search of the Rose Notes,
and The Broken Teaglass. Refreshments will be served.
Tickets are available at all participating libraries. For
more information visit www.quietcornerreads.
Eggtravaganza Story Time: May is National Egg Month
and we’re celebrating with a special story time on
Saturday, May 30 at 10 a.m. Join us for stories and
more. Open to all ages.
Knitting Group: Our knitting group continues to meet on
Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Consider joining us to
work on your own project or suggest something for
group collaboration. All skill levels are welcome.
Check out our website scotlandpubliclibrary.org and like
us on Facebook.
Hampton’s Little River Music Series
Providence Mandolin Orchestra will perform at the
Hampton Community Center on May 17 at 4:30 pm. This
is part of the Little River Music Series. There will be 20
assorted string instruments performing classical and
contemporary music. Reservations are strongly
recommended. Adults $15, accompanied children free.
For information on the orchestra www.mandolinorchestra.org. Call or write to reserve a seat. 860-4552056, Hampton Recreation Commission PO Box 143,
Hampton, CT 0624
Joshua’s Trust Walks
5/13
5/23
5/23
10 Hike at Pigeon Swamp Preserve, an easy 2
mile loop walk. Jim Russell 860-377-3687
10 “Photography Walk” 165 Back Rd, AllanachWolf Preserve, 860-742-8654
9-11am Hike in the Doris ad Al Memorial Forest
Co-sponsor Conserving Tolland. 860-896-1502
Hello from Scotland Elementary School,
The school year is winding down and as it does, we seem
to get busier than ever at Scotland Elementary School.
We have almost completed our first experience with the
new Smarter Balanced state assessments. The students
have focused and persevered through these new tests.
They don’t seem to be as stressed as the adults going
through the technology-based assessments. They are
adjusting to the new experience quite well and taking it
all in stride. We will examine our scores when we receive
them and move forward from this base line for next
school year.
With the Smarter Balanced assessments completed, we
can now focus on our last few SES events of spring before
everyone leaves for the summer. Our “movie day” to
show the Penguins of Madagascar movie will take place
this month. We will turn SES into a movie theater and
everyone will be able to enjoy the story of the penguins
and perform our Penguin Shake dance along with the
movie. Students will receive a movie admission ticket
and tickets for concessions—beverage and popcorn! The
movie will be shown in three areas around the building
and classes can select where they wish to view the
movie. It will be a fun way to enjoy our final part of the
penguin shake contest.
The week of May 18th, we will be holding a “buy one, get
one free” Scholastic Book Fair in order to kick off this
year’s summer reading contest. We have a championship
to defend in order to retain our title of “Connecticut’s
Top Scholastic Reading School”. The Friends of SES will
be giving each child a $5.00 gift certificate to purchase
books at this fair and for each book they purchase, they
can select one for FREE! Thank you in advance to our
Friends group! We will send reminder notices home for
the book fair, as well as all contest details with student
log in information. Teachers will kick off the contest here
at SES and begin logging in minutes this month. In order
to remain CT Champions, we need to READ, READ, and
READ over the summer!
Our SES Student Council will again be working with the
Town of Scotland preparing the Scotland Cemetery for
the Memorial Day events. The students will be out
working the morning of May 21st and we are hoping for
no rain this year! The SES band will be proudly
representing our school in the Scotland Memorial Day
parade on May 25th.
The SES chorus will be competing in the Music in the
Parks competition on May 29th. Good luck to those
fourth, fifth and sixth graders along with Mr. Coporale as
they represent our school in this annual event.
Our students are busy preparing for this year’s Jump
Rope for Heart performance with PE/Health teacher, Ms.
Schenck. The assembly will take place on Wednesday,
May 22. For specific class times, please call the school
office. Everyone is invited to stop in and watch either a
specific grade or spend more time with us and watch all
of the classes as they perform jump rope routines to
support the American Heart Association.
Our Kindergarten and Preschool registration forms are
now available in the school office. Please call the school
office if you would like more information.
That is it for now from Scotland Elementary School.
Check our school website for up-to-the-minute news and
pictures. And as this 2014-2015 school year winds down,
thank you again for all of your support!
Cathy Pinsonneault
Upcoming Events:
May 4-5
May 18-22
May 21
May 21
May 24
May 25
June 1
June 2
June 3
June 9
June 17
June 18
June 19
Pre-School Screenings
Buy One/Get One Free Book Fair
Town Budget Vote @ SVFD – 7pm
Student Council Scotland Cemetery
Preparation
Scotland Memorial Day Parade
Memorial Day – No School
6th Grade Parent Night @ PHHS
SES Field Day
Spring Concert
Rain date for field day
Kindergarten Graduation - 6 pm
Sixth Grade Graduation – 6:30pm
Last Day of School – Early Release
Parish Hill
Events
5/12
5/15
5/20
5/24
5/25
5/25
5/29
Band Concert 7pm
Six Flags Instrumental Trip
Choral Concert 6:30
Scotland Parade (Sunday) 12pm
Memorial Day – No school
Hampton Parade 9:30 am
Six Flags Vocal Trip
Sports
Middle School
5/5
BB v Lisbon Central School 3:30
SB v Lisbon Central School 3:30
5/6
SB @ St James 3:30
5/12 BB v Baldwin MS 3:30
SB v Baldwin MS 3:30
5/14 BB v Pomfret Community 3:30
SB v Pomfret Community 3:30
5/18 BB @Putnam MS 3:30
SB @Putnam MS 3:30
5/20 SB v St James 3:30
5/22 BB @ Ashford 3:30
SB @ Ashford 3:30
5/27 BB @Lisbon Central 3:30
SB @ Lisbon Central 3:30
High School
5/1
V SB v Elis Tech 3:45
V BB @ Ellis Tech 3:45
5/4
V BB v Grasso Tech 3:45
Boys V Golf v Norwich Tech 3pm
V SB @ Grasso Tech 3:45
5/5
Boys V Outdoor Track @Ellis Tech 3:30
Girls V Outdoor Track @ Ellis Tech 3:30
5/6
Boys V Golf @ Putnam 2pm
5/7
Boys V Golf v Ellis Tech 3pm
V BB @ Valley Regional 4
5/8
V BB v Putnam 3:45
V SB @ Putnam 3:45
5/11 V BB v Norwich Tech 3:45
V SB @ Norwich Tech 3:45
5/12 Boys V Golf @ Windham Tech 2pm
5/13 V SB v Academy of the Holy Family 3:45
Boys V Golf @ East Lyme TBA
Boys V Outdoor Track CSC Easter Division 2:15
Girls V Outdoor Track CSC Eastern Division 2:15
5/14 V BB v Prince Tech 3:45
Boys V Golf v Grasso Tech 3pm
V SB @ Windham Tech 3:45
5/16 V BB v Windham Tech 11am
5/18 V BB v Ellis Tech 3:45
Boys V Golf @ Morgan 2pm
V SB @ Ellis Tech 3:45
Boys V Golf v Platt Tech 3pm
V BB @ Tourtelotte 4pm
Boys V Outdoor Track @ Coventry 3:45
Girls V Outdoor Track @ Coventry 3:45
V SB @ Tourtelotte 3:45
5/20 V BB v Wheeler 4pm
5/22 V SB @ Wheeler 4pm
5/27 Boys V Golf v University 3pm
5/28 Boys V Golf CSC Championship TBA
Games in BOLD font are HOME games
5/19
Empty Bowl Event and Ann Williams
Another successful Empty Bowl event was held on the
24th of March. And again it was very well attended. It was
also the last one for art teacher, Ann Williams. She is the
one who started the Empty Bowl event years ago. She is
retiring at the end of the year. She was presented with a
plaque and flowers in thanks for all the work she has
done for the students and the school. All will miss her.
On the Dean’s List
Hailey Quercia was named to the Dean’s List at
Connecticut College, fall 2014.
Emily Quercia was named to the Dean’s list at QVCC, fall
2014.
Daniel Syme, 1st Selectman
1. Annual Town Meeting:
The annual Town Meeting to approve the 2015/16
budget is Thursday, May 21st, 2015, 7pm at the
Community Room of the Public Safety Complex, 47 Brook
Road.
2. Budget:
a. The current year expenditures are still within
the budget. Even with the expenses of this
winter, DPW operations remained within the
budgeted amount.
b. The Selectmen have been diligently working
on the 2015/16 budget.
Proposed education costs represent an increase
of $121,688 for SES and RD11 combined. Last
year, the increase for educational spending
totaled $169,452—the selectmen voted to take
$127,500 out of town savings to keep a tax
increase minimal. The Selectmen are looking to
do the same to keep 2015/16 tax increase
minimal, but residents must understand that if
we took $127,500 to help balance 2014/15
budget and then we again take that $127,500 to
keep the funding level “PLUS” take an additional
$121,688 out of town savings to keep a tax
increase minimal this year, the town’s
unassigned savings account will be dramatically
and negatively impacted by this action.
c. Regional District 11 budget hearing is May 4th
2015, PHHS Library, 6 pm. The referendum vote
is May 5th 2015. Voting takes place at the
Scotland Community room 47 Brook Road, from
12 noon till 8 pm. Absentee ballots are available
at the town hall.
3. School study: Two public informational meetings were
held for the public to review the study and ask questions.
A compilation of questions and answers will be posted
on the 3 towns’ websites shortly. All current information
is already posted on the town’s website (Scotlandct.org).
In summary, the study shows that there are options to
be considered for creating a better educational system
that is financially sustainable. Status quo is NOT an
option for Scotland. The selectmen of the 3 towns have
done all they can to promote reorganization of the
current education system. It is now up to residents to
attend Board of Education meetings and voice their
opinions as to which option will provide a higher quality
education that is financially sustainable. It is the Boards
of Education that can facilitate this change most
effectively and efficiently.
4. State Budget: Selectmen, via organizations such as
the Northeast Council of Governments (NECCOG), the
Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), and the
Connecticut Organization of Small Towns (COST) have all
been very active in promoting the Governor’s budget
proposal which holds state funding to towns the same as
last year. If the legislature, through our elected
legislators, enact budgetary changes reducing funding to
towns, our local 2015/16 budget deficit will increase, and
the impact on local taxpayers will be amplified.
Scotland Town Hall Hours
9 Devotion Rd, Scotland, CT 06264
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9am – 3pm
Wednesday: 11am-7pm
Closed Fridays
860-423-9634, Fax: 860-423-3666
Scotland Contact Numbers
First Selectman: Ext. 1
Town Clerk/Tax Collector: Ext. 2
Assessor: Ext. 3 - Weds: Noon - 7pm
Building Dept: Ext. 5 Wednesday: 5:30pm-7pm
Zoning Official: Wednesday: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Treasurer: Ext. 4
Registrars of Voters: Ext. 7
DepartmentContact Numbers
1st Selectman: Dan Syme, 860-456-7797
Selectmen: Clare D’Appollonio, Rodney Perry
Building Inspector: John Berard, 860-455-9553
Sanitarian: Eastern Highlands Health Dist.
860 -429-3325
Wetlands Officer: John Valente
860- 455-9930 (by appointment only)
Zoning Officer: Liz Burdick
860-423-9634 (by appointment only)
Driveway Permits: Dan Syme, 456-7797
Animal Control Officer: Nancy Bard
860-455-5016 (please leave detailed message)
Burn Official: (by appointment only)
Kevin Ring 860-423-1547 or 860-917-4567
Jason Beaumont 860-455-6718
Scotland Volunteer Fire Department:
Fire Chief - Tony Kasacek
(non-emergency) 860-450-1525
Scotland Town Garage:
Bill D’Appollonio, 860-456-8625
Scotland Public Library:
Phone: 860-423-1492
Scotland Elementary School:
Phone: 860-423-0064
Parish Hill Middle/High School:
Phone: 860-455-9584
Scotland Historical Society:
Phone: 860-423-1547
Hampton/Scotland Transfer Station:
Phone: 860-455-0682
Town Website: www.ScotlandCT.org
Hampton/Scotland
Recycling/Transfer Station
You must have a valid Transfer Station sticker on your
vehicle to use the Transfer Station. These may be
purchased at the Town Clerk’s office for $25.
Hours:
Wednesday 8am-5pm & Saturday 8am-4pm
Fees:
Demolition loads .......................... $30 full P/U
$20 ½ P/U
Full mini Appliances (w/ Freon) ................ $15
Other Appliances ........................................ $5
Car Tires ...................................................... $2
--with rims ................................................... $5
Truck Tires ................................................. $10
Tractor Tires ............................................... $50
Mattresses……………………………………………….$20
Vehicles without a sticker will be denied access.
For questions, call 860- 455- 0682
Parish Hill Drama Club Performs
the Sound of Music
Judy Moulton
On Friday and Saturday, the last
weekend of March, students of
the Parish Hill Drama Club
performed “The Sound of
Music”, directed by Melissa
Cannon. This was a great choice
of musical since this year is the
50th anniversary of the play. I
am sure most adults remember
seeing it at some point over the
years. I was a youngster in New Jersey and saw it on
Broadway, starring Mary Martin. When the movie came
out, I could hardly wait to see it.
The students performed a wonderful rendition of the
play. Maria was played by Samantha Card and Captain
Von Trapp was played by Addison Beck. Other soloists
were Allison Bourassa as Mother Abbess and Cassie
Haddad as Else Schraeder.
Of course some great moments were when the Von
Trapp children sang and danced. The whole cast was
amazing! They were accompanied by Liam Hanna on the
horn, Laura Ayer on the clarinet, Nate Ash Morgan on
percussion and Melissa Cannon conducting and playing
piano.
No play can succeed without the wonderful people
behind the scenes and the supporters of the production.
All involved produced a moving event with memories
and songs to bring back home. Congratulations to all!
Obituary
Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and friends of
Irene Mary “Polly” Miller.
May 2015 Calendar
Sunday
Monday
Senior
Exercise
T, W, F at 9:45
In Community
Room at SVFD
Tuesday
The Benton:
Fine Arts,
Vietnam War
Scotland
Farmers Market
Weds. 3-6
Opens 5/27
4
SES pre-school
screenings
3:45 V BB
3:45 V SB
3 Golf
RD11 Budget
Hearing
10
8-10:30
Mother’s Day
Breakfast
3 Beethoven &
Mozart
17
2 Copland and
Coney Island
4:30 Hampton
Music
24
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
3:45 V BB
3:45 V SB
2
10 SPL Stamping
Open House @
11-3 Huntington
11-3 Waldo
7 WTG concert
8 First Friday
8 Midsummer..
7 WTG concert
2&8 Midsumme
8 Miss Lotte’s
Open Gym
5 – 7 @ SES
3
2 Midsummer
Night’s Dream
2 Rapunzel
Wednesday
11
3:45 V BB
3:45 V SB
7 Middletown
HS @ Bushnell
18
2 Golf
3:30 MS BB, SB
3:45 V BB
3:45 V SB
5
12-8 Budget
Referendum
SES book fair
SES pre-school
3:30 MS BB, SB
3:30 Track
7 SHS
7 IWC
12
9&12 The Giver
3:30 MS BB, SB
2 Golf
4 GSHT
7 SPL Board
7 PHMHS Band
Concert
13
9:30 The Giver
19
3 Golf
3:45 Track
3:45 V SB
4 V BB
7 HFA
7 RD11 BOE
7:05 SPL Book
Group
20
26
12 Memorial
Day Observance
Memorial Day
BOE – Board of Education
HFA – Highland Festival Association
MS – Middle School
RD11 – Regional District 11
SPL – Scotland Public Library
2 Golf
3:30 MS SB
7 SES BOE
25
31
2 Cuckoo’s Nest
3 Once
6
7:30 Once
2:15 Track
Championship
3:45 V SB
Golf
7 BOS
3:30 MS SB
4 V BB
6:30 Choral
Concert
7:30 P&Z
Music of S.
Schwartz
27
3-6 Scotland
Farmers Market
3:30 MS BB, SB
3 Golf
7 BOS
7:30 Once
KEY
7
10 SPL laugh
and learn
10:30 SPL knit
3 Golf
4 V BB
7:30 B & Mozart
7:30 Fascinating
Rhythm
8
3:45 V BB
3:45 V SB
8 Beethoven/
Mozart
1
10 SPL laugh
and learn
10:30 SPL knit
2 Hunger
3:30 MS BB, SB
3:45 V BB
4 SPL K’NEX
3 Golf
3:45 V SB
21
10 SPL laugh
and learn
10:30 SPL knit
7 Miss Lotte’s
8 Fiddlers
8 B & Mozart
15
PHMHS 6 Flags,
band
8 David Sedaris
16
11 V BB
22
SES student
council trip
6 Open Mic
7 Town Budget
Meeting Vote
3:30 MS BB, SB
4 V BB
8 A R Rahman
28
10 SPL laugh
and learn
10:30 SPL knot
29
SES Pre K trip
SES Chorus Trip
Golf
Championship
7:30 Once
9
PHMHS 6 Flags,
Vocal
8 Cuckoo’s Nest
8 Once
23
SPL Closed
30
10 SPL Egg story
2&8 Once
8 Cuckoo’s Nest
BOS – Board of Selectmen
GSHT – Governor Samuel Huntington Trust
HH – Highland Herald
IWC – Inland Wetlands Commission
PHMHS – Parish Hill Middle/High School P&Z – Planning and Zoning Commission
SES – Scotland Elementary School
SHS – Scotland Historical Society
CPL – Canterbury Public Library
BB-baseball, SB-softball, V-Varsity
The Highland Herald
P O Box 4
Scotland, CT 06264