An Act of Kindness

The recent picture of Helen Wallis and family celebrating her 97th birthday reminded me of an event that occurred in the 1940s but played itself out a decade later involving Chief Deputy Sheriff of Middlesex County, Jack Wallis.

In April 1955 Wallis received a $325 check that turned out to be the second installment of payment in gratitude for an act of kindness. Ten years earlier, Wallis was driving along Marlborough Street in Portland (Rt. 66) at about 2:30 in the morning when he stopped to assist a motorist with apparent mechanical difficulty. Upon alighting from his car, the deputy sheriff found an elderly couple whose vehicle had a flat tire and no spare. Further investigation found that the couple was on the way to Lynn, Mass. to visit a friend in hospital.

When it became apparent that no spare would be available for several hours until a garage opened, Wallis loaded the couple into his car and drove them to their destination. In Lynn he found accommodations for the couple and himself, it still being early morning. Several hours later, as Sherriff Wallis prepared to return home, the old gentleman still protesting his thanks and gratitude, made an attempt to pay his benefactor for his assistance. Wallis even reluctant to discuss the affair refused any money and made an attempt to leave quickly and quietly. But the old man took 2 $10s and a $5 from his wallet and threw them on the car seat insisting to Wallis that he would not take the bills back. Wallis got into his vehicle and returned to his office in Middletown.

On April 18, 1955, a letter arrived addressed to Wallis with the check, the one mentioned above – a legacy left by the old man who couldn’t forget the stranger who helped him in a brotherly spirit at a time when he desperately needed it.

CBT Robbed

Our sleepy hamlet of East Hampton is awakened every once and awhile with some sort of startling event. Geoff Smith, Eaton and Gladys Smith’s son who now resides in Naples Florida, reminded me of one such occurrence. Entering the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company branch located in the Village Center 10 minutes before noon on April 12, 1955, a man described as about 5 feet 6 inches tall and of olive complexion strode into the lobby and walked over to Miss Marie

Teller Marie Bransfield with FBI and State Police Investigators

Bransfield at the teller’s cage and asked if she had any 1040-A income tax forms. As she turned away to meet his request, the bandit suddenly produced a black automatic and pointed it across the counter demanded “Now I want all the big bills.” Shocked and thoroughly frightened, Miss Bransfield, backed away calling upon her supervisor, Mrs. Marjorie Newcombe, telling her, “This man wants the big bills!” Mrs. Newcombe asked “what he was going to pay for them with?” “I don’t know” stammered Miss Bransfield. Mrs. Newcombe, still unaware a holdup was in progress, entered the cage and asked the man what type of money he intended to exchange for the big bills. Then she saw the gun and froze in her tracks. “I want the big bills” the bandit repeated quietly. Mrs. Newcombe dug into the cash drawer whose contents only had two $50 bills and a single $100. “I don’t have many big bills,” she said. He gave a doubting glare. “I’m telling the truth.” She pleaded. “Will you take 10s and 20s?” He nodded and she began shoving stacks of money at him across the counter. The gun never wavered and he showed no signs of nervousness. “Keep ‘em coming,” he urged.

Within a matter of ten minutes the robber slowly turned and strolled out of the bank, exiting with $3,060 stuffed into his pockets. This ice man apparently had cased the bank well. At the appointed hour only three employees were on duty and one other person, Dr. J. Sheldon Davis, a local dentist making a deposit during the holdup, present. Thus the perpetrator encountered no bank officers or other customers. The robber appeared to have been on foot as several employees of Steve’s Auto Sales, Inc. located at 70 Main Street reported having seen a stranger walking north towards the bank shortly before noon. Automobiles then as now, park along the street and whether the bandit might have parked a distance from the bank was not determined.

Upon reporting the robbery, State Police and FBI agents rushed to the scene and a general alarm was broadcast over the police radio and teletype network. Roadblocks were quickly thrown up, but to no avail. A command headquarters under the direction of State Police Captain Robert Rundle was established over Hitchcock’s Drug Store on the corner of Main and Barton Hill, with Middletown Police and County Detective George M. Dunn assisting in the investigation. An intense investigation pursued. It had been thought that a 1952 Nash sedan stolen from in front of the VFW Hall on Washington Street in Middletown belonging to Mr. Michael Augeri might have been used by the robber. The vehicle was found abandoned on a New Haven street

but after questioning several suspects, it was determined not to have related to the EH bank robbery get-away. The State and New Haven Police investigated the possibility that the robber had boarded a train. FBI agents alerted New York operatives but nothing resulted. The robber walked off into the sunset, never to be seen again.

Geoff Smith, who had reminded me of the incident, was a student whose classes were held at the American Legion Hall. We all hear about Gen X and Gen Y today but in 1955 it was Gen BB – Baby Boomers – who were multiplying by leaps and bounds. So much so that the planning for the recently built and opened Memorial School became immediately deficient for the town’s growing needs upon its opening and dedication in 1951. Stretched to the limits, the Superintendent of Schools with the Boards of Education and Selectmen scurried about securing temporary facilities for classrooms. The American Legion, Congregational Church and Library were among locations used while Memorial School was expanded with 8 additional classrooms. A second expansion that created the “blue roof” in the 1980s added more classrooms, a library and new gymnasium and the highly visible landmark – it’s “blue roof!”.

Mrs. Fillmore’s was my 1st grade teacher at Memorial School when the robbery occurred. I vaguely remember her telling us that the bank had been robbed and that until the police were sure the bandit wasn’t roaming the streets (you see, many students walked to school in those days) we would be detained at school. The all clear signal must have come shortly thereafter because I don’t recall getting home any later than usual.

One of the humorous side notes resulted from a previously held East Hampton Chamber of Commerce meeting. It seems that Chamber discussed a March $305,000 New York bank robbery. All local Chamber members agreed, including CBT branch Manager Allen Guiot that it would not be feasible or profitable to hold up the local bank. The Chamber announced another meeting scheduled for the Heidelberg Inn on Lakeview Street for April 14th, two days after the robbery, with one of the topics on the agenda “just how profitable it will be to hold up the local bank.” Apparently, the bandit was unaware the Chamber had ruled out robbery the previous week!

Reunion at the Blood Mobile

Every 60 days or so, I have a reunion of sorts. On those occasions, I usually catch up with some old friends such as Ann and Ray Nichols, Susan Petell or George Pfaffenbach, where we all scheduled at approximately the same time to give blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive – the most recent being on December 14th at St. Patrick’s Pius X Center and the next to be held on February 12th at the Congregational Church.

Our townspeople have long supported the Red Cross with that precious gift of life – our blood! These Blood Bank Drives occur locally and have been sponsored by a number of organizations such as the VFW, the Masons, and numerous churches with a typical afternoon yielding about 70 pints.

Recently I came across an article describing a Blood Drive in early 1946. Mind you, WW II had just ended and there was still a tremendous need for blood for the many operations being performed on wounded soldiers, so a major effort was still occurring throughout the nation. Here in East Hampton, we did our part. At that January Blood Bank held at EHHS (now the center School), our town – and you have to remember there were less than 3,000 citizens compared to today’s population near 13,000 – contributed 229 pints. Quite an effort!

So, if you’d like to do something really important, I would suggest that you also became a blood donor. There will need to endure a couple needles, but the good you do is immeasurable. The process is quite easy. I would strongly suggest that you don’t just show up at the door to wait in a queue. Look up the American Red Cross at www.ctredcross.org or call 860-287-3327 and schedule an appointment. See you there at my next reunion.

Christmas 1945

It seems hard to believe that WW II ended 65 years ago. The surrender of Japan in August 1945, however, didn’t mean the immediate return to normalcy. With millions in the armed forces, the logistics to de-militarize and bring the troops home were as challenging as preparing for battle.

But around Christmas 1945, many, many families were rejoicing as husbands, sons, neighbors and certainly some daughters were discharged from active duty. It was such a marvelous Christmas present both to the soldiers who in many instances hadn't seen their families and friends since Pearl Harbor.

Discharged during that 1945 Christmas week were Cpl. Tech. James Russell Nichols, Jarvis Stewart Barton MoMM3-C, Byron Mitchell Clark MM2-C, Cpl. Tech. Frederick Houghton Galvin, P.F.C. Alfred Henry Royce and St. Sgt. Warren Lee Hedrick which brought the total to 119 – not quite half of our local men and women from East Hampton who had been in active service in the armed forces.

Returning Vet's - Christmas 1945

This was also a bittersweet time for several families whose sons paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat. East Hampton was not immune and had seen directly the loss of 6 young men and a score of others with relatives here, and all were mourned with a solemn respect for their sacrifice and for the battle waged against tyranny, dictators and atrocities against mankind.

As American’s we are blessed in so many ways. Often taking for granted our liberty and lifestyles, we remain the envy of oppressed and downtrodden throughout the world - the best hope for freedom and peace! A blessing yes, but also a curse, as American’s sons and daughters still rise to defend those freedoms so many others long for. So please, let us not forget those many on active duty in far off places like Afghanistan, Iraq, or South Korea as we gather with family and friends at this time of year.

From me and my family, I truly wish you and your families and people everywhere the best in this Holiday Season. May joy, good health, happiness and prosperity reign, and, may peace prevail.

Christmas Season in East Hampton

Nightly, television newscasters and live eye reporters show the hustle and bustle of shoppers at each of the malls or other locations around Connecticut, all speculating how well retailers will fare during the Holiday gift buying season.

It reminds me of a time before malls and all the discount retailers when holiday shopping meant going to the G. Fox & Co. department store in downtown Hartford or to main street Middletown. More likely however, many from our community did their gift buying locally at establishments such as Clark’s Corner Store, Muller’s Jewelers, Ravis’ Home Supply or Thatcher’s Drug Store.

The Christmas season was special. It didn’t start before Halloween which seems to be an annoying trend of late. It was after Thanksgiving when the air filled with excitement. Working behind the soda fountain at Thatcher’s, people always seemed much more pleasant, outgoing and engaging in that season. The drug store or what was the community gathering place, always took on a different appearance as well. Raymond “Deke” Thatcher meticulously placed his Christmas Rexall order in the late summer. He would wait with anticipation to receive box after box loaded with all kinds of odds and ends, some arriving in late October. We’d probably call most of the items stocking stuffers today.

The unending orders and boxes contained a full array of cosmetics, compacts, lipstick tubes, knickknacks of all sorts, pipes, cigars, special tobacco blends such as Amphora, and item after item that would tax the store’s shelving capacity. Special displays were positioned at the head of each isle as it captured the patrons who parked along West High Street or on the side of the building at the corner of Main Street. Back then, the store seemed gigantic. I can remember as a young boy Eaton Smith telling me as I picked up or Sunday newspapers that it was going to be the biggest drug store east of the Mississippi! Today, in retrospect, it is hardly one quarter the size of CVS or Rite Aid. But it had something all these locations now compete for – a buzz of customers eager to buy the latest the store had to offer.

And what was even better? You could sit on a counter stool, have a hot cup of coffee, hot chocolate or a milk shake and take a few minutes to unwind.

No, not a bad place to be. Merry Christmas!

Why East Hampton is a Great Place to Live.

Our Town has lately been shaken to its core over actions of the Town Manager, the Chief of Police, the Town Council and strident outbursts at numerous citizens at public meetings. None of these actions has portrayed us in a particularly positive light. The media feeds on infighting and negative actions. Quite frankly it sells, as it always has, newspapers which drives advertising. Just business as usual.



I believe it is time to change the direction of our Town with our citizens working together, getting past what are often petty differences. Leaders have done this in our past. As a first step, I've compiled a list of 50 things that make East Hampton a great community inwhich to reside. There is nothing magical about this and I'm positive others could think of many other things and reasons that make this a wonderful place to live.


But here are my thoughts................


1. A vibrant, activist community, strong and opinionated, whose energy could be channeled to make this an even better place in which to reside.
2. A modern Library and Community Center
3. Lake Pocotopaug
4. Sears Park
5. A modern grocery store – Stop & Shop
6. Home of William Barton, founder of the bell industry
7. American Distilling & Manufacturing Co. – successor of the Dickinson Witch Hazel Company – largest producer in the world - article publicizing company in Yankee Magazine
8. EH Little League – lighted fields – among the best in Connecticut
9. The Airline Trail
10. Bevin Bros. Mfg. Co. – last remaining bell maker – articles in Yankee Magazine ( 1975 & 2010 )
11. Comstock Covered Bridge – one of 3 remaining in State
12. Old Home Day Annual Celebration
13. The Chatham Historical Society
14. Friends of Lake Pocotopaug – privately raising funds to support maintain health of the lake

15. Active Rotary Club
16. Active Lions Club and Village Lions Club
17. Food Bank staffed by numerous volunteers with strong community support
18. Citizen fundraising to support the creation of a high school football team jointly with Vinal Tech of Middletown
19. The Joseph N. Goff House
20. Volunteer Ambulance Corp
21. Volunteer Fire Department – 2 companies EH & Cobalt and 3 firehouses
22. Active Masonic Lodge
23. An owner source of water for a town wide water system
24. Home of Former Governor William A. O’Neill
25. Pumpkin Town – annual Fall attraction
26. Christmas Tree Farm and Farmer of the year – Peter Bergan
27. School System
28. Village Center
29. Rich History of the Town including Legend of the Princess
30. Laurel Ridge – an active Adult 55+ community of talented, experienced, successful people who specifically moved to EH and want to contribute to its culture and activities
31. A town dump and recycling center
32. An active VFW – Veteran of Foreign Wars Post
33. 2 camp grounds promoting family values and entertainment – Nelson’s and Markham Meadows
34. A Veterans Group raising money for a World War II Memorial
35. Numerous churches with an ecumenical council of pastors and priests
36. Numerous Day Care Providers
37. Salmon River State Park, Meshamosic State Forest, Hurd State Park
38. Epic Arts Programs
39. EH Art Association
40. Active Seniors / Senior Center
41. An attractive gateway into the community East High St. – West High Street
42. A public sewer system
43. 2 Elderly Housing Complexes – Bellwood Court & O’Neill Drive
44. Participants in the Regional Health District
45. Even after the Probate Court Reorganization and Consolidation, we maintain the smallest (and thus most personal) probate district
46. Active Girl and Boy Scout Troops
47. Numerous Park and Recreation programs
48. The Belltown Antique Auto Club and its annual car show
49. Convenience to major cities for work & health care
50. Half way between New York and Boston



May this holiday season bring peace to all and new beginnings for our Community

EHHS to 1965 State Soccer Championship Game

On November 13, 1965, our High School soccer team found itself in a position opposition and pundits alike (Fred Post of the Middletown Press) never thought possible – heading to the State Class C championship game against Washington High after defeating Lyman Memorial of Lebanon in a replayed final quarter of the semi-final round. On November 10th, which East Hampton nipped Lyman 1-0, their Coach, Bob Corlett protested the game officials’ misinterpretation of the rules of soccer claiming a foul in the penalty area committed by an East Hampton player with 3 minutes left in the match should have entitled Lyman to a penalty kick. The officials had awarded Lyman a drop kick outside the penalty area. The CIAC committee agreed and ruled the game to be commenced from the point of the foul with 3 minutes to go. In the rematch, Lyman scored on the penalty kick and the teams played two overtime periods ending in a tie. The tie breaker came with a penalty “kick-off” in which East Hampton outscored Lebanon winning the game 4-2.

Under Coach Gary Avedikian, a skilled player himself, a regrouped and recast Bellringer team was headed back to a State Championship game – the last appearance being in 1959, when the team was coached by Lou Mager, who had taken a position with rival Bacon Academy of Colchester.

Prevailing strategy then was to position players according to speed. The fastest fielded the front line. Midfielders were good athletes, and backfield capable of a strong foot, but not necessarily the team’s fastest players. Often big, they provided a lot of cover for the goalie. Although conditioning, endurance and speed were expected of all, Avedikian positioned some of his fastest players such as Bernie Bachleda, Don Davis, and Dick Valli in the backfield. With their speed, these talented players could push the play well past the half field line keeping the ball predominantly in their opponents end. And if a breakaway, our fullbacks could recoup to match the fastest opposition linemen.

Talented and experienced, the team included Larry Lawrence, goalie, suburb midfielders, Tom Bazar, Pat Dickenson, Paul Stringer, Scott Johnson, Mark Condon and a quick and tenacious line of Bill Dennehy, Steve Kissinger, Bruce Tolhurst, Joe Kagerer and Fred Walton who overwhelmed the opposition.

Maybe it was karma after so many close encounters. EH lost the championship game 1-0 in a doozie of a game. Disappointed? Of course! But the camaraderie, hard work, persistence and character that propelled this team has carried all of these men through out theirs lives. I have much respect for these friends who gave such excitement to our close-knit Town one Fall 45 years ago.