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Cheshire Herald, October 28, 1976: Halloween, Election Season and a Town Looking Ahead

By Richard Reggie Smith Research/Editor — Cheshire CT Phoenix News The last week of October 1976 found Cheshire in a particularly busy stretch of autumn. Halloween was approaching, the November election was just days away, school sports teams were piling up victories, civic groups were planning fall activities, and town officials were wrestling with questions about schools, sewers, open space and development. The October 28 edition of The Cheshire Herald—a 44-page issue price

6 days ago9 min read

Copeland defeated Cheshire Pharmacy to win adult Basketbal Championship. Team members are C.F. Judson, Andy Depalma coaches. Players are Craig DeCerb, Peter DeBisschop, John Budris, Bill Robie, Larry Judson, Don Falk, Ed Hlava and Steve Montambault.

Cheshire Herald, April 1, 1976: Roaring Brook, Spring Sports and a Town Getting Ready for the Bicentennial

By early April 1976, Cheshire was beginning to emerge from winter, but the town's calendar was already crowded. Town officials were considering the purchase of a large tract at Roaring Brook, sewer construction was moving ahead in Strathmore Woods, students were learning languages at Chapman School, athletes were collecting trophies, the YMCA swim team was celebrating a New England championship, and community organizations were preparing for another round of Bicentennial acti

7 days ago11 min read

Musical Performances and Community Clubs Cultural events and civic organizations provided rich social outlets for residents across town: Yale University Band Concert: The Rotary Club of Cheshire, led by local organizers, announced it would host the famous 65-piece Yale University Band, conducted by Keith Brian, on Friday, January 16, at the Cheshire High School Auditorium. Ticket sales were managed by prominent local Rotarians, including Richard L. Affleck, Ralph E. Armbruster, Mark Bishop, Edward M. Bowman, James F. Bruno, C. Burton Fowler, and Thomas Lengyel. Transcendental Meditation Open House: The Cheshire TM Center announced the grand opening of its new headquarters at the historic Cornwall House (155 South Main Street). The open house featured literature, videotaped lectures by psychiatrist Dr. Harold Bloomfield, and stress-reduction seminars. Cheshire Women's Club: Scholarship Chairman Mrs. Charles Pedrotty announced the opening of applications for the Phipps Memo

Cheshire Herald, January 8, 1976: Bicentennial Fever, Political Shifts, and Midwinter Rhythm in Suburban Cheshire

Edward C. Gumprecht Chairman of Bicentenial Ball in Cheshire Connecticut with Raymond McDermott and Marianne Domek Original photo by Rick Ciaburri. As 1976 opened, the town of Cheshire found itself suspended between deep-rooted New England traditions and the rapid expansion of modern suburban life. The first week of January brought crisp winter winds, post-holiday store clearance sales, and a flurry of civic and scholastic preparations across town. From political breakthrough

7 days ago8 min read

Back in June 1976, while the nation was gearing up for the Bicentennial, Cheshire residents were talking about local banking done right. The June 17, 1976 edition of The Cheshire Herald ran a feature introducing the friendly faces behind The Home Bank as they expanded their footprint with a shiny new North Cheshire branch. In an era before automated chatbots and cashless apps, these were the folks who managed your savings, approved your mortgage, and knew your children’s names before you even stepped up to the counter.

LOCAL HISTORY CORNER: REMEMBERING THE HOME BANK OF CHESHIRE (JUNE 1976)

The Advisory Board: A Who's Who of 1970s Cheshire Guiding the bank’s expansion was an advisory board packed with familiar local business owners, civic leaders, and neighborhood staples:

Aug 43 min read

Like many communities across the nation, Cheshire entered 1976 facing the effects of inflation and rising municipal costs. During the previous year, the town’s tax rate increased from 51 to 54 mills, while the grand list continued to expand. Commercial development helped offset some financial pressures, most notably the opening of Siemens Corporation’s 450,000-square-foot X-ray equipment manufacturing facility in the Cheshire Industrial Park, one of the largest industrial investments in the town at the time.

Cheshire 1976: A Bicentennial Year of Growth, Debate, and Community Spirit

Aug 46 min read

An archival look back at the January 13, 1977 edition of The Cheshire Herald highlights a major milestone for the Cheshire High School soccer program. Three members of the Rams varsity team were selected to the All-State team by the Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association. The featured players—captured in a photograph by Michael Ciaburri—were senior Sean Kaplan, junior Tom Esposito, and junior Nick Mongillo.

REMEMBER WHEN: Three CHS Soccer Players Named All-Staters (January 1977)

Nick Mongillo (Junior, Striker): Mongillo, the Rams' leading scorer and a key playmaker in setting up goals, was named as a co-captain alongside Esposito for the upcoming 1977 season. In 1975, Mongillo was the sole sophomore selected to the All-Housatonic League team.

Jul 141 min read

Remember When: January 1977 — A Snapshot of Cheshire at the Beginning of a New Year

The Cheshire Public Library maintains an extensive local history collection that includes decades of Cheshire Herald indexing, making it an invaluable resource for researchers, genealogists, and anyone interested in preserving the town's history. The library's Local History Room continues to safeguard thousands of newspaper articles documenting Cheshire's past. As we continue our "Remember When" series, the Cheshire Ct Phoenix News will revisit more editions of the Cheshire

Jul 133 min read

The Cheshire High School varsity track team experienced a rare upset at the annual Robert Meegan Relay Carnival at Amity Stadium, breaking their three-year winning streak. Cheshire finished third overall with 58 points, trailing Holy Cross of Waterbury (77 points) and Southington (70 points).

YESTER YEAR: April 1977 Sports Wrap-Up

The girls' varsity softball team, affectionately dubbed the "Ewes," split open their season with a pair of high-scoring victories under the steady pitching of Laura Bizier. First, they eked out a 13-12 thriller against Seymour. Down 12-8 in the seventh inning, Cheshire rallied furiously with five runs in the final frame to seal the walk-off win. Nancy Larson and Nancy Bernardi sparked the offense with standalone home runs.

Jul 133 min read

The Cheshire High School varsity basketball team is officially on a tear, securing their fifth consecutive victory to boast a stellar 5-1 overall record (4-0 in the Housatonic League). They are currently locked in a fierce tie with North Haven for the top spot in the league.

YESTER YEAR: January 1977 Sports Wrap-Up

Over in the Adult Basketball League, the Copeland Company has seized sole possession of first place with a perfect 6-0 record after edging out the Court Casuals (5-1) in a 75-70 thriller. Rod Anderson was unstoppable, pouring in 29 points for the winners, with strong supporting performances from John Budris and Ed Hlava. The Casuals were kept alive by Glen Cannici’s 24 points and Danny Youngquist’s stellar shooting.

Jul 133 min read

Cheshire broke a three-year winning streak to finish 3rd out of 16 teams. Final Team Standings: Holy Cross of Waterbury (77), Southington (70), Cheshire (58), Hamden, Hillhouse, Torrington, Seymour, Sheehan, Platt, Naugatuck, Amity, North Haven, Branford, Milford.

Cheshire Town Sports 1977

🏃‍♀️ Girls’ Track & Field: Event-by-Event vs. Branford (112-13) Cheshire swept first place in all 14 events. Notable depth details include:

Jul 134 min read

In the autumn of 1973, Cheshire celebrated two significant milestones occurring just days apart. While town officials and residents prepared to commemorate the acquisition of the historic Farmington Canal Lock on Brooksvale Road, parishioners in southern Cheshire gathered for another historic occasion—the dedication of the new St. Thomas Becket Church by Archbishop John F. Whealon of the Archdiocese of Hartford. The dedication, held on Sunday, September 30, 1973, represented the culmination of several years of planning, fundraising, and volunteer effort by one of Cheshire's fastest-growing Catholic parishes.

Archbishop Whealon Dedicates St. Thomas Becket Church as Cheshire Parish Enters a New Era

The dedication Mass drew a capacity congregation of parishioners and invited guests. Presiding over the ceremonies was The Most Reverend John F. Whealon, Archbishop of Hartford. He was joined by several clergy members, including: Rev. Father Kenneth Frisbie, pastor of St. Thomas Becket Rev. Father Arthur Hanley, pastor of St. Bridget's Church Rev. Father Eugene Torpey, pastor of Epiphany Church Approximately thirty invited clergymen from throughout the Archdio

Jul 114 min read

From Cheshire to the Cold War: The Extraordinary Life of Phyllis Provost McNeil

The Lady Fenwick Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution continues to honor Cheshire's Revolutionary War veterans through annual Memorial Day ceremonies, cemetery preservation projects, educational programs, scholarships, and historical research. Their work helps ensure that the stories of Cheshire's earliest patriots remain an enduring part of the town's heritage. In celebrating Phyllis Provost McNeil, Cheshire celebrates a lifetime devoted to service—service to

Jul 96 min read