Cheshire Herald, January 8, 1976: Bicentennial Fever, Political Shifts, and Midwinter Rhythm in Suburban Cheshire
Richard Reggie Smith
Researcher/Editor Creative Commons License 4.0
Richard Reggie Smith
Researcher/Editor Creative Commons License 4.0
(This is a recap of the Cheshire Herald which can be found in the Cheshire Public Library. Due to copy right restrictions all images are generated by Google Gemini and Chat GPT Many of the names will be misspelled due to the low quality image of dated newspaper microfiche images.)
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 breakthroughs in Town Hall to Colonial costume rehearsals at the Youth Center, the pages of The Cheshire Herald on January 8, 1976, captured a vibrant community stepping eagerly into America’s Bicentennial year.
Political Winds of Change and Civic Governance
Local politics dominated the headlines, framed by shifting party dynamics and crucial administrative business. Councilwoman-at-Large Selina McArdle made news in an exclusive interview with University of Connecticut journalism student Linda DeVito. McArdle, one of only two Democrats serving on the Town Council alongside Jack Foster of the 3rd District, discussed her election victory in a town historically dominated by Republicans for 150 years. Attributing her success to her record as a promoter and supporter of human services, McArdle—who also served as the municipal agent for the elderly—highlighted initiatives such as the seven-day minibus service, senior tax assistance, and food stamp distribution. She noted that the town's rapid growth was its most pressing challenge and expressed optimism about a new generation of perceptive, independent voters entering local affairs.
At Town Hall, administrative business continued under Mayor Edward Ulozas and Deputy Mayor Judith Fishman. The Council addressed lingering legal matters, noting that a libel suit against four Democrats had been dropped as a tentative accord was reached on a two-year police labor contract. Meanwhile, Republican vacancies across several town boards were slated for filling in the coming week.
Other municipal bodies were equally active:
Inland Wetlands Commission: Re-elected Mr. Burry as chairman to lead environmental oversight.
Planning and Zoning Commission (PZA): Elected Mrs. Pelz as its new head.
Park Commission: Accepted a long-range development plan for the historic Lock 12 section of the Farmington Canal.
Columnist Neil Began offered a tongue-in-cheek look at the year ahead in his popular "Cheshire Chat" column, humorously forecasting that Town Manager Richard Borden would launch a campaign to improve municipal communication, while a town referendum would inevitably debate escalating municipal budget costs.
Bicentennial Celebrations Take Center Stage
With the nation's 200th anniversary arriving, Cheshire organizations were deep in preparation for historical festivities. The Cheshire Bicentennial Committee, under Chairman Edward C. Oberst, called a general meeting for January 15 at Town Hall to hear progress reports from local civic groups.
The highlight of the week's Bicentennial schedule was a special Bicentennial Revue announced for Saturday, January 10, at the Cheshire Youth Center. Co-sponsored by the Bicentennial Committee and the Santa Fe Ancient Fife and Drum Corps, the family event featured:
Colonial Music: Award-winning performances of historical marches, including the "Roger Sherman March" and "Yankee Doodle," performed in full period attire.
Fashion & Costumes: A showcase of more than 30 original and replica costumes adapted from museum paintings and 1776-era documents. Models included SCSC Professor Dr. Robert Griffin, National Guard Captain Bernard Pech, Peter Domek, Marie Barulli, Elsie Marietti, Nora Pech, and Nancy Brinton. Children’s fashions were modeled by Cathy Domek, Nicholas Marietti, Janet Pech, Leah Pech, Teresa Domek, and two-year-old Jay Welsh.
Dance & History: A formal minuet dance demonstration by Mr. and Mrs. Tamton Welsh, accompanied by historical narration from Mrs. Peter Domek of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Mary Clapp Wooster Chapter).
Schools, Youth, and Campus Life
Cheshire’s educational institutions were bustling with new programs and international exchanges as winter classes resumed.
At Highland School, Principal Paul Filter announced the launch of an innovative vocational preparation program. Designed to introduce elementary students to career opportunities, practical mathematics, and reading comprehension through real-world applications, the curriculum integrated hands-on woodworking, tool usage, measurement calculations, and visits from daily guest speakers.
At Cheshire High School, the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) promoted its ongoing curriculum series and announced available application guidelines for its annual scholarship fund. Meanwhile, exchange student Diane Eisner shared a captivating feature article describing her holiday experience living with a host family in Bolivia, detailing South American Christmas customs, local feasts, and summer weather during the Southern Hemisphere's holiday season.
Cheshire Academy announced major additions to its leadership. Board Chairman Charles E. Crowley Jr. confirmed that U.S. Congressman Ronald A. Sarasin (CT-5) had been appointed to head a distinguished group of new appointees to the Academy's Board of Trustees. Sarasin, a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, commended the Academy’s rigorous academic standards. Other new trustees named to the board included Jo Ann Foley (President of F&F Concrete), John Blue, Bill Connell, and Professor Schulze of Pembroke College.
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 Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually through the Federated Women's Clubs of Connecticut to local college women demonstrating outstanding academic achievement.
Cheshire Lutheran Church: Installed its newly elected Church Council during Sunday services. Led by President Dick Hagstrom, Vice President Jewett Schramm, and Recording Secretary Bill Judd, the council included Bob Neidermyer, Bud Voight, Roy Walls, Hilton Roth, Jim Clark, Art Munter, Phil Keaney, Cliff Ongley, Al Silbert, Robert Wilson, and Fred Neuffer.
Cheshire Jaycees: Held their monthly meeting at the Waverly Inn and launched their annual Florida Citrus Sale benefit, offering fresh pink grapefruit and oranges for local delivery.
U.S. Savings Bonds Campaign: Local resident Christopher Buckley of 201 Sandbank Road was named chairman of the town-wide payroll savings bond drive.
Local Sports Highlights and Recreation
Winter sports were in full swing across Cheshire’s pools, gyms, bowling alleys, and ice rinks.
YMCA Swimming Victory
The Cheshire YMCA "Red Team" aquatic squad earned a decisive 102–69 victory over Meriden YMCA at the Cheshire pool, bringing their record to 3–0 in the Connecticut Valley YMCA Swim League. Top individual and relay performers included Tina Murphy, Jennifer Kennedy, Lisa LaFemia, Kristina LaFemia, Todd, Sandy Glass, Wendy Morley, Kelly C., Karen, Lana Miller, Paul Mooney, Chris Burns, Mike Coyne, Greg Faria, David Locke, Jean-Francois, Eric, and Randy.
High School Basketball Action
In varsity basketball, the Cheshire High School Rams fought hard in a narrow 59–54 loss against the Indians, where a late fourth-quarter comeback fell just short. The Cheshire Girls Basketball team also faced tough competition, falling 92–61 in a fast-paced matchup against a strong Shelton team.
Local Ice and Alley Sports
Professional Hockey: Cheshire resident Salvatore entered his third consecutive season playing defense for the New Haven professional hockey club.
Community Bowling: The Cheshire Junior Bowling League and adult midweek leagues reported high scores. Standout bowlers included John Blue and Bill Connell (Newcomers League), Connie Ovcarits, Mary Lou Garrity, Marilyn Coates, Jo Ann Foley, and Mary Hale, who swept high single-game honors with a 125 in the Moms League.
Public Ice Skating: The Cheshire Skating Center on School House Road advertised open public ice skating sessions, stick-and-puck hockey games, and winter figure skating lessons.
Super Bowl X Contest: Local football fans tested their gridiron predictions in the Herald’s weekly contest sponsored by Calcagni Agency and Harris & Harris, trying to pick the final score for Super Bowl X between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys.
Commerce, Fashion, and Everyday Life
The retail landscape of South Main Street and surrounding plazas buzzed with post-holiday sales and local services.
Fashion & Hair Trends: Raymond’s in the Wallingford, Naugatuck, and New Haven Plazas launched its storewide winter clearance sale, offering 30% to 50% off women’s pantsuits, sweaters, and winter coats. Near Church Plaza, the Hair Affair salon celebrated full-time stylist Joe Dalfonso, who recently captured first place in a major styling competition in New Haven. Mar-Dan Fabrics (130 South Main St.) advertised incoming shipments of wools, knits, Butterick patterns, and sewing notions.
Automobiles & Services: Richard Chevrolet on Route 10 featured new car models and full-service body repairs at Richard’s Body Shop. Genest Motors on Milldale Road advertised 1976 Subaru models boasting 39 highway MPG. Local drivers relied on Chick’s Radiator Shop for winter cooling repairs and Meacham’s Service Station for tune-ups and batteries.
Dining & Entertainment: Local families dined at Michael’s World of Pizza (1020 Main St.), enjoying specials like spaghetti with crabs ($3.75) and stuffed fillet. The Waverly Inn hosted daily Happy Hour specials, Champagne Sunday Brunches, and weekend dancing to "The Group I". Over in Wallingford, the Pumpernickel Pub featured live nightly music by the Ron Lucas Quartet. At the Cheshire Cinema, moviegoers caught a double feature of Hearts of the West starring Jeff Bridges and Andy Griffith alongside the thriller Report to the Commissioner.
Real Estate & Home Improvement: Real estate listings by the Greenblatt Agency, Frederick Jaret, and Cheshire Village Realty (featuring agents Arline Buley, Florence Durkee, Frank Nastri, Bill Hunihan, Mary Hunihan, Rene Kelsey, Jo Torres, and Leona Mankowich) showcased multi-family colonials and ranch homes. Contractors such as R.T. McNamara Inc. advertised custom room additions ($3,955 for a rough shell), while R.W. Hine Hardware on Maple Avenue supplied Pittsburgh paints and winter supplies.
Personalities, Milestones, and Human Interest
A rich tapestry of personal notices rounded out the week's news:
Legal Practice: Attorney Cathleen Mulligan of 2144 Waterbury Road, a 1975 graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law and former English scholar at Trinity College, joined the local law practice of Attorney Socrates Mihalakos.
Military Promotion: Cheshire resident William Sylvia was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
Corporate Advancement: Local executive Mr. Hartnett was elected to the Board of Directors of Colonial Bancorp.
Births: Mr. and Mrs. Jerome W. Kaprinski of Dresden Circle welcomed a son, David Jerome, born at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Obituaries: The community mourned the passing of longtime resident Mrs. Sarah (Dougherty) Leary of Pleasant Drive, a communicant of Bridget’s Church, whose funeral service was conducted at the Sisk Funeral Home.
What January 1976 Reveals About Cheshire
Looking back through the lens of this January 8, 1976 issue of The Cheshire Herald, one sees a town comfortably balancing its rural historic heritage with rapid suburban modernization. The active engagement in Bicentennial costuming and historical preservation was not merely decorative; it reflected a community proud of its Colonial roots even as it navigated contemporary suburban challenges.
Politically and socially, Cheshire was expanding its civic consciousness. The discussion of senior transportation, expanded youth programs, elementary career education, and non-partisan voting trends revealed a community actively building infrastructure for a growing population. From youth swim meets at the YMCA to Friday night band performances and bustling storefronts along Main Street, the week of January 8, 1976, stands as a vivid snapshot of everyday American life during a historic national milestone.
Comments