Don Lowe First Selectman Column 10/06/26
What a weekend in Sherman! The Annual Softball Tournament at Veterans Field started on Saturday morning with Ann Muoio singing a splendid “Star Spangled Banner” and continued through the entire day as six teams battled it out. The competition was good-hearted and the tournament itself raised money for the Sherman Veterans Association. So many people were responsible for this terrific event, but I will point a great thanks to Ryan Peburn and Dave Febbraio for keeping this tradition going, a tradition initially championed and started by Rich Lenihan. Much appreciation to the umpires, scorekeepers, food servers, Rich at the Daily Market, and Kris Fazzone and public works for making the fields look amazing!
Also on Saturday was Farm Day up at Happy Acres. Each Farm Day, an annual event, seems to be more successful and well attended than the previous one. There is already talk of making it a two-day event in the future. David Jellen had the farm looking great and there was food from the Old Oak Tavern along with coffee from Sacred Grounds, music, arts, pumpkins and Tim Beaty graciously providing tractor rides. One of my favorite exhibits was Abe Munch’s woodworking exhibit where he showed his immense skill at making furniture and other items from wood. I really appreciated the arts exhibit, and the art work was amazing by our local artists. The Sherman Church had a fine exhibit and so did our JCC! I’m sure I am missing things. Thanks to all who helped with this event, especially the Jellen family members who truly show up, and also my good friend and fishing pal Dan O’Connell for hauling tables and chairs to the event -- no easy task. Big thanks to Al Burgasser -- who seems to always be there when something needs to be done -- for organizing the music. It sounded terrific!
On Sunday I was able to see the Sherman Playhouse’s production of Inherit the Wind. This timely-themed play -- not an easy play to do -- was well rendered and a very enjoyable two hours to get lost in the turn-of-the century troubles of fictional “Hillsboro” where the mention of Charles Darwin was a serious crime. There were lots of lessons in this play, and afterwards there was a “talk-back” for the audience for members of the cast and the director to take part in. I was also invited to be part of the talk-back and I offered my perspective on the situation in “Hillsboro” from the real-life point-of-view of a town leader.
All of these events speak loudly to the fact that Sherman has a vital and generous volunteer community. Volunteerism contributes profoundly to our Sherman culture and our good way of life here. We should all be so thankful.
We are looking for a clerk for the Commission for the Arts. The clerk is paid hourly to take minutes at meetings and also help with housekeeping stuff like sending agendas, etc. There’s a good chance that the clerk for this commission will get other hours on other boards and commissions. Contact me if you are interested or want to learn more.
I was deeply saddened to learn that my friend, many people’s friend, Dr. Howard Beaton, passed away on Sunday evening. He had recently retired from his work as a general surgeon where he truly excelled. Howard lived in NYC but kept a weekend home here in Sherman and devoted much of his time here. I will always remember him as a kind and modest man with a lovely way about him. I’ve heard the term “class” defined as “a person who makes others around him feel comfortable.” Howard was a classy man.
