Don Lowe First Selectman Column 06/29/2026
Sherman Summer Camp opened today (Monday, as I wrote this) and is off to a great start. The kids were happy and busy, and there were many activities going on. Today is the start of a major heatwave so I expect the beach and the water to get a lot of action. In response to the heat, we will have an ongoing “cooling center” at the Senior Center for anyone who needs to take a break in a cool space. If you still need a beach pass, you can pick it up at Mallory Town Hall from 9am to 4pm every day but Sunday.
Last Saturday, the Historical Society (H.S.) added to its Roger Sherman program (which goes for the next weekend and also July 11 from noon to 4pm) an interactive history event led by Tom Angels. Mr. Angels is the founder of “History Without Walls”, described as an immersive, hands-on journey into our nation’s past. I truly enjoyed listening to Mr. Angels as he took his audience back to colonial days with information on clothes, tools, and day-to-day life in those times. The Sherman Historical Society is really cooking right now and hats-off to Liz Haney and Doris Tomaselli for their fine efforts. These two along with their excellent H.S. president, Helen Anne Ostrosky, are truly doing Sherman proud. Lots more is coming! Please consider becoming a member.
Summer is such a lovely season, but with it comes mosquitos and scams. I’ll write about the latter as you don’t need any help combating mosquitos. Individuals selling driveway paving, solar power, and new windows have been going door-to-door. I can’t tell you who to do business with but please be careful if you engage with any of these people. First off, they are not legally allowed to sell door-to-door. Secondly, the “deals” they purport sound mighty tempting but there is often a catch: Mostly that catch is shoddy work. If anyone tells you that they have permission from my office to sell unannounced, door-to-door, they aren’t being truthful. That permission has never been granted by me. Today my wife, who is currently on a plane from Florida, received a text from “Carl” saying that “they’d be over to our house to do the driveway today.” Nonsense. Folks, if it sounds or feels pushy, don’t do it; if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
The majority of the trees that were cut down in our last storm event have been picked up and removed from the sides of the roadways. But some remain. Please be patient. Also, if you need wood – logs that you can process for firewood -- please reach out to me. We have a lot of it up at the public works site for pick up, and in some cases, we will deliver logs to your house. Big thank you, by the way, to our exceptional public works crew!
It’s not too early to get your tickets to the Fireman’s Ball. This event, a Sherman staple, is always fun and a great time for hanging out with neighbors and friends, making new friends, eating the best roast beef on the planet, and enjoying live music. You have probably seen the signs around town. It is on August 1. Doors open at 4:30. Tickets are on sale through the SVFD. All ticket sales go toward supporting the folks who support you when you have an emergency.
