Don Lowe First Selectman Column 06/22/2026
The Sherman School graduation last Thursday under an eventual blue sky on Veterans Field turned out splendidly. This is an impressive class of eighth graders who are now high school-bound and bound also for success. I especially enjoyed the speeches along with the music. The school renovation made this a challenging year for that class, but they persevered like champs. The strong educational foundation from the Sherman School will stay with them all of their lives.
Another big success in Sherman this weekend was ARTFEST. Booths of various creative pieces – paintings, photographs, pottery, sculpture – were on tables on the Green and inside Charter Hall. All of the work was spectacular and there was plenty enough variety to satisfy any art lover’s taste. The event was very well attended. By the way, the Sherman Arts Commission is holding a fund-raiser on July 11 in the evening at White Silo Winery. Tickets are still available and this will be a great event to mingle with other art lovers and support the cause.
This Thursday is the Board of Selectmen regularly scheduled monthly meeting. 7pm in Mallory Town Hall. The agenda is posted on the Town website. Most of the agenda features updates on Town projects such as the Sherman School renovation, Senior Center, Town docks, and road work. The meeting is viewable remotely by TEAMS and the link is on the agenda.
Last Saturday I attended the full tour of the Roger Sherman exhibit at the Northrup House, sponsored by the Sherman Historical Society. It’s incredibly well put together and full of interesting facts about Mr. Sherman and also about our local and state area. Sherman’s historian John Cilio was painstakingly detailed in assembling the information and presentation. Much thanks to our Historical Society for its continued enthusiasm about our rich past.
I’m sad to report the loss of Colette Shulman, a lovely person who was quietly and effectively involved with many aspects of Sherman. I had the pleasure and good fortune of getting to know Colette and she led a magnificent life filled with international adventures. Informed by these experiences (I read her autobiography), she then brought her wisdom to Sherman where Colette was especially involved in conservation issues. Her influence helped Sherman preserve its natural beauty.
Summer is officially with us now and this past Sunday was the solstice and longest day of the year. School’s out, the fish are biting, and the Sherman beach is full of warm sand. In the words of Henry James, “Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language."
