Donation

Former Senator Donald E. Williams Jr., center, donated $5,000 to the Regional Community YMCA project following a fund-raiser event. Courtesy photo.

 

By Ron P. Coderre

Surrounded by friends and members of the Regional Community YMCA Campaign Cabinet, a smiling Donald E. Williams Jr., presented a check for more than $5,000 to the Y on behalf of the proceeds from a recent retirement party in his honor.

Williams, the former State 29th District Senator and Senate President Pro Tem, was honored in March by friends, colleagues and dignitaries following his 22 years of service in the Connecticut Senate, 10 as President Pro Tem.  Since the initiation of the Regional Community YMCA fund-raising campaign, Williams has served on the local organization’s Board of Advisors.

“I’ve been very close to this project since its inception.  I believe the YMCA will be an asset to our entire northeastern Connecticut region.  It will provide a much needed exercise and health alternative to families, children and seniors in our area,” said Williams.

The Regional Community YMCA, which is currently under construction off Kennedy Drive in Putnam on land donated to the community by Wheelabrator-Putnam, is a $14.6 million facility.  When completed, it will feature an eight-lane competitive pool, warm water pool, gymnasium, fitness area, teen center and child-watch area.

Williams was instrumental in securing a State grant of $3.745 million for the project, which is currently part of the more than $13.775 million the campaign has raised.  The impetus for the Y came initially from a $3 million gift from the Newell D. Hale Foundation and its trustees, Betty and Laurence Hale.  The YMCA of Greater Hartford Board of Trustees is committed to $4 million and community fund-raising has realized $2.775 million.

“When the committee was planning my retirement party they asked where I’d like to designate any surplus funds from the event.  As the Y project was dear to me I asked that it be put toward the fund-raising program.  I’m pleased we’re able to make this presentation.  And I thank the committee for all its hard work to make this gift a reality,” said Williams.

“The Y is a regional project and Don represented the region so well during his more than 20 years in office, we were pleased when he made the suggestion.  This Y will be a facility that all the people of the region will enjoy.  It’s a real tribute to what he’s stood for as a legislator,” said Cindy Dunne, chairperson of the Williams retirement committee.

The construction of the Regional Community YMCA is expected to be complete in 2016.  Fund-raising efforts are expected to reach the goal by the end of this summer.  Volunteers continue to canvas potential donors in an attempt to achieve the $2.85 million community goal.  Anyone interested in information regarding the project or wishing to make a pledge or donation, should call 860 928-6772.

“It’s great to see the project progressing on or ahead of schedule.  The bridge, which will serve as access to the YMCA and the regional industrial/technical park also appears to be moving along.  This gift from Senator Williams puts us closer to our goal and is an indication that people are thinking about the Y,” said Paul Kelly of Woodstock, campaign vice-chairman.

 

 

 

Summertime

Clockwise from top left: Bamboo at Rucki's in Pomfret. Water droplets on dianthus in Putnam. Graceful bridge in Pomfret.

 

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Work Progresses

Andy Quigley, Chamberlin Mill board member, discusses foundation work with Bill Foskett of Old World Stoneworks. Courtesy photo.

 

More cause to celebrate for Woodstock’s historic Chamberlin Mill

June has been a red letter month for Chamberlin Mill.  The first phase of its restoration is underway, with masons from Old World Stoneworks at work on foundation repairs.  Also, the Mill has received a second significant grant from Summer Hill Foundation to further its restoration efforts. 

This past week, Old World Stoneworks completed work on a large stone pier supporting a critical corner of  the Mill , the first element in their repair plan for the building’s foundation. Though generally solid, the foundation required repair in several places, and has been shored up by temporary wooden cribbing for several years, awaiting the current restoration.  Foundation repairs will be ongoing during the summer months. Funding for this first phase of the Mill’s restoration was provided last fall by a $23,000 grant from Summer Hill Foundation.

This month, Summer Hill Foundation awarded another grant to Chamberlin Mill, Inc., the non-profit corporation organized to preserve and revitalize the site as a historical and educational resource for the area.  This new $40,000 grant will be combined with funds raised by Friends of Chamberlin Mill and other sources to support timber framing and related restoration work, expected to begin by early 2016. 

Jean McClellan, president of Chamberlin Mill, Inc., said,  “With this new and very generous funding from Summer Hill, and with restoration work starting, we feel as if we are truly on our way. The years of preliminary studies, non-profit formation, and  architectural planning are coming together.  We can’t wait for the day when we will be able to welcome people to a restored site, to see its 19th-century circular saw in operation again, to explore remnants of its long water-driven history, and to witness the Mill’s 1928 Studebaker engine back in action running the saw as in its last decades of use following the so-called ‘Great Flood’ of 1936.”

The 1928 Studebaker engine, a unique part of the Chamberlin Mill story, is well on its way to undertaking its old role again, thanks to the support of Mystic Seaport and its team of dedicated engine repair volunteers.  The engine will be on display at the Mystic Seaport Antique Vehicle Show on Sept. 27, and at Chamberlin Mill’s Walktober event on Oct. 4.  

Chamberlin Mill closed up shop in the late 1960s, making it one of the last surviving mills of the water-driven era.  Its current structure dates to the late 1800s, though mill activity at the site dates to the 1700s.  Chamberlin’s  long history, ingenious adaptations to adversity and new technologies, and its rarity, make this mill a very special piece of history.  Not long ago almost every stream was dotted with mills, but today, while stone foundations remain in many locations, standing structures, especially of early sawmills, have all but disappeared.  There is only one other publicly accessible sawmill in Connecticut, a sash mill, in Ledyard.  There are none in Rhode Island. Chamberlin, with its unique story, is seen as an exceptionally important asset to preserve.  

Building committee and board member, Andy Quigley, said, “This is an irreplaceable resource for the area, and with all of the good will that has been directed to its preservation, we are making steady progress. I can’t wait to get the old saw running again.” 

Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the Chamberlin Mill restoration project, or in making a donation for this purpose is invited to contact Chamberlin Mill, Inc., P.O. Box 2, Woodstock, CT 06281 or to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  The website is www.chamberlinmill.org.