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Some happy times in "Tville"...this is Brittany and Nichelle
after a light rainfall during the Annual Clean Sweep.
Clean Sweep was an event created to clean the neighborhood and have
fun in the process. We would have a big celebration, food and fun afterwards.
P.S Brittany is my daughter--she had mandatory
participation!
Clean Sweep was incarnated during the original revitalization period in the early 90's. It began
with a grass roots flavor and with different leadership continued as a monumental event. Businesses donated food, tools, money,
and sometimes even labor, we printed t-shirts given out free to participants, and had a huge party after the clean-up. It
was a right of passage for most "Tville" kids who looked forward to the event. Soon leadership developed in other parts of
Enfield who wanted to join in. It was a happy union of town and community efforts. Sadly, the event ended ubruptly (long story-politics
as usual) when leadership resigned. There was no Clean Sweep in 1999--no T-shirts printed for those who collected them. I
picked it up in 2000 for a few years. Then I got burned out and had to regroup. Hopefully with rest and new direction we will
be able to ressurect this wonderful event for our community again.
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A special icon developed in Thompsonville was Austin and Marie Grady's "Little Country Store"
that survived some of the toughest times here. Their original place was destroyed but they stayed the course and built one
of the most steadfast businesses in Thompsonville. Though they are no longer with us their children continue to preserve their
memory and provide Thompsonville with lovely county decor and delicious Yankee Candles. They truely represent the spirit that
symbolizes Thomsponville's survival.
Other businesses that have created a mark here are Diana's bakery,
now selling gourmet cookies in department stores.
One can smell the fresh donuts baking in the air at night
Diana
has also been invovled in community projects and efforts.
Gladys's tailoring have been here many years.
Carl's appliance has also been active in Clean Sweep and offering his support for ongoing efforts in Thompsonville.
Sylvia's Goumet food has attracted people far and wide to Thompsonville. Within the last few years she renovated another
one of the vacant buildings to create a catering hall. She began in a closed up building on Pleasant Street many years ago
with few resources, she rehabilitated into one the foremost classic turn of the century store fronts across from the old Bigelow
Mill.
There are a few others headed for the hall of fame as well. A package store, pizza restaurant, upholsterer,
hair salon, etc....
Several newer business have opened up, such as a tattoo parlor, glass repair, martial arts,
men's barber shop, etc.
There is still plenty of opportunity to stake one's claim in some of the other locations
suited for business. As a highly residential community, just as in the old days, our Tville people need and want conveniences
nearby.
It would be nice to attract specialty shops here that Enfield doesn't offer....
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The Enfield Police Steering Committee and the community police,
were created in part by a concerned citizen confronted with some gun toting visitors in the early 90's. This organization
became known nationally and recieved awards for their acheivements. It become a model for the nation. The idea was to train
officers to better deal with community issues by interacting with residents and walking and bicycling the area. Community
members and police meet quartly now to address issues and solve problems. We need more Federal funding in 2006 to keep our
pedaling community police patrol.
Recently we aquireda long awaited drug dog and a great new chief who came from Thompsonville
origially. He is making a positive impact already.
On a personal note:
This is a big kudos to you Jerry Levesque
wherever you are
for all of your love and contribution to Thompsonville; Revitalization, Clean Sweep, Town Council, Police
Steering Committee, Tville resident and so much more. You were ahead of your time for Enfield!!I hope some day the Town realizes
what it lost in you..
A special mention to the Giddings for all your volunteer efforts and helping to keep the dream
alive.
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The Thompsonville Road Race is a tradition amoung many for quite
a number of years.
For this day all walks of life come out to race through the streets of Thompsonville. Visit their website
to learn more.
Thompsonville still has small traditons as well, every year there is a Veteran's March through the streets
to the Connecticut River for their ceremonies. I hear them with their drums and bag pipes like a welcoming to summer. I am
lucky enough to live on the route they travel and in my own way pay homage to the Veterans when I hear them march past...
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The architecture that survived urban renewal in the 70's is wonderful
to see..This was once a funeral parlor, then a coffee house,recently the health department. It is located on Pearl Street.
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This flag marks the Lafayette Park Dedication a few years back
with Nancy Johnson at the helm. The residents cheered the renovation of the park as it was a community effort. It is one of
several parks dotted throughout Thompsonville area.
In another area a new park was created by a team of us residents
where the old VFW building was crumbling. it now serves area children where there was no recreation.
I helped with that
one!
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