Tolland Gathers to Celebrate

Tolland residents streamed into the high school grounds today to the second-annual Celebrate Tolland event, commemorating the perks of living in . 

Residents were able to enjoy live music, crafters, an art exhibit, food and much more on the sunny day.

The 300th Anniversary Committee, designated to organize the marking of Tolland’s 300th anniversary in 2015, started off the morning with an unveiling of the celebration’s official logo.

The logo features the old county courthouse, which designer and 2007 Tolland High School graduate Justin Lappen of 14 Graphics said was designed to represent the colonial and historic look of the town.

“Justin’s beautiful design of the old courthouse evokes an important period in our town, when it was named the Tolland County seat,’’ said committee chair Celeste Senechal. “It will provide a signature emblem for all of our events as we commemorate the town’s 300th anniversary.”

Residents, however, are already eager to celebrate the community.

“It’s a great community event,” said Tolland Elementary Parent Teacher Organization president Karen Moran. “We saw a lot of friends and neighbors here.”

And it seems that every group in the community turned out to reach out to their neighbors. Booths included the Tolland Democrats, Tolland Republicans, the Tolland Conservation Commission, the Tolland Energy Task Force, representatives from the Tolland school system, Venture Crew 422, whose members served a long line of residents dropping off gadgets for their electronic recycling drive, the Friends of the Tolland Public Library, the Tolland Cooperative Preschool and many, many more.

Town Manager Steven Werbner said that the great turn out and beautiful weather made for a smooth, enjoyable celebration for the town.

“It’s a great day, great crowd, great event,” he said.

As residents browsed the craft fair, went on a hayride, watched the Zumba demonstration or ambled down to the football field to watch the Tolland game, high school coffeehouse performers and performers “Country Duo” and Greg Zigmont serenaded the crowd. Kids were able to have their faces painted and take a picture with Tolland’s eagle mascot, who was greeting residents.

If the crowds worked up an appetite, they could sample the food available from the Tolland Lions Club, the and Monet’s Table. Residents competed in the apple pie and dessert bakeoff, sponsored by Kollas Orchard.

Jodi Rhodes and Lori Ferguson won the apple pie category and Cathy Wilcox and Norton Berkowitz were honored for originality. Susan Hughes and Cathy Wilcox took the top spots in the dessert division.

For those wanting a feast for the eyes, the town provided an adult and children’s art exhibit, showcased inside of the high school. In the art exhibit, judge Dorothy Hall selected the following winners:

Oil or Acrylic: 1. Heidi Ludwig with “Wesford Hills Home;” 2. Mary Leonard with “Peaches in Asian Bowl;” 3. Carole Jeffries with “Guardian of the Sea”

Photography: 1. Tom Sayers with “Northern Harrier;” 2. Ken Hill with “Stock Still;” 3. Kimberly Holliman with “Distortions Self Series III”

Water media, drawing, pastel and other media: 1. Robert Bavier with “The Squall;” 2. Kathy Worcester with “Blue Hydrangeas;” 3. Sally Balukas with “Trail Map”

3-D Sculpture: 1. Frank Pane with “Purgatorio;” 2. Michele Auclair with “Untitled sculpture;” 3. Frank Pane with “Ode to Bacchus”

Robert Bavier was honored with Best in Show with his acrylic “Back Dunes.”

All of the hubbub, however, can be summed up with one simple thought, as Tolland resident Kathy Lloyd explained.

“It’s a great place to live.”