35 New Images at Claire's Italian Garden

Saturday, April 20, 2013

David Lefty Foster & Collin Tilton , Eight to the Bar (saxophone)

Travel over to Claire's Italian Garden. 506 pictures of patrons, in the 1970's-80's enjoying the best pasta this side of Italy
Check them out

Backus joins Windham Hospital's affliation with Hartford Health Care

Backus Hospital

State regulators have approved plans for Backus Hospital to affiliate with Hartford HealthCare, bringing the small Norwich hospital into a growing chain of health care facilities that cover a wide swath of the state.

The move makes Backus the fifth hospital in Hartford’s network. Hartford HealthCare is also the parent company of Hartford and Windham Hospitals, The Hospital of Central Connecticut, and MidState Medical Center in Meriden. It also includes physician practices in the Hartford Medical Group and several behavioral health facilities.

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Willimantic's Post Office Through The Years

Late 1890's
Photo: threadcity.com

Early 1900's
Photo: threadcity.com

Early 1980's

July 2013

Main Street Water Fountains New and Old

Pictures of a rebuilt fountain at Memorial park

Pictures  of Main and Railroad Street Fountain

                  Jerry Doubleday's recent thread on Willimantic drinking fountains

Public Works Questions and answers: Many of you may question the Public

Works answer on chilling the fountain drinking water using ice.

Does anyone recall moving the downtown fountain to the Jillson parcel

during redevelopment?

Scroll down to Q & A's

Original stone basin

Note: steel pad covering junction box for plumbing 

#9

#29

#35

Circa 1930, PICTURE: http://www.threadcity.com/

Questions to Public Works Dept

Hello Public Works Dept

I am writing an article on the water fountains on Main and have a few questions. 

.

The new fountain at Memorial Park: 

Is it completely new or is the basin salvaged from the former fountain?

When did the former fountain cease functioning  and why?

There is a steel pad on the ground in front of the fountain. Is there some kind of a cistern

underneath the pad?

I've read that years ago in the hot weather the town would add blocks of ice to keep the water cold.

Is this true?

Fountain, Main and Railroad Streets

I came to Willimantic in 1973. I believe the fountain was still in use. Do you know

when it was removed and why? (assume redevelopment had something to do with it)

Do you have any history of the fountain?

Any pictures?

Was the water chilled by blocks of ice?

Thanks

John Monaghan

www,windhamweek.blogspot.com

Answers from Public Works Dept.

Regarding the water fountain questions;

·         The fountain was not in working order for decades. Possibilities vandelisum and economics

·         The new fountain has a new tap at the water main

·         The stone basin is the original.

·         The steel pad is the junction box for the plumbing.

·         Fountain on Railroad street was removed in redevelopment and re located just down the street at jillsonSq.

·         No history or pictures

·         No ice, the same potable water that everyone gets at the taps

Boom Box Unofficial Reviewing Stands

Boom Box parade: Some Thoughts

Granted,Windham has a most unique parade . Year after year thousands come out to enjoy or participate in a parade of the people and for the people on America's birthday.  An independent event on America's Independence Day.

If you are into straight lines and synchronization The Boom Box ain't for you. If you are an 

aficionado of whimsy, irreverence and slither the Boom Box is a must.

Lining up for 10 AM opening

Beside being the greatest parade in the world, it's cheap. No paid parking, no bleachers or reviewing stands.The only status symbol that I discern is grabbing a viewing spot under the many maple trees along Main St. Early arrival is the key to not broiling during the one plus hour parade.

If comfort is in your plans, visit what I consider, the Boom Box's unofficial reviewing stand. The patio of The Main Street Cafe/Willi Brew. Enjoy brunch, a cup of coffee( in real cups) or one of their world famous brews (No Styrofoam here.)

Waiting for the parade to begin

Enjoying comfort class on the Will Brew patio isn't just good food and drink. The boom box music seems louder, The Traveling Fish Head Club of Northeast Connecticut seems to add a slither or two to their forward motion,  the baton twirlers twirl more and throw higher, the gymnasts add to their bounce and the hula hoops rotates faster.  The synchronize marching units almost become synchronized. All advantages that come with being at ground zero of a parade.

And what does it cost? Nothing more then your food and drink tab. A little planning and a half hour wait for the doors to open. Those that have been taking advantage of the Willi Brew patio for watching the Boom Box Parade arrive at 9:30 AM and wait for the doors on the East and West side of the building to open exactly at 10 AM. Get your seat and  enjoy the festivities waiting  for the 11 AM roll out of the next  Boom Box Parade 

More Pictures

Former YMCA Purchased

Former YMCA sold by DeVivo family

Former YMCA  to Become High School for Disengaged Students

Hartford-based non-profit, Our Piece of the Pie®, Inc. (OPP®) has purchased the former YMCA building located at 832 Main Street, Willimantic as the intended site for newly approved State Charter School “Path Academy.” The former YMCA building is located in a B-1 Zoning district which includes zoning for schools. OPP is working with Connecticut-based Crosskey Architects LLC for architectural and engineering services to ensure a layout that is conducive to the unique school model.

The Charter High School is expected to open in the fall of 2014 initially serving 120 students aged 14 to 24. Projected enrollment for 2015 is 200 students. In addition to Windham students the Path Academy will be populated by students from 19 sending towns.The mission of Path Academy is to re-engage over-age, under-credited students, supporting them in a supportive environment.

Bob Rath

In announcing the successful purchase of the former YMCA from the DeVivo family, President and CEO, Bob Rath said, "This building truly fits the vision that we have for serving the youth of this region.” 

Previously Our Piece of the Pie planned to purchase and renovate the former Jillson Cinamas.




A more detailed look at the proposed Path Academy  
Path Academy Application for Charter
Original story from Conn Mirror

Developer Purchases Main St Building

An announcement is expected within days of the purchase of a downtown building for reuse. We have not verified  the exact building but it will be one of the following:

Former YMCA Building

Former Willimantic Trust Building

This Years Boom Box Parade