2008 to be epic year in Norfolk

By Bob Bumcrot

The town-appointed 250th Anniversary Committee, which already has achieved and implemented a variety of plans, continues vigorously, with twenty meetings scheduled during 2008. Together with activities proposed by the Library and the Historical Society, 2008 promises to be an epic year of celebration.

Commemorative polo shirts, tee shirts and hats with phrases such as “Norfolk, est. 1758” will soon go on sale at the Norfolk Corner Store and perhaps other locations.

An art auction is to be held at Infinity Hall in the Greenwoods Building, probably in March.

May 2nd will feature “What’s It Worth?” a two-hour evaluation of antiques and curiosities by an appraiser from Skinner, the famous Boston auction house that, since 1995, has done many appraisals for the popular Public Broadcasting System television program “Antiques Road Show.” Participants can have their highboys, Colt 45s, tellurians, Twain autographs, or anything else, evaluated for $25 per item. They can, alternatively, just watch the action for a mere $10.

At a date to be determined, a time capsule prepared by the Botelle School sixth grade class is to be placed beneath an appropriate marker near the Revolutionary War monument at Buttermilk Falls.

Musical groups in the big August 2nd parade will include a marching band, a fife and drum corps and bagpipers. Look also for the Connecticut Wheelmen on their old-fashioned big wheel bicycles. And be prepared to cheer the floats on various themes presented by many Norfolk organizations. If any group has not yet sent in the application for a float, antique car, drag racer, skateboard, pom-pom group, morris dance or whatever, they should be sure to do so soon even if the description has to say–as did the Lions Club entry–“in planning process.”

Apparently, His Grace Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk has not yet been invited to the celebrations.

Since he is the Premier Duke in the peerage of England as well as Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal, the request for the honor of his presence will no doubt soon be issued by our own highest town officials.