Personal Connections to an Icon, an Iconic Event
When John X. Fernandez steps to the microphone to introduce the documentary film “Dolores” at 5 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Norfolk Library, his words will carry special power. That’s because the iconic labor leader and activist, Dolores Fernandez Huerta, is also the 95-year-old matriarch of his extended family, both his beloved aunt and one of the founders of the United Farm Workers. Known around Norfolk for his service to the Norfolk Lions Club Ambulance and skills as an auctioneer, Fernandez said, “I have always understood her principles, but her courage has inspired me the most. She is fearless and will fight to the end for what is right and fair for the people.” His childhood memories revolve around her hospitality—organizing Christmas dinners for all the children in the community. “She is selfless and not afraid to speak out against injustice, in any form,” Fernandez said in an email.

Look for a personal connection of different sort on Oct. 30 when the library screens the documentary, “Tiananmen Tonight,” which recounts Western coverage of the uprising and massacre in China’s Tiananmen Square in 1989. Yes, the producer will be there. But so will Norfolk’s Mark Erder, a longtime journalist and filmmaker who was also in Beijing when the student uprising unfolded and covered the story of the government’s brutal crackdown for British television. “We were enroute to Mongolia to do a film on Operation Smile,” Erder said, noting they never got there but “decided to stick around” for what turned out to be an historic moment.

Berkshire Store Menu Favorites
Sandy Evans, a member of Norfolk’s Board of Selectman, has breakfast at the Berkshire Store on most mornings and orders scrambled eggs—along with a side of technology advice from proprietor Ryan Craig. But Craig reports that the hands-down favorite breakfast order is the Maple Morning Special, which features an egg, sausage and American cheese with a maple glaze on a toasted hard roll. Lunchtime customers divide their loyalties among the Kickin’ Chicken Salad Wrap with bacon, BBQ chicken, guacamole and pepper jack cheese and the Philly Cheese Steak. Salad, anyone?

Win-Win in Winchester
Is it Winsted or Winchester? For members of the Winchester Economic Development Commission and its chair, Thomas Carson, it’s become a “Win-Win” for Winsted and Winchester. “The Win-Win idea came about because most people around here don’t know what Winchester is and, if they do, don’t know that Winsted is encompassed by Winchester,” Carson said in an email. The commission has rolled out a “Win-Win” logo that’s been printed on coffee mugs and pens for distribution at events around town. Car magnets will soon be available, along with street banners. Carson said commission members want residents and visitors alike to understand that Winsted is the primary commercial and retail area, but that Winchester is the name of the town in which Winsted is located. “We wanted to make sure that people understand that when we talk about Winchester…we are also referring to Winsted, and vice versa,’ he said.