The Heart of the Matter

By Veronica Burns

British poet Eliza Cook, a Victorian voice for the working class, wrote:

Though language forms the preacher,
‘Tis “good works” make the man.

We know of course, that language forms more than the preacher and good works make more than the man. Good deeds make man, woman and child, and Norfolk has a cast of people who contribute to make this town the success that it is and give it a special character. Volunteers, many of them on call 24 hours a day for a week at a time, donate hours of their valuable time. They put out fires, respond to car accidents and fallen trees, keep the town functioning during severe storms, feed those in need, and much more.

The Norfolk Lions Club has been providing help for more than half a century in Norfolk. The ambulance group is an essential and vital service founded by the Lions in 1951. According to their Web site, the Norfolk Emergency Medical Service is one of nine ambulance services in Region V that remains 100 percent voluntary. With membership nearing 60, the volunteers serve their own community plus Colebrook and Winsted, as well as performing standby duty for emergency situations in neighboring towns. In 1962, the club raised the funds to build the present ambulance building, which also houses Norfolk’s resident trooper. As our regular readers know, plans for a new building are currently under review.

The Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department (NVFD) has come a long way from what former resident Philip Byrne called “the neighborhood bucket brigade” in his article in “Norfolk, Connecticut 1900-1975”. The department was established in 1902 and purchased their first equipment the following year. In 1971 the present firehouse was completed. Today, the NVFD  is made up of 42 members, plus a group of 16 juniors known as the Explorers. The department is in the process of seeking architects for a new, or an expanded firehouse. Daryl Byrne, the fire marshal, says members also want to replace their 1976 engine. Hopefully, whatever their new quarters turn out to be, the structure will house a high-tech rescue pumper fire engine,

Besides the young firehouse members mentioned above, many other young people in town volunteer. On page TK, we have a story that reflects not only their willingness to help, but also their resilience. This summer, as just one example, a youth group from Norfolk will be taking part in a weeklong work camp in Washington, DC, to help that city’s residents.

In a recent book, titled “Heart of the Community, The Libraries We Love,” the Norfolk Library was one of 80 libraries chosen from some 300 nominations, to be in a recent book, titled “Heart of the Community, The Libraries We Love.”  Helping to maintain our library’s pride of place are the Library Associates, a group that now numbers 60. These volunteers organize successful fund-raising events, such as the annual book sale and auction, hold author signings and literary discussions as well as selecting and presenting the library’s popular monthly art exhibits.

There are many other groups and individuals in Norfolk, including those associated with the churches and schools, who go about the business of volunteering in a quiet, unassuming way. That is the unique aspect of this community of less than 1,700 residents, and what distinguishes our town from many others. Thankfully, the volunteering spirit shows no signs of lessening. None of the people involved in these various organizations would seek a pat on the back for what they do. Nevertheless, this paper, yet another volunteer endeavor, salutes one and all.