Joyce Kirkpatrick
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Comments
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On the article Middletown High Band, Chorus Students Inaugural Music Festival: A Pictorial
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On the Blog Post Losing War On Hunger: Food Pantry Needs Far Outweigh Donors
Joyce Kirkpatrick
11:01 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
ReplyAlicia,
Thank you so much for this powerful reminder of what is really happening in our community and of what we can do about it. According to a list I recently read, there are perhaps 25 families who have signed up for Amazing Grace's Families Feeding Families program - in a community of about 50,000 people.
It seems that there is something more that we can do.
One question - is it more effective to donate food or money so that the food pantry can buy more food at a favorable price?
Joyce Kirkpatrick -
On the Blog Post From the Charter Oak to the Atheneum: Middletown's Wadsworth Heritage
Joyce Kirkpatrick
9:35 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
ReplyThis is one of the best descriptions yet of the relationship between the Middletown and Hartford Wadsworths! Thank you, Bill.
Joyce Kirkpatrick, Docent Committee, Long Hill Estate, Middletown
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On the article Photos: Fireworks Return to Middletown Skyline
Joyce Kirkpatrick
12:41 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
ReplyThe Middletown Symphonic Band provided the icing on Middletown's July 4th birthday cake as it accompanied the fabulous fireworks on the Connecticut River - it was like 4th of July in Boston with the Boston Pops, only better. This was real!
Many thanks to Marco Gaylord and his vibrant band - another ingredient among the reasons we live in Middletown! -
On the event Film Premiere: Shining Night, Portrait of Composer Lauridsen
Joyce Kirkpatrick
3:45 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
ReplyMiddletown joins with cities across the nation who are premiering "Shining Night" this week. According to the Award-winning documentary's producer, Michael Stillwater, Sunday night the film premiered at the historic Rafael Theater, Marin County, California; tonight is the Oregon premiere in Ashland, home of the Shakespearean Festival and hosted by Southern Oregon University;Thursday is the Portland,Oregon premiere and the Minneapolis premiere hosted by Chorus America.
Tonight the film's Connecticut Premiere and first New England showing will take place at the Wesleyan University Chapel, High Street, Middletown at 7 PM, sponsored by The Greater Middletown Chorale.
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On the article Greater Middletown Chorale Performing Spring Concert On Sunday [VIDEO]
Joyce Kirkpatrick
5:00 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
ReplyThe Greater Middletown Chorale often sings in churches because they have organs for accompaniment and generally fine acoustics. Moreover, their rental prices are better than other venues which keeps ticket prices down. The 2nd Congregational Church of New London has an exceptionally fine Austin organ and it is a pleasure to be singing there as well as on Patch!
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On the article Coleman Road's Dairy Farming Past Evident in Southern Middletown
Joyce Kirkpatrick
1:06 pm on Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Katy... Thank YOU! It's so nice to have another witness to the Elisha Fairchild grave site which others also remember. Someone told me that they remembered (perhaps in the 1950's?) that, every Memorial Day, a black car would stop on the road near where the grave was. A mysterious woman dressed in black, complete with black hat and veil, would visit the site and leave some flowers. A most touching story. Would your aunt have any memory of that?
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On the article Coleman Road's Dairy Farming Past Evident in Southern Middletown
Joyce Kirkpatrick
5:16 pm on Tuesday, October 4, 2011
ReplyThe Fairchild House remained in the hands of the family (Lucretia Fairchild, who married the first Stephen W. Miller, was Elisha's daughter) until the house was purchased by Timothy Coleman. A Walling map (Middlesex County, 1859) shows the Stephen Miller house right where it is today, just north of Brush Hill Rd. on Coleman.
Elisha Fairchild probably was a Tory - his family in Durham had been soldiers of the king for several generations. He died in Jan. 25, 1777 of smallpox, according to the transcription from his tombstone and now in the Middlesex County Historical Society's records. There are two stories about how he contracted the fatal disease - one that he grew crops and sold or gave them to the British troops who were quartered on Long Island and having trouble finding provisions. The other - he learned that some of the young American soldiers imprisoned in New York who were suffering from the highly contagious disease were brought to the Milford shore by the British and dumped there on the beach. On hearing that some of the unfortunate soldiers were from Durham/Middletown, Elisha drove to Milford with a wagon to fetch them home. Soon after, Elisha contracted and died from smallpox.
In the 1890's, a history of the area known as Long Hill was written. Its author, Thomas Atkins whose family had, I believe, supported the Revolution, chose not to describe the Fairchild/Miller house, but used it as a locator for another house on the road.
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On the article Middletown: Midwest Charm in Middlesex County
Joyce Kirkpatrick
9:44 pm on Saturday, September 24, 2011
ReplyWonderful article, but one small point - the Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill is owned by the City of Middletown and operates under the direction of the City-appointed Long Hill Authority. This is the first time I've seen the city government referred to as a charitable organization!
People are always welcome to walk the parklands surrounding the Mansion which is open for tours every Wednesday afternoon and by appointment. The are periodic public events at Long Hill like the summer outdoor concerts sponsored by the Friends of Long Hill. The next event is the Open Air Market, October 23 with over 70 vendors.
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On the article Irene Changes City's Landscape, Revises History
Joyce Kirkpatrick
1:06 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
ReplyWonderful story about a sad event for all who enjoy the deBoer-Wadsworth Arboretum and Colonel Wadsworth's other gifts to area citizens. I'm glad no one was hurt. Thanks for the photos and reporting.
Joyce Kirkpatrick
11:32 am on Sunday, January 27, 2013
Middletown is really proud of its MHS Music Ambassadors! We are in awe of your talent, hard work and accomplishments and of the support of your families and your teachers. Bravissimo!