July 10, 2009 6:26 am

Memorial For The Burning of Norwalk

From a press release:

Victims of the Burning of Norwalk Remembered

The Norwalk Historical Society will present a memorial for all victims of the Burning of Norwalk – American or British, soldier or civilian – on The Green near the cannon at 7:00 pm on Friday, July 10. The memorial will be led by Eric Chandler of Sheldon’s Horse, the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons who will conduct a Libation Ceremony, as a tribute to the fallen. Reenactors in American and British 18th Century uniform will participate in the ceremony. Mayor Moccia will read a proclamation designating July 10 � 12 as the Commemoration of the Battle and Burning of Norwalk.
Also participating in the memorial will be The Connecticut Line, the Living History Color Guard Unit of the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and DeLancey’s Brigade. Madeleine Eckert, Norwalk Historical Society Advisory Board Member and member of the Norwalk-Village Green Chapter, Connecticut State Society Daughters of the American Revolution will speak about the significance of the Norwalk DAR monuments and highlight the dedication of the Tryon / Grumman’s Hill monument. Ed Eckert, Norwalk Historical Society Board Member and member of the Roger Sherman Branch #5, CTSSAR will be speaking about Patriot casualties.
The Battle of Norwalk may be the biggest battle fought in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War and Norwalk suffered more destruction than any other town in the state. One hundred thirty homes, forty shops, one hundred barns, five ships, two churches, and some flour mills and salt works were also lost. “The Green is really sacred ground. A few American regulars and a lot of citizen soldiers, just regular people trying to protect their homes and families, fought here and in other parts of town against overwhelming odds,” said Tod Bryant of the Norwalk Historical Society. “All of the combatants were doing their duty as they saw it and all of them deserve to be remembered.”
The Norwalk Historical Society was incorporated in 1899 with the purpose of promoting and encouraging historical research in Norwalk. That vision is kept alive today with the re-establishment of the NHS in 1949 and the continued focus on “the research, preservation, and promotion of interest in the history of Norwalk.”
For more information, please call the Norwalk Historical Society at 203-846-0525 or email info@norwalkhistoricalsociety.org. For more information about the Norwalk Historical Society, please visit the NHS website at www.norwalkhistoricalsociety.org.
All donations received will be used to fund the programs of the Norwalk Historical Society.

Anonymous

It’s very sad, I hear hardly anyone showed up for this event and the Committee of Safety meeting. Which is very strange when considering all the free Hour publicity being given to these two programs.

Even stranger were the tons of people at the Norwalk Patriot Days event at Taylor Farm this afternoon to view the Revolutionary War reenactment taking place there – especially when one considers the fact that The Hour virtually refused to publish a single article in their paper within the last two weeks even though press releases were being sent to them a month in advance and repeated weekly.

The Hour also refused to repeat the in-kind advertising that they gave this event in 2004, as well as refusing to repeat the tabloid pull-out section that they also sold ads for and published for this event in 2004.

Not one person from The Hour returned a phone call – not Chet Valiante, the publisher. Not Ernie Reed, the Advertising Director. Not Debra Hanson, the Advertising Manger. Not a single editor or reporter bothered to acknowledge any press release or return any of the dozens of phone calls and emails that were sent to The Hour in attempt to interest the newspaper.

Back in 2004 it was Tom Kies running the Advertising Department, and he was completely gung-ho in getting The Hour involved in Norwalk Patriot Days, both as a sponsor and as a supporter through in-kind advertising and the special section. (Same publisher at the time though; why do you suppose Chet Valiante ignored the event this time around?) Apparently when Tom Kies left The Hour, he took all its class and integrity with him.

What a sad, sad shame for The Hour, to have this kind of historical and educational event about a significant chapter in Norwalk’s history taking place right in its own back yard, yet The Hour simply cannot be bothered to cover it?

However it seems that The Hour’s refusal to cover Norwalk Patriot Days hasn’t hurt it any (if that was The Hour’s intention). The Stamford Advocate ran a wonderful story in their online publication earlier in the week; and Channel 12 News filmed a segment at Norwalk Patriot Days earlier today. And even more people are expected to attend tomorrow to this totally free event.

The Hour has a lot of egg on its face these days.

turfgrrl

Anonymous: As someone who pimps arts and cultural events all the time I know first hand it is very hard to get ink space in any newspaper these days. I applaud any cultural organization who gets some press because I know how difficult it sometimes is. Timing is everything, one need only look at the Michael Jackson death coverage to see how news coverage flows to whatever ” if it bleeds it leads” story develops. All the events this weekend are the types of activities that make Norwalk, its history and its many volunteer organizations shine. I wish we’d see more coverage, and yet, the lack of such coverage provides the opportunity for someone like me to fill in the void of community reporting, thus proving “Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open.� – Alexander Graham Bell.

R. Cramden

By the number of people that showed and the replies I see here, it looks like no one cares what happens to the infamous 93 East Avenue.
http://www.MGeake.org MGeake

Mary and I went down, found no handicapped parking, and left.
Anonymous

There certainly was handicapped parking; just ask the person standing in the driveway. Handicapped people were allowed to park right on the field.
http://www.MGeake.org MGeake

First, why is it that the handicapped are constantly told “all you had to do was ask”? Handicapped parking should be clearly marked and obvious.

Second, what person in which driveway? When Mary and I drove through, the driveways were blocked by metal gates and nobody who looked to be in authority was evident. Should I just have stopped in the street, gotten my can, and hobbled around until help presented itself?
anonymous

Mr. Geake, is it true that you are backing Steve Serasis for Mayor and leading his campaign meetings at Curry Tires ? Why ? Please tell us how you could possibly be for Serasis when he has accomplished absolutely nothing with you on the Council. Some of us who support you are very surpirsed.
Don’t be a horse’s ass

I would think, being a constant reader of this board, MGeake, you would be aware that the local newspaper couldn’t be bothered to go out of its way to cover this event beforehand, otherwise you would have been able to read that handicapped parking was available. But in the meantime you simply could have asked the people in charge. I’m sure they weren’t deliberately keeping the handicapped out of the event, much as you’d like it to appear that way.

Furthermore, this is a recession, have you forgotten? Money may not have been available for signage. Even when there was signage, people still did stupid things. Just ask the many people who parked along the street because they didn’t want to walk in from Marvin School and received parking tickets. They complained long and loud until it was pointed out to them by the event staff that the street between Taylor Farm and Shady Beach had “No Parking” signs posted every 100 feet. And when they asked if they could park on the street, they were told they would be doing it at their own risk because the police were ticketing. Yet they still parked there anyway.

And by the way, what is wrong with asking? Just because your legs might not work well doesn’t mean your mouth doesn’t. After you posted your comments here, someone from the event told you that handicapped parking was available. Did you even bother to attend on the second day, knowing full well that your question had been answered?
http://www.MGeake.org MGeake

#7: I am backing whoever gets the Democratic nomination. I have been to meetings with several of the current and potential candidates, but have led none of them.
http://www.MGeake.org MGeake

#8: it is not the newspapers responsibility to advertise the location of handicapped parking; it is the organizers. And I would have asked, had “somebody in charge” been apparent and near the street.

As for “[m]oney may not have been available for signage”, that is precisely why the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, so budgets wouldn’t be balanced on the backs of the disabled. Last time I looked, somebody who insists that their legal rights be honored isn’t an ass, it is the person who would deny those rights. Whenever an event is held on city property or uses city resources, I will demand that the disabled are accommodated — in whatever forum is necessary.

And no, I had other things to do Sunday, and I chose to not try rearrange my Sunday schedule to attend an event I was excluded from the day before, whether such exclusion was “deliberate” or simply thoughtlessness.
Anonymous

It is the newspaper’s responsibility when the organizers have tried for weeks to get the only newspaper in town to cover the event. I guess you conveniently didn’t read that post.

Why is it there is always somebody lurking in the shadows whenever there is an event taking place that simply can’t wait to critizize or tear down the successful efforts of the event organizers?

If you were so concerned about making sure there was handicapped parking, Mr. Geake, you certainly could have volunteered for the event to make sure that handicapped needs were covered to your expectations. I’m sure no volunteer would have been turned away.
http://www.MGeake.org MGeake

I read the post. The Hour — a for-profit business — made a business decision not to grant free advertising to an event. Whether that was “fair” or “reasonable”, it was certainly their right. Did something happen last time to sour them on this event? Perhaps attitudes like that of #11? I don’t know.

It is not my intent to “tear down” anything, but I am certainly not going to remain silent about problem I experienced. And it is completely unreasonable to demand that the handicapped volunteer to make sure they are accommodated.
holy bat news

While I think the reenactment is a terrific idea and I support it, this one — I’m afraid — was not all that well run. Contrast the amount of publicity, orgnization, volunteers, coordination and excellent signage for pARTy in the Park wtih the poor signage and lack of staff to provide information for the reenactment at Taylor Farm. And, no there was no indication of where there might be handicapped parking nor was there anyone at the gates or the Marvin School to show handicapped where they might park. I’m not handicapped but I understand Mike Geake’s point. A lesson for next time…
anonymous

the handicapped entrance was to the left of the gated off small lot on Canfield. there was a nice lady in red shirt standing right at the entrance and she directed me in when I asked
#13, you need to re-think your comments…

…especially when you consider that the reenactment was coordinated and run by only four people!! Compare that to the huge amount of people who ran pARTy in the park, and I think you owe the organizers of the reenactment a huge “Mea Culpa” for your dopey remarks.
What "free advertising"??

MGeake, again you show your lack of facts. The reenactment organizers simply wanted The Hour to cover the event as a NEWS STORY. At least half a dozen press releases were sent in during the 4 weeks leading up to the event; many phone calls made to the News Dept. attempting to coordinate a photographer and reporter to cover the event – absolutely none of which were ever returned by any employee of The Hour. At least one of the event organizers went down to The Hour in person to discuss the event with someone – anyone – and was roundly ignored.

I suppose you don’t remember the huge amount of coverage this event garnered from The Hour in 2004! There were articles appearing in The Hour, the Norwalk Advocate and the Norwalk Citizen News several times on various subjects in the weeks leading up to the event, including several articles informing people of the Committee of Safety meeting and the memorial service being coordinated by the Norwalk Historical Society. There was a Special Section in the weekend paper devoted to the event with articles about the battle and Norwalk’s Revolutionary War history written by various historical researchers working with the event organizers. An event organizer was asked to speak at a meeting of the Sons of the American Revolution. There was an article which appeared in the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce’s publication. Two reenactors and one of the event organizers appeared on Channel 12 News’s Educational Outlook program and Channel 12 News devoted several hours of interviews and event coverage on both days of the event back in 2004.

Compare that with the complete lack of coverage from The Hour that the very same event, run by the very same people, garnered five years later in 2009.

And what makes you think the organizers weren’t willing to pay for some of their advertising? You have information nobody else has?
Smile

McGeake & Holy Bat News—You are way off base with your negative comments. There was a person standing at the gate of Taylor farm on Saturday and Sunday. The gate was not closed during event hours. Persons with a handicapped sticker or plate were allowed to park on site. If you wanted more from the event coordinators perhaps you should try helping or making a donation. This event was run on an extremely tiny budget and a very small group of event coordinators. Everyone that came enjoyed themselves. Despite the lack of coverage from the local paper, at lease 1500 hundred people showed up over the weekend. Kudos to the event coordinators!
free advertising????

The event was free to the public. What benefit would the “free advertising” be to the organizers other than informing the public?

The re-enactors were more than happy to share wonderful stories about the battle, the history surrounding it, and answer questions about the period relevant uniforms and weaponry.

Did you come down to the event and wait for the person at the gate to walk away so that you could claim there was no parking? It seems you are simply against the event itself.

Should we not teach about Norwalk history anymore? This was a wonderful event that should be supported and ENCOURAGED in every way.

A “FOR PROFIT” bussiness named “NORWALK HOUR” should support “free to the public” events that promote Norwalk history!
http://www.MGeake.org MGeake

Smile: I don’t doubt there was a person where you said, but she wasn’t apparent to us when we drove by, that’s all. I brought this up simply so that this event (and others) will be a bit more sensitive to the needs of the disabled. Period.

For that, I’ve been attacked, called a horse’s ass, … — all by someone hiding behind a pseudonym. And I’ll answer you as I did them: my ability to participate in an event cannot be predicated on my volunteering or making a donation. Such a suggestion is completely unacceptable.
free advertising????

I certainly agree that your ability CANNOT be predicated on your volunteering or making a donation. I am just saying that your participation cannot be predicated on having a dedicated person waiting for your arrival. WHICH – having met the person organizing the event – he would have done for you.

This, of course, is silly. But so is the claim that it was poorly run. If there was a charge for attendees, then there would be no excuse.

However, as good a cause as handicapped access is, attacking an event to support that cause is not very patriotic. Yes, I used the word patriotic. One – because it was Norwalk’s Patriot Days. Two – because you cited the ADA, which the founding fathers and the constitution made possible.
Tom Paine

I’ve been to hundreds of events and each handle parking the same way. You drive up and someone waves you on or you slide your window down to ask questions. Mike you tried to make an issue here and are rightfully being called on it. Organizers, you did a great job and keep in mind that there will always be critics that won’t work with you to make things better because that would involve work.
holy bat news

Constructive comments from the attending public should be welcomed by ANY organizers — not attacked. No one is saying this was a bad event; just that there are some things that the organizers could improve next time around. Like signage, volunteers, and media relations. Party in the park even asked people to go on-line and give comments…open and transparent…so that they can do even better next year. No defensiveness. No attacks.

Sheesh…no wonder there were so few people working with the reenactment commitee if that sort of arrogance is their approach to things.
http://www.MGeake.org MGeake

#20&21 I NEVER attacked the event or said it was poorly run; I only said that — when I arrived — it was not apparent where handicapped parking was (or,indeed, if there even was any) and there was nobody — that we saw — to ask (when we drove through, everybody was behind the fence). There was no need for a “dedicated person” to greet me; a hand-lettered sign on a 49� poster board would have sufficed.
free advertising????

Can’t the public stand up for the organizers as well? Have the organizers posted here? I am not familiar with all of the names.

I don’t think that public support should be deemed arrogance while criticism is deemed constructive.
Unbelievable

MGeake, considering the fact that you yourself admitted that you didn’t even bother to ask about parking OR even attend the event, your criticism is completely unwarranted. You owe the organizers an apology for attempting to create an issue where no issue ever existed, at the very least.
Piqued

And what is this string about? Oh yeah, Norwalk history and patriotism!

These posts have gotten way out of hand. I think Mike’s point was well taken and as #13 mentioned it is something to consider for next time. Can we get back to the goodness, of the day those who were a part of it and what has been accomplished in 230 years. I logged clicked this site to learn more about the history of the place in which we live.

I know my post is namby-pamby, but where is the patriotism and love? Maybe I’m wrong, but this doesn’t seem to be the string on which we should fight. Let’s fight somewhere else!
turfgrrl

OMG, I want 15 minutes back of my life! These comments are even in the wrong thread! Sheesh.

Here’s some news. Events that are held in public parks rely on existing parking, which has handicapped spots marked, and creative use of other space which is handled, er, creatively.

My guess is that these are the facts:

Mike Geake didn’t try to use the onsite parking and drove by the Shady Beach parking lot, from outside and noted that it was gated.
The on-site parking that was available at Taylor Farm required interaction with the person standing at the driveway, which was not gated.
The on-site parking was in a field.
Shady Beach’s parking lot is paved.

A little clarity on communication here might have led to something akin to understanding what the exact problem was instead of accusations about what happened.
Anonymous

Also: entrance to Shady Beach requires a beach sticker unless you want to pay the admission fee. I think with a bit of proactive inquiries the handicap access question could easily have been answered. Waiting for the world to conform to your needs is usually a waste of time and energy, in my experience.
Freedom lover

Here’s what I saw (and I hope this is the last comment in this silly thread).

One sign posted at the light at Marvin Elementary School for event parking. No sign for handicapped parking or access or anyone posted there to answer questions.

Gates down for the usual Taylor Farm parking (the small lot next to the field) and beach sticker needed for Shady Beach. No additional event signs to inform about parking or handicapped access.

Gate to Taylor Farm field open but no one posted there to ask. Horses and trailers in that area (as well as food truck) so assumption that it is for reenacters and staff. No information or sign or volunteer to provide guidance.

No event signs saying that parking along the road was not allowed (although there were the usual Norwalk signs about parking). I parked there anyway because a lot of people already had so maybe it had been ok’d for this event. Maybe this was the handicapped parking. Who knew? I put my handicapped sticker in the window and went on in. No one informed me one way or the other.

Bottom line: Parking signage should be handled better next time.

End of story.
Event Parking Attendant

I guess you must have arrived before me, since I was stationed at the Taylor Farm gated entrance from noon to 4pm both days. I was standing in the middle of the driveway, handing out programs, directing traffic and answering questions. To my immediate right, just before the horses, was a large white sign with black printing indicating parking at Marvin School or the beach, and another large white sign on the immediate left indicating that there was no public parking at Taylor Farm. You managed to see the horses; how come you didn’t see the large white signs about parking?

If, as many people did, you were to have asked someone in a red shirt with “event staff” on it if there was handicapped parking, you would have been let into the Taylor Farm lot immediately.

Guess you didn’t bother to ask me, as many people did do – you probably just slowed down to look and then drove away.

End of story.
Freedom lover

I arrived around noon; no one was at that gate yet. And I did not see any sign indicating where handicapped parking might be. A simple sign and a few moments of forethought would have solved everything, don’t you think?
Anonymous

Sheesh buddy, all you had to do was ask. How many people gotta tell ya?
Freedom lover

Handicapped often means limited mobility. So getting out of the car, getting your mobility device, wandering around to find someone to ask, and then getting back in the car to park it is usually a challenge. That’s why I rely on good signage — so I don’t have to do that whole process twice. It’s hard for the able-bodied to understand that….
Anonymous

So, after reading all 33 posts, it’s clear to me that because there wasn’t clearly marked Handicapped Parking and the people who needed it, couldn’t find it and didn’t ask anyone, that in the future no one should bother to stage special events because someone might not see the correct signage or there may not be enough parking or something else might happen.

So, regardless of whether everyone is able-bodied or handicapped, don’t bother putting on another event because no matter how good the event was or how significant, someone might not be able to get there and will use it to totally eclipse anything worthwhile you were trying to do.

That’s pretty sad if you ask me.
Anonymous

Turfie, why don’t you change the name of this thread to “same old bitching and moaning” and start a new one for the original subject?
Anonymous

Tell me about it, #34. How right you are.
PBondi

I usually never comment on the blog. But because I was involved in coordinating this event I need to speak up. First of all I didn’t have a very big staff of volunteers so it was very difficult to monitor everywhere. Second because this was the first time we held an event on this sight I didnt anticipate how many people from out of town use the off sight parking and walk in the beach for free. Third even though I did have someone including myself monitor the open gate at Taylor farm and we did let in several handicapped marked cars I probably should of put up a sign for handicapped parking on site. I had intended on useing the little lot where the horse trailers where for handicapped parking but it was very difficult monitoring that lot in order to keep out the out of town beach goers.I also couldnt allow every spectator to park on sight for saftey reasons and there wouldnt have been enough room for all the cars. So we did decide to only allow re.enactors and handicapped people on site.
So outside of a very minor glitch I just want to thank the very small group of volunteers that came together to make history come alive. I also want to thank mother nature with giving us great weather. So I hope that this argument back and forth about the handicapped parking issue will end and for next time I personally will try and do my best to be even more aware of this issue.
Thanks
Mrs. Peacock

Nice job, Peter. As a lifelong resident of Norwalk, I feel as though I have missed out on my city’s history all these years. It was only a short time ago that I discovered Yankee Doodle Dandy was written about a small group of Norwalk patriots. It makes you proud to know that it was a motley crew of Norwalkers who turned Tryon’s army away. But back to you, it’s volunteers that make events like this successful. Thanks so much organizing it. It is heartwarming to see so many kids – and adults – learning about their city’s history. The glitches are the building blocks of great customer-oriented businesses, and they would never survive if they took every customer suggestion personally. I trust the event will be finetuned for next time so future reenactments can be enjoyed by an even wider audience. Looking foward to it! Thanks again!
Freedom lover

Thanks, Peter. Events are tough to put together. Volunteers are difficult to engage and manage. Anyone who has done this understands. Because there were minor glitches does not detract from the effort. It’s simply something to put on the list for next time. It’s great that history in Norwalk is taking on new life and much appreciated.