Book lovers flock to opening day of Kent library sale
Business is brisk at the opening day of the Kent Memorial Library's used book sale May 22
Ruth Epstein
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Soldiers at Militia Days in Cornwall practice a drill.
Ruth Epstein
Stevens, who is leading the town’s 250th anniversary celebration, oversaw an encampment of white tents across the grounds where men portraying colonial soldiers and women aiding them went about daily camp life. Four military units from five states participated.
Seasoned participants moved with authenticity, never breaking character. Stevens said the authenticity could be traced “down to the buttons they wear.”
Two sisters from Rhode Island, Minka Bernardo and Judy Tereshka, helped feed the troops. “It’s good to get a glimpse into how they lived,” said Tereshka. “It wasn’t easy.”
Sisters Judy Tereshka, left, and Minka Bernardo, serve food to the troops during Cornwall’s Militia Days.Ruth Epstein
Some of the participants portrayed not only historical figures, but their own distant relatives.
Robert Frasier of Warrensburg, N.Y., portrayed his ancestor Thomas Fleming, who was married in Cornwall in 1762.
“He was part of Col. Charles Burrall’s army and fought at the Battle of the Cedars,” Frasier said. “He never made it back.”
An enthusiast of early American history, Stevens hunts with black powder, builds his own firearms and casts musket balls. “I was born 270 years too late,” he said.
Like many other Northwest Corner towns, Cornwall sent a significant portion of its population to fight in the Revolutionary War. More than 200 residents served.
James Thomas portraying Elijah Bronson provides music.Ruth Epstein
First Selectman Gordon M. Ridgway, Selectmen Rocco Botto and John Brown, Warren First Selectman Greg LaCava, Alice Ridgway of Litchfield, Zach Tanner of Warren and Susan Hellman of Cornwall performed in a ceremonial review of the militia company.
Many current local families still bear the names of soldiers who went off to the war, including the Hurlburts, Swifts, Sedgwicks, Rogers, Scovilles and Tanners.
Standing in front of Town Hall, Ridgway noted that Swift descendant John Calhoun funded the building in 1908, when it was constructed as a library. Ridgway also recounted the story of Cornwall native Heman Swift,who helped bandage the Marquis de Lafayette after he was wounded during the war.
The activities over the two days included drill and tactical demonstrations, a children’s drill, music and ongoing displays.
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