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Kent landmark toasts 50 years

Kent landmark toasts 50 years
Legislators Maria Horn and Stephen Harding with Elissa Potts at the Fife ‘n Drum. 
Photo by Lans Christensen

KENT — Townspeople and area residents turned out to celebrate 50 years of the landmark Fife ‘n Drum restaurant, long a local draw for hospitality.

Starting on Thursday, Jan. 19, the celebration would need the entire weekend to fit everything in with features and specials offered throughout the four-day period.

First, there was the Thursday open house offering complimentary food specialties, beer and wine to all, and visits by elected officials bearing State of Connecticut certificates attesting to the restaurant’s 50 years of importance to the town of Kent and to the state. And there was Larry Ham’s piano music, a tip of the hat to the legacy of pianist Dolph Traymon who purchased the restaurant building in 1972 and entertained diners for decades. Traymon continued at the restaurant’s keyboard until his death at 97 in 2016.

The remaining three days of celebration would offer more piano music, adding vocalist Wanda Houston, and special menus priced to reflect the 1970s when the restaurant opened. Then, on Sunday, a dinner for two for $50.00, a dollar for each year.

“Happy Fife ‘n Drum Day,” State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) exclaimed, leading off the presentation of official citations at Thursday’s open house. Gov. Ned Lamont had officially proclaimed Friday, Jan. 20 to be Fife ‘n Drum Day, issuing an official proclamation to that effect. Two additional citations from the General Assembly were read and presented by Horn and State Sen. Stephen Harding (R-30).

On behalf of the state Senate, the state House and the Secretary of State’s office, one citation celebrated the restaurant and the other named Elissa and George Potts.

Horn acknowledged the significance of the meeting place that has been “an anchor for Kent for 50 years.”

Harding spoke of the restaurant’s position as a staple of Kent and the Northwest Corner. He said it was appropriate to celebrate its longevity and its considerable contributions to the community.

“People are happy to celebrate,” said busy bartender Rosemary Zibell, speaking of the restaurant’s legendary devotion to service under the leadership of Elissa Potts, Traymon’s daughter, who moved to Kent with husband George, partnering with her father at the restaurant in 1976.

“Elissa has done such magificent work, keeping the forward momentum through difficult times,” Zibell said.

“It’s all about hospitality for Elissa,” George Potts said. Recalling the COVID years, he said that meals were handed out through the front door, with little opportunity for hospitality.

“It’s all 110% due to Elissa’s perseverance,” he said of the restaurant’s longevity.

Leila Hawken

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