The past year proved that Sharon is all about its residents

SHARON — In 2012, as happens every year in Sharon, concerned citizens turned out for a number of causes, meetings, activities and events designed to pull the community together and keep this a safe and lovely town.One small example of this was a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training class held at the firehouse in October. About 40 people, ranging in age from teens to senior citizens, showed up to learn CPR techniques or to be recertified.The class was led by Ambulance Squad member Al Tortorella. The EMS Institute at Sharon Hospital provided equipment, including practice dummies.Everyone in town was happy to see the motor lodge reopen. It is now the Sharon Country Inn and is under the ownership of brothers Todi and Eddie Canie, owners of Mizza’s restaurant in Lakeville. The brothers purchased the property in 2011, gave it a complete renovation and opened in the spring. The rural Northwest Corner is surprisingly rich in cultural opportunities. Area schools help by inviting in diverse and interesting programs, such as the flamenco performance at Sharon Center School last January organized by the PTO.Flamenco dancer Rebecca Thomas gave an introductory class in the art form to students and teachers. Tradition is also an important part of life here. One important tradition is the collection of maple sap and production of maple syrup at the Sharon Audubon Center. Sap collection buckets, and blue plastic tubing that runs from tree to tree, can be seen all over the Audubon property each February as the sap begins to run. Despite a general warming trend in the weather, 2012 turned out to be a very good year for syrup production.Another popular Sharon tradition is the Memorial Day celebration. As always, a large crowd lined the sidewalks along Main Street to cheer on servicemen and women (many of them traveling in vintage cars). The 2012 parade included antique farm equipment, vintage automobiles, five pieces of equipment from the Sharon Fire Department and marchers including the Honor Guard, Girl Scouts, Cub and Boy Scouts, the Sharon Center School band and the Sharon Woman’s Club. The winners of the decorated bicycle contest joined photographer Brian Wilcox in the Clock Tower, were they took the photograph of everyone gathered at the Veterans Memorial.One notable Sharon veteran got special recognition in 2012. Melvin Brandow Dennis, a lifelong Sharon resident and World War I veteran, died in 1956. He was wounded while serving in the U.S. Army in France. Purple Hearts were not regularly awarded in the early 20th century. Dennis’ son, Glenn ( a retired U.S. Marine Corps sergeant), and daughter, Sharon Rosen, both Sharon residents, wanted their father’s service to his country properly recognized. That recognition was given at a ceremony at Eastside Cemetery on West Cornwall Road in June. State Sen.Andrew Roraback (R-30) presented the Purple Heart and citation to Dennis’ children on behalf “of a nation grateful for their father’s service to his country.”The summer of 2012 also saw the historic 12,000-square-foot Colgate mansion in Sharon listed for sale with Litchfield Hills Sotheby’s International Realty in Washington Depot.The mansion was built as a country home for Romulus Riggs Colgate and his wife, Susan. It was known as Filston. Colgate was the grandson of the founder of the Colgate Soap and Perfume Company. The home was designed by award-winning architect J. William Cromwell Jr. in the 18th-century Italian Renaissance style. The mansion is still listed for sale with an asking price of $8,999,000.On a less glamorous note, the selectmen continued to work on upgrades to the town’s infrastructure. Of particular note: An eminent domain seizure was begun so that repairs can be made on the Mitchelltown Road bridge, which has been closed for many years and which runs through private property.