With the New Year, we wish to acknowledge our volunteers and our architect Charles Michal, who made Phase I of the Stone House Tavern Museum construction and renovation of the first-floor apartment project successful in 2020. Charles kept our plans updated as needed and was always available. Our volunteer general contractor, Bob Furlone, with his construction background was invaluable. He communicated with contractors, estimated building costs, and evaluated bids (among other tasks). Without him we might not have been triumphant…thank you Bob. When Bob was traveling, Val Starbuck stepped in, keeping us on track. In the end, what appeared to be an impossible task, was accomplished.

It was a tough schedule with a deadline date of August 1, only eight weeks from old tenants leaving to new tenants arriving! Kay Kloppenburg painted not one but two coats on the bedroom walls and ceiling, and also painted the bedroom and bathroom floors. Super job!! Windows were re-glazed by Jeff Scott. Ken and Pam Walton assisted most days of the week doing whatever needed to be done.

Our Board members made themselves available too. Bob Tortolani's hard labor scrubbing the kitchen and living room floors in very hot conditions, Carol Riendeau's scrubbing of the shower and washer, Harriet Davenport’s super cleaning of the stove and refrigerators, Nick Goulas’ painting of the new bathroom shelves, Pam Walton's cleaning of literally every surface in the whole apartment were all noted and appreciated.

We were also grateful that Gary Winn was able to work a minor miracle by getting in there quickly to handle complex electrical needs.

Last but not least, Jim Hamlin installed the kitchen sink and took care of a basement sewage leak just one day before the new tenants arrived.

The apartment turned out wonderfully and we can be proud of it for many years to come. Should you see Charles, Bob, Val, Jon, Pam, Ken, Kay, Jeff, Bob, Carol, Nick, Gary, or Jim in the new year, please give them a thumbs up! 

Also a huge thanks to our volunteers Margaret Winn, Jeff Titus, Rae Eagan and Judith & Scott Conant. Without them progress in the Cemetery Book for West Chesterfield would not have happened; photos categorized; Chesterfield Scrapbook kept updated, and requests from far and wide fulfilled. Even Covid-19 didn't keep Audrey Ericson from creating another CHS calendar which will debut in 2022.

We especially would like to acknowledge our Board Members who persevered and overcame obstacles to continue making the CHS a vibrant organization: