Glastonbury Town Clock

Glastonbury is a wonderful town east of Hartford on the Connecticut River that I moved to in 2002. One of my first paintings of the area was to capture some of the points of interest that I thought made up the town. The composition shows the South Glastonbury tobacco fields along the river in the distance and where the Glastonbury/Rocky Hill Ferry is, the oldest continually working ferry in the country. The town is also well known for their apple orchards, the Apple Festival in October that attracts 30,000 people each year and the Old Cider Mill. My studio/gallery is next door to it. What I didn't show is the town clock in front of the Welles/Shipman house (yellow) on the corner because it didn't exist at the time. Prints, postcards and decorated boxes with this scene are available at Emmy Lou's, LTD.

Well, here is the Howard Post clock that our town is raising funds for that will complete the center of town at the corner where everyone will be aware of the time. It's town spirit will be for all to see and to be a part of history, and an opportunity for everyone that loves Glastonbury to be a part of it.

Simulated photo above by Peter Billard Photographer 860-633-6300

Donations are welcome by writing a check to the Town of Glastonbury, c/o Information Center, P.O. Box 6523, Glastonbury, CT 06033

Under check memo write: TOWN CLOCK

Or if convenient when down town contributions are being collected at Emmy Lou's, LTD, 17 Hebron Ave.

Marblehead, Crocker Park and a visit

I made a trip June 30th to Marblehead bringing some work for the gift shops at the Art Association and also the Historical Commission. This is always a pleasant trip to see my home town again and friends...... after leaving there 46 years ago, it still seems like yesterday despite the many changes.

I sat at the wharf having my lunch where the lobster boats still come in to unload their catch. The traps though are all metal now and not the wooden ones a lobsterman might have made in the winter months. In 1981 I wrote a small illustrated book call A Lobster Tale, which is still available, and in it my friend Arthur, made his lobster traps in the winter. That was my one day of ever lobstering and I made drawings of it for a calendar back then.

A short distance from the wharf is Crocker Park and looking inland you'll see the famous landmark in town, Abbot Hall, where the Historical Commission gift shop is. Most well know too is the original painting of the Spirit of "76, which is very inspiring to see. I think it measures about five by eight feet.

The stage was getting set up for the entertainment coming with thousands of people to watch the harbor illumination and fireworks. The harbor views are always spectacular but even more special on the Fourth. Some things never change, the rocks, views, and days of summer with swimmers on the float to the lower right.

I did this painting depicting Crocker Park when I heard the 1812 Overture being played before the fireworks began. Here is the Boston Pops, on a Victrola, conducted by Arthur Fiedler, firing of the cannon, and the pig, Pops, wagging his tail to ring the bell. I had a surprise call on the Fourth of July from an old classmate, MHS'63. He came by after leaving Marblehead returning to his home in New York. It was Charlie and his wife Machiko and I found out they won the bid for the buoy I did for the Art Association's silent auction. Never thought I'd see the lobster buoy again.

This was a Fourth to remember and I hope yours was as well.