The clouds parted, and the sun came out at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, 2005. Just in time to celebrate the commitment of the Foote Family to farmland preservation and open space!

Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell declared May 22 as “Foote Family Day”.

55th House Representative Pamela Z. Sawyer worked tirelessly with the Governor’s office to finalize the proclamation. Over 70 Hebron residents gathered at Old Town Hall to celebrate this event with the Foote family.

Accepting the proclamation on behalf of the Foote family was Betsy Foote Osborn. Her sister, Mary Ann, was also in attendance, as were Betsy Foote Osborn’s family: Sarah and John Melzen and their children; Dan Bronzi; and Jonathan and Jen Bronzi and their children.

Special speakers at the event were: Pam Sawyer and Catherine Marx, who presented Governor Rell’s proclamation; Paul Mazzaccaro, Hebron Town Manager; James Cordier, who gave an inspiring speech on the Foote family stewardship of Hebron land; James Murphy, who spoke on Open Space and shared many personal memories of the Foote family, going back to Annie Hutchinson Foote; and John Hibbard, a well-known state environmentalist who has been a Foote neighbor for decades and brought many smiles as he recounted the Footes out on a dark night, moving their errant cows out of the road. Alexander Breiding, a Troop 28 Eagle Scout candidate, served as official greeter for the event.

It was a special day!

Peter Marteka of the Hartford Courant has written a wonderful story on Footehills Farms, published May 31, 2005. You'll want to read it!