East Haddam Grange ~ 6:30 pm ~ Potluck followed by program

Bevin Brothers, one of the oldest continuously operated factories in Connecticut (making hand-crafted bells since 1832), is the last remnant of a once-thriving industry that earned East Hampton the nickname “Bell Town, USA.” East Hampton once produced 90 percent of the world’s sleigh bells. In addition to traditional sleigh bells, Bevin Brosnow produces cow bells sold  at football games and ski races, teacher’s bells, tea bells. patio and yacht bells, even the hand bells that Salvation Army workers ring outside retail stores. “It’s nostalgia,” Bevin says. “Bells make attractive sounds that bring back so many important moments in a life — weddings, the dinner bell, Christmas. They conjure up images that were important in people’s lives.”

That nostalgia runs deep in the New England experience, even if few people recall exactly how sleigh bells came to symbolize winter and the Christmas season. In the 19th century, when roads were narrow and curved, sleigh runners gliding over the snow were almost completely silent. Harness bells were introduced to warn pedestrians and others on the road about the approach of another sleigh, and were considered so important that many states passed laws requiring their use.

See more at http://bevinbells.com/

Nancy had many friends in our club and we are sorry to lose her “GO – DO!” spirit.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 28 at 9:00 am at St. Mary Church in Branford (Cedar Rd exit off I-95). Burial of her urn will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery in Branford. Cards of condolence may be sent to Nancy’s son and his family at: Christopher Altrui, 22 Swift St., Branford, CT 06405.

“Welcome home! Just in time for the sleighing party! Mr. Pickering’s rented two sleighs!” … “Ready?” Felix yelled over his shoulder, and Jake exuberantly shouted back that he was. Their reins snapped simultaneously, both teams dug in, and the harness bells came to life. The runners sliding easily, the horses eased back; then at a second snap of the reins as we rounded the corner onto Twenty-first Street, they tossed their heads, snorting jets of warm breath, and began to trot, obviously enjoying themselves, and now the harness bells sang.

All I can really tell you about the rest of that day and the evening is that it was magical. A dream. The white streets of Manhattan were filled with sleighs; the air everywhere was alive with the music of their bells. … On the walks they were pulling kids on sleds, throwing snowballs, making snowmen; children, adults, old men and women, laughing, calling to each other. And in the streets we passed every kind of sleigh, and we called to them and they to us. We raced them sometimes; once, going up Fifth Avenue, we raced three teams abreast, drivers on their feet, whips cracking, girls shrieking, for nearly two blocks before – sleighs coming the other way – we had to fall into single file cheering and shouting. …

Jake turned impulsively into a cross street just as a sleigh coming south swung in, too. Bells jingling, we trotted along side by side, grinning at each other. It was a big, green-enameled swan’s-neck affair, a beautiful sleigh. They were five kids in their late teens and early twenties, and one of the girls began singing: Dashing through the snow! In a one-horse open sleigh! O’er the field we go! And then all ten of us… Laughing all the way! To the exact rhythm of our horses’ hoofs and the jounce of our bells, we lined it out: Bells on bobtail ring! Making spirits bright! What fun it is to ride and sing - and it was; oh, Lord, it was – a sleighing song tonight! Then we roared it: Jingle bells, jingle bells! Jingle all the way! Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh! For two blocks – people on the walks calling out to us, kids throwing snowballs at us – we sang. Beside me Julia’s voice was high, a soprano, very clear, very sweet and lovely. At the corner the kids swung south. Waving and yelling at each other, we headed north toward Central Park, both sleighs continuing to sing as long as each could hear the other.

We all flew along the curving roads with hundreds of other sleighs. Fast as we moved, sleighs raced past us, hoofs drumming, the runners on one side sometimes actually lifting from the snow on the curves. Some of the drivers carried brass horns they occasionally raised and blew into, producing a single mournful yet somehow exciting blast of brassy sound that hung in the air for a moment afterward.

On through the park then, and out, and far up past it out into actual open countryside – astoundingly, still on Manhattan Island – until finally we stopped at a big wooden inn brilliant with light, shining out on the snow in long quartered rectangles, and the place was filled; there were surely fifty sleighs in a great outside shed, the horses tethered and blanketed. Inside, every table was occupied, the place jammed, the roar of voices and laughter so loud it was almost impossible to talk. Felix had called to me, and I worked my way over to his group. We had sandwiches and hot wine, standing up – there wasn’t a table empty – talking a little over the roar, but mostly just grinning at each other out of sheer sparkling excitement and joy.

[TIME AND AGAIN, by Jack Finney © 1970 Scribner/Simon & Schuster]

You know you have to make time to clean and inspect your harness. You know you need an incentive to do it. Don’t wait until driving season, the winter season is a great time to get to it! Bring your harness, bridle (saddle, if you like). That old leather halter could use some attention too.

Synthetic harness? Even a synthetic harness needs to be taken apart, dirt scrubbed from behind buckles, and inspected for wear and weak spots.

Don’t compete? You have a large investment in your equipment, and in your safety! Clean equipment is safer for you and more comfortable for your horse.

Your harness is already clean? GOOD! We want you! Tell us your tips and tricks. And (ahem) we’re sure we can find something for you to clean!

Really REALLY don’t want to clean harness? Come for the conversation and the camaraderie. Tell us your stories, and we’ll tell you ours.

Some supplies and rags will be available. Several movies available – WEG, Live Oaks, or bring your favorite. Hot chocolate will be featured, in addition to the usual potluck. Meeting agenda includes a preview of this years’ planned events.

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ADS Treasurer Bill Lawson (above left) received the President’s Award from President John Freiburger at the Annual Members’ Meeting in Portland, Oregon, this past October. The award distinguishes an individual who has gone above and beyond for the betterment of the Society. Bill has been the ADS Treasurer since 2006. He has worked tirelessly to provide the Board of Directors with timely, accurate information that they can use to make smart business decisions on behalf of the Society. When Bill isn’t working on ADS financial tasks, he is a tireless organizer of the Connecticut Valley Driving Trial and helps organize the ADS booth at the Massachusetts Equine Affaire.

Horse Ornaments Adorn Pat & Mike’s Tree

Her family had this to say about her: “She was an avid gardener, loved to write; especially poems and letters, and was an adept story teller. She loved to feed people and made the best gingerbread cookies. Elsie found beauty in everything and encouraged others to do their best.”

We have been truly blessed to have such a marvelous friend.

Hosted by Pat & Mike Axelrod
(860) 399-5234 ~ p.daragan@att.net
PLEASE RSVP!

Connecticut Valley Driving Club’s Holiday Party is a time when members take a break from driving, and come together to celebrate the holidays. The food is always amazing, as each person goes beyond the pale to create a special potluck appetizer, side dish, or dessert. Our hosts, Pat and Mike Axelrod, will provide the turkey and soft drinks (courtesy of CVDC).

The high point of the evening is the Yankee Swap! (suggested gift limit $20). Members who want to participate bring a gift and take a number. As their number is called, they get to choose an unopened gift. They can either keep it, or swap it with one of the gifts that has already been opened. It’s the one time when going last is to your advantage!

Please RSVP to Pat (email and phone numbers above) so we can plan accordingly. Hope you can make it! The night will be full of great food, good “horsey” friends and holiday fun!

FOR SALE:  Be ready for the 1st SLEIGH RALLY! Ladies: CAPE (wool, full lining, 5 button front, below knee length, Forstmann); Scarf (floral on black, 6′ long, fully lined); MUFF; BOOTS  (knee-high, laced front, side zip, made in Italy); COAT DRESSES (polyester, size 12, 1 beige, 1 black, Harve Benard); Men’s: CAP (sealskin w/earmuffs & brim). Contact Sylvia Crosby at 860-429-5306.

FOR SALE: The following vehicles are for sale by club member, Robin Malkasian. Please contact Robin at MStoneFarm@aol.com if you have questions or are interested in making a purchase. Click on the links to open detailed information:
New Glinkowski Hartland II Marathon Carriage
Bennington Wagonette for Pair or Single

An accomplished horsewoman, both in riding and driving, Holly Pulsifer was instrumental in the development of the ADS and running competitions from the earliest years. She has been involved with the sport since 1974, when she was one of the organizers of Myopia CDE, which spanned 25 consecutive years. She continues to organize the Waldingfield HDT, which began in 1988. Holly has an impressive list of judging qualifications, both national and international, and serves as ADS judge and TD at events. She is active in the ADS and the Carriage Museum of America, among other groups.

In addition to writing occasional articles, Holly recently co-produced two booklets, “Your First Pleasure Driving Show” and the revised “Your First Marathon” (and will be bringing copies to purchase).

Holly is a frequent speaker about a variety of topics, including coaches and coaching in the 19^th century, and the history of combined driving. She will bring a slideshow to discuss the growth and evolution of international competition through the decades, and how it has affected drivers in all areas, competitive, pleasure and recreational.

 There will be lots to think about and lots to laugh over (those early years were nothing like today!).  We look forward to seeing you there!