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Chester
International Links Association |
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Chester Iinternational Links Association
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Celebrating
over ten years since being established in 1995 to enhance relations
with Chester, England, the Chester International Links Association completed
plans for a gathering of residents from other Chester's in the U.S., Canada
and England with hopes of getting at least one or two persons from most,
if not all, Chester communities. The event, the First Chester World Symposium,
was fittingly set during the annual "Come Home to Chester "
weekend in September, 2005.
In order to prepare for the gala event,
Sandy and Keith Dauer along with Martin Heft were named Symposium Chairmen.
Members were set up into committees to cover accommodations, events, meals,
transportation/logistics, communications/publicity, and an England liaison.
As invitations and registration materials
were sent out to 30 Chesters, the communications committee began calling
and making personal contacts. Realizing that the Symposium was going to
be a hard sell to those afar, the concentration was switched to the New
England and Metro- New York areas.
With the Symposium registration deadline,
we only had commitments from our farthest Chester - England. But that
did not dampen any spirits in the organizing of our event. We understood
that the first one of any event is always the most difficult.
Chester residents and organizations were
eager to assist us in our scheduling of events and finding host-home accommodations.
The Chester Elementary School, Chester Rotary Club, Chester Merchants
and the Town were very supportive and helpful. Every guest to the Symposium
was placed with a host-family, thanks to the willingness of members and
residents.
The Symposium opened with a welcome reception
and dinner at the home of Jack and Judy Callander. Guests and their host
families were treated to a warm welcome, receiving their weekend schedules,
area information, Chester history books, Chester Ornament and more.
The Chester Elementary School hosted lunch
and a student Town Meeting on Friday. Participants ate lunch with the
fifth and six graders, followed by being the guests of honor at the Town
Meeting. The school hallways were decorated with Chester mileage signs
- signs indicating how many miles to each Chester from CT. Additionally,
the school was celebrating 100 years of learning, so our guests were treated
to a special cake.
As part of the Come Home to Chester night
sponsored by the local merchants, our participants spent the evening touring,
shopping and chatting t hrough out Chester Center.
Thanks to the Essex Stream Train and Riverboat,
we were treated to a view of the Connecticut River, much like the River
Dee in England . It was a beautiful day as we traveled by train and riverboat
from Essex to Haddam. The weather did not hold out though, as we met at
Chrisholm Marina for dinner, sponsored by the Chester Rotary Club. As
we arrived, the dark clouds rolled in and the severe thunderstorms hit.
Not to fear, the Dauer's came to the rescue and opened their home to our
summer cook-out (in).
On Sunday, a town-wide picnic at the Meeting
House was held. The Meeting House was decorated with its' red, white and
blue bunting, looking very festive and majestic. Many residents came to
meet our guests and share stories. The day ended with champagne and dessert
at the home of Keith and Sandy Dauer.
During the "down" times, our
guests toured the shoreline, met with friends established over the years
and even traveled to near-by areas such as New York and the Big E Fair
in Massachusetts. As our guests departed, everyone agreed that the First
Chester World Symposium was a success. Plans for the second one in five
years (2010) were discussed, hoping that it might be held in England.
After the Symposium was completed, CILA
met to discuss its goals and objectives for 2006. All agreed that our
focus for 2006 should be on the New England area Chester's. The Elementary
School initiatives should focus on this as well. Suggested items were
pen (email) pals, weekend visits to New England Chester's ( i.e.: Vermont,
Massachusetts) and focus on building stronger relations with Chester's
in the Northeast.
Chairman Heft reported at the January meeting
that he had news from First Selectman Tom Marsh regarding the World Chester
Flags displayed at Town Hall. He had heard that that there may be some
redecorating of the downstairs lobby and requested that CILA know the
status and plans for the flags. First Selectman Marsh responded: "Regarding
redecorating the Town Hall, the Chester's of the world flags will remain.
The flags from other states may go. So if there is a State of Maryland
flag to represent Chester, Maryland that one may be moved or stored. Your
input will be solicited on any changes as we move forward." It was
noted that only two Chester's outside the United States exist. CILA will
be kept up to date on the status as all of the flags are representative.
The flags still remain in the main lobby of Town Hall, along with a large
one from Chester England hanging in the stairway.
The Annual Meeting renewed the officers and membership for another year.
Sosse and Jack Baker extended an invitation to a toast to George Washington's
birthday at the Gallery from 4 to 6 PM, February 19th. They are hosting
the event for the Washington College alumni in New England. Washington
College is in Chestertown, Maryland.
Photos
of the World Symposium along with general information,
membership application and a listing
of all the Chesters are available on the Town Website
Membership is open to all individuals and
organizations which are in agreement with the purpose and objective of
CILA. CILA meets quarterly, with their annual meeting in April with the
election of officers.
Martin L. Heft, Chairman
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