A Summer Of Fun Is On Its Way

By Michelle Warren and Claire Galvin, The Chronicle

May 27, 2021

The calendar may say summer starts in late June, but most acknowledge the season of warmth generally starts with the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

One year ago, there wasn’t much to do during the weekend, as the COVID-19 pandemic shut down nearly all planned events and reduced capacity at parks.

But that has all changed for the better a year later.

The state and local vaccine rates, combined with excellent COVID numbers, have folks this year looking forward to the coming weekend and months.

After a year of quarantine, stress and anxiety, it’s time to roll up the sleeves and have a little fun.

For local residents, getting outside and taking advantage of towns’ outdoor amenities is a must for the summer.

Events

For mother-daughter duo Judy and Annie Hoisington, local parks are a good way to enjoy the sunshine.

The Hoisingtons recently took their dog Etta out to Lauter Park in Willimantic to sit for a while by the river.

Annie Hoisington, of Willimantic, said she frequently visits Mansfield Hollow State Park as well.

“I like to picnic and walk there,” Annie Hoisington said. “I like Diana’s Pool in Chaplin too.”

Judy Hoisington, of Brooklyn, also said she was looking forward to attending events on the Shaboo Stage at Jillson Square in Willimantic this year.

“That is something awesome to have in Willimantic,” Judy Hoisington said. “I grew up in the Shaboo days, so I think that stage is the best thing Willimantic could have ever done. There’s not a whole lot in the Quiet Corner to do.”

According to Windham Director of Recreation Tara Calixto, upcoming events at the Shaboo Stage include the Bread Box Folk Theater drive-in concerts on June 6 and June 13, the U.S. Coast Guard Band on July 3 and the Latin Fest on July 17.

“There’s a lot of exciting things happening for us,” Calixto said. “Especially after going from nearly no events or programs.”

The recreation department is also planning to offer six weeks of summer camp starting July 6.

Outdoors

Many families are enjoying spending time outdoors, especially during the pandemic.

“We’re going back to the roots, the basics,” Lebanon resident Miguel Ramos said. “Going to parks, going on walks, learning about nature.”

Ramos and his 4-year-old daughter, Eliana Ramos, recently visited the playground at Memorial Park in Willimantic.

Miguel Ramos said he would still likely avoid beaches and the more-populated summer spots.

“It’s difficult to calculate risks, as opposed to your sanity,” Ramos said. “Especially your kid’s sanity.”

After more than a year being cooped up, even the slightest return to normalcy can be comforting.

“I’m looking forward to going out to eat,” Southbridge, Mass., resident Mike Caouette said while watching his grandson, 11-year-old Mansfield resident Eli Caouette, play baseball at Southeast Park in Mansfield.

This summer, Mike Caouette said he might finally visit his family in Maine, who he hasn’t seen in two years. “I haven’t gone anywhere,” he said.

Hiking with his brother, David Caouette, who also lives in Southbridge, Mass., a few times a week has helped him.

“It breaks up the monotony of staying home,” he said, referring to hiking.

Normalcy

Locals said they were looking forward to having more normalcy this summer, with Little League operating and camps open again.

Piper Caouette, Mike Caouette’s daughter-in-law, said her children will be going to sports camp and the town camp, Camp Mansfield, this summer.

Her family also plans to take multiple trips to New Hampshire where they hike.

“It will be busier than last summer, that’s for sure,” Piper Caouette said while watching her son play baseball.

Her family went hiking in New Hampshire last summer, but they had to wear masks while hiking.

“It was restrictive, but it was also great because we got to spend a lot of time together as a family without any distractions,” Piper Caouette said, referring to the pandemic.

After more than a year of not doing much, Mansfield resident Julie Hodgson is looking forward to camping at Cape Cod and going to Colorado this summer.

“My husband is from Colorado and he needs a Western fix every so often,” she said while watching her son, 11-year-old Ben Hodgson, play baseball.

Her son is on the same team as Eli Caouette.

Her husband, John Hodgson, coaches the E.O. Smith High School hockey team as well as Ben’s baseball team, so the family is busy.

Julie Hodgson said the pandemic has allowed the family to slow their lives down a bit.

“We had dinner together every night because we weren’t running off to different activities,” she said.

Hodgson said her lifestyle falls in line with how others have lived during the pandemic.

“I love being home and love having quiet time to read or go on walks,” she said. “In some ways, I feel like the pandemic suited me.”

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