| Email received
from Butch Sankman
I just happened to discover your
web-site, and the Memories came flooding back. I grew
up in Harwinton. I attended Clearview School in first
grade and Center School in second grade. I graduated
from the eighth grade in 1954. We lived on Rt 118 in
the house later occupied by a gentleman who raised competition
oxen. His name was Mr. Hines, I don't recall his first
name. My uncle, Albert Elwell lived next door. The mica
mine on Davis Road was on my father's property. I spent
a lot of time playing there as a kid.
My family moved to Texas in 1959 when my father, Bernie
Sankman, had to move West for his health. I am currently
living in Camarillo, California, and have lived on the
West Coast for the past 35 years.
My fondest memories are of swimming
in Red Hole, fishing in Leadmine Brook and Sam Jame's
Pond, and going to the Harwinton Fair.
I was best known for a band I
had in the 50's called "The Bushwackers".
I was known as "Butch" Sankman then and we
often played for dances at The Grange Hall, and The
Burville Firehouse. I remember a 52 chevy that was wrapped
around a tree on Mr. Pugnier's front lawn. We were returning
from a performance at Uconn when I fell asleep at the
wheel. Art Munson from Warren was in the car with me.
He later went on to be the Righteous Brothers lead guitar
player. The rest of the band was from Harwinton. It
consisted of Vinnie Zolla, Dick Bartku, Kenny Crossfield
and myself. We were all in high school except for Kenny
who was in the eigth grade.
I remember working for the Town
one summer, and one of my jobs was mowing the lawn in
the cemetary near the Congregational Church. Other summer
jobs included working on Peter Castelli's and Lloyd
Shanley's farms, as well as a few others during haying
season.
Sincerely,
Warner Sankman
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