| ARTHUR B. POOLE
AWARD
1999 Honoree
PETER P. SALWOCKI
Pete Salwocki
was born in New Britain and raised in North Canaan and
Avon. But he and his wife, Marie, chose to live in Harwinton.
“We like country life. That is why we chose Harwinton.
We wanted our kids to be raised in a small-town country
atmosphere,” Salwocki said. “We’ve
never been sorry.”
Most importantly, “small towns are run by volunteers,
from the people who serve on boards to members of the
fire department and ambulance association”. Salwocki
said.
Salwocki has always been one of those volunteers who
keeps a small town running. For his years of service,
Salwocki has been honored this year as the recipient
of the Arthur B. Poole Award. Although he announced
this week that he will not seek reelection, the Lake
Harwinton Road resident is currently serving his third
term as selectman.
He served previously on the Zoning Commission and the
Zoning Board of Appeals. He is founder and president
of the Bronc Callahan Harwinton Hoe Down and Community
Fund, named for his friend, the late Leroy “Bronc”
Callahan, another inveterate Harwinton volunteer.
“We are just carrying on like Bronc. We do what
people do in small towns.” Salwocki said.
A real estate agent, Salwocki has served as a member
of the Harwinton Historical Society, Harwinton Agricultural
Society, American Legion Cleveland Post, Lake Harwinton
Association, Democratic Town Committee and the Litchfield
Board of Realtors.
He is a member of the Harwinton Lions Club and held
a number of offices, a member of the Harwinton Congregational
Church who currently served on its board of buildings
and grounds, and is a cooperator of Northwest Community
Bank. He’s also a member of the Torrington Lodge
of Elks No. 372.
Salwocki is also a member of the World Pumpkin Federation
and hopes to someday win the prize for the largest pumpkin
at the annual Harwinton Fair. He helped institute a
giant pumpkin contest at the fair last October.
“Pete is truly a person dedicated to the needs
of others and the first one ready to lend a helping
hand when there is a need of any kind. He is most worthy
recipient of this distinguished award,” said Frederick
Gottshall, a spokesman for the award committee.
Salwocki and his wife have two grown daughters, Cindi
Breakell and Kimberly Marfyak, and two grandchildren,
Scott and Emily Breakell, all of Harwinton.
For Photos
Soures:
Harwinton Historical Society Scrapbook
Republican American Newspaper
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