AUGUST
21, 2005 --
LPR
attended an evening of reminiscences of the devastation that
Hurricane Diane, following by a few days, on Hurrican Connie,
caused in Winsted and many other towns in Connecticut, Pennsylvania
and New York, fifty years ago.
The Winsted week of remembrance began August 15 at the Elks Lodge, with speakers
recalling their experiences the night of August 19. Dan Smith is one of the
heroes of that terrible night, having helped in an attempt to rescue flood
victims.
Mr. Smith, a retired government official, traveled to Winsted for this anniversary
from Washington, D.C., where he is president of Smith and Associates.
David J. Leshay traveled from Belleview, Florida to talk about Maney Leshay,
his grandfather and one of Winsted's seven flood victims.
Mr. Leshay told LPR that his grandfather came to Winsted in 1920, where he
opened a news store, seeking better opportunjities for his family, moving them
from Brooklyn. And 35 years later, going to work at his store, flood waters
swirled around his car, carrying it away -- drowning the popular Mr. Leshay.
Official speakers included State Rep. George Wilbur who presented flood anniversary
committee-person Candy Perez a citation from the Connecticut General Assembly
honoring Winsted for the spirit of endurance it has exemplified.
Mr. Wilbur also recounted, as did other
speakers, how the people of Winsted pitched in and helped their neighbors --
and how the Elks Lodge opened its doors to businesses that had been wiped out
at their Main Street locations.
The spirit of Winsted, not the aggrandizers, should be the example of democratic
free enterprise -- and guide to candidates seeking to lead us.
|