Centennial Ornament Available in Norfolk

On the occasion of the celebration of the centenary of the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department, Chief Steve Osborne presents First Selectman Susan Dyer with the first Centennial Ornament.

The decoration itself spans the period from the beginning to the present. In the background is that portion of the Royal Arcanum Building located in the center of town at the corner of Station Place and John Curtiss Road. A syndicate headed by Frederick M. Shepard, a prominent businessman and benefactor of the growing department, built the Arcanum in 1905. He had the building crafted in such a way that the early apparatus was housed on the ground floor and the bell was installed in the cupola.

In the forefront of the ornament is a depiction of a recently acquired truck—Pumper Number 3. The drive to purchase this pumper was spearheaded by Chief Bill Kelley. "Engine 30" arrived in town in December 1995. Kelley, the beloved chief and leader of the department, passed away shortly after the pumper arrived at the "new" firehouse on Shepard Road. It accompanied him to his final place of rest.

This ornament symbolizes the willingness of the firemen and officers of the department to safeguard the lives and property of the town over a span of one hundred years. The NVFD Centennial Committee designed the decoration as a tribute to their colleagues, past and present, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the department.

The ornament is available throughout the coming year and is on sale at the Norfolk Pharmacy, the National Iron Bank, Great Impressions Beauty Shop, and the Norfolk Town Hall. For more info call 542-5485.