Picture Enfield - Then And Now

ENFIELD, CT — Today's installment of this periodic Enfield history series, courtesy of the Facebook group Picture Enfield, features a look back at the Bicentennial parade in Enfield in 1976. It is somewhat timely, given that one of the dignitaries shown in the photo is former U.S. Senator and onetime Connecticut governor Lowell Weicker, who died earlier this week at age 92.

In 1976, Enfield hosted one of the state's largest parades commemorating America's 200th birthday. Weicker marched down Route 5 alongside state Rep. Dick Cressotti and U.S. Rep. Toby Moffett.

I just can't let this picture go without some editorial comments about the fashion trends, or lack thereof, at the time.

Weicker chose to don a pair of lovely red slacks, and Moffett's three-piece brown suit ensemble with matching brown heeled shoes are permanently entrenched in the "Were these ever actually in style?" Hall of Fame. The area they are walking past has not changed much in the past 47 years, though I'm sure the Volkswagen Bus is long gone.

Here is a more current view of the site.

Last week's trivia answer:
Last week's question was, "What academic distinction in Enfield is held by Mary Blaszko?" The answer: she was the valedictorian of the first graduating class of Enrico Fermi High School in 1972. Gigi Landry was the first person to provide the correct answer, and David Henry embellished his response with, "A kind and gentle soul who went on to do great things as a nurse professional." She is pictured below delivering her valedictory address in the Traces yearbook supplement, courtesy of the Enfield Historical Society.

This week's trivia question:
Getting back to the Bicentennial parade, below is a shot of Vern Uhlinger, owner of Vern's Power Equipment in Scitico, pulling the North Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce float behind a Bolens 20hp tractor. Ignoring the red polyester shirt with white polka dots, the question is: how many full-grown adults at one time can comfortably surf on that tie? Directions: leave your answer in the comments section here on the story, not on a Facebook page, and not via email. Have fun!

Do you have a non-copyrighted photo from a former Enfield business that no longer exists? Email it to tim.jensen@patch.com and we may feature it in an upcoming column.