Ware’s Santa is Man of the Year

By Ruth Lyon
Turley Publications Reporter

WARE – Santa Claus, the big guy with the white beard, twinkling eyes, and generous heart, is known for surprising folks. But this time, the surprise was on him. Richard Fulton, known through the area Santa Claus, was honored Tuesday as Ware Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year.
Close to 100 Rotarians, town, business and state officials, and friends gathered at Debby Wong’s restaurant to honor the man who exemplifies volunteerism in this community.
Marcia Vadnais, Ware Rotary Club president, said the choice was easy. “He exemplifies our motto, “Service above self. He is always stepping up to the plate and giving 150 percent of himself. We’re proud to be able to pay tribute to such an outstanding citizen. In the words of Calvin Coolidge, “No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”
It was a feel-good occasion. The room filled with cheerful well-wishers before Richard “Dick” Fulton and his wife of 52 years, Lorraine arrived. Their daughter Karen and her husband, Bob MacAllister had arrived from Chester, VT to participate in the celebration. “I was born on Christmas Eve,” Karen smiled, “ and of course I still believe in Santa Claus. Why shouldn’t I? He’s my dad.” An obviously surprised Fulton was greeted with hugs and applause.
As people lined up for the buffet, the family related their tale of Christmases past. Karen was aged four, they related, when a local charitable organization asked Dick to play Santa at a Christmas party.  He readily agreed. In one of the many photo albums they’ve since filled, they say, is a photo of that occasion, which appeared in the Ware River News. A four-year-old Karen is, in time-honored tradition, confiding her fondest wishes to white-bearded Santa. She was unaware that his other, more familiar name was “Dad.”
Dick’s performance must have been great. “I’ve been a December widow ever since, that’s more than 30 years,” says his wife, Lorraine. “I just accept that whatever I’m doing in December, I’ll be doing alone.” Santa Claus now dons his red suit for more than 30 groups and organizations every December. He does it, he says, for fun. He has never accepted remuneration for these or other charitable enterprises, such as the annual Shirley Batsie “roses for cancer” program. He travels to the Leeds Hospital in Northampton for Santa’s visits, and his appearances on Ware’s Public Access television are notable.
Stanley Ciukaj, general manager of Ware Community ‘’access TV, says he’s already reserved Dick’s appearance for next December, “and every year after that, if he’ll come.” For at least 10 years, Dick has starred in a two-hour “phone Santa” program. Kids of all ages call in to speak with Santa live, discuss their fondest wishes, and share confidences and Christmas spirit with Old Saint Nick.
The Ware Rotary Club has been proffering citizen of the year awards since 1980. “We like to recognize people who make a difference in the community, said Jeri Vadnais, rotary past president and co-chair with Gail Moryl of the citizen of the year selection committee. “Dick is an outstanding person in this community. It was certainly an easy choice.” Surveying the filled-to- capacity room, she said, “he is just such a loved and loving man. We can’t say enough about him and what he contributes to community life. Look at these people. They’re here because they love and appreciate him. He’s just unique.”
In presenting the award, she read from a list of Dick’s numerous contributions to community life.
State Rep. Anne Gobi presented awards as well, commented on the number of constituents he’d held on his lap in more than 30 years. “ I was one of them,” she said.
Dick, in response, was brief. Expressing his appreciation to all, he remarked that he’d had help, over the years, that he continues to enjoy his red-suited role, and that “It’s time to get together with my seamstress again.”
Gobi evidently struck a chord with her closing remark, saying “volunteers don’t get paid because they’re worthless, but because they’ve priceless.”

Entertainment license violations alleged at Snow’s

By Melissa Fales
Turley Publications Reporter

WARE – Following a public hearing during their Feb. 3 meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted to consult town counsel regarding alleged violations of the entertainment license granted to Snow’s Restaurant.

The alleged violations occurred during the owner’s private Christmas party held at the establishment on Sunday, Dec. 14. Police Chief Dennis Healey testified that at approximately 10:50 p.m. that evening, two officers responded to Snow’s Restaurant to investigate a noise complaint. Pleasant Street resident Carol Zins testified that she called the police that night because the music coming from the establishment was so loud she could hear it from inside her house.

A report filed by responding Officer Ray Chartier stated that the music was audible from outside the building, a violation of the entertainment license. The officers asked owner Joseph Novitsky to turn down the music, but after waiting approximately 5 minutes, heard no discernible change in the volume. The officers asked again Novitsky to turn the music down once again, and this time he did.

In addition to the entertainment license explicitly stating that music should not be loud enough to be heard from outside the building, neighbors complained that the entertainment license specified that music could be played as late as 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights only. The incident occurred on a Sunday.

“They can do anything they want before 11 p.m., but after that we’d like to get some sleep,” said Susan Blodgett, who lives directly across Pleasant Street from the restaurant.

Blodgett said this situation is exactly what the neighborhood feared might happen when Novitsky applied for the entertainment license 5 years ago. She said a petition against granting the license with 50 signatures from neighboring residents was presented at the time of his application. Healey also testified that Blodgett had received a prank phone call at 11:20 p.m. the night of the incident and that the caller I.D. showed that the call came from Snow’s Restaurant.

He said that the police recorded it as an annoying phone call. Chairman Gerald L. Matta asked Novitsky if he could explain the call. Novitsky said he could not, but that there were 100 people at the party and any one of them might have dialed Blodgett’s number.

Novitsky complained that he was not receiving the same treatment that any other citizen of Ware holding a private party in their home would receive. He said he lives in a small apartment above the restaurant and considers the restaurant an extension of his residence.

He claimed he received verbal permission to have private parties within the establishment from a previous select board. Healey said the bar and the restaurant are licensed under the liquor laws.

“It’s not considered part of your residence under that law,” said Healey. “You have to abide by those regulations.”

Selectman John A. Desmond told Novitsky that whether or not the law considers the restaurant part of his residence, the bigger issue was the noise. “You still can’t disturb your neighbors,” he said.

Selectwoman Melissa D. Weise asked Novitsky if he had any documented permission from the previous board. Novitsky said he was told he didn’t need anything in writing. Chris DiMarzio of nearby Dora Street said the Novitskys “have been good neighbors.”

He asked the board to take into consideration that the alleged violation did not occur while the establishment was open for business. DiMarzio said that the private setting “seems like a gray area where a misunderstanding might have taken place.” After a full hour of testimony, Weise made a motion to take Buelow-Cascio’s suggestion to bring the situation to town counsel before the board ruled.

“There are too many layers to this,” Weise explained. The board will ask for town counsel’s written opinion as to whether or not a business owner holding their own private party within that business, which is physically connected to their residence, must follow the regulations of that establishment’s entertainment license. The board will have 30 days to make their decision on the matter.