Home Care In Riverton, CT

BARKHAMSTED — The Old Riverton Inn has stood the test of time, serving as a landmark in the town for more than 220 years.

And new owners Danamarie and Adam Towers intend to keep it that way.

The couple bought the inn last year and have since renovated the adjoining Royal Coachman Tavern.

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About the town’s reaction of support for what the couple is doing, Adam Towers said, “Every day. Every single day. We can’t just go to the post office or to the Riverton General Store… I mean phone calls… people are excited about what we’ve done to restore the building.”

Danamarie Towers grew up in Barkhamsted, and after a long career in the military, said she wanted to return to her home and give back to the community that raised her.

“We were looking for someone who had the desire and the enthusiasm we had when we first took over,” said Mark Telford, who with his wife, Pauline, bought the inn in 1979. “I think we hit the jackpot with these folks. I really couldn’t say enough good things about them.”

Adam Towers said he and Danamarie have a three-pronged approach to the business: renting the inn’s rooms to the guests, the tavern, and then the main dining room area. The dining area will be operated as both a restaurant and to rent out for events such as birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries and holidays.

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The couple said their main goal is to partner with other local residents and businesses to rejuvenate the area economically and return it the quaint bustle it had when Danamarie Towers was a child.

Through its history the inn has attracted many looking for a getaway, and famous faces, to this small New England town, known locally as Riverton.

Authors Harper Lee and David Halberstam; journalists Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw; and actors Kim Zimmer, Gary Burghoff, Tom Wopat, and Andre the Giant have all been guests in the past.

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, founders of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, rode in with a dozen of their friends on motorcycles one afternoon for lunch, according to Mark Telford.

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Mark and Pauline Telford also had run the bed and breakfast, operated a restaurant, and had the inn serve as a site for events such as weddings and private parties.

“Not only we’d book the weddings, but I’d officiate them, and then change quick and run in the back and help put the meals up,” said Mark Telford.

However, the Telfords slowly moved away from the tavern and served fewer and fewer meals and by the time of their retirement last summer , the inn had been running as only a bed and breakfast for several years.

For the Tavern’s reopening, the Towers partnered with Little Red Barn Brewers and Litchfield Distillery and will be selling their products in the Royal Coachman.

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The renovations thus far have cost the Towers about $225,000, the couple said. In addition to renovating the Royal Coachman Tavern, they replaced the roof, pained the exterior, and set up an “innkeeper suite” for themselves to live on the premises.

Adam Towers said all materials were locally obtained and all contract work is given to local residents. “Because we are going to be just that, a small local business and we wanted to give support the same organizations that are hopefully in turn going to support us,” he said.

“Well, we’ve had delays, obstacles, with trying to regenerate an older building. There are certain things that are required these days [that weren’t] previously,” Danamarie Towers said. “It’s been a learning project for both of us, what to do, what not to do, how to go about it.”

Their plan was to unveil the tavern in early April for guests only, and then to open it fully a short time later, on opening day for fishing. However, as with most businesses, COVID-19 had other plans.

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“When we very first got here and we hit the ground running, there would be five, 10 people a day who would stop in, and we’re still hearing it, the locals, the fishing community… They were chomping at the bit for us to open, so they’ve had some frustration as well. And they’re feeling our frustration as to why we can’t open,” said Danamarie Towers.

Now, the Towers plan to have a “soft opening” by opening for takeout during the quarantine, with a target date of May 22. After the state opens up fully once more, they have plans to continue to give back to Riverton.

Events and activities

“One of the things that we’ve talked about is a healthcare appreciation night after all of this is over, because our healthcare workers have been really going above and beyond during this whole pandemic,” said Adam Towers.

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“And again, we’ll have other events…to begin being a part of the community. [We are] planning on giving back to local veterans and organizations,” he said. “Also, with my wife being a graduate of Regional (school district 7), we’ll take a look at what’s going on up there and support them in any way that we can.”

Further, the plans include Mark Swenson of UpCountry Sportfishing in Farmington offering fly fishing lessons to Inn guests.

“For years it was come and go,” Swenson said of the inn. “There wasn’t a lot of activity, but it has been a center point on the river for a long time, especially for couples. And those couples want to do something, and that thing can be fly fishing. So, I’m happy to see it revived.”

Mark and Pauline Telford’s son, Erik Telford, noted the local popularity of fishing.

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“My dad helped me set up a hot dog stand in front of the inn on opening day of fishing,” Erik Telford recalled, “My friends and I were able to make several hundred dollars that weekend, and it was a tradition we continued for several more years.”

Pauline Telford recalled that, “The secret service came up to go fishing. I started talking to them and they go ‘we’re secret service.’ I go ‘oh, the place is in good hands.’”

Erik Telford next door to inn “was a great place to grow, especially with so many kids my age who lived nearby. I'm sure it caused my parents headaches on occasion, like the time in elementary school when we used the fire escape for flashlight tag — not realizing there were guests.”

The Towers are also partnering with Destination Wildlife, who will bring guests on nature walks to photograph local fauna. “We had a group here from New York before COVID, and they were here to photograph bobcat,” said Mrs. Towers.

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May 15, 2020|Updated May 18, 2020 1:02 p.m.

By Jack Hislop

Most Popular

4.

Police blotter

Tournament time

RIVERTON — It was a glorious mid-April morning along the West Branch of the Farmington River in the bucolic village of Riverton.

Fishermen and women, their families, friends and people just interested in watching large trout being hauled out of the river near the center of the tiny hamlet were out in abundance for the annual Riverton Fishing Derby.

Yep, it was Opening Day of the 2018 fishing season and one of the most treasured of fishing rituals was well underway with anglers of all ages hitting the water at 6 a.m. in search of trophy trout that had been stocked in the area around the former Hitchcock Chair factory.

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For almost 70 years, the derby has attracted not just locals ,but also fishermen from around the state and beyond to try their luck at landing a lunker rainbow, brown or golden trout and claim a prize.

For years, the derby was conducted and funded primarily by the Hitchcock Chair Co., but in recent years, leadership has been taken over by several organizations.

Fish (around 100) were purchased through donations by the Connecticut Horse Cremation, Farmington River Angler’s Association, HK Dairy Barn, the Northwest Sportsman’s Council and other local groups and individuals. This year, the Trophy Trout Club held its first pasta dinner fundraiser, which helped reach the goal of $10,000 to purchase the stocked fish. Prizes for the winners hauling in the largest fish in both an adult and youth competition, as well as raffle prizes, were donated by a number of local businesses.

The event, sponsored by the Riverton Historical Society, began with the traditional pancake breakfast at the Riverton Fire Department firehouse, followed by the derby from 6 to 10 a.m. Fish caught during that time frame were brought back for weigh-in at the station.

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Most of the adult anglers were lined up near a bridge that spans the Farmington River, while “Zak’s Pool” off School Street was designated for children 10 and under. Stocking of the fish took place Friday at 5 p.m. The Trophy Trout Club was there to hand out T-shirts to all kids who participated.

Zak’s Pool was opened three years ago and allows young children to fish without battling older fishermen for precious elbow room in the crowded area around the Riverton Bridge. Parents helped with the search for a big fish or merely hung out by their children and watched the action.

The derby is a generational event, with father and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers handing down their love of fishing and participation in the derby to their children and grandchildren.

“This is their first fishing derby and they are very excited to take part,” said Steve Evonsion of his 5-year old daughter, Dale, and 3-year-old son, Quinn. “Their grandfather has been taking part in the derby for many years and he got me involved in it as a youngster.”

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Twelve-year-old Tyler Landrette, of Plainville, was at his first Riverton derby and was enjoying the day. “I would fish every day if I could,” he said, as his mom, Audra Hebert, and uncle, Darryl Gagnon, watched.

Barkhamsted First Selectman Don Stein stopped by to check on the proceedings and pointed out the derby’s value to the town.

“It really is immeasurable what the derby means to the town. It’s a real boost for the area and brings in a lot of people from around the state to our small town each year.”

Gil Dube, the man behind opening up the stretch of land he owns on the Farmington River across from his home on School Street and creating the Kid’s Pool three years ago, had a smile on his face.

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“This really is the Daytona 500 of fishing derbies on opening day. We have that reputation around the state. We wanted the young kids to have a place to take part in the derby, so we opened up this space for them and it’s great.” He built an attractive wooden weigh station in memory of his son, Zachary, this year, and children gleefully posed with their catches as the fish hung on a hook under the sign.

Steve Scanlon, of Colebrook, was the man in charge, or as he said, “O-Fish-Al” spokesman, for the event.

“I’ve been doing this for about 10 years and its all volunteer. Things go pretty smoothly because we have people involved who have been helping out for several years and know what needs to be done. It’s great family fun.”

The grand prize winner was Zachary Reardon, who took home the coveted Hitchcock chair for his catch of a 6-pound, 1-ounce rainbow trout. Colin Beres won a rod, reel, net and tackle for taking the top prize in the youth competition with a 4-pound, 1-ounce rainbow.

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Unlike some other opening days, when light snow or a cold rain fell on the proceedings, Saturday’s skies were blue and the temperature late-spring-like, much to the delight of the hundreds of individuals who once again kept the spirit of family and fishing alive and well in Riverton.

Opening day of the trout fishing season is Saturday, and Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has the state’s rivers, streams, lakes and ponds stocked and ready.

Saturday is also the date for the Riverton Fishing Derby, a popular gathering in the village of Riverton in Barkhamsted on the west branch of the Farmington River. The derby starts with a pancake breakfast at 4 a.m. at the Riverton Firehouse, and concludes with prizes for the best fish.

The grand prize is a Hitchcock chair, which carries on a tradition of many years through the generosity of the Hitchcock Chair Company, whose retail store is in Riverton. In addition to the stenciled Hitchcock chair, other prizes include half-day guided fly fishing tours by Orvis as well as gifts from local merchants.

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On Friday, more than 100 trout are released into the river in Riverton. The fish were purchased through funds provided by the Farmington River Angler’s Association, the Trophy Trout Club from Bristol, the Connecticut Horse Cremation LLC and individual donors. The Barkhamsted Historical Society is also a sponsor this year.

The Trophy Trout Club has secured two sections of the river for the Kids Derby. Both sections are in Riverton. The new, second section provides a much easier access point for younger children, and a more open area to fish from. Members of the Trophy Trout Club will be on hand to assist children while they fish.

The derby, which is open to the public, begins at 6 a.m. at the sound of a bell and ends at 10 a.m. Contestants bring their catch to the Riverton Fire Department for the official weigh-in. Upriver from the Riverton Bridge, a section of the flowing waters is set aside for a “Kid’s Derby,” which is open to youths under the age of 16 who are able to hold their own fishing poles. Special prizes are awarded to these young contestants. For more information on the Riverton Fishing Derby, call the Riverton General Store at 860-379-0811.

Several organizations are also holding opening day events to fortify fishermen, women and children on Saturday.

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In New Hartford, South End Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual fisherman’s breakfast on Saturday from 4:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The buffet breakfast includes French toast, scrambled eggs, home fries, pancakes, bacon, sausage, coffee and juice. The cost is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children under 12, and free for children age 5 and under. Raffle prizes are included. The firehouse is located at Routes 202/219 at 20 Antolini Road, New Hartford.

The East Litchfield Volunteer Fire Company will hold its annual Cast Off Opening Day Fisherman’s Breakfast from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the East Litchfield Firehouse, 365 E. Litchfield Road, Litchfield. The all-you-can-eat breakfast is $8 for adults, $4 under 12. Door prizes have been donated by area merchants. Take-out meals are available and can be ordered by calling 860-482-1929.

Boy Scout Troop 1027 of Winsted will be near the Highland Lake Boat Launch on Opening Day from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. The Scouts will be offering a hard roll breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, ham or sausage for $5; and coffee and juice will be available. All fishermen and lake residents are welcome.

According to DEEP officials, 306,000 trout have already been released this spring into nearly 100 lakes and ponds and more than 120 rivers and streams located throughout Connecticut.

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The DEEP’s spring trout stocking effort began in late February and will continue through mid-May. When the spring stockings are completed, DEEP expects to have stocked approximately 530,000 trout.

“Opening Day is an exciting time for Connecticut’s many trout anglers, and they can look forward to a great fishing season,” said Susan Whalen, Deputy Commissioner of DEEP, in a written statement. “The fish are in excellent condition, our trout waters are stocked and anglers can enjoy a wide range of fishing options. Additionally, Opening Day is a special time for many families, the traditional first time to get outdoors together after winter.”

Among the best places for families to fish on Opening Day are the designated Trout Parks, according to the DEEP. “Trout Parks are easily accessible, have picnic areas and other amenities nearby, and are stocked frequently so that there are plenty of trout for children, families, and novice anglers to catch,” said Bill Hyatt, Chief of DEEP’s Bureau of Natural Resources, in a statement. “And as an added feature, families and young anglers will be able to help stock trout at eight of the Trout Parks on Opening Day. We have found that these stocking events are a real highlight for many families. Please come help us stock trout on Opening Day.”

Trout Parks are located at Black Rock Pond, Watertown; Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth; Great Hollow Pond/Wolfe Park, Monroe; Mohegan Park Pond, Norwich; Southford Falls State Park, Oxford; Stratton Brook State Park, Simsbury; Valley Falls Park Pond,Vernon; and Wharton Brook State Park in Wallingford. All the remaining Trout Parks will be re-stocked shortly after Opening Day and all will be stocked several times through May, DEEP officials said.

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Anglers can find more information on trout stocking online. A list of the waters that were dropped from this year’s stocking schedule is online at www.ct.gov/deep/fishing, along with an interactive trout stocking map that anglers could find useful for planning their next outing.

Anglers are advised that recent rains may affect their fishing plans for this weekend.

“Although the recent rains mean at least short term relief from the ongoing drought, it also means that some rivers and streams may be difficult to fish effectively or safely this weekend due to high flows,” said Aarrestad. “Anglers should definitely use extra caution if attempting to wade their favorite spots, and may need to consider fishing other locations.”

Anglers are reminded that they can find real time stream flow information from over 60 U.S. Geological Survey gauging stations by checking the USGS website.

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Many trout fishing areas have special regulations, including Trout Parks, Trout Management Areas, Trophy Trout Streams, Sea-Run Trout Streams and Wild Trout Management Areas. Anglers should consult the 2017 CT Angler’s Guide for detailed information on specific locations and angling regulations. Printed versions of the 2017 Angler’s Guide are now available at more than 350 locations statewide, including town halls, bait & tackle shops and other vendors selling outdoor equipment, DEEP facilities, and commercial marinas and campgrounds. Fishing and fisheries related information can be found on the DEEP web site.

DEEP Fisheries and Wildlife information can also be found here on Facebook and features a variety of information on fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching in Connecticut. For a complete list of fishing license vendors, visit the DEEP website (www.ct.gov/deep/fishing) or call DEEP Licensing and Revenue at 860-424-3105.

RIVERTON — The 71st Riverton Fishing Derby will be held April 10 on the West Branch of the Farmington Riverton.

“It was disappointing to so many that due to Covid the 2020 derby did not happen,” event organizers said in a statement. “But the tradition continues this year we are ready to go.”

The derby is sponsored by the Barkhamsted Historical Society. The event begins with the traditional pancake breakfast at 4 a.m., which is held at the Riverton Fire Department.

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The fishing derby begins at 6 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m. Contestants bring their catches to the Riverton Fire Department for the official weigh-in.

The grand prize is a Hitchcock chair donated by Hitchcock Chair Company in Riverton. In addition, other great prizes will be provided by private donors as well as local merchants.

“This year, we were saddened with the passing of Roberta Petit, who with her husband Ed Petit, owned and operated the Riverton General Store for more than 20 years,” according to the statement. “Roberta was instrumental in the planning and preparation for the Riverton Fishing Derby event, and this year we would like to dedicate the derby in her memory. As young fishermen coming with our parents we remember them and their dedication to this derby. We will be holding a dedication ceremony prior to awarding prizes at the Riverton Firehouse.”

The derby will have sections for young adults and kids exclusively, with an area for fishing for age 16 and under, at the town bridge. Upriver from the bridge off School Street will be designated for kids 10 and under at Zak’s Pool.

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Members of the Trophy Trout Club will be on hand to provide guidance for children and their families and prizes will be handed out. They will also hand out T-shirts to the chidren.

Carl Swanson, who is the Trout in the Classoom & Youth Education Chair for Trout Unlimited will be on hand with many of his TU Colleagues to also offer their help.

The derby committee thanked Supreme Industries, Farmington River Anglers Association, Royal Coachman-Old Riverton Inn, Laurel City Towing, James D. Iannone, The Riverton General Store, Innovative Lawn and Landscaping, The Town of Barkhamsted, NWCT Trout Unlimited, Nadeau Brothers, TLC Landscaping, Perfect Temp, Canton Well Drilling, Nate Dube and Scott Pare for their support, and a special thanks to everyone who put a dollar in the jar at the Riverton General Store.

Fish stocking will take be done at 5 p.m. April 9. “Over the past few years we have been encouraged by all the parents bringing their kids to assist with the stocking,” the committee said. “We do ask tjat masks are worn and we will have them available to hand out.

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For information on the derby, call the Riverton General Store at 860-379-0811.

BARKHAMSTED — Riverton Grange #169 held its 13th monthly veterans salute on June 5 to an overflow crowd, when the American flag was retired in honor of the May Veteran of the Month, U.S. Navy World War II Veteran Edward A. Sweeney, and raised in honor of U.S. Navy Cold War veteran Danamarie Towers.

Riverton American Legion Post #159 Commander Timothy Sweeney, son of veteran Edward A. Sweeney and an Army veteran, presented the retired American flag to his father on behalf of the president of the United States and a grateful nation for his father’s service, according to grange president Dave Roberts.

Roberts presented a shadow box, carrying bag, and framed certificate signed by National Grange President Betsy Huber to retired Edward Sweeney, who was accompanied to the event by his wife.

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The June 2022 honoree is U.S. Navy Cold War Veteran Danamarie Towers, who served from February 1983 to February 2005. Towers is the first female veteran honored under this initiative. Her mother attended the ceremony from Maine, along with other friends and relatives.

“Her husband Adam Towers spoke eloquently and emotionally about how proud is he of his wife’s service to our nation both while on active duty and in retirement when she continued to serve other veterans when she was an employee of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,” Roberts said. “Towers told one story about how his wife helped secure an emotional service dog for a veteran with PTSD. He also shared that his wife’s service to veterans was one of the many attributes that attracted her to him when they met in Maine.”

“Each month, we are hearing of true heroic acts of service by men and women who sacrificed all for our freedom. For May and June, we have seen and met generations of veterans, one from World War II and one from the Cold War, one man and one woman, who both cherish this nation and want to make sure that no one forgets the sacrifices that the few make for the many,” Roberts said. “Riverton Grange is so pleased to offer this community building opportunity each month with the support from so many other local groups.”

Riverton Grange, Barkhamsted Lions, and Barkhamsted Seniors also sold poppies and presented American Legion Post #159 with the proceeds of their poppy sales.

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The range started hosting monthly Veteran Salute ceremonies in July 2021 at the recommendation of American Legion National Committeeman Joe Jackson of New Hartford and the attendance has grown steadily each month. This month was the largest attendance yet, with close to 80 in attendance to the standing-room-only event, Roberts said.

The ceremonies are hosted in partnership with the Riverton American Legion Post #159 Honor Guard, Town of Barkhamsted and First Selectman Don Stein, singer Lorraine Paul, Barkhamsted Senior Center, and the Barkhamsted and Northwestern CT Cyber Lions Clubs. Royal Coachman Tavern at the Old Riverton Inn underwrote the costs for the first two years of the program.

On the first Sunday of each month, a new local area veteran is selected by Riverton Grange. An American flag is flown for one month in honor of the veteran or their family. The following month, the veteran or their family is presented with the flag, a shadow box for displaying the flag, and a Certificate of Appreciation signed by the National Grange President.

The 14th scheduled ceremony is on Sunday, July 3, at 6 PM at the Barkhamsted Senior Center. If you would like to nominate a veteran, living or deceased, from the local region, contact Riverton Grange President Dave Roberts at 858-775-9241 or [email protected].