The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Chatham History Festival to honor Paul & Sandy’s Too
EAST HAMPTON — The Chatham Historical Society is planning its sixth annual Chatham History Festival Oct. 14, which this year will honor Paul and Sandy’s garden center, founded by Paul and Sandy Peszynski 48 years ago.
Three of the family’s three children, Jill, Karen and Dan, continue serving the community, according to a press release.
Paul Peszynski started selling vegetables at a stand that he and his father converted from an old chicken coop on Route 66. At that time, his main customers were people from New York City who came and rented cottages or stayed at one of the seven hotels that were on Lake Pocotopaug, according to Marty Podskoch, on behalf of the historical society.
Years later, Paul Peszynski married Sandy Flemke and they had four children: Mark, Jill, Daniel and Karen. Then Paul & Sandy opened a toy and sporting goods store with some home and garden supplies and named it Paul’s Home Supply, the same property where Paul sold fresh fruits and vegetables during his summers to pay for his college tuition as a young man, the release said.
As the years passed, Paul and Sandy found that the demand for toys and sporting goods declined, but the need for home and gardening supplies soared, and the transition to green goods and hardware was natural, according to the historical society.
Then, in 1984, the couple incorporated the business, and changed the name, since there were always customer questions as to why Sandy’s name wasn’t included in the name of the business, and Paul’s and Sandy’s Too, Inc. was born, the release said.
“In 1991, during one of the road trips to Vermont, husband and wife came across pumpkin-headed scarecrows along the side of the road. It stopped them in their tracks. They took pictures and their wheels started turning. What a fantastic way to drive some business in the fall, a time generally slow in the garden center business,” Podskoch said in the release.
In 1992, what is now known as Pumpkin Town USA was started. “First came a few pumpkin-headed people, then the town we all know and love. Most recently added, the Ride at Pumpkin Town that features a mile-long hayride through the woods with over 30 additional pumpkin heads and their dwellings. This local attraction hosts over 20,000 people during the short seven weeks it is open from the middle of September through Halloween,” Podskoch said.
“When Sandy’s breast cancer returned in 1993, they decided it was time to fully pass the torch to the children, so they could enjoy retirement together. Jill, Dan, and Karen took the reins and ran with them, finding strengths in all aspects of the business and working together to increase sales and their customer following. They took the values instilled in them by their parents, Paul and Sandy, about superior customer service, and how important it is to give back to the community that supports them,” Podskoch said.
In May 2007, Sandy lost her long battle with breast cancer and although the family was devastated, they decided to create a fund in her name, Podskoch said. The Sandy Peszynski Breast Cancer Foundation was created and today has raised over $325,000. In all, 100 percent of what is donated goes directly to the hospital’s cancer programs to help women.
The CHS Museum Complex will be open to the public free of charge for the event. The two museum buildings have a large display of artifacts illustrating East Hampton's history. There is a large display of bells produced at the Bevin Bell Factory and a huge array of toys made at the Gong Bell Co. and the N. N. Hill Brass Co. There is also a display of the witch hazel industry donated by the American Distilling Co.
Outside, under the large Lion’s Club tent, will be bands providing music throughout the afternoon. One of the bands featured will be Kevin Day’s Gigglejuice. There will be old-time crafts and farm demonstrations. There will also be old-time farm demonstrations and Kathy and George Reinholtz will have goats from their Dream Away Farms and goat soap will be for sale.
Fiber artisan Vivienne McGarry, who raises goats and sheep, will give spinning demonstrations. Lynn Krug of Gales Ferry will demonstrate her blacksmith skills.
The CHS will provide free doughnuts and apple cider. The Dublin Beef & Seafood Co. will be serving food provided by the Lucky Goat Butcher Shop.
The event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the CHS Museum complex at 6 Bevin Boulevard.
For information, call Marty Podskoch at 860-267-2442 or email podskoch@comcast.net.