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Nest 81, New Haven, Conn. Welcome to the Nest 81 home page. Check here for the latest updates regarding Nest 81 news and activities.
Member Spotlight [11/30/07] For Norman Babbitt, 78, the chance to volunteer and lend a hand in Thompson, Conn., can’t come fast enough. And on September 9, during Thompson Community Day opening ceremonies, he was recognized with a plaque giving him thanks for all the work he has done over the last year. Ever since Babbitt can recall, his family has been involved in the community. “Our family has always been helpful,” said Babbitt. Babbitt’s jobs and experiences have been numerous over the years. In June of 1957, he spent time working with a highway surveying group laying out the Connecticut Turnpike from the Rhode Island area all the way down to Plainfield, Conn. In the 1960s, he relocated to southwestern Connecticut and was employed in a teaching job at Eli Whitney Technical School in Hamden before leaving to return to the road projects that were occurring in the area. He became an assistant project engineer at Yale University for a short period of time before returning to the carpentry business. He finally settled in at Lee High School in New Haven, where he was offered a job teaching industrial arts. Babbitt retired in 1994; however, he did not retire from a life of service to others. “He came home after all those years of working,” state Rep. Shawn Johnston (D-North Grosvenordale) said at the Community Day event. “He didn’t come home to rest and be retired; he came home to work and make a difference.” Babbitt was unable to receive his award at the event because he attended a garden planting in memory of a lost friend. It was a fitting example of his dedication to family and friends and putting them in front of his own needs and moment in the sun. His brother, First Selectman A. David Babbitt, accepted the award on Norman’s behalf. Babbitt was awarded the Silver Star for his efforts as part of the Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group (TEEG) from 1997-2003. Currently he is an adjutant of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10088 in Quinebaug, as well as a member of the American Legion Post 67 in North Grosvenordale. Babbitt serves as Vice President of the Polish Falcons of America, Nest 81 in New Haven, and is the President of the Quiet Corner Self Help for Hard of Hearing people. In 2005, he was elected as “Mason of Year” by the Masonic Lodge in Thompson District 9A. He is also indirectly involved in several other programs, such as serving as a coordinator of the free hearing aide program in the Quiet Corner. Babbitt doesn’t see himself stopping any time soon. He hopes to live to 100 and continue helping others succeed. “If you help a person, you will feel super,” said Babbitt. His gratitude for the recognition is obvious. “I’m so thankful to all the people of Thompson.” Babbitt said. [Editor’s Note: The preceding article was first published on September 14 in The Thompson Villager and written by staff reporter Mason A. Wood.] Return to PFA Home Page |
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