Record Number at Cheshire Chamber Expo

Hitting the 12 year mark, the Home, Garden and Business Expo on Saturday offered raffles, giveaways and lots of information for residents who visited the free event. It was sponsored by the town's Beautification Committee.

Chamber President Sheldon Dill said a record number of vendors, 54, displayed their wares at Cheshire High School during the day-long event.

New this year were antique appraisals by Bernie McManus of Southbury who supplied the monetary value of objects ranging from an old shotgun to a grandfather clock. McManus said he has been in the antique business for more than 40 years.

Expo committee co-chairman Gary Kosienski of Kosienski Construction LLC said chamber volunteers start planning the annual event in January. "The numbers are up considerably," he said about attendance. He spent the day giving away free bird houses at his booth outside the main entrance. They were made of reclaimed wood, a "green" use, Kosienski noted.