To the editor:
You folks have probably heard all this before, but as a 1963 HA grad, my father, Dean Norcross, a 1936 grad and my grandfather, Ray Norcross almost graduated in the ‘20s (he was a treasured baseball pitcher for the HA team), I wanted to share my opinion (everyone has one!).
Regarding The Hardwick Academy Bell vote. I have voted to move it up to Hazen. What cemented my decision is that it really is a shame to hide the bell down at its present location where it is out of the main traffic and forgotten by most. I’d love to see it brought to Hazen and treated with the respect that it deserves as a historic bridge between Hardwick Academy and Hazen. Having the bell as a prominent part of the community would help to keep the spirit of HA alive. To further honor the wonderful story of how the Class of ’70 rescued the bell, maybe they would consider donating the money they have set aside for its maintenance and use it to build a beautiful new bell tower of its own. Even better, perhaps the HA/Hazen Alumni could get involved and help to raise the funds for a first-class presentation that would also make it easy to ring the bell for special occasions. I’d certainly donate to such a worthy fund.
I want to see the bell returned to active duty in the community rather than sit alone and forlorn in the bushes in that little park. Just think, 30 years from now when we and all the Class of ’70 are long gone, who will really take care of it? The town doesn’t own it and they may be too busy with town biz to bother with it. Maybe the alumni association could draft an agreement with Hazen setting out the conditions of the gift of the bell that would include a maintenance clause and anything else we thought would help secure the future of our treasured Hardwick Academy Bell?
Let’s see how this shakes out. I sure commend the alumni association for tackling this touchy (to some) issue. I just hate to see Hardwick Academy fade into oblivion in our rear view mirror as the years pass. I think Coach Aaron Hill has done a masterful job of honoring Hardwick Academy with his alumni basketball games.
Again many thanks to the Alumni Association for all your hard work on behalf of us old timer Hardwick Academy relics!
Rick Norcross
HA Class of 1963
Burlington
