Windham seeks nominations for 2023 Cupid
Jan. 30—WINDHAM — The town of Windham is seeking nominations for the 2023 Romantic Willimantic Cupid, the town's highest civic honor.
The annual tradition recognizes one or more individuals in the Windham/ Willimantic community who have given back to the community.
Nominations must be submitted by Friday, Feb. 3. by 4 p.m.
"Cupid's main goal is to spread happiness and good will," said Windham Mayor Thomas DeVivo, whose mother, Mary Lou DeVivo, was the 2009 Cupid.
Cupid will be chosen by the town council.
The 42nd Cupid will be announced during an event on Valentine's Day, which falls on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
The event begins at 10 a. m. at the senior/ community center, which is at 1 Jillson Square. People can listen to the crowning ceremony live on WILI radio, 1400 AM.
The first cupid, WILI radio host Wayne Norman, will announce the Cupid on the radio.
Cupid is one of many unique traditions in Willimantic, which also hosts the Boom Box Parade, the town's Fourth of July celebration, and the Romantic Willimantic Chocolate Festival.
The Chocolate Festival, which is being held on Feb. 11 this year, is a Valentine's Day celebration.
" We're a funky little community with a lot of great things," DeVivo said, speaking about the traditions in Windham.
Cupid will have two main duties: marching in the Boom Box Parade and lighting the Christmas tree during the tree lighting ceremony, which is held the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
During the crowning ceremony, Cupid will be presented with various gifts, including a sash, business cards, bow and arrow and more.
This is the first time the public can attend the Cupid crowning since 2021.
Due to the pandemic, the announcement was made only on the WILLI morning show the past two years.
In 2021, Windham area healthcare workers and first responders were recognized as a group and in 2022, local philanthropist David Foster was named Cupid.
" I'm very excited to be in- person again," DeVivo said.
Nominations can be e- mailed to windhamrec@ windhamct. com, by submitting the online form, which is available at https:// bit.ly/405QqPh, or by mail.
Nominations can be mailed to the Windham Recreation Department at 1 Jillson Square, Willimantic, CT 06226.
More information about the Cupid crowning is available by e-mailing windhamrec@ windhamct.com.
Past cupids are: Norman, 1982; Claire Meikle, 1983; Dick Nassiff Sr., 1984; Mary Josephs, 1985; Harold Hanka, 1986;
Michelle Warren — Staff
Ron Pires, 1987; Laura Knott-Twine, 1988; David Carter, 1989; Bill Pike, 1990; Kathy Clark, 1991; Cora Moore, 1992; Merle Risley and Lynn Duvall, 1993; Don Berkowitz, 1994; Shawn Maynard, 1995; Bob Mustard, 1996; Bill Anthony and Ruth Ridegway, 1997; Erni Kuter, 1998; Bev York, 1999; Linda Riquier, 2000; Ray Aramini, 2001; Ray Kaplitz, 2002; Jean de Smet, 2003; Virginia Darrow and Jason Altieri, 2004; Rosa Tirado, 2005; Robert Horrocks and Pam Horrocks, 2006; Ernie Eldridge, 2007; Lynn White, 2008; Mary Lou DeVivo, 2009; Linda Sypher, 2010; Steve Kenton and Faith Kenton, 2011; Bruce John, 2012; Karen Gilbransen, 2013; Munere " Mooney" Haddad, 2014; John Lescoe and Brian Crudden, 2015; David Wollner, 2016; Yolanda Negron and Sandy Reed, 2017; James Baran, 2018; Joseph Rasicott, 2019; Alicia Rivera, 2020; Windham area healthcare workers and first responders, 2021 and David Foster, 2022.
Follow Michelle Warren on Twitter — @mwarrentc.
