Carolyn Scribner
Carolyn Scribner was born and raised in Weston to an entrepreneurial family that literally helped build the town: her father, three houses, and her mother’s father a campground called “Wessel’s Bungalows.” It was a time when Weston was truly rural and growing up meant swimming in ponds, picking wildflowers, and visiting area farms. She went to work part-time at age 14 at a hot dog stand in Georgetown where two years later she would meet her future husband. After their son was born she returned to work part-time at restaurants in Norwalk and Wilton, each for ten years. She still loves visiting farms and their animals and has fond memories of traveling here and abroad with her mother.
Portrait by Julie O’Connor
Photo album
Carolyn's mother in front of the "Big House," with the front porch and twin maples in the background. Her parents had bought the house in 1921; this photo was taken in 1952.
An old carriage house on the original property that was later taken apart, its lumber salvages for building a house for her mother's brother and his wife.
The old smoke house on the property was never used.
An original business card, post card size, for her grandfather Wessel's egg delivery business. He and his three sons – her mother's brothers -- each had a route.
In 1924, her mother's father and his three brothers began to build bungalows on the property, calling it "Wessel's Camp." A few more were added each year until there were twenty. The venture had to close in 1942 because " there wasn't even gas or tires and the husbands and sons went into the armed services."
Grandfather Wessel in 1931 with his grandchildren, Buddy and Genevieve Wessel. Georgetown Road (Route 57) in the background.
Carolyn's mother's brother, George Wessel, with the community building he built in the background. It was used as a dance hall for the Wessel's Camp.
A 1988 letter written by Jim Hoe, one of the founders of the Weston Historical Society, to Carolyn's mother, seeking information on the family's campground.
A 1932 photo of her mother's graduation class, taken at the old Weston Town Hall, which later burned down. She is in the second row, far right.
The 25th wedding anniversary for her parents. From left to right, Father, brother John, mother, Carolyn, and sisters Jackie, and Regina.
Carolyn, pulling the wagon, and her two sisters, taken in front of the original house. Also in the photo is one of the two large maple trees in the yard after which her brother John's "Twin Maples" landscaping business was named. John still lives in this house.
Carolyn pulling her sister Jackie by the "Big House."
Waiting for the bus on the first day of Kindergarten, 1950. Left to right: Ellen Wilson, Linda Gradia, Carolyn, and Anne-Marie Hedge.
First grade school photo, 1951, six years old and in "Miss Moore's" class.
A 1953 Girl Scout calendar records the days.
A typical month, showing the rotation of chores among the three sisters.
The notation for April 13 shows "Cookie – Carolyn's nickname – got the mumps."
Another month showing the rotation of chores. Carolyn notes, "if you didn't finish your food you had to do the dishes."
The back page of the 1953 calendar
In April, 1953, at age 8, Carolyn stayed home with the mumps. To help cheer her up, her teacher and classmates wrote "get well" letters, including this one from Karin Giannitti, who also still lives in Weston.
The letter of commiseration from Carolyn's teacher. She received eight additional letters from her classmates.
As a Brownie while in grade school, 1952.
Eighth grade report card.
Back of report card.
Inside of report card.
Cover of the 1960 school yearbook, the year she graduated from 9th grade, which was then still considered Junior High. There was no high school in Weston at the time, so 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students all went to Staples High School in Westport.
Weston Junior High's class of 1960 graduation photo. Carolyn, whose maiden name is Gecinceis, is in the front row, 13th from the left.
Weston Junior High's class of 1960 graduation program.
Carolyn's son, Steven, in 1971 at 8 years old and in his cub scout uniform.
Carolyn in one of her favorite places: her vegetable garden. This squash was entered into the Grange Fair sometime in 1976.
In this photo taken in 1974, George Guidera, then a member of the State Legislature and later Weston's First Selectman (1987-1999), is shown auctioning off vegetables and flowers left over at the end of the day at the Grange Fair. Comments Carolyn, "Mom and I won many ribbons for both flowers and veggies. She even made a dress out of the ribbons."
A souvenir photo of Carolyn and her mother in1986 during a Caribbean cruise aboard the SS Americanus. The palm hats were bought on either St. Lucia or Guadaloupe.
Carolyn and her mother disembarking from the "Oceanic Independence" while on a Hawaiian cruise, 1981.
Dressed for dinner aboard the "Oceanic Independence."