Each year, the Tariffville Village Association honors Tariffville residents  who are long time volunteers in the Village or Town of Simsbury.  This year, Mona and Richard Martinik  have been chosen as Tariffville’s Citizens of the Year.  They will be honored at the Village Festival on October 11, 2008.

Mona, a nurse from Canada came to Stamford  to work and met Richard, who worked for Bartlett Tree Service.  They married and had five children.  Mona longed to live near relatives in Hartford, so Richard asked for a transfer closer to Hartford. In the summer of 1966, Richard could hardly wait to tell Mona and the children about the adorable house he had found for rent in a little village called Tariffville.  The previous tenants had moved out because they had two children and it was too small .  Mona recalls the astonished looks on the neighbors faces when their  five children piled out of the car. In 1974, they were finally able to purchase the  house they  loved so much  and even added an extra bedroom.  They have been in that home for 41 years.

The 70’s were hard times for Richard and Mona, who supplemented their income with Mona doing nursing duties on weekends, Richard  doing independent tree work and both of them working nights cleaning offices.  Richard gratefully resolved a problem during his successful association with AA, where he and Mona made many friends and learned the value of the support of volunteers and each other.

All five of the Martinik children attended Tariffville School and graduated from Simsbury High School.  It was during these years Mona started volunteering  for PTA activities and made friends with every one she met.
 
Both Mona and Richard have been active members of Saint Bernard’s Church, where they maintained the food pantry for many years.  Mona ran the Bingo every Friday night for 15 years.  She is also the past President of Saint Bernard’s Ladies Guild, past Secretary, and the first Historian. Mona organized the childrens’ Christmas caroling for local residents, especially shut-ins.  Once again great life long friendships were formed.

Mona was a member of the Tariffville Fire Auxilliary and was the parade marshall.  Mona claims she never did know her right foot from her left, but it worked, as they won so many trophies.

As the children grew, Mona went to work for the Simsbury School system and serviced all the schools in Simsbury as a paraprofessional in Special Education. While at Squadron Line School she formed an afternoon after school homework club.  Mona is now retired after 28 years.

Richard later worked for Warner Landscaping, then went on to work for The Town of Simsbury Parks and Recreation Department until he retired to pursue a career that changed his life and the lives of his family.   Richard became nationally known, when, at the age of 52 he announced to the world that he could not read.  The following is taken from a 1985 Hartford Courant article: “A functional illiterate since his youth, Martinik says he learned to read two years ago using a nationally marketed educational program ‘Hooked On Phonics’.  “  Richard signed a contract to be the national spokesperson for the program and appeared on radio and TV.  In this article, Richard is quoted as saying he hid his reading problem all his life by acting unruly, and his illiteracy not only created poor self esteem, but contributed to family and financial problems, and alcoholism.  Richard, a 10th grade drop out and Korean War Veteran travelled around the country earning a nice salary speaking about illiteracy at schools, prisons and companies in an attempt to reach people nationwide who are functionally illiterate.  

Richard and Mona taught reading and writing to inmates at Webster in Cheshire as volunteers, using Hooked On Phonics”.  Together Mona and Richard ran a yearly book drive called “Food For Thoughts” and collected over 30,000 books because of the generous response from the wonderful citizens of Simsbury and Tariffville.  They became involved with “Books To Dreams”, an Illiteracy program from Manchester who distributes books all over the state to hospitals, families and homeless shelters. Mona and Richard no longer physically carry and collect the books but remain active in a supervisory role, organizing the volunteers who collect and distribute the books. (Mona had heart surgery in 2006). Richard had a phone line “Illiterates United” for anyone who wants to talk or learn to read. Mona and Richard have both appeared on “Late Night TV” in Hartford to promote Illiteracy programs.

For years, Richard appeared on Simsbury TV reading “The Night Before Christmas” to his grandchildren.

In 1987, Richard caused a stir in town when he got on his “SOAP BOX”  and announced his write-in candidacy for Board of Selectman.  As a town employee, Martinik had several problems with the administration at the time, and wanted his voice to be heard.  To finance his campaign he invited the public to throw refundable bottles and cans on his front lawn.  He did not win the election, but he was definitely heard.

Richard is a past member of the Simsbury Lions Club in which he served a term as President.  Mona and Richard volunteered for many Lions Club projects over the years, and continue to volunteer for the yearly Holiday Party for the Special Needs children of the greater Hartford area sponsored by the club.  

Today finds Mona and Richard volunteering for something every day.  Mona is active in the Senior Center, and in the Social Service Department. She takes part in a clothing drive with other volunteers and distributes clothing throughout  the year. She also volunteers for an annual “Christmas Luncheon” for the female veterans at Rocky Hill. Mona adds that help is needed for all of these projects and she would welcome calls to help.   Mona is on the Simsbury Commission for Aging and Disabilities and is the Senior Community Center Assessment person. 

Now in his retirement, Richard spends his time maintaining his property and adjacent properties.  He hopes to be able to beautify Saint Bernard’s Cemetery with the help of volunteers.  Mona says, “You really don’t think about it too much until you have loved ones resting there.” Hard times hit in 2006 when Mona and Richard lost a daughter, and again in 2008 when their son passed away.  They were overwhelmed by the outpouring of caring from Simsbury and the Village. Mona says “with Faith, Family and Friends you can get through difficult times. “  Mona and Richard spend a great deal of time with their 7 grandchildren.

Please join Richard and Mona at the Tariffville Village Festival on October 11 at noon to honor them for years of volunteerism and community involvement.  Come and share stories and experiences from  past and present times. The Festival will be held rain or shine under tents.