Cindy Coture

By Lynne Ober

Cindy and Mike Couture have lived in Litchfield for eleven and a half years. During that time Cindy has been an active volunteer in town. “We love Litchfield for its rural qualities and for the close-knit community. It’s a great place to raise kids,” Cindy said.

Her three children are all enrolled in Litchfield schools. Jenny, the oldest, is a senior at Campbell High School. “We’ve been doing the whole college thing this year,” laughed Cindy. “That takes a lot of time.”

Brad is a tenth grader at Campbell and the youngest, Stefanie, is a fifth grader. “Stef’s classroom is in one of the portables that we had to install this year to relieve the crowded conditions of our schools.”

Cindy was originally appointed to a one-year term on Litchfield’s School Board and, when that year was over, ran and was elected to a three-year term on the Board. During that time she also served as Chairman of the Combined SAU 27 School Board as well as performing many duties on the Litchfield Board.

When she was defeated for a second term, Cindy began taping the School Board meetings for the Cable Committee. She also tapes school events such as musical presentations. Because of this work, she was appointed to the Cable Committee and was just re-appointed to a second term on that committee.

Cindy ran again for the School Board and was elected. She is serving the Board as Budget Committee Representative for the second year. “The continuity and history really help when you are working with the Budget Committee. They ask detailed questions and I frequently have to draw on my historical Board knowledge,” she stated.

Cindy served as Secretary for the School Board’s Space Needs Committee and was very active last year in developing alternatives to relieve the school crowding issues. Working with the Webmaster, Cindy made minutes and reports of this committee’s work available for all Litchfield residents to review.

Once the Space Needs Committee made its report and disbanded, Cindy continued working on the process and is chairing the School Board Building Committee.

Cindy’s passion is gardening and the results of her efforts can be seen in the grounds around her home. “I have all kinds of gardens; a shade garden, a vegetable garden, a naturalized garden, an herb garden, and a perennial garden. Right now I’m experimenting with a garden filled with plants with silver and purple foliage. It’s great fun. I can’t wait for the spring to try out some of my new ideas.” Cindy laughs, “I think I’ve tried at least one of every plant that grows in our climate.”

Cindy earned a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition. “I worked as an Associate Dietitian before my children were born.”

Cindy began substitute teaching a few years ago. “I love the middle age and high school age students – especially the middle school. They are lots of fun – bold and upfront with their ideas.”

Substitute teaching has led Cindy to establish a long-term goal of getting a Master’s degree in Science so that she can teach Science. “My Bachelor’s degree required a lot of chemistry and other sciences. I really liked those courses and know that I’d enjoy teaching science.” With one child entering college next fall and another just two years behind, this may be a long-term goal.

“We belong to the Litchfield Community Church and are very involved there. I’m a Sunday School Superintendent and have taught Sunday School since I was a teenager.”

“We’ve always been involved with our kids activities. If one is playing basketball, then we all go to the basketball games.” Cindy reports that all of her children are very musical and all have been involved in sports. “That takes a lot of time.”

“When we’re at home, we also do family activities. Mike played a game call Carrom Board as a kid. This year the kids got it for Christmas. Every day we have multiple challenges. It’s a great game that’s been around since the 1800’s.”

Community Questions:

HLN: If you were I the presence of a Selectman and could ask any question, what would it be?

Couture: “I’d like to ask the Selectmen what their vision is for Litchfield. We have a wonderful, close-knit community without much commercial development. How do they plan to balance the rural community with the need to fund town and educational needs? How will we balance those needs without a commercial base for taxes? We have beautiful open spaces and woods, but struggle to find enough dollars to fund schools.”

HLN: What is your favorite book and why?

Couture: “I read all the time. I love mysteries. I’ve read the Agatha Christie mysteries hundreds of times.”