PHOTOS: 20 years ago this month in Wallingford - July 1999

Jason Pierce of Higganum, a bassist with the Killingworth- based band, The Beach Bums, plays a little surf music with his wireless guitar and gets a little wet during Wallingford Community Pool's grand opening Big Splash Bash Sunday afternoon July 25, 1999.

Wes Ott, of Bristol, CT, peels masking tape off after painting a lane marker onto the bottom of the Community Pool in Wallingford, July 1999.

The new Community Pool off N. Main St. Ext. in Wallingford Tues., July 13, 1999 showing the corner with the lanes. Workers said they hope for a Monday opening.

Lifeguards Erik Brandl, left, Camila Gabriel, center, and Sarah Hvizd, right, run out of the pool towing their rescue tubes at the Community Pool in Wallingford. The lifeguards practiced some lifesaving drills Tuesday afternoon July 20, 1999. The pool is not yet open.

Nico Jandreau,8 of Wallingford looks like he is in his element, as he joins others at the Wallingford Community Pool for its grand opening party, The Big Splash Bash on Sunday JUly 25, 1999.

Maria-Elana Arjona, age 6 from Wallingford, relaxes in the Wallingford Community Pool on its first open day July 22, 1999. She is with Connectikids Camp Summer Fun.

Concertgoers gather on the lawn at Choate Rosemary Hall July 4, 1999 to hear the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra.

Philip T. Ventre, W.S.O. music director, conducts during the 4th of July concert " Classical Musci and All That Jazz" at Choate Sunday evening July 4, 1999.

Gene Sengstock (right) of Wallingford shows his national pride as the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra begins its 4th of July concert with the " Star Spangled Banner." On the left is his friend Marie Darin, also of Wallingford, July 4, 1999.

Sunday evening's heat does not seem to faze bass violinist Milton Beisiegel of Trumbull as he performs with other members of the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra at Choate July 4, 1999.

Anthony Milici, right, owner of the Mad Dog Motorcycle dealership in Wallingford talks to Bob Pitts, of Lake Placid, NY, about the bike in the foreground, a Pure Steel motorcycle, July 27, 1999 Bob was looking for a bike and the Pure Steel bikes are quite the thing. This one is around $40,000 but Anthony says it's on sale for $35,500 and is the top of the line.

Julia Bingham (R) and Jeff Mahmood dancing to the hip-hop rhythms at Judith Parks Academy of Dance Arts which also offers classes in ballet, jazz, tap, point and more. After forty-three years, they will soon have a big new studio to work in, July 1999.

Jennifer Doviak, right, gives her daughter Sophie Doviak, 9-months-old, a taste of cherry ice and she scrunches up her face Wed., July 14, 1999 at Doolittle Park during an outdoor concert.

State comptroller Nancy Wyman, left, chats with Town Councilor Geno J. Zandri, Jr., center, and Mike Spiteri, right, before the start of the Democratic Town Committee caucus Wed., July 21, 1999.

One of the high scorers i the Frisbee Dog competition at Doolittle Park Wed., July 28, 1999 "Austin" leaps high to grab his prey.

Patrick Morrison, 14-months-old, tries to crawl onto the field during the Frisbee Dog competition Wed., july 28 1999 at Doolittle Park as his dad, John orriso holds onto his ankle.

Nicholas Schweers, closest, 9, and Austin Gallagi, 7, use chalk to make sidewalk art near the steps of the Wallingford Public Library Wednesday afternoon July 7, 1999. The kids are illustrating books that they are reading.

Nina Bagwell, 5 and a half, watches as Parks and Rec. camp councilor Meaghan Damato, left, adds toppings to baked potatoes that her mother holds at Dolittle Park Wed., july 28 1999.

As a cool breeze blows over North Farms Reservoir, Christy Distante,8 of of North Haven waits for a catch while fishing with her grandparents Monday afternoon July 5, 1999.

Bucket in hand and ankle deep in mud , Cody Buntin (cq),7, leads friend Justin Girard Jennings,6, Harvey Jennings III and Cody's brother Kyle Buntin,4 (not pictured) on a search for bullfrogs near a pond in the Buntin family's back yard Sunday afternoon July 11, 1999. The boys were initially sent out there by their parents to look for stray golf balls.

A bullfrog pokes its head above water in the Buntin family's backyard pond July 11, 1999.

Bucket in hand , Harvey Jennings III leads friend Cody Buntin ,7 , Harvey's brother Justin Girard Jennings,6 and Cody's brother Kyle Buntin,4 on a search for bullfrogs near a pond in the Buntin family's Wallingford backyard Sunday afternoon July 11, 1999. The boys were initially sent out by their parents to look for stray golf balls.

Leila Edgar, a Wallingford native, picks beets in her garden square at the Wallingford Community Garden on East Center Street July 21, 1999. Edgar is an active member of the gardeners.

Nick Vanchy (top) and fellow veterans at VFW Post 591 are trying to raise money to help pay the medical bills of Thomas Riccio (bottom left) who suffered paralysis from a fall while putting up a flag at his home this summer, July 28, 1999. Next to Riccio is his wife Christine Riccio. Photo taken at Gaylord Hospital .

Mark Rust, of Woodstock, N.Y., plays the 5-string banjo and sings the"Kissing Song" during a concert at Doolittle Park Wed., July 14, 1999.

Back from his 17-day deployment to hot , humid Guatemala, John Biehn is happy to be back with his family in Wallingford. Next to him are his wife Jennifer Biehn and their children Patrick,2 and daughter Jacklyn ,8. July 1999

David Gessert, left, watches as members of the First Falls Junior Fife and Drum Corps files into the Moran Middle School auditorium Wed., July 21, 1999 for the Wallingford Republican Town Committee caucus. They are led by Jonathan Burdacki, 8, with Nate Kyder, 13, carrying the flag.

RJ file photo - Anthony Fazzano, 5, of Wallingford, enjoys a hotdog during a picnic at the Wallingford Public Library Thursday July 1, 1999. The library is celebrating their summer reading program for kids. Anthony got a book about Christmas.

Wallingford Senior Center program coordinator Carolyn Lavelle adds one more item in a box, one of many, packed by the seniors and headed for Kosovo, Wed., July 14, 1999.

RJ file photo - Ashley Green, 10, left, and her cousin Olivia Sutherland, 5, of Wallingford, hold their dolls together during a picnic at the Wallingford Public Library that kicked off the summer reading program, July 1999.

At Harbour Ridge Golf Course in Wallingford, the course's new signature green is an island in a pond, July 1999.

Meghan Kelly, a recent graduate of Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford, poses at her piano in her Wallingford home July 12, 1999. Kelly plans on going to Central CT State University and would like to become a music teacher.

Peter Soul, age 9, paints the game he has been making in French class at the Wallingford Language Arts summer program held at Moran Middle School July 28, 1999.

Jung-Ho Pak, music director of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, speaks to a group of young musicians at the Wallingford SUmmer Arts Camp at Moran Middle School July 15, 1999.

Carole Slepian, a Recreational Therapist at Masonic Geriatric Health Center in Wallingford, reads a poem she wrote called "Dinner for Two" during a presentation by members of the National League of American Pen Women at the Masonic Home July 8, 1999.

The former Goldfeder Silver Plating Co. on 125 Grove St., a residential area of Yalesville, is an environmental threat because it contains chemicals, July 1999 .

Oscar Gross, of Wallingford, reads a newspaper at Olivers of Manhatten at 105 North Colony Road in Wallingford July 20, 1999. Gross said he liked his smoked turkey sandwich.

Waitress Megan Hayes with a tray full of goodies at Sabbatical's Cafe in Wallingford Fri., July 2, 1999.

Shannon Irish and Martin Quigley chat at the bar of Sabbatical's Cafe in Wallingford Fri., July 2, 1999.

Sitting in Sabbatical's Cafe "VIP Lounge", as an employee termed it, are from the left, Dee Griser, Kim Nolin, Carrie Korpinen, and Marianne Federici Fri., July 2, 1999 in Wallingford

Colby Cortella, 4, from Wallingford and Kathleen Adams, age 7, also from Wallingford listen to the "Piggie Pie" story at the Wallingford Library Thursday morning July 22, 1999.

Frank Cyphers, Vice President of International Chemical Workers Union Council in his workplace, July 1999.

Robert Lalla, of Southington, sits in his chair lifeguarding at the Wharton Brook State Park July 6, 1999. The swimming area in the Wharton Brook State Park is in Wallingford.

Erin Kearns,19 of Cheshire performs her summer job as a ticket booth attendant at Wharton Brook Park July 18, 1999. The park is open to Connecticut residents.

RJ file photo - Four large maple trees on Chimney Hill Road in Wallingford may have to come down due to issues with a sight line problem for a new proposed intersection next to them, July 1999. Neighbors gathered to oppose the plan.

Lifeguards Meghan Lurvey, 17, of Meriden and Robert Lalla ,20 of Southington, make sure all is safe in the Wharton Brook Park swimming hole July 18, 1999.

Angie Thompson hold onto her baby , 7-month-old Corina Hamilton as she escorts her other daughters, Alicia Braddy(center),4 and Daisy Braddy (right) ,5 into the water at Wharton Brook State Park on Sunday July 18, 1999. They live in New Haven.

Chris Derouin of Guilford cooks up some hot dogs at a as his son Joshua Derouin ,7, looks on . They were joined by other family members at a company picnic Sunday at Wharton Brook State Park July 18, 1999.

Lynn Faria, left, an interum Executive Director of Healthworks in Wallingford, works out with Denise Allen, of Wallingford, a Fitness Director at Healthworks July 23, 1999. Allen works out with Faria as her personal fitness instructor five days per week. Faria is working out her biceps on a machine. BIZ story

Wallingford YMCA nickel carnival with Matthias Carrgan, 7, left, and Frank Falcone, 9, right, getting hit with wet sponges JUly 23, 1999.

Marked with green tape, this oak tree is one of two on Parker Avenue, across from the Stop & Shop construction site, will be felled if the supermarket has its way, July 15, 1999. The tree warden, however, has forbidden the cutting down of these two trees.

Brittany Folk, 11, of Wallingford, practices walking while dribbleing two basketballs at The Hoop House Basketball Camp at the Wallingford Park and Recreation Center July 1999.

Steven Drozd, 9, shoots for the hoop during a rebound drill the The Hoop House Basketball Camp at The Wallingford Park and Recreation Center July 1999.

Tony Pasqualoni in front of his Wallingford home Tues., July 6, 1999 with some of his Christmas decorations. He hoped the decorations would give a cool state of mind in the face of the hot days.

Thomas Kuntz, an instructor with The Hoop House Basketball Camp, talks to his team about the next basketball drill they will do, July 1999.

Ed Gerosa, the guitar player for The Key West Band entertains kids as well as adults during the Parks and Recreation Department's High Noon Tune Concert Series at 6 Fairfield Blvd. in Wallingford July 16, 1999.

Kyle Mischke, 8, left, and Douglas Biancur, 8, right, walk out the doors together at The Wallingford Park and Recreation Center toward the parking lot where they practice basketball, July 1999.

Otello Massino, a World War II veteran and member of the Wallingford Historical Society, rings Wallingford's old Town Hall bell July 4, 1999.

Elizabeth Leigh of Wallingford is a recent winner of the blood services volunteer of the year from the Red Cross, July 12, 1999.

Pam Barnett of Greenfield, Mass. thanks a beer brewer for an ale sample at the fourth annual brew fest held at the PNA Park in Wallingford July 17, 1999.

Chris Titus, age 11 cools himself off after playing with friends at summer camp in Doolittle Park, Wallingford July 19, 1999.

Chris Titus (front) is joined by friends showing his stuff dancing at Wallingford Parks & Rec. Dept. Summer Camp at Doolittle Park July 19, 1999. Melissa DeSandre is on the left, with Nick St. Jacques, 9, and Michael Tolokan, 10, without their shirts, and Sean Slain second from the right.

July 19, 2019 07:15PM

, Record-Journal staff

WALLINGFORD – Twenty years ago this month the town opened the new community pool, enjoyed drinks at Sabbaticals, packed supplies for Kosovo and took part in many summer traditions.

The Wallingford Community Pool opened July 22, 1999 with a pool party featuring live music and lots of fun in the sun.

The folks at the Wallingford Senior Center and other orgnizations packed boxes full of school supplies to send to children who spent time in Kosovo refugee camps.

Sabbatical’s Cafe opened in May and by July had a steady stream of customers.

20 years ago in music:

Top music hits from July 1999 include:

Bills, Bills Bills by Destiny’s Child