A beloved resident leaves Waterbury for new adventures
August 31, 2023 | By Sandy Yusen | Correspondent 
Donnie Bicknell surrounded by friends at the Waterbury Area Senior Center for a farewell lunch on Aug. 23. Left to right: Shirley Landry, Patty Witham, Charlene Sugai, George Gabaree, Donnie, Barbara Barra, Donna Barr. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
At lunch last Wednesday at the Waterbury Area Senior Center, Donnie Bicknell’s table quickly filled with friends. Donnie, one of Waterbury’s most beloved community members, was moving that afternoon to his new home at Gazebo Senior Living in South Burlington.
Most people in Waterbury know Donnie, or at least have seen him cruising around town with his wheeled walker. Born in Bellows Falls, Donnie moved to Waterbury in 1971, where he has worked, volunteered, participated in community organizations, and made many friends through his kindness, quest for learning, and desire to help others.
Throughout his career, Donnie demonstrated reliability and versatility. Before moving to Waterbury, Donnie manufactured clothespins, assembled battery caps, and swept and mopped floors. In 1972, he joined the housekeeping staff at the Vermont State Hospital, where he worked until retiring in 1995.
He became a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), working at the Vermont State Hospital library, where he learned the Dewey Decimal System. He volunteered for the Vermont Youth Conservation Corp answering phones, stuffing envelopes, filing, and learning how to use a computer. The VYCC named a room after Donnie – the Bicknell Room at the West Monitor Barn in Richmond – in recognition of his contributions.
At the Waterbury Area Senior Center, Donnie frequently helped with outgoing food delivery and other projects. “Donnie was always the first to sign up for activities at the senior center and always the first to help staff and volunteers. His can-do spirit and love of community is a gift to all,” said senior center board Chair Justin Blackman.
Donnie explains, “Wherever there is an opportunity, I’m willing to help. I like being around people and helping others out that need help.”
Donnie is a history buff, an avid reader, and a birding enthusiast. And while Bicknell’s thrush wasn’t named for Donnie, Donnie is well versed in the bird’s attributes and migration patterns. He attended many Waterbury Historical Society programs, was involved with the Waterbury Grange, and enjoyed going to church, participating in senior center painting and tai chi classes, and visiting local shops and cafes.
His time in Waterbury was not without its challenges, however. Over a decade ago, a fire in his building forced him to move to another apartment, which subsequently flooded during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. He moved into the Stimson & Graves building once the rules were changed to allow pets, so that his cat Shadow could move with him.
Donnie recently celebrated his 90th birthday by enjoying – among other things – a hot chocolate with whipped cream at the Stowe Street Cafe. According to cafe owner Nicole Grenier, “Don has visited us at the cafe nearly every Saturday for as long as we can remember. He always orders his favorite homemade hot chocolate with whipped cream, and usually gets the special, as long as it doesn't have any mushrooms in it. He does not care for mushrooms! We all look forward to seeing Don, because he is so consistently gentle and kind with everyone, and seems to genuinely appreciate our friendship just as much as our food.”
As for his birthday, Donnie said he feels 90 is just a number and that he doesn’t feel any older, although he acknowledges that “time goes by fast.”
Donnie moved to South Burlington last week with Shadow in tow. At the senior center where friends gathered for a farewell lunch, Donnie remarked that he will miss Waterbury, saying simply, “It was my home.”
Most of all, he will miss the people that loved him and he wants them to know that he will always be thinking of them. “I’m going to miss Waterbury, but I have new adventures coming up and have a feeling that I’ll be busy there, too,” he added, referring to his new home in Chittenden County.
No doubt Donnie will be making new friends, seeking out new things to learn, and finding new ways to help others.
We know Donnie would love to hear from friends and community members in Waterbury. Friends can send mail to Donnie at Gazebo Senior Living, 1530 Williston Road, Apt. 24, South Burlington, VT 05403.