The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en
Volume 15, Number 48
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Emergency liver transplant saves teen’s life By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen
“I was never sick,” said Nathan Strazzulla, 19, talking about the typical teenage life he led before he got sick. The 2010 Berlin High School graduate said, “It came on fast.” He’s not shy about pulling up his shirt and displaying a large scar that stretches from one side of his rib cage
to the other. The scar is from a liver transplant operation at the end of October. The problem started earlier this fall with sudden indigestion that only got worse. Soon doctors would tell Nathan that it appeared a virus had destroyed his liver leaving it with 80 percent necrosis. Any worse than that is a definite death sentence. There was no choice except to plan on a liver
Old-fashioned Holiday Fair at Berlin Historical Society By Lorraine Stub Special to The Citizen The Berlin Historical Society Museum’s annual Holiday Fair takes place Friday, Dec. 2. from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 305 Main Street, Kensington. Members again look forward to sharing the decorated museum with old
friends and newcomers as we begin to celebrate the holiday season. Luminaria bags cast a welcoming light from Peck Street. A festive fruit punch bowl, hot coffee and pastries invite visitors to linger and share stories after shopping. Cozy tables set for
See Fair, page 5
The confection table at the Holiday Fair is just one of the treats in store for shoppers at the Berlin Historical Society event.
transplant. At the end of September he was transferred to Yale-New Haven Hospital to wait for an organ donor match. “It was heart-wrenching,” said Nicole Strazzulla, Nathan’s older sister. But Nathan, who she describes as “the greatest person in the world” kept a positive attitude and tried to keep his family’s spirits up as well. “His biggest complaint was that he couldn’t go to the Berlin Fair,” Nicole said, laughing. The Stazzulla family includes parents Machelle and David, as well as 12 year-old
Citizen photo by Olivia L. Lawrence
Nathan Strazzulla poses next to a sign his sister made to welcome him home after a successful liver transSee Transplant, page 8 plant.
Berlin chamber suspending activities By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen The Board of Directors of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce sent its members a letter Nov. 28 explaining that it was suspending operations at its 40 Chamberlain Highway office effective Dec. 5. “After many years of watching the national economy struggling through the pains of the local economy, not even the Berlin Chamber of Commerce is immune to the downturn of business,” stated a letter from Attorney Richard Pentore, president of the board. “We’ve exhausted every avenue,” said Thomas Satalino, the board’s financial secretary, a board member for more than 15 years. He added that the chamber had been working diligently for many years to “cut costs and stay afloat” but the time had come to move forward with a new business model. He said the board was exploring partnerships with a number
of other area chambers but that nothing was decided at this point. A nonprofit, the chamber had about 240 members a few years ago, but the recent economic downturn had cut those numbers to about 170. Chamber leaders said membership grew “thinner and thinner” the last few years. As businesses looked to cut expenses, chamber membership was too often an item that was sacrificed. Membership costs $225. Furthermore, internet sales, a tough economy and the fact that Berlin has a small pool of businesses contributed to the decision to move in a new direction, leadership said. Other nonprofits, and other chambers have experienced the pinch as well, said chamber leaders. “We need each other to survive,” Satalino said of the value of networking and promoting local ventures. Satalino said he is available to speak with any member in regards to the sit-
uation and the plan going forward. Executive Director Katherine A. Fuechsel has been with the chamber for 13 years. Satalino praised her for doing “a yeomen’s job” “I’m very sad to be leaving,” Fueschsel said. “I wish the businesses well. I hope I’ve made a difference for them somehow. I’m indebted to those who have supported me for 13 years, the board, the businesses, the town...it’s just time to move on to the next chapter.” The chamber’s phone, internet and email will remain open for a period of time, according to the chamber. As for businesses, the chamber states that “we continue to work to ensure that the Berlin business community will continue to have a unified voice for the enhancement of commerce within the town and region.” “We tried the best we could and will continue to as long as we can,” Satalino said.