www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 22, Number 45
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Bicycle race returning in 2019 By Ryan Chichester Record-Journal staff
The Town Council unanimously approved a request by the Berlin High School Redcoats Cycling Club and the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program to again hold a bike race at the Hatchery Brook Conservation Area on May 5, 2019. The race, entering its third year, will begin at 9 a.m. Groups of 50 riders at a time will ride through designated trails at the Conser-
vation Area. The final group this year,” Arnold said. “We expect at least all of them will start at 1 p.m. back, plus more.” “It’s a great ride, and a lot Those competing for a secof fun,” Berlin High School ond or third time can exBike Club Coordinator Jim pect a new experience, as a Arnold said of the trails. slightly modified course is “It’s really nice there.” planned, adding two new Organizers told the Town areas with existing trails to Council last week that 120 make the trek just about riders participated in 2018 four miles per lap. Beginand they expect 150 to 200 ning riders usually ride the riders to take part in the trail once, while high 2019 race, given the posischoolers are expected to tive response they received ride it through twice, and after the last event. more experienced riders as many as four times. Specific “We got great feedback prizes for winners are not from everyone that raced
yet determined, but Arnold said local bike shops usually donate apparel, tires or pumps as prizes. The Conservation Commission approved the race back in November, under the condition that the trails will be fully restored after the race. The Town Council approved the race by a unanimous vote when it was discussed Tuesday night, Dec. 18. rchichester@record-journal.com 203-317-2231 Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Liberty Bank, Rotary clubs team up to help the less-fortunate The CT Food Bank reports that one-in-eight adults and one-in-six children living in
Connecticut struggle with hunger, a sobering statistic. To offset this hardship, the
15th annual Liberty Bank/ Rotary Club Thanksgiving Drive raised a record-break-
Jennifer Ochoa, Community, Recreation & Parks Services; Elaine Pavasaris, KensingtonBerlin Rotary; Billy Peszynski, Liberty Bank Berlin; and Fr. Joseph Benicewicz, St. Paul Church.
ing $426,607 to supply holiday dinners and to fill shelves at local food pantries.
JIM DAY GYMNASIUM
Late coach honored By Ajlal N. Khan Special to The Citizen
Don’t be ordinary. The familiar message highlighted the night, as friends, family and former athletes gathered in the Berlin High School B-Gym Wednesday, Dec. 12 to dedicate the space to the late Jim Day. In his decades at the helm of the BHS wrestling program, Day brought 19 conference championships and nine state championships to Berlin. He also coached many state champions, a few of whom were in attendance at the dedication.
In Kensington and Berlin, the Kensington Berlin Sunrise Rotary Club and the Berlin branch of Liberty Bank accounted for $1,083 of that grand total. The Liberty Bank Foundation provided matching funds of $371 for a total of $1,454. Funds will be used to support the Town of Berlin Food Pantry and the St. Claire Food Pantry.
See Day, A13
This year, 40 Rotary Clubs and the East Haddam Community Lions Club teamed up with the 55 Liberty Bank offices to raise funds. Since the drive began in 2004, it
Longtime Berlin High School wrestling coach Jim Day, pictured, passed away on Feb. 22. Earlier this month, the BHS B-Gym was named in his honor.
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File photo