Volume 18, Number 42
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
REDCOATS FALL SHORT
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Fifty years of Rudolph recognized locally By Charles Kreutzkamp The Berlin Citizen
The Berlin Historical Society has been preserving the town’s past for 21 years, and the annual holiday fundraiser is a decade-long tradition. President Kate Kearns estimated that over 300 people Brookfield bested Berlin 14-0 Friday at Willow Brook passed through the historical society on Dec. 5 or Dec. Park in New Britain to claim the CIAC Class M-Large 6, some who were first-time Division championship. See more in sports. visitors. The historical soci| Matt Leidemer / For The Citizen ety nearly sold out of boxes of homemade cookies baked by members, according to Lorraine Stub. The event is the second-largest source of funding for historical society programs and the museum, after the Berlin Fair. According to Stub, the event is especially enjoyed by members for the more School Madrigal Singers. laid-back atmosphere when By Charles Kreutzkamp The Berlin Citizen The Madrigal Singers have compared with the fair. Hiswon awards at music festi- torical society members enIt’s official — On Trays is vals and performed Cantate joyed the chance to chat with the new name of the Berlin Domino, Carol of the Bells, and other songs under the diHigh School Cafeteria. The Board of Education rection of BHS music teacher awarded a certificate of rec- Katherine Crabb Scherer. ognition to BHS student Lisa The performance was filmed Greico at the Dec. 8 meeting by NutmegTV and can be for selecting the name. As seen on demand at the NutBy Charles Kreutzkamp The Berlin Citizen part of the grand re-open- megTV website. BHS principal Francis Kening of the school’s refurbished cafeteria, a contest nedy said the singers were Festivities at the East Berwas held to rename the cafe- “amazingly talented” and lin Fire Department drew teria. Many suggestions were praised the “great direction” dozens of locals to help put forth, including the Red- of Scherer. raise donations for the BerAlso at the meeting, four coats’ Café, but the winning lin food pantry. entry was Lisa’s clever play Berlin Bravos were awarded. The annual Christmas by on words, On Trays, and the “A well respected member the Grove event is named teenager was given a gift card of the faculty,” BHS librarian because the East Berlin Fire to the cafeteria as well as the David Scannell, was honored Department is located next by Kennedy. The principal certificate of recognition. to Clark’s Grove, a neighborThe opening of the board said that Scannell was inhood park with a playscape. meeting was considerably strumental in instituting the Christmas by the Grove more musical than average, senior writing project, a prebegan four years ago to beginning with a perforraise donations for the food mance by the Berlin High See Cafeteria / Page 15
New BHS cafeteria gets a name
Members of the Berlin Historical Society enjoy holiday cheer Dec. 6. | Charles Kreutzkamp / The Berlin Citizen visitors, including some who are new to town and wanted to know the history of their houses. Members shared stories and got out old maps to answer questions, share the history of the town, and welcome these new residents.
The historical society also commemorated the 75th anniversary of the creation of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with a display and by giving away reindeer horns See Rudolph / Page 15
Christmas by the Grove draws dozens pantry. “It’s also a chance to have a nice community get-together,” said Ladies Auxiliary President Kathy Wnuk. The event was put on by the Ladies Auxiliary, a group made up of female family members of East Berlin firefighters: wives, sisters, and mothers, Wnuk said. The event featured an appearance by Santa Claus, baked goods from Ladies Auxiliary members, balloon animals and balloon flowers created by UpBeat volun-
teers, and a musical performance by a team of Berlin High School Madrigal Singers, Sound Express from McGee Middle School, and fifth grade students from Hubbard Elementary. “They invited us for the first time this year,” said music teacher Kathyrn Crabb Scherer, who co-directed the group with music teacher Shelby Ryan. UpBeat volunteer Matthew Barden said that UpSee Christmas / Page 14