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Bee Intelligencer Informing the towns of Middlebury, Southbury, Woodbury, Naugatuck, Oxford and Watertown A FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Volume VIII, No. 11

Friday, March 16, 2012

Police chief seeks to replace two cars By CRISTINA COMMENDATORE Middlebury Police Chief Richard Guisti put two police cruisers to rest. He’s hoping he’ll have the money to replace them soon. The retired cruisers are 2004 Ford Crown Victorias, one with 93,676 miles and the other with 139,965 miles. The 93,676 mile car has internal rear-end damage, and the other needs new shocks, brakes and rotors. Both have expired warranties. Guisti budgeted around $60,000 for two new police cars under his 2012-13 capital expenses. Depending on whether the budget is accepted as is, Guisti is considering also phasing out a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria with 98,026 miles and a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria with 79,764 miles. The car with 98,026 miles on it is the canine officer’s car, and Guisti said it is constantly on the road. He said he probably will repaint the 79,000-mile car and give it to the lieutenant, whose 139,965-mile Crown Vic is one of the two already retired. “It’s not cost effective to put money in them because they’re always going down and are in for repairs,” Guisti said. “And the warranties have expired, which makes it expensive to fix the vehicles.” Guisti said police cars have a life expectancy of 18 to 24 months, and both cars he recently took out of service have lasted the department seven years. Every year, except the last few years, Middlebury has retired two vehicles and replaced them. Guisti said other towns’ police departments do the same depending on their needs. Middlebury has purchased cars in the past with special duty funds or through the department’s capital expense. In Woodbury, Resident Trooper Sgt. Joseph Roden said his department typically buys three new cruisers every three years. Although the last time the town of Woodbury had budgeted money for a new police vehicle was in 2006, Roden said he has been able to keep his fleet intact with overtime funds from special duty. Woodbury, which has 9,900 residents, has a police fleet of 10 vehicles and each of the eight full-time officers is assigned a vehicle, which leaves two spare cars. Roden said his 2007 Crown Vics have about 70,000 miles on them now. Woodbury bought three new cars in 2010. “My oldest car in the fleet is a 2004,” Roden said. “We’re looking to replace that one. The problem with police vehicles is you can’t go by mileage; you have to look at the hours on the engine as well. As cars come out of warranty they become more and more expensive to keep in service.” Roden said new Crown Vics (basic models) cost around $26,000 to $28,000. All-wheel drive SUVs cost more. “Budgeting $30,000 to get a police vehicle is not unreasonable,” he said. “Having reliable vehicles is really a requirement of the mission of law enforcement.” Middlebury, which has more than 7,500 residents, has an 11-car fleet, two of which are out of service. Depending on when the budget is approved and whether funds for additional cars will be included, Guisti said it could be eight months before he can buy two new cars. “With a smaller fleet, we have to replace vehicles faster,” Guisti said, noting cars could be in use eight to 24 hours a day. “Vehicles are always out of service for some reason, whether it be maintenance or an accident. The fleet we have is conducive to the events in town.” During the summer Middlebury holds six road races, and Guisti said he doesn’t have enough cars. He said he needs two to three officers on patrol and always has to figure in at least one car down for maintenance. He also uses cars to block off roads for the athletes. Police Commissioner Frank Cipriano said before he was on the commission, which was 12 years ago, Middlebury retired and replaced two cars annually, but because of the recent slip in the economy and budget difficulties, cars have not been replaced as often. Cipriano said Tuesday Guisti reported to the Police Commission March 12 that he could get by with 11 total cars – nine black and whites for officers and two unmarked, one for him and the other for the lieutenant. Cipriano hopes the police department budget will be approved as is. “Hopefully we can get back on board,” Cipriano said. “I think it’s going to be fine. We’ll also be putting the motorcycle out more, which will be helpful. Hopefully that will save on mileage and gas on the cars out there.”

Above, Junior Girl Scouts Jackie, 10, and Jillian, 11, of Middlebury wear face-painted “100s” Monday night at the Girl Scouts 100th anniversary celebration in Middlebury. (Marjorie Needham photo) At left, an exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting, this part featuring Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low, is at the Middlebury Public Library this month. Middlebury Service Unit Manager Janice Kulpa collected a variety of Girl Scout items for the exhibit. (Cristina Commendatore photo)

Girl Scouts celebrate 100 year anniversary By MARJORIE NEEDHAM Last week, Middleburians celebrated Dr. Jessamine Goerner’s 100th birthday. This week, they celebrated 100 years of Girl Scouting. Middlebury Service Unit Leader Janice Kulpa organized a Scouts’ 100th anniversary celebration held at the fire house on Tucker Hill Road Monday night. Shortly before 6:30 p.m., Kulpa instructed the girls to form a circle, and at exactly 6:30 p.m., they raised their right hands, as thousands of Girl Scouts across the U.S. did the same, and repeated the Girl Scout Promise. The Promise says, “On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.” Afterwards, Kulpa led them in a song familiar to all who have been Girl Scouts, “Make New Friends.” The first verse is, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold.” First Selectman Edward B. St. John attended the event and read a proclamation declaring 2012 the Year of the Girl. Kulpa presented him with a 100-year anniversary pin and pencil. Kulpa said 126 girls participate in Middlebury’s nine Girl Scout troops. Statewide, 46,500 girls in grades K through 12 participate, and 50 million U.S. women are Girl Scout alumnae. Turnout Monday night indicated enthusiastic community support for Girl Scouts: Girls and their parents filled the function room at the fire house, and vehicles spilled out of the parking lot and along Regan Road. While camping and crafts may come to

Girl Scout Service Unit Manager Janice Kulpa, left, and former Girl Scout leader Dr. Roberta Anderson-Massey, right, listen as Gold Award Girl Scout Amy Drzwecki explains the Gold Award project she completed. Anderson-Massey said the project to provide child care during a school break involved a lot more hard work than Drzwecki implied. mind when one thinks of Girl Scouts, service to others is vital to the group, Kulpa said. After setting a goal of completing 1,000 hours of service between March 2011 and March 2012, Middlebury’s Scouts far surpassed that goal. They gave 3,900 hours of service to the community. The current service project is for each troop in turn to prepare 50 care bags a month for patients at the Howard Leever Cancer Center, just over the Middlebury line in

Waterbury. In addition Scouts provide Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas funds to local families. Kulpa also has filled the display shelves in the Middlebury Public Library entry area with an exhibit of Girl Scout memorabilia that can be seen through the end of March. For more information on Middlebury Girl Scouts, contact MiddleburyGirlScouts@comcast.net or call Kulpa at 203-758-8482.

University to empower parents Parents who want tips on positive parenting strategies will find them in abundance at the Parent Empowerment University Saturday, March 24, from 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Newtown Middle School at 11 Queen Street in Newtown. Bonnie Harris, author of “When Kids Push Your Buttons,” will be the keynote speaker. Copies of her book have been donated to both the Middlebury and Southbury public libraries by one of the pro-

gram sponsors, S.M.A.R.T. (Southbury & Middlebury Acting Responsibly Together). Following Harris’s talk, parents can choose among 10 different learning sessions for morning and afternoon sessions. Included are “Confident Parents, Remarkable Kids;” “Use or Abuse? Identifying Addiction Issues in Adolescents & Young Adults;” “Helping Your Worried Child Worry Less;” and “Kids’ Rights – Safety First!” a workshop

on bullying. Sessions also cover preparing for college, communicating effectively with your children, changes in the modern family and more. All are listed on the website given at the end of this article. A complimentary lunch will be served between the sessions. Children ages 3 to 11 will be offered a variety of fun, age-appropriate activities at the “Kids University” being held at the same time.

Organizers Newtown Parent Connection, S.M.A.R.T. and Brookfield Substance Abuse Coalition say their goal in offering the program is to strengthen families and enrich their communities. Register and pay online at www.newtownparentconnection.org. The fee for the day is $5 per adult (children are free) payable online using PayPal or any major credit card via PayPal. For more information, call 203-2701600 and leave a message for Joan.

Inside this Issue Legal Notices....................7 Library Happenings............2 Nuggets for Life................6 Obituaries.........................5 Parks & Rec.......................6 Reg. 15 School Calendar...3 Senior Center News...........3 Varsity Sports Calendar......6

Editorial Office: Email: mbisubmit@gmail.com Phone: 203-577-6800 Mail: P.O. Box 10, Middlebury, CT 06762 Advertising Sales: Email: mbiadvertising@gmail.com

saturday Upcoming Events

Book Review.....................2 Adoptable pets.................8 Classifieds.........................7 Community Calendar.........2 Computer Tip....................8 Fire Log.............................2 Frugal Mummy..................5 In Brief..............................4

St. Patrick’s Day

March 17

tuesday

March 20

friday

March 23

Spring Begins Dan LaRosa Comedy Hypnosis Show When: What: Where: Tickets:

7 p.m. Sponsored by PHS GradNite 2012 (See story on page 3) Pomperaug High School Auditorium $10 at the door

Learn Lithuanian egg decorating

Page 8

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The Bee-Intelligencer

PAGE 2

EIDC elects officers, reviews tax abatement program The Middlebury Economic and Industrial Development Commission (EIDC) elected a new co-chairman, reviewed updates to the Tax Incentive Policy and made plans to meet with the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission to discuss architectural standards. Michael Kenausis was elected to serve as co-chairman with Gerry Matthews, replacing resigning member John Cookson, who was recently elected chairman of the Land Preservation and Open Space Commission and also serves on the Regional School District 15 Board of Education. Other members of the EIDC are Ted Manello, Joseph Salvini and Mark Petrucci. Matthews distributed markedup copies of the current Tax Incentive Policy sent to the Board of Selectmen last year. Proposed revisions include clarification of applicant delinquency in other

towns and additional detail on personal property tax abatement and eligibility for uses other than manufacturing, a revision suggested by Middlebury Tax Assessor Daniel Kenny to be consistent with Connecticut General Statutes. A follow-up discussion with Kenny is planned. Commissioners also discussed establishing written standards for architectural review. Manello said the commission was charged with reviewing construction plans, but there were no guidelines for developers to follow. Kenausis said he would arrange for a joint meeting with P&Z to participate in the Plan of Conservation and Development workshops currently discussing standards for the Middlebury Center business district. The next EIDC meeting will be Tuesday, March 27, at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Patriotic radicalism talk at Fairfield U The wit, wisdom and personality of Sarah Vowell will take center stage Wednesday, March 28, at 8 p.m. at Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts as part of the signature lecture series Open VISIONS Forum (OVF). The bestselling author, journalist, essayist and social commentator will give a lecture entitled “Author’s Liberty as a Voice of Patriotic Radicalism.” An informal conversation with Professor Philip Eliasoph, OVF moderator, and Dr. Cecelia Bucki, chair of the department of history at Fairfield University, will follow. Single tickets are $45. “With her feisty nature, Ms. Vowell has emerged as one of America’s most delightfully subversive voices,” said Eliasoph. “Let’s anticipate for our forum audience an evening of droll insights and iconoclastic lampooning - sharpening her razor sharp lance at our nation’s most sacred cows.” Vowell is a New York Times’ bestselling author of six nonfiction books on American history and culture, was a contributing editor for Public Radio International’s “This American Life” and was the voice of teen superhero Violet Parr in Brad Bird’s Academy Award-winning “The Incredibles,” a Pixar Animation Studios film. Her writings examine the connections between the American past and present, offering personal, often humorous accounts

Sarah Vowell

(Bennett Miller photo)

of everything from presidents and their assassins to colonial religious fanatics, as well as thoughts on American Indians, utopian dreamers, pop music, and the odd cranky cartographer. Vowell’s most recent book, “Unfamiliar Fishes” (2011), is the intriguing history of our 50th state, Hawaii, annexed in 1898. Replete with a cast of beguiling and often tragic characters, including an overthrown Hawaiian queen, whalers, missionaries, sugar barons, Teddy Roosevelt and assorted con men, the book is another history lesson in Amer-

icana as only Vowell can tell it – with brainy wit and droll humor. Her book, “The Wordy Shipmates” (2008), examines the New England Puritans and their journey to and impact on America, revealing how American history can show up in the most unexpected places in our modern culture, often in poignant ways. Another book, “Assassination Vacation” (2005), is a haunting and surprisingly hilarious road trip to tourist sites devoted to the murders of presidents Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley. Her first book, “Radio On” (1997), is her year-long diary of listening to the radio in 1995. Her two essay collections are “The Partly Cloudy Patriot” (2002) and “Take the Cannoli” (2000). Tickets are available through the Quick Center Box Office at 203-254-4010, or tollfree at 1-877-ARTS-396.(1-877-278-7396). Tickets also can be purchased online at www. quickcenter.com. The Center is on the campus of Fairfield University at 1073 North Benson Road in Fairfield, Conn. Entrance is through the Barlow Road gate at 200 Barlow Road. Free, secure parking is available. Access for people with disabilities is available throughout the Quick Center, and hearing amplification devices are available at the Box Office. For more information, call 203-254-4010 or 1-877-2787396, or visit www.quickcenter.com

Middlebury Community Calendar Saturday, March 17 – Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Jigsaw puzzle contest winners

Monday, March 19 Board of Selectmen 6 p.m...................................................Town Hall Conference Room Public Works Commission 7 p.m............................................................... Shepardson Room 26

Jigsaw puzzle contest winners, left to right, Kasey Schneider, Brandt Schneider, Michelle Benish and her daughter, Allison, 9, sit behind the trophy they won for being the first team to finish the puzzle shown in the foreground. They finished the 500-piece puzzle in less than two hours and won the trophy for the fifth time in the six years the Middlebury Public Library has had a jigsaw puzzle contest. (Marjorie Needham photo)

Tuesday, March 20 – Spring Begins Commission on Aging 9:30 a.m.......................................................... Shepardson Room 26 Elderly Tax Relief Committee 5:30 p.m.......................................................... Shepardson Room 26 Mental Health Support Group 6 p.m............................. Russell Place, 1F, 969 W. Main, Waterbury Water Pollution Control Authority 7:30 p.m.......................................................... Shepardson Room 26

Wednesday, March 21 Beautification Commission 6:30 p.m.......................................................... Shepardson Room 26 Calendar dates/times are subject to change If your organization would like your event included in the community calendar, please e-mail the information to beeintelligencer@gmail.com

Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department Call Log Date Time Address/Incident 3/07/12 13:50 Truck Museum. Activated fire alarm 3/10/12 09:26 Rte. 63 at Woodside Avenue. Motor vehicle accident with injuries.

Book Review “The Expats” By Chris Pavone (Crown Publishers, $26) Reviewed by Rose M. Croke Kate Moore’s life in Washington, D.C., might appear normal, but she is hiding a secret life working as an analyst and former operative for the CIA. When her husband is offered a lucrative job in Luxembourg, Kate welcomes the opportunity to start fresh and leave behind her double life. She reinvents herself as an expatriate, or “expat,” and a stay-at-home mother, who fills her days with household chores, afternoon play dates, and lunch or coffee with other expat mothers. As her husband works increasingly long hours at a job Kate has never understood and for an employer she doesn’t know, her isolation and loneliness grow, and doubts arise about her marriage. When a mysterious American couple arrives in Luxembourg, Kate becomes convinced they are not who they claim to be, and she fears her past life has finally caught up to her. Kate uses her skills as a spy to uncover the secrets of the people who surround her, including her own husband, who harbors the

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biggest secret of all. Kate soon finds herself mired in layers of deceit so deep and multi-layered they threaten her family, her marriage and even her life. Author Chris Pavone is firing on all cylinders in his debut novel. He slowly builds tension and methodically crafts a story with an end game so elaborately executed readers will shake their heads in awe and disbelief. No one – not a single character – is who she or he appears to be. The plot twists come fast and furious with the action building to a spectacular climax. Pavone writes convincingly from the female perspective, and readers of both women’s fiction and espionage thrillers will enjoy “The Expats.” Kate Moore is a full-dimensional female protagonist who, in spite of living a daily charade, will stop at nothing to protect and defend her family. (c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Library Happenings Middlebury

kids-friendly movie every Friday at 10:30 a.m. Adults can enjoy a movie every Friday at 12:30 p.m. Discover Cuba The Middlebury Library is at Thursday, March 22, at 6:45 30 Crest Road in Middlebury. p.m., Ann and Michael Feinberg will talk about their travel to Cuba. The Feinbergs are expert photographers and raconteurs, and Ann assures there will be a Naugatuck River Movie “taste” of Cuba as well. “The Hidden World,” a new The program is one in a series movie by The Naugatuck River sponsored by the Friends of the Revival Group will be shown at Middlebury Library. The pro- the Whittemore Library Saturgrams are being presented on day, March 24, from 10:30 a.m. the new wide-screen projection to 12:30 p.m. and Tuesday, April system in the refurbished Larkin 3, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Come disRoom. Enjoy refreshments as you cover the wildlife of the Naugalisten to and watch the presen- tuck River. For more information, tation. call 203-729-4591. All talks are free. If you are inOld Abe Fundraiser terested in becoming a member of the Friends of the Middlebury Sunday, April 15, from 1 to Library, call 203-758-2634 or stop 4:30 p.m., Abe Lincoln, aka Lewis by the library for more informa- Dube, will once again partner tion. with Tom Cruciani, musical director of “An Evening with AbraMusic with Devlin ham Lincoln,” in producing “Let Calling all teens and tweens it Shine.” This will be the third for Tuesday, March 20, at 6:30 biannual fund raiser for the p.m. Join our very own teen mu- Howard Whittemore Library sician, Devlin, as he performs his held at Reynold’s Café in Union favorite guitar songs. Signup is City. required. The event is a combination arts exhibit/cabaret that will inFridays at the Movies clude dance (flamenco/ballEnjoy the library’s new sur- room), music (vocal/instrumenround sound system in the Lar- tal), drama, painting, photograkin Room! Children can enjoy a phy, and sculpting, as well as local artisans. The public is urged to contact Dube at dubeaslincoln@yahoo.com to volunteer their talents and join this excursion into the old-time bohemian atmosphere of yesteryear. Due to a reporting error, Admission is free, but volunthe community calendar in tary contributions will be acthe March 2 issue listed an cepted. Reynold’s Café is at 419 incorrect date for a Water N. Main St. in Naugatuck. Commission meeting. The Water Commission meets Emergency the first Tuesday in February, April, June, August, Preparedness Program: October and December. Its Are You Ready? next meeting will be TuesWednesday, March 28, from day, April 3. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Naugatuck Due to incorrect inforValley Health District will presmation provided to the ent a program on emergency newspaper, the March 9 preparedness. Come learn how Senior Center News listed you and your loved ones can betan incorrect date for the ter prepare for emergencies. Folstart of the Introduction to lowing tropical storm Irene and Computer Fundamentals October snow storm Alfred, the Class. It began meeting importance of personal preMonday, March 12. paredness really hit home. Indi-

Naugatuck

CORRECTIONS

viduals need to prepare to be self-sustaining for at least three days after a disaster strikes. Learn how to better prepare for any type of emergency. Discussion will include making a plan, building an emergency kit, where to go if you need to leave your home, understanding your own needs during an emergency, including your pets in preparedness planning, and how to become more resilient during any kind of emergency. Call 203-729-4591 to register, so the presenter will know how many handouts to bring.

Shawn Sullivan Exhibit The March exhibit features artwork of borough resident Shawn Sullivan. Sullivan has been interested in both art and photography since he was a teenager. He works in photography, watercolors, oils and pencil. A manufacturing engineer by profession whose career has often asked him to step away from the canvas, Sullivan likes by his own admission “to give life to memories.” This month’s exhibit of a variety of subjects worked in different mediums can be viewed on the Whittemore Gallery Wall on the main floor of the library. The Howard Whittemore Memorial Library is at 243 Church St. in Naugatuck. For information, call 203-729-4591.

disliked by all his neighbors; she’s a Southern belle who goes out west to marry him. The setting is the Great Plains of the American frontier in 1880. Others in the cast of this 1947 film, which was directed by Elia Kazan, are Melvyn Douglas, Robert Walker and Phyllis Thaxter. The room’s surround sound theater has an infrared listening system available. For more information, call 203-262-0626.

Youth Art Month Exhibit Region 15 schools are observing Youth Art Month with a display of local student art work at the Gloria Cachion Art Gallery in the Southbury Public Library through Thursday morning, March 29. Check www.southburylibrary. org for more information. The library is at 100 Poverty Road in Southbury (203-262-0626).

Woodbury Children’s Science Club

Children ages 8 to 11 are welcome to join the library’s new FETCH! Science Club based on the PBS kids show. The club meets Thursdays to April 5 at 6 p.m. During the four weeks children will construct a catapult and launch marshmallows, test for the best way to make invisible ink reveal itself, learn about bridges and how they support weight, and learn about heating and cooling by making ice Southbury Teen Improv cream. Space is limited; registraLocal actress Magghie Warner tion is required. will teach this class for youth in Block Island grades five to 12 Thursday, March 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. Got Art Exhibit the acting bug? Here’s the cure! This month, Dr. Vincent de Eager teens are invited to join in Luise of Woodbury is sharing an a night of improvisational acting. exhibit of photographs and postRegistration is required. Call 203- ers of Block Island. The de Luise 262-0626, ext. 110. family has lived in Wood-

Southbury

Wednesday Film The Wednesday afternoon movie March 21 at 1:30 p.m. in the Kingsley Meeting Room is a great romantic western/drama starring Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn in a fourth cinematic pairing that is pure magic. He’s a prosperous cattle baron

bury more than 30 years, and during that time they have visited Block Island every year for summer vacations and autumn and spring getaways. For information, call 203-2633502 or visit www.woodburylibraryct.org. The library is at 269 Main St. South in Woodbury.

The Bee-Intelligencer

Friday, March 16, 2012

PAGE 3

Middlebury Seniors enjoy St. Patrick’s Day Dinner

Volunteer chefs Paul Babarik, left, and John Cookson, right, stand in front of the stove in the kitchen A crowd of 65 seniors await their St. Patrick’s Day dinner at Shepardson Community Center last at Shepardson Community Center after preparing a St. Patrick’s Day dinner for Middlebury seniors Friday. Tom “T-Bone” Stankos regaled them with song while they enjoyed the traditional meal last Friday. They fed a crowd of 65 seniors corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and all the fixings. of corned beef and cabbage. (Marjorie Needham photos)

Principals to race through Stop & Shop

Senior Center News

a winning plan, the program will double MMS’s receipts for the month of March. “It got chosen surprisingly,” Sieller said of his plan. “I didn’t expect it to. I tried to make it more fun and involve other principals as well.” To participate in the A+ rewards program, shoppers register their 13-digit Stop & Shop Rewards number and designate it for a particular school. At the end of each month, the A+ School Rewards are used in a calculation to determine a school’s cash total. The program ends at the end of March for the 2011-12 school year. So far MMS has earned $8,876 to help buy SMART Boards. Sieller credited MMS’s Stop & Shop A+ Rewards coordinator Karen Critelli for building up the A+ family registrations with Stop & Shop. He said even though MMS has a little more than 500

Commission on Aging

By CRISTINA COMMENDATORE Ready, set, go … Memorial Middle School (MMS) Principal Dr. John Sieller will challenge Long Meadow Elementary School Principal Christopher Moretti and Middlebury Elementary School Principal Dr. Jack Zamary to a three- to fiveminute speed shop to see who can put the most groceries in their shopping cart Monday, March 19, at 4:30 p.m. at the Stop & Shop in Watertown. The Principal Challenge is a moneymaking opportunity run as part of the Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards Program. MMS will use the funds to buy more SMART Boards, interactive white boards, for the school. Sieller came up with the idea to race and submitted it to the national Stop & Shop A+ Rewards Program. Since he came up with

students, Critelli got more than 900 families registered to build up points, which are then converted into dollars for the school. Critelli said, “We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Sieller was one of five principals (nationally) selected to perform their challenge out of over 10,000 schools in the program! His idea will award Memorial Middle School double points for any spending in March, which is the last month of the program – that means an extra $1,700 for MMS.” Sieller said he invited Middlebury’s other two principals to make the competition more fun. “I would call it the ultimate friendly competition,” he said. “They’re being very generous with their time, since I roped them into this in the first place. They’ll probably be sorry, but so far they’re still laughing about it and are excited about it.”

University offers high schoolers summer college credit classes

The next Commission on Aging meeting will be Tuesday, Did you get a new digital camMarch 20, at 9:30 a.m. All are era for Christmas? Instructor welcome to attend. Don Chabot will show you how to use it in a course that will meet Free Income Tax Tuesday, March 20, and Friday, Preparation Help March 23, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Learn how to download/edit/ Free income tax assistance is provided at the Middlebury Se- print/organize all those wondernior Center at 1172 Whittemore ful photos of the New Year’s party Road in Middlebury by the AARP you attended where you took Tax Aide program for low- to photos of family and friends actmoderate-income taxpayers of ing crazy. Bring your cameras. The course fee is $20. To reall ages, with special attention to serve a seat, call 203-577-4166. those 60 and older. Call 203-577-4166 for more Class size is limited. information or to schedule an Spring Salad appointment with a certified AARP Tax Aide counselor. Bring Demonstration to the appointment your spouse Monday, March 26, at 11 a.m., (if you are married), proof of Roberta Winters from TLC Homeidentity, Social Security numbers care will present “Spring Salad for yourself and your depen- Demo” at the Middlebury Senior dents, a personal check with Center and will serve it to all who bank checking account and rout- participate. Registration is reing numbers, copies of last year’s quired. Please sign in at the senior federal and state tax returns and center office or call 203-577-4166. all income statements.

Fairfield University will offer Summer Scholars, a new twoweek, for-credit college academic/residential experience for talented rising high school juniors and seniors July 8 to 20. High school students will learn alongside college students, broadening their knowledge in a host of courses. High school students will get a taste for what college is really like by taking a three-credit course and living in a residence hall, taking advantage of all Fairfield’s safe and scenic 200-acre campus has to offer. In addition, students will attend workshops on topics such as the college search and application process and meet with the assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences to discuss their academic progress. “Fairfield University’s Summer Scholars Program has been designed specifically for talented high school students who want a comprehensive taste of what college life is like at our beautiful and

dynamic campus,” said Aaron Perkus, associate dean of University College at Fairfield University. “Students will live in our dorms, eat at our facilities, take our credit classes, and participate in an array of enrichment and recreational activities. Faculty and staff will develop an individual relationship with each participant to ensure we are meeting the needs of the whole person.” Program highlights are three college transfer credits; small class settings led by expert, fulltime Fairfield faculty; a full residential experience with access to recreational facilities and stateof-the-art library and computer and science labs; and planned activities, such as field trips to the beach and New York City, karaoke socials, dodge ball tournaments, movie nights, and video game contests; a safe and secure environment; opportunities to meet with admission professionals to discuss the college application process and other fun and informative workshops

Tai Chi-certified instructor Sherry Galvin teaches Tai Chi Enrolled students may take every Wednesday at 11 a.m. The one three-credit course that cost is $30 for 12 lessons. To sign meets three hours each weekday up, call 203-577-4166. for the two-week period. Students Medical Loan Closet will prepare for their course by If you or a family member is completing about five hours of work online prior to the begin- in need of crutches, a walker, a shower chair, or other assistive ning of class. Course options are varied and device after surgery or an accithere are no prerequisites. Stu- dent, the senior center may be dents may choose from Biology: able to help. Call 203-577-4166 “Identity and the Human Ge- if you would like to use the mednome,” Communication: “Family ical loan closet. Communication,” Film: “Films of Time to Plan the 90s,” International Studies: “United Nations Security Council Community Garden Crisis Simulation,” Music: “The Middlebury’s intergeneraHistory of American Song,” So- tional community garden prociology: “Race, Gender and Eth- vides fresh produce for residents nic Relations,” and Studio Art: interested in gardening. Last “Foundation: Drawing.” year, dedicated volunteers of all The Summer Scholars Pro- ages grew tomatoes, potatoes, gram is open to qualified high lettuce, beans, peppers, squash, school students in the classes of and a variety of herbs such as 2013 and 2014. Students must parsley, sage, basil, oregano, and have a GPA of 3.2 or higher. For rosemary. more information or to apply bePreparing this year’s garden fore the June 15 deadline, will begin in late March or early visit www.fairfield.edu/summer- April. Those interested, includscholars. ing local groups, are invited to

Online banking grows by leaps and bounds Say it isn’t true. Seniors are moving to online banking? So says a survey done by the American Bankers Association. For the first time ever, those of us age 55 and older now prefer doing our banking online rather than going to the bank in person or using the mail. It wasn’t just a few of us either. We went from 20 percent of seniors doing banking online in 2010 to a whopping 57 percent in 2011. Part of this, it’s said, is due to the banks now having a long list of requirements to avoid the fees they now charge. In some cases we’re required to have a very large balance in savings or we’re charged a monthly fee to get statements by mail. Doing our banking online often is one of the ways we can save money. Why do we do it? It’s convenient, especially if we no longer

drive or if we live in places with inclement weather. For those of us who are so busy it’s not easy to get to the bank during working hours, online banking is a means to easily take care of business. That doesn’t mean we’re eager to use our cell phones to conduct bank business, however. We’re not quite there yet. Computer classes have made us more comfortable pressing keys, but a small cell phone is easily lost. So, what can we do online? We

can transfer funds from one account to another, check balances, see if a check has cleared, view our statement and pay bills. If you want to explore online banking, remember two key safety steps. Keep good virus protection on your computer, and close your browser after you log out of the bank’s website. Matilda Charles regrets she cannot personally answer reader questions, but she will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send email to columnreply@gmail.com. (c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

Please support the advertisers who help us bring you this free weekly newspaper.

Introduction to Apple Computers

Tai Chi

Trips

Basic Digital Photography

Angelo Malagrino will give one-on-one lessons on using Apple computers, either on the senior center’s Apple laptop, or people can bring in their own laptops. He charges $10 for the lesson and is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please call 203577-4166 for an appointment.

Stew Leonard’s Thursday, March 22, the Senior Center mini bus will go to Stew Leonard’s in Danbury and then stop for lunch at the Blue Diner. The bus will leave the senior center at 10:30 a.m. and return before 3 p.m. The cost for transportation will be $7 per person. Call 203-577-4166 to reserve a seat.

West Point Dress Parade Travel to West Point Academy in New York to view its famous dress parade Saturday, April 28. With great pomp and circumstance, the cadets march in full uniform in cadence with military music, presenting arms in unison. Enjoy a bountiful buffet at the Hotel Thayer, which offers an assortment of salads, hot and cold entrees and an extensive sweets table. Also included in the excursion are guided tours of West Point’s highlights: the Cadet Chapel, Trophy Point and the Hudson River Lookout. A Friendship Tours luxury coach will depart from Shepardson Community Center at 8 a.m. and return to the lot at 6 p.m. The cost is $83 per person. Call Middlebury Parks and Recreation at 203-758-2520 to reserve a seat.

Region 15 School Calendar Monday, March 19 PHS .................................................................... Talent Show Rehearsal

Tuesday, March 20 RMS Grade 8 D.C. Field Trip Parent Meeting............................7 p.m. PHS ...................................................................................... Talent Show

Wednesday, March 21 PHS PTO.........................................................................................7 p.m.

Thursday, March 22 String Rehearsal Grades 6-12................. PHS, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. String Festival Concert Grades 6-12................................. PHS, 7 p.m.

Friday, March 23

MMS Basketball Blowout Snow Date ........................ PHS, 6 to 8 p.m. Elementary ........................................................................Report Cards participate. To sign up, or for GES Mother-Son Square Dance................ Grades 1-2, 6 to 6:45 p.m.; . Grades 3-5, 7 to 7:45 p.m. more information, call 203-577Region 15 website: www.region15.org 4166.

1255 Middlebury Road Middlebury, CT 06762 www.brasscityballet.org

Spring Gala 2012 Mainstage Theater at Naugatuck Valley Community College 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708

Saturday March 17, 2012 at 6:30pm Call (203) 598-0186 for tickets Tickets are $35 for Adults and $20 Seniors/Students

BCB_2012_Gala_MdlbryBee_Ad_v2.indd 1

Featuring a new, original production of Beauty & the Beast

2/17/12 10:07 AM

The Bee-Intelligencer

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Friday, March 16, 2012

Bee Intelligencer in•tel•li•gencer: n. One who conveys news or information The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th ed.

Issued every week by: The Middlebury Bee-Intelligencer Society LLC Bee-Intelligencer Staff: Editor-In-Chief/Publisher: Marjorie Needham Editorial Assistant: Cristina Commendatore Correspondents: Mary Conseur, Jonathan “Chip” Longo, Terrence S. McAuliffe Art & Production: Mario J. Recupido Advertising Sales: mbiadvertising@gmail.com - Submit press releases in person, by mail or email The Bee-Intelligencer welcomes news, press releases and advertising from all surrounding communitie Editorial office: 2030 Straits Turnpike, Suite 1, Middlebury, CT 06762 Direct mail to P.O. Box 10. Telephone: 203-577-6800 • Email: beeintelligencer@gmail.com Advertising Information: Telephone: 203-577-6800 • Email: mbiadvertising@gmail.com Deadlines: Display Advertising: 5 p.m. Friday preceding publication Classified Advertising: 5 p.m. Monday preceding publication Editorial/Press Releases: Noon Monday preceding publication Copyright © 2012 by The Middlebury Bee-Intelligencer Society, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Your help is appreciated This month we are asking readers to help support this newspaper with a donation of $25. In its eighth year of publication, this newspaper is still struggling to get its balance sheet into the black. It costs more than $100,000 to produce the paper each year. We try to publish a paper that gives our readers the news they need and shares information that enriches their lives. We view the paper as a service to readers, and that’s why, unlike most newspapers, we run obituaries free. We consider it a community service. That does, however, leave us with just two sources of income – advertising (classified and display) and legal notices. Because our staff is small, producing a paper every week while also trying to sell ads has been a challenge. Despite this we remain determined to build our ad base so the paper can support itself. If you can donate, please do. If you can’t, please help us by supporting our advertisers. Frequent their businesses, and tell them you saw their ad in the Bee-Intelligencer. And if you know a business that would benefit from advertising with us, please mention us to them. We hope you feel this paper is an important part of this community that deserves your support. Donations can be sent to Bee-Intelligencer, P.O. Box 10, Middlebury, CT 06762. As the editor and publisher of the newspaper, I thank you for whatever you can do to help. To those who responded to the request for donations in last week’s issue, thank you very much for supporting your free community newspaper. Marjorie Needham

Bike riders get early bird discount The American Lung Association (ALA) will sponsor its 28th “Autumn Escape Bike Trek” on Cape Cod in Massachusetts this fall. And those who register in March will get a discount on their registration fee. The annual ride brings hundreds to the Cape in support of lung disease research and treatment, clean air, and the ALA. The 2012 Autumn Escape Bike Trek will kick off at the Hilton Garden Inn in Plymouth Friday, Sept. 28, and ride along the coast to Provincetown, finishing Sunday afternoon. Trekkers will travel 160 miles over three days and experience some of the most breathtaking sights Cape Cod has to offer. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult; the Trek provides a perfect fall getaway for families of all sizes. The ride additionally offers a two-day, 105-mile option. Along the way medical and technical support are provided, together with overnight accommodations, food, fun and entertainment. Trekkers and volunteers enjoy a free lobster dinner Saturday night.

Trekkers are required to raise a minimum of $500; those who raise $1,000 or more become part of the prestigious Winner’s Circle. Members of the Winner’s Circle will receive a 2012 Autumn Escape cycling jersey, along with plenty of perks throughout the weekend. Boston’s Magic 106.7 will be the official radio sponsor and Urban Adventours, also of Boston, will be the official bike sponsor. Seventy-eight cents on every dollar supports the mission of the ALA, which is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Proceeds help fund lung disease research, programs, advocacy and education and the Fight for Air. For more information, to register, or to sign up as a volunteer, visit biketreknewengland.org. Three-day riders should use discount code AEEB23 to receive $20 off the $75 registration fee and two-day riders should use discount code AEEB22 at checkout to receive $10 off the $55 registration fee. Those who register after March 30 will pay full price.

In Brief Theatre Presents “Rumors” The Clockwork Repertory Theatre will present “Rumors,” a comedy by Neil Simon and directed by Harold J. Pantely March 16, 17, 23, 24 and 31, at 8:15 p.m. at the theatre at 133 Main St. in Oakville. “Rumors” concerns four couples who arrive at the townhouse home of the Deputy Mayor of New York City to celebrate his 10th wedding anniversary. The party never begins because the host has shot himself (only a flesh wound) and the hostess, his wife, is missing. The cover-up grows progressively more difficult as more guests arrive and nobody can remember who has been told what. Tickets are $18 at 860-274-7247.

Humphreys’ House Tour David Humphreys’ house at 37 Elm St. in Ansonia will be open for guided tours Saturday, March 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and every third Saturday of the month. Led by Derby Historical Society docents, the tour covers the keeping room, Sarah Riggs Humphreys’ parlor, The Rev. Humphreys’ study and a bedroom off the keeping room (borning room). Spinning and weaving rooms also Chris (Jill Bonnett) and Lenny (Bill Wilson) enjoy a drink and a good joke during “Rumors,” are included in the tour. The cost is $5 for a comedy by Neil Simon. It is playing at the Clockwork Repertory Theatre through March adults, $3 for seniors and children 8 years 31. (Submitted photo) and older, and free for children younger than 8. For more information, call 203-735-1908. at 90 Cabbage Lane in Bethlehem. This workDocumentary Screening shop is suitable for beginners or intermediThe Jewish Federation of Western CT and Social Service Screenings ate, urban or rural beekeepers, who want to Free social service screenings for food B’nai Israel synagogue will sponsor a free support honeybees in the face of growing stamps and other programs to help any Con- film screening of the documentary “UN- concerns about colony collapse disorder necticut resident facing difficult times will MASKED: JUDEOPHOBIA” Sunday, March and the decline in numbers of pollinators be Thursday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 25, at 10 a.m. at The Walzer Family Jewish that visit fruit and vegetable plants we rely p.m. at the Jewish Federation at 444 Main Community Campus Social Hall 444 Main on for food. Avitabile will demonstrate inSt. North in Southbury. Screenings by ap- St. North in Southbury. A post-screening stalling a new bee package into a top bar pointment are for a dozen work support/ discussion will be led by Director/Producer beehive, and the class will visit his bee yard basic needs programs, including SNAP (the Gloria Greenfield. The documentary exam- in Bethlehem. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, ines rising anti-Jewish ideology and threats The fee is $45. Pre-register by April 11 formerly food stamps), energy assistance, to the existence of Israel. The screening is (after that, call for availability). Visit www. HUSKY, Medicaid and Charter Oak insur- open to the public. RSVP to jaframe@jfed. connsoil.com for a registration form. Print net. ance. form and mail it to P.O. Box 365, Bethlehem, Reservations are required for a one-hour CT 06751. Easter Flower screening, which is given by Nera Clemente & Vegetable Sale of the Connecticut Association for Human Parent University Services. To RSVP, call Debby Horowitz, Brass City Harvest will sell Easter flowers Newtown Parent Connection Inc., BrookBrownstein Jewish Family Service director, and plants and vegetable plants, including field Substance Abuse Coalition and SMART at 203-267-3177, ext. 310. All calls are con- cold weather vegetable plants, Thursday, Inc. (Southbury/Middlebury Acting Responfidential. April 5, through Saturday, April 7, from 8 sibly Together) will offer a Parent Empowa.m. to 3 p.m. at its Crownbrook Greenhouse erment University Saturday, March 24, from Blue Jeans Ball at 73 Hill St. in Waterbury. Brass City Har- 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Newtown Middle For the third consecutive year, Family vest’s mission is to provide food, education, School featuring speaker Bonnie Harris, Services of Greater Waterbury will hold its nutrition and supportive human services to author of “When Kids Push Your Buttons,” Blue Jeans Ball Thursday, March 22, at 6 p.m. Waterbury residents and non-residents. All and a “Kids University” program with fun, at Coco Keys resort at 3580 East Main St. in proceeds benefit the nonprofit Brass City age-appropriate activities for children ages Waterbury. The night will begin with con- Harvest’s Sustainable Community Food Sys- 3 to 11. It is open to all parents seeking versation, hors d’oeuvres, wine, a cash bar tem, which provides freshly-grown vegeta- “higher education” and more effective skills and a silent auction. Comedian Dave Reilly bles to low-income and homeless individ- in the ever-changing and challenging field will top off the evening. Reilly’s comedy is uals in the area. For information, visit www. of child rearing. tailor made for 30- to 60-year-old people brasscityharvestwtby.org. The cost of $5 per adult can be paid via who have love, life and relationship experiPayPal or any major credit card via PayPal. Beekeeping Workshop ence and who like to laugh! Children are free. Register online at www. All profits will support Family Services of Alphonse Avitabile, zoologist, retired newtownparentconnection.org. For more Greater Waterbury’s work in the community. UConn professor and acclaimed bee re- information, call the Newtown Parent ConWear your favorite blue jeans. Tickets are searcher and author, will instruct a practical nection office at 203-270-1600 and leave a $35; purchase them in advance at www.fam- beekeeping workshop Saturday, April 14, at message for Joan. Newtown Middle School ilyservicesgw.org or 203-756-8317. 2 p.m. at the Center for Sustainable Living is at 11 Queen St. in Newtown.

Pre-Passover programs Beth El Synagogue will hold a series of Pre-Passover Learning Programs and invites the public to attend. All programs will be at Beth El Synagogue at the Walzer Family Jewish Community Campus at 444 Main St. North in Southbury. The film, “The Prince of Egypt” will be shown Saturday, March 24, at 7 p.m. This animated movie is appealing to all ages. Children can bring blankets and pillows. A brief Havdalah ceremony will start off the evening, and movie snacks will be available. There is no charge to

attend, but RSVP by Thursday, March 21. Two Friday evening services will be March 23 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. On March 23, the new Hebrew month of Nissan will be celebrated with a joyful “Rosh Chodesh” service. On March 30, a Pre-Passover program called “Miracles in our Midst” will feature music and story. Both services will be followed by refreshments and socializing. For reservations and more information, call 203-264-4500 or email info@bethelsyn.org.

Girl Scouts sell cookies for heroes Middlebury Girl Scouts will sell cookies at a special “Cookies for Heroes” event at Dunkin’ Donuts at 489 Middlebury Road (Rte. 64) Saturday, March 17, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and also will sell them at a regular cookie booth at the Middlebury Post Office from 9 a.m. to noon. At the “Cookies for Heroes” event, you can buy a box of your favorite cookies and also a box for our

servicemen and women overseas. Saturday’s goal is to sell 100 boxes for heroes in honor of the Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary celebration. You also can cast a ballot for your favorite cookie. Look for the ballot box. And watch for dancing cookies! For more information, email middleburygirlscouts@ comcast.net or call Janice Kulpa at 203-758-8482.

The Bee-Intelligencer

Friday, March 16, 2012

PAGE 5

Obituaries James B. Grant

Husband of Theresa Grant

of Southbury; his father- and mother in-law, Anthony and Mary Melita of Stratford; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Richard. Burial was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Watertown. Contributions may be made to the CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405 or to St. John of the Cross Church, 1089 Whittemore Road, Middlebury, CT 06762. Online condolences may be made through www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.

James B. Grant, 55, of Middlebury died March 7 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of Theresa (Melita) Grant. His funeral Mass was March 10. Jim was born Sept. 2, 1956, in Bridgeport, a son of the late John and Lois (Kniffin) Grant. He had resided in Middlebury for five-and-a-half years, previously living in Newtown for more than 12 years. He was raised in the Lordship section of Stratford and worked more than 25 years at Bridgeport Fittings Inc. as a quality Uniroyal Employee control supervisor. Edward Rompre, 59, Besides his wife of more than 28 of Cheshire passyears, he leaves two sons, Richard S. ed away March 6 at Grant and George T. Grant of Midhome. He was the dlebury; sisters, Ellen McFarland, husband of Theresa Caroline Cremin and her husband, (Parian) Rompre, Robert, all of Stratford; and Sheila and they were marTucciarone and her husband, Jack, ried for 33 years. of Oxford; brothers, John Jr. “Jackie” Theresa was his Grant and his wife, Karen, of Milford (Kathleen Brown-Carrano cartoon) and David Grant and his wife, Shelly, princess bride, and he loved her very much. Edward was born Jan. 6, 1953, in Waterbury and was a son of Alice (Gagnan) Rompre of Waterbury and the late Robert Rompre. Ed was employed by Uniroyal in Naugatuck. He amount showing in Box 3. don’t understand the numbers was an avid bingo player, loved to If you want to complete your in the various boxes, the publi- play “the claw machine,” and enreturn yourself or read about fil- cation explains each one. joyed fishing, boating and horseback ing to get an estimate of the tax If you receive railroad retire- riding. He was a communicant of St. you might owe, go online to the ment benefits on FORM RRB- Bridget’s Church in Cheshire. Besides his wife and mother, he Internal Revenue Service website 1099, this publication explains is survived by a sister, Carolyn at irs.gov and search for Publica- the figures in each of the 11 Brown, and her husband, Samuel, $19,000 (or $9,950 for an individ- tion 915. The name is “Social boxes. of Watertown; a brother, Francis ual) requires that a tax return be Security and Equivalent Railroad If you do your taxes yourself Rompre, and his wife, Lenore, of filed. Retirement Benefits.” Look for and have a question, you can con- Waterbury; a niece and several However, if you receive a large the Lump-Sum Election on page tact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. nephews; and his best friends, the lump-sum payment and report 11 for detailed instructions on Your best bet, however, if you’ve Rancourts, Kellys, Tierinni and Higthat, as well as any other income, the Worksheets 1 through 4 that received a lump-sum benefit, is gins. His memorial mass will be Saturyou could end up paying too need to be filled out. Scroll down to get help from a tax preparer. much in taxes. and look for the examples of the David Uffington regrets he can- day, March 17, at 10 a.m. at St BridThis is where you’ll need the worksheets. The result of the cal- not personally answer reader get’s Church. Burial will be at the help of a tax preparer or tax prep- culations on those worksheets questions, but he will incorporate family’s convenience. The DellaVecaration software to complete your determine which election them into his column whenever chia Funeral Home in Southington handled the arrangements.

Edward Rompre

Handling lump-sum benefits and taxes If you began receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments in 2011, you could have a problem when you file your tax return and end up paying too much. Here’s why: Since it takes so long to begin receiving SSDI benefits, it’s possible that you’ll receive a one-time lump-sum payment that includes back payments for previous years. Those benefits are taxable income, and you could pay taxes at a rate up to a whopping 50 percent. The calculation to determine your income includes any other income you have. According to a news release by the Allsup Disability Life Planning Center, an average SSDI benefit is $1,073, which comes to $12,876 for the year. For a couple, a total income of more than

return: You’re allowed to spread that lump-sum income out over previous years. You’ll receive a Form 1099 showing the amount of SSDI income you received, with the

method will get you the lowest tax. Publication 915 contains other helpful information as well. If you receive a FORM SSA-1042S Social Security Benefit Statement and

Frugal Mummy By CLAIR BOONE My father-in-law is tricky to buy for, but I always hate to just give him a birthday card, which is why last year we got brownie points for a unique idea. Now, I’m sharing it with you for that hardto-buy-for person on your list or for a fun “big” birthday gift like a 50th or 60th! I remember for my dad’s 40th my mum made a chocolate bar poem, and I helped, which was easy, as I knew English chocolate bars. After Googling candy poem a couple of weeks ago, I got all kinds of variations with all kinds of candy bars I didn’t know and didn’t grow up eating! I had no clue what a Watchamacallit was and have never tried Carefree, so I enlisted help at my local store under the guise of being a foreigner! Anyway, for those of you who’d like to borrow the idea here’s how: Here’s what you need: Large piece of card, tape, and candy bars: Watchamacallit, Snickers, Mounds, Spree, Skor, Milky Way, Lifesavers, Symphony, PayDay, 100 Grand, Smarties, Butterfingers. Poem. You can tailor it to your special person! Simply replace the capitalized words with the candy bars. “People at your age often say WATCHAMACALLIT and have a bad case of BUTTERFINGERS.

Candy bar birthday poem There are no SNICKERS at you though! You always know the SKOR and are a real SMARTIE. You’re a LIFESAVER to so many. If we had 100 GRAND we’d take

(Clair Boone photo) you on a shopping SPREE downtown, to the SYMPHONY or better yet a trip to the MILKY WAY. Alas our PAYDAY isn’t big enough so we’ll just say Happy Birthday!

We love you MOUNDS!” For a Bridal Shower gift here’s what you need: Large piece of card, tape and cleaners: Dawn, Era, Joy, Brawny, Mr. Clean, Shout, SOS, Easy On, Tide, Vanish, Bounce, Fantastic, Zest, Pledge, Snuggle. (I recommend the smallest sizes or even trial sizes for it all to fit.) The Bridal Shower Poem. Simply write the words replacing the ones I’ve capitalized with the cleaner. “We gather together with you to celebrate the DAWN of a new ERA. Marriage is a journey. Some days it will be pure JOY but let’s take a moment and talk about the others. There may come a time when you realize your big BRAWNY guy isn’t necessarily MR. CLEAN. When this and other little glitches occur, don’t SHOUT or send up an SOS. Go EASY-ON him. Hopefully the TIDE will change quickly, tensions will VANISH and things will BOUNCE back to normal. We think you and ______ are a FANTASTIC couple with a ZEST For life and a sincere appreciation for each other. We fully support you as you and ______ PLEDGE to spend your lives as one.” Join Clair Boone and thousands of other savvy shoppers at w w w. f a c eb o o k. c o m / mu m mydeals.org, or read her other tips at www.mummydeals.org.

Tribury Chamber Wine Tasting Middlebury Fine Wine and Spirits owner Robert Heusted, second from right, rings up a purchase for a Tribury Chamber of Commerce member while other chamber members socialize. Heusted hosted a wine tasting for chamber members last week. (Marjorie Needham photo)

Brian Sluis

Son-in-law of Dr. Bernard and Jean Oemcke Brian Sluis, 53, of Brewster, Mass., died March 8 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He is survived by the love of his life since their summer romance in 1979, Gail (Oemcke) Sluis, formerly of Middlebury. He was born in Hartford Sept. 18, 1958, to the late Phyllis and Mark Sluis and was raised in Pittsford, N.Y. He received a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Rochester Institute of Technology and has worked in this field on Cape Cod since that time. He was a managing partner of the 400 East Restaurant in Harwich, Mass., and an owner of Pearl Restaurant in Wellfleet, Mass. Brian’s high standards for service and equality remain in place today and will forever be a tribute to him, his staff and valued guests. Brian filled the lives of those around him with his infectious personality, his abundant energy and his contagious laughter. A thoughtful, loving and loyal husband, son, brother, uncle and friend, he will be deeply missed by all blessed enough to have known him. In addition to his wife, Gail, he is survived by his brother, Ben and his wife, Carol, of Manlius, N.Y.; his brother, Scott and his wife, Valerie, of Ogden, Utah; his in-laws, Dr. Bernard and Jean Oemcke of Middlebury; sister-in-law, Patricia Rowland and her husband, John, of Middlebury; sisterin-law, Cheryl Summa of Amherst, Mass.; and brother-in-law, Dr. Glen Oemcke and his wife, Kathleen, of Southbury; as well as many nieces and nephews. Services honoring Brian’s life will be Sunday, March 25, at the Brewster Baptist Church in Brewster, Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations in Brian’s memory may be made to either PALS for Life Foundation, c/o Chatham Squire, 487 Main St., Chatham, MA 02633; or the Brewster Baptist Church, 1848 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631.

Hospice seeks volunteers VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Connecticut seeks those with compassion and a little time to volunteer. Hospice volunteers give their time to terminally ill patients and their caregivers during a critical time. In orientation classes they are trained in listening skills, family dynamics and the right words to say to patients and their loved ones at the end of life. After completing the class, volunteers provide respite for caregivers, offer companionship for

the patient, run errands and help in small but meaningful ways. They serve in private homes, nursing homes, at the In-patient Hospice Unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital and many facilities who partner with VITAS in end-of-life care. Assignments and schedules are made according to the volunteer’s preferences and location. For more information about becoming a hospice volunteer or to attend an orientation class, call Karen Hale, volunteer services manager, at 203-437-3127.

Middlebury Road (Opposite the Shell Station) Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Anthony Calabrese 203-758-2765

We Sell Quality Wood Pellets! Bird Seed Headquarters Black Oil, Premium Mix, Sunflower Hearts, Niger Seed (thistle for finches)

Deer Corn • Livestock and Poultry Feed Local eggs. Fresh daily. $3 per dozen

Votedthe the Voted bestpizza pizzainin best Middlebury Middlebury for for2012 2012by by the thePatch Patch Readers. Readers. Wood-fired Wood-fired Oven

Oven

at at OPEN OPEN for for lunch and lunch and dinner dinner Closed Closed Mondays

Mondays

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

ST. PATRICK’S DAY Bagpipes from 3-4pm & 6-8pm D.J. at 9pm Bagpipes from 3-4pm & 6-8pm Irish Corned Beef and D.J. at 9pm Wood-Fired Irish Irish Corned BeefPizza and All Irish Beers on Tap Wood-Fired Irish Pizza All Irish Beers on Tap 203-598-7221

203-598-7221

One Store Road, Middlebury, CT

The Bee-Intelligencer

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Hypnosis show to benefit GradNite “Our biggest fear is waking up the next day (after graduation) and reading Ever dream of hitting the paper,” Papiro notes like your favorite said. “That’s why we rock star or taking a do this, and that’s magic carpet ride to a why we’re adamant beach to meet your ceparents drop their lebrity crush? Those kids off and pick dreams could become them up. We’re not reality – sort of – when trying to inconvecomedic hypnotist Dan nience them; we’re LaRosa works his magic just trying to keep on audience members the kids safe.” during a performance Papiro said every to benefit Pomperaug year at least 95 perHigh School (PHS) cent of graduates GradNite Friday, March attend GradNite. 23, at 7 p.m. in the PHS Throughout the auditorium. night, the PHS pool, “People have to want athletic facilities, to be hypnotized,” Lacafeteria and Rosa said. “I really don’t All-Purpose Room hypnotize anybody; I are filled with enterguide them. I give suggestions, and they be- Comedic hypnotist Dan LaRosa (Tom Keyes photo) tainment and food. Inflatables, games, gin to accept the sugsenior photo colgestions. It’s all a simple process of getting someone to GradNite’s biggest fundraiser, lages and a DJ are the main highopen their mind, focus, concen- began with LaRosa six years ago. lights of the night. The next For the last two years, they hired morning, the Southbury Knights trate and relax.” LaRosa, who has been a hyp- a different hypnotist to perform, of Columbus prepare a pancake notist for the last 25 years, has but invited LaRosa back this year. breakfast for the graduates and “It’s just so funny the things volunteer chaperones. Papiro done several shows at PHS. He promises his show will be not he does and the things he is able said there are about 100 parent only entertaining, but also in- to get the kids to do,” Papiro said. GradNite volunteers, and South“Nothing too embarrassing, but bury police greet graduates at spiring. “People outperform them- something to get the kids talking the door. Though the comedy hypnosis selves,” he said. “I can take a stu- the next day.” Tickets for the show, which is show is GradNite’s biggest mondent very shy about public speaking and have them speak for all ages, are $10 at the door. eymaker, throughout the year with such power and emotion The show is an hour-and-a-half, GradNite board members raise that the audience looks at it as and Papiro suggests attendees money from a concession stand inspiring. I always make people arrive early for the best seats. at PHS football games and from remember things. I’ve never had Half of the proceeds will benefit small businesses in Middlebury and Southbury. Dinovas in Midone person say they felt bad GradNite. On GradNite, graduates enter dlebury and Southbury Food about performing for the show. PHS between 10:30 p.m. and Center accept bottle return reNot one.” PHS GradNite board members midnight and spend one last ceipts and donate the money to have sponsored a comedy hyp- night as a class together. They GradNite. “I’m hoping this show is a nosis show for the past six years leave after a pancake breakfast to raise money for GradNite, a at 5:30 the next morning. Grad- kickoff of what will be a fabulous drug- and alcohol-free event for Nite began 20 years ago as a Gradnite,” Papiro said. For more information on graduating seniors the night of Mothers Against Drunk Driving graduation. GradNite chair- initiative since the most danger- GradNite or to donate and or person Maria Papiro of South- ous nights for graduating seniors volunteer, visit www.phsgradbury said the event, which is are prom and graduation nights. nite.org.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Girl Scout Anniversary Celebration

By CRISTINA COMMENDATORE

Daily exercise increases your energy What a great start to March! Warm, sunny and almost 60 degrees! I’ve seen all kinds of happy people and animals enjoying the weather! Walkers, joggers, hikers, bikers, strollers, roller bladers, escapades and nature’s games. Children frolicking as they await the yellow school bus. A very old lady who comes out from hiding every spring to walk her very old dog a very long distance on the sidewalk of a very old town. All kinds of birds singing and fluttering and pecking at seeds with such joy. Pups playfully running around acres inside perimeters of the electric fence, falling over each other and excitedly digging in the unfrozen earth, all paws engaged in the anticipation of

Nuggets for Life By CYNTHIA DE PECOL discovering something special. Spring asks us to have more energy to enjoy all her great gifts. This week’s nuggets for life are to increase your energy by exercising in creative ways every day for all seven days! Try active rest exercise like the walk/jog. Start out walking at a nice clip for about five minutes and then jog for a minute. Walk another five minutes and jog for a minute and a half. Keep the rhythm going for 30 minutes! Or get your bike out, dust it off and take it for a quick

Pomperaug High School Varsity Games March 17 to 24, 2012 Baseball

Saturday, March 24.............. Ridgefield Scrimmage (A)...............10:30 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse

Saturday, March 24.............. Red-White Scrimmage (H)..................... 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse

Saturday, March 24.............. Pomperaug Play Day (H)........................ 8 p.m.

Boys Swimming

Saturday, March 17.............. CIAC Open Swimming (A)................. 2:30 p.m. (H) Home (A) Away

We need sports reporters We want to cover local sports! Our readers want us to cover local sports. We just need reporters to attend games/matches/ meets and write about them. Reporters can be students or adults. Would you like to help us cover sports? We’ll help you learn newspaper style, you’ll get a byline so everyone will know what you have written, and you’ll have clips to show colleges/potential employers. If you write well, love sports and would like to report on them for this newspaper, please call us at 203-577-6800 or email us at beeintelligencer@gmail.com.

15-minute ride down the road and 15 minutes back again before or after work instead of doing something else. Check out www. bodyrock.tv for a heart-pumping full-on 12-minute free work out! Everyone at every age and fitness ability can ramp up the exercise! Listen, it’s a great week to add these nuggets because you’ll feel you’re earning the green beer and plate of corned beef and cabbage I know you’ll be enjoying on Saint Patrick’s Day! Cynthia De Pecol is a Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master and Life Coach who lives in Washington, Conn. See lifecoachingllc.com or email lifecoach3@aol.com.

Middlebury Girl Scouts hold their Juliette Gordon Low paper dolls at the 100th anniversary celebration of Girl Scouts Monday night. Low founded the organization in Savannah, Ga., in 1912.

Middlebury Parks & Recreation Litter Volunteers

Bus Trip

The Parks and Rec DepartNew York City ment is providing supplies to Two-Option Trip volunteers who want to help pick Saturday, April 14, a deluxe up trash along the Greenway. motor coach to New York City Stop by the Parks and Rec office will depart from Shepardson to sign up and get your supplies. Community Center at 9 a.m. on a trip that offers two choices: Easter Egg Hunt New York City on your own or a The annual Easter egg hunt “Million Dollar Quartet” matifor Middlebury children ages 3 nee. The bus will depart NYC at to 10 will be Saturday, April 7 5 p.m. for the return trip. For New York City on your (rain date April 14), at 1 p.m. at Shepardson Field at 1172 Whit- own, enjoy the sights, sounds temore Road. The event is spon- and food of NYC at your leisure. sored by the Middlebury Police The 24 seats for this option cost Social Club and the Parks and $30 per person. The “Million Dollar Quartet” Recreation Department.

option includes a 2:30 p.m. matinee of the acclaimed Broadway musical that recreates a 1956 gathering of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins at Sun Records in Memphis for one of the greatest jam sessions ever. The performance lasts 1-1/2 hours. The 20 seats available for this option cost $96 per person. Call 203-758-2520 for information or to reserve seats.

Is it a migraine? DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have had headaches since I was 12. I am now 32. I hear people talk about their migraine headaches and wonder if I might have them. What makes a headache a migraine headache? I take aspirin for my headaches. It helps, but not all that much. Are there special medicines for migraines? – K.D. ANSWER: Yes, there are special migraine medicines, so it is important to determine if your headaches are true migraine headaches. Some of the distinguishing attributes of migraines are the following: They begin before age 40. More women have them than men. The headache starts out with minor pain but often progresses to intense and incapacitating pain. The word used to describe it is “throbbing.” Nausea and vomiting frequently accompany it. In a little more than half of migraine patients, the headache is on one side only. Bright lights and noise intensify the pain. Sufferers try to find a dark, quiet room where they can lie down until the headache goes away, and that can take four to 72 hours. Migraine sufferers can identify triggers that bring on their headaches. Stress, missing a meal, too much or too little sleep, menstrual periods, bright lights, certain odors like cigarette smoke or perfume and fatigue are some of the things that start a migraine. Alcohol – beer and red wine in

particular – chocolate, some cheeses and cured meats like hot dogs, sausage and bacon are triggers for some. Aspirin, Tylenol, Midrin and naproxen alleviate mild migraines. Cafergot is a migraine standby. A group of newer drugs are especially good for migraine sufferers. Seven of them are available. Some names are Imitrex, Maxalt and Zomig. Imitrex comes as a nasal spray and as an injection, administered like insulin. Zomig also comes as a nasal spray. This is a godsend for those who become sick to the stomach along with the headache. Not all migraine headaches produce all the signs and symptoms I mentioned, but if you have more than two of these characteristic symptoms, it’s a good bet you suffer from migraines. The booklet on headaches describes the common kinds and their treatment. Readers can obtain a copy by writing to Dr. Donohue – No. 901W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order

(no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery. DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Many of my friends take aspirin for the prevention of a heart attack or stroke. I decided I should join them. Is this a wise move? – K.H. ANSWER: Aspirin and similar drugs are the rule for prevention of heart attacks and certain strokes. The aspirin dose in greatest use is 81 mg – low-dose aspirin. Three different regimens for the prevention of stroke are acceptable: Plavix, aspirin or aspirin combined with sustained-release dipyridamole. The aspirin-dipyridamole combination comes in one tablet called Aggrenox. Note that these are for prevention of second heart attacks and strokes. For the prevention of a first heart attack or stroke, patients should consult their doctor, who will evaluate each patient’s risk. Based on that, the doctor will recommend a regimen that’s appropriate. It’s not a good idea to self-medicate with any medicine. Dr. Donohue regrets he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2012 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

1. Who holds the Los Angeles Dodgers record for longest hitting streak? 2. Since 1940, name the only two players to retire with a career batting average better than .335. 3. Who holds the NFL record for most consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass? 4. Name the last Wooden Award winner (top collegiate player) before Kevin Durant to go on to win an NBA season scoring title. 5. Which No. 1 overall draft pick recorded a hat trick the earliest in his NHL career? 6. Name the only two drivers to win from the pole position in NASCAR Cup’s Homestead-Miami Speedway. 7. When was the last time before 2012 that no male U.S. tennis player made the final 16 at the Australian Open?

Answers: 1. Willie Davis hit in 31 consecutive games in 1969. 2. Ted Williams (.344) and Tony Gwynn (.338). 3. Johnny Unitas, 1956-60. 4. David Robinson in the 199394 season. (Durant’s came in the 2009-10 season.) 5. In 2011, Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had three goals in this third NHL game. 6. Bill Elliott (2001) and Kurt Busch (2002). 7. It was 1973.

By CYNTHIA DE PECOL

Middlebury Girl Scouts and leaders recite the Girl Scout Promise Monday night at the 100th anniversary celebration of Girl Scouts at the Middlebury fire house. Girl Scouts across the U.S. said the promise at exactly the same time.

The Bee-Intelligencer

Friday, March 16, 2012

Classified Ads

Classified Advertising Deadline: 5 p.m. Monday Classified Advertising Cost: $10 per week, up to 40 words. 25c each additional word. Submit ad with your name, address, telephone number, and payment to: Mail: Bee-Intelligencer, P.O. Box 10, Middlebury, CT 06762 Email: mbisubmit@gmail.com Office: 2030 Straits Turnpike, Suite 1 This publication does not know-Runners Accepted. 800ment. Any condition, make or Help Wanted ingly accept advertising which is 549-2791 Help Us Transform model. Call now 1-877-818deceptive, fraudulent, or which Lives In The Name Of Christ. 8848, www. MyCarforCash. BECOME A SURROGATE might otherwise violate the law DONATE YOUR CAR FOR net MOTHER! Generous Comor accepted standards of taste. CASH ON THE SPOT & pensation! Help an Infertile However, this publication does Contractors IRS TAX DEDUCTION. couple. Non-smoker, 21-42 not warrant or guarantee the FREE $2,000 Grocery years old. Must have given accuracy of any advertisement, Shopping Coupons. FREE HAS YOUR BUILDING SHIFTbirth. Visit www.newlifesurronor the quality of the goods or Towing. All Cars AcED? Contact Woodford Bros., gacy.com. Call 212-969-7419 services advertised. Readers cepted. 1-855-WE-CUREInc. for straightening, leveling, are cautioned to thoroughly KIDS/1-855-932-8735, foundation and wood frame Home Services investigate all claims made in CarsCureKids.org repairs at 1-800-OLD-BARN, any advertisements, and to use www.wood-fordbros.com, ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! good judgment and reasonable Autos Wanted MAHIC#155877; CTHIC# care, particularly when dealing Basement waterproofing, fin571557; RICRB#22078 with persons unknown to you ishing, repairs, crawl spaces, who ask for money in advance CASH FOR CARS: Any Make, humidity & mold control. Free Education Model or Year. We Pay of delivery of the goods or serestimates! From Waterproofvices advertised. MORE! Running or Not, Sell

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PAGE 7

Even insulated pipes can freeze

Regarding your recent column on pipe insulation and freezing: You blew it this time. As a chemical engineer who has worked with construction and operation of various facilities, I can categorically tell you pipe insulation will not prevent pipes from freezing – particularly where power and heat are not available. Pipe insulation will slow the transfer of heat and cold into or out of piping. However, if heat is not available for a sufficient time, the water in the pipe will freeze if the surrounding air temperature is below 32 F. It might take awhile, but it will freeze. The simplest method for preventing damage to piping systems is to drain the piping as fully as possible, thereby keeping any remaining water from damaging the pipes when it freezes. The freezing water simply will expand into the voids and not split or break the piping. When heat is available again, the warming will melt the frozen water. Adding water back into the piping will permit it to operate as usual, eventually. I had this ex-

and split lines after an outage. – Ralph M. via email

By Samantha Mazzotta perience in my house back in the ‘80s during a massive and long power outage. I drained the water and heating lines as best I could. When power came back I started the boiler, after pressuring that system, and waited. Slowly, the three heating zones came back into operation – except for about 20 feet of heating pipe in the uninsulated space in the attic. That took days and the sun’s heat to return to normal operation. However, in a heated garage with pipe insulation, leaving the garage door open (accidentally) in 15O F weather did not protect the piping. Luckily only a split in a 2-foot length of pipe needed replacement. I worry your column will give a false sense of security to homeowners who are not engineers or tradespeople and will find frozen

You told them, Ralph, and I thank you! While pipe insulation slows heat or cold transfer – keeping hot water inside the pipes from cooling more quickly as it travels through unheated spaces – it should not be relied upon to prevent pipes from freezing during prolonged cold spells. Always check the entire run, including insulated sections, when monitoring for frozen pipes. Send your questions or tips to ask@thisisahammer.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

As spring approaches, double check pipe runs for damage before turning on water to sections such as exterior spigots that were shut off for winter.

Entertainment Listings

OIL TANK/BOILER: Just take Wanted them away. A 275-gallon oil tank (8 years old). 83000 CASH PAID Quickly - Top BTU Burnham Boiler with Prices paid for sealed, unburner (10 years old). In expired Diabetic Test Strips. good working condition and Up to $20/box. Don’t wait was well maintained. Call weeks for $$! Call now 888203-758-8306. 369-8973

Legal Notice TOWN OF MIDDLEBURY BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS MARCH 2012 CANCELLATION OF AND ADDITIONAL MEETING DATES

Cast members of “Willy Wonka Jr.” are on stage at the Thomaston Opera House with Director Richard McKenna (back far left) and Jeff Dunn, executive director of Landmark Community Theatre (back far right). The cast includes 35 kids from Watertown, Middlebury, Oakville, Thomaston, Southbury, Litchfield, Waterbury and Wolcott. (Theresa Mieczkowski/Snapshots Photography)

Waterbury St. Patrick’s Day Comedy Night Saturday, March 17, at 8 p.m. at Seven Angels Theatre on Plank Road. Four New York City comedians – Andy Hayward, Liam McEneaney, Bob Luparello and Carole Montgomery – will perform. Doors and the Devil’s Corner bar will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $29 and $24 for season subscribers at the box office, 203-757-4676 or at SevenAngelsTheatre.org.

All real estate and/or personal property owners in the Town of Middlebury, who have submitted an appeal to the Board of Assessment Appeals of the Town of Middlebury, will be informed, by the Board, of the appeal hearings schedule. The BAA will cancel the previously scheduled meeting of Thursday March 15, 2012 due to a lack of a quorum. Two additional dates have been added to the schedule. In addition to the previously printed schedule of meeting dates, the BAA will meet on Saturday March 17 beginning at 9 am and on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 beginning at 6:30 pm. In the Town Hall, Assessor’s Office. These appointments are for the sole purpose of hearing appeals related to the assessments of real estate and/or personal property.

The Official Blues Brothers Revue Saturday, March 24, at 8 p.m. at the Palace Theater. Tickets are $55, $45, or $35 at 203-346-2000, www.palacetheaterct. org, or at the box office at 100 East Main St. Groups of 15 or more should call 203-346-2011.

Dated: MONDAY MARCH 12, 2012 At: MIDDLEBURY, CONNECTICUT Stephen R. Ferrucci III, Chairman BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS

Thomaston “Willy Wonka Jr.” will be the first show at the newly re-opened Thomaston Opera House Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24, at 7:30 p.m. The production is produced by Curtain Call Kids, a children’s community theater troupe. Tickets are $10 for adults and children 10 and older, $8 for children younger than 10. For tickets or more information, contact Curtain Call Kids at CurtainCallKidsCT@gmail.com. There are 35 children in the cast, ages 6 to 16, who live in Watertown, Middlebury, Oakville, Thomaston, Southbury, Litchfield, Waterbury and Wolcott.

We’d like to hear from you! Got a hot news tip for us? Please email it to: mbisubmit@gmail.com Please include your name and telephone number. We also welcome your ideas for articles you’d like to see in the newspaper. If you don’t have email you can call us at 203-577-6800.

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The Bee-Intelligencer

PAGE 8

Friday, March 16, 2012

Adopt a Rescue Pet

Send in your pet photos Your pet could be featured as “Pet of the Week” in this picture frame. Send us your pet’s photo by email to mbisubmit@gmail or by regular mail to P.O. Box 10, Middlebury, CT 06762 along with your pet’s name, your last name and your town.

PETS OF THE WEEK Sammy and Cricket live with Joan and Don Krantz of Middlebury.

Chapin’s Computer Tip

Swapping hard drives In this example we are taking a good hard drive from a broken laptop (bad board) and putting it into laptop that is a different model. The hard drive is from an Inspiron 9400, and we placed it in an Inspiron D630. The operating system is Windows XP. Make sure your data is backed up prior to attempting this procedure. At first boot we got the error [XLDR] ATA error. The system would get to a black screen with this error, and that was as far as we could boot the system. The problem is with the MBR (Master Boot Record). Basically it tells the BIOS where to look for your operating system. Using a different drive caused this issue.

To resolve it, you will need to boot to the Windows Installation CD. In this case, any Windows XP CD will work. When the system boots, press any key to access the CD and begin the installation. After a few minutes loading the necessary files, you will get to a screen that will give you the option to press R for the recovery console. Press R. At the next screen, you will see your operating system listed, usually with a number one next to it. It will ask which OS you want to repair. Press 1. Enter the administrators password, or leave it blank and press Enter. At the command prompt type fixmbr. You may get a warning that you

VICKY’S LITTER Animals for Life (AFL) still has four puppies available from Vicky’s litter! The adorable puppies are now 4 weeks old and will be ready to go to their forever homes in early April. AFL hopes to have their homes in place and ready before then so the pups can transition right away. There are three males and one female still available, and the babies are expected to be medium in size when full grown. Their mom is a Border Collie mix, and the father’s breed is unknown. The litter was born in a foster home while under AFL’s care, and they are healthy and starting to get playful and independent. Call AFL to meet them.

MITTIE Mittie is a 2-year-old solid black female kitty. She ended up at the AFL shelter after a family member became allergic to her and the family had to give her up. Mittie is an overall great cat who likes attention. She often kneads when someone comes by to visit with her. Ms. Mittie doesn’t seem to like other cats, though, so she probably would be happiest as the only feline in her new home. Call AFL to learn more.

HAZEL What a big beauty this girl is! She is right at home at Meriden Humane Society (MHS), strutting herself around and loving the laundry room! Hazel is a loveable quiet cat who would like the same in a home. Give her a bed, a window and some food, and she will love you forever! No small children please, as she does need her naptime!

DODGER Dodger is a 3-year-old Brittany Spaniel. He adores going for long walks and does need room to run. He is a special-needs dog, as he has cranial nerve damage. It is nothing noticeable at all, and in fact, if MHS never told you, you would not notice anything different about him. He is just as active as any other dog and is such a cuddler! The only thing that cannot be done for Dodger is a neuter, as two specialists agree anesthesia might do more harm to his condition. He does not mark, as he is totally housetrained. Loveable and happy, he is looking for the same from a family.

will need to acknowledge by typing Yes. (This is why you should back up your data prior to this). When complete, type exit at the command prompt and reboot. Done. If you are using Vista, then use a Vista CD, select language and For more information on these pets, call 203-758-2933 or visit Animals For Life at the Middlebury then Repair your computer. At the Transfer Station on Rte. 63 at the corner of Woodside Ave. Adoption hours are Mondays and Thursdays System Recovery Options select from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 3 p.m. For more about the adoption process, Command Prompt. At the com- visit www.animalsforlifect.org. mand prompt type bootrec and press Enter. The result is you will have all your programs and files as they were on the broken system. Nice. For more tips, visit chapinbusiness.com. For answers to your technology questions, call us at 203-262-1869.

Learn Lithuanian egg decorating

P UZZLE SOLUTIONS:

Instructor Linda Zukauskas will teach adults and teens with an adult how to decorate eggs using traditional Lithuanian and Ukrainian methods Sunday, April 1, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Old Town Hall in Woodbury. The class will cover the basics of applying the wax, using special dyes, and polishing the eggs to a rich luster that enhances your artwork. Once you know the basics, you can create your own designs at home with the starter kit provided. Have lots of fun! Please bring one dozen white, jumbosize, hard boiled eggs! The class costs $35 for residents; $40 for nonresidents and is limited to 12 participants. To register, go to www.woodburyparks.org and print the registration form. Mail it with your payment to P.O. Box 369, Woodbury CT 06798. For more information, call Jenifer Miller at 203263-3113.

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For more information on these animals, as well as others at Meriden Humane Society, email meridensociety@sbcglobal.net. MHS is open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and volunteers can be available to meet with you through an appointment. MHS is at 311 Murdock Ave. in Meriden.

Sick cat can’t stop pooping DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My 8-year-old longhaired cat, “Buster,” has gas and diarrhea. He was given Flagyl for two months with no improvement. Then he took three months of probiotics, and no improvement. Now he gets 5 mg of prednisone and 5 drops of Rescue Remedy daily. His butt has been shaved to help keep him clean, and I wash it once a day. Buster eats special cat food, but that doesn’t help his digestion either. We have quarter-sized circles of poop all over the house, and I am breaking my back cleaning the carpet and floor. My husband says euthanize him. What more can I do? – Pat R. via email

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(203) 723-7230

1255 Middlebury Road (the Hamlet) Beer tastings Thursdays 5 - 7 pm Wine tastings Fridays, 5 - 7 pm & Saturday afternoons

Ferrari’s Appliance

DEAR PAT: Such long-term diarrhea is certainly cause for concern, and I know it can be intensely frustrating to care for and clean up after a sick cat. Please convince your husband to shelve the euthanasia suggestion, however. Buster sounds like he has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – a term that describes a collection of symptoms, such as frequent (or constant) diarrhea, but not a specific cause. Flagyl is a common treatment for IBD, as is prednisone. Rescue Remedy is a natural remedy to calm pets. Buster’s vet should run a number of tests, if he or she hasn’t already, to rule out bacterial infection, parasites or a metabolic condition. If a conclusive cause isn’t found, you must try and find ways to mitigate his symptoms. The change in diet also is recommended in case a food allergy is the problem. You’re feeding Buster a specialty cat food, but if it isn’t working, try other brands or even try making home-cooked cat food. Additional information can be found online. And realize you’re not alone: Many owners are caring for cats with IBD. Please don’t give up on Buster. Send your questions or tips to ask@pawscorner.com, or write to Paw’s Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. For more pet care-related advice and information, visit www.pawscorner.com. (c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

A great opportunity for kids to burn off a little energy,

run, jump, swing and play!

Instructional Classes • Birthday Parties • Cheerleading • Great foundation for other activities • Meet new friends • Free time for mom (this is huge) • Ages 2 to Adult • Try a Class... Then Decide

Save your furniture ... jump on ours See our class schedule at usagymnastics.net 811 Straits Turnpike • Watertown, CT 06795

Usa gymnastics

860-945-6970

Ladybug Cake & Candy Supply Supplies for all your cake and candy needs!

Classes include Sugar Eggs, Easter Candy and Kids Easter Candy Birthday Parties • Hard-to-find Specialty Items Gift Certificates 134 Main St. South

72G Bennett Sq., Southbury, CT (behind Leo’s Restaurant)

203-264-BAKE (2253)

LadybugCakeandCandy.com