Middlebury Bee October 15 by Mario-Design

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Volume XI, No. 11

LPOS focuses on Fenn Farm repairs, tour, easement By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE The Middlebury Land Preservation and Open Space Committee (LPOS) at its Sept. 2 meeting voted to bid out reroofing the cow barn and was told the first selectman had authorized funds to repair the horse barn foundation and re-open a plugged drainage ditch. They set Oct. 10 for the annual Fenn Farm tour and discussed a complaint from lifetime farm resident Robert Fenn and a draft easement for vehicles to travel over farm property to carry out burials in the adjoining cemetery. Members unanimously voted to recommend to the Board of Selectmen (BoS) that a cow barn re-roofing project be put out to bid. Repairs to the leaking barn roof had been discussed for years, with several consultants visiting the site and offering opinions. This led to Chairman Ray Pietrorazio’s offer at the November 2014 meeting to draft a bid package that he subsequently reviewed with members in February. He said the most recent structural engineering opinion, from The Barn Yard and Great Country Garages in Bethel, was there was no reason not to proceed with a reroofing, but whether or not the roof was structurally sound enough for a re-roofing job could only be confirmed by a complete engineering study. Pietrorazio said such a study would be very expensive, and he didn’t think anyone would guarantee the roof’s soundness. He noted the barn was over 200 years old and was built before building codes, making it impossible to bring it up to present-day building standards. Former Chairman John Cookson agreed with Pietrorazio the building had withstood serious recent snowstorms. Member Richard Spierto asked where the money would come from and was told by Pietrorazio it would come from the capital maintenance account, originally $200,000 and now down to $140,000. He said First Selectman Edward B. St. John told him BoS approval was needed to spend the money and encouraged him to send the project out for bids with the good possibility grants would match half the cost. St. John offered the services of the town’s financial officer, Larry Hutvagner, to help with grant paperwork. During discussion, Cookson was added to the Fenn Farm maintenance subcommittee after citing his tenure as chairman and his familiarity with the farm. He joins Pietrorazio, Malcolm Todt, Ted Mannello and Patrick

Dwyer. Member Kris Jacobi volunteered to chair a funds subcommittee to coordinate fundraising to replenish the capital maintenance account. In another long-discussed matter, Pietrorazio said he had been authorized by St. John to award masonry repair work to Sammy Masonry of Waterbury, which had submitted a $3,500 bid to fix the horse barn foundation. The masonry repairs will include two 6-inch-by-6-inch pressure-treated beams to augment a cracked beam. The money will come from the capital maintenance account. Another capital improvement-funded repair authorized by St. John was re-opening of a buried drainage ditch that required immediate attention. The job was initially estimated at $800 but grew to $1,300 when the work, performed by Jesse Esposito, proved to be more involved than expected. The Fenn Farm annual tour was set for Oct. 10 at the request of Robert Fenn, who conducts the tours as groups of visitors arrive. Pietrorazio suggested a sign be posted outside Four Corners store to promote the tour in addition to the flyers and news articles done in the past. Todt said he would cook the hot dogs, and Pietrorazio said he would coordinate with the Middlebury Land Trust, which co-sponsors the event. A letter from Fenn containing numerous complaints and suggestions on farm maintenance was discussed by members. Dwyer agreed to write a draft response for review at the next meeting. In new business, a proposed revocable license agreement allowing grave site preparation and burial vehicles to travel over a 15-foot strip of Fenn Farm property was discussed. The legal document, designed to be signed by officials of the Town of Middlebury, Middlebury Land Trust, Middlebury Cemetery Association (MCA) and Robert Fenn, stipulates liability insurance, indemnification from claims, damage repair and oversight by Fenn. MCA member Betty Jane Blick, commenting on damage from ruts, questioned whether burial vehicles were heavier than farm equipment and was told by Pietrorazio that vehicles carrying vaults were much heavier and might cause ruts that would require repairs. Blick said the MCA had not met since receiving the draft and was told by Pietrorazio changes could be suggested by all parties. The next regular LPOS meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center.

Inside this Issue Adopt a Rescue Pet.....8 Library Lines................2 Classifieds...................7 Obituaries...................5

sATURday

Oct. 3

Diversified Tax Tidbits...5 Puzzles.......................7 Golden Technologies...4 School Daze................4 It Happened in Middlebury...5 Senior Center Events....2 Library Highlights........2 Winning Ways.............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

Oct. 10

sATURday

Oct. 31

October 2015

Better Homes & Gardens® comes to Middlebury By MARJORIE NEEDHAM Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate announced Sept. 23 that it has opened its first office in Connecticut. And it’s right here in Middlebury. Middlebury real estate broker-owners Donna Bannon and Mary Ann Hebert’s independent brokerage, Bannon and Hebert, has become a franchisee of Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate. The firm’s new name is Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Bannon and Hebert. Bannon said they told the firm’s agents about it at their agent appreciation dinner at John’s Cafe. She said she began with, “We have something sort of important to tell you.” Bannon said the agents were thrilled with the news because the relationship with Better Homes and Gardens® will provide them with a number of tools that will make their jobs a lot easier. Bannon and Hebert operated as an independent agency for 19 years, but the time had come to consider other options. Bannon said, “I think we began to see what was happening with technology was explosive. The smaller firms were finding it hard to compete.” Hebert said of the new relationship, “We are very excited to be the first office in the state … I feel as if we have hired consultants. They help us in so many ways.” The franchise allows them to remain independent owners while enjoying benefits such as marketing materials and training tools. “Donna and I looked around at other firms,” she said. “We saw this brand matched our business’s core values.” Bannon agreed, saying, “Their core values match our core values.” Those core values are passion, authenticity, innovation, growth and excellence. In a prepared statement, Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate LLC said, “Our entry into Connecticut is an exciting milestone, and we are particularly pleased to continue our strategic growth with a team who aims toward the future while still maintaining their deep roots in the community. From their outstand-

Middlebury’s Donna Bannon, left, and Mary Ann Hebert, right, hold one of their firm’s new signs, Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Bannon and Hebert. The broker-owners operated as an independent brokerage, Bannon and Hebert, for nearly 20 years. (Marjorie Needham photo) ing commitment to ethical practices to their commendable business acumen, Donna Bannon and Mary Ann Hebert embody the core principles upon which Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate was founded.” As a franchisee, the Bannon and Hebert tradition of giving

back locally will continue through year-round charitable efforts, including active involvement in Waterbury Youth Services, serving as a drop-off point for the local food bank and hosting an annual coat drive. For more information, please visit www.bannonandhebert.com.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate® LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY). The firm’s network includes more than 9,500 affiliated sales associates and approximately 290 offices serving home buyers and sellers across the United States and Canada.

Proulx retires, CC accepts applications By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE The Middlebury Conservation Commission (CC) at its Sept. 29 meeting thanked retired member Thomas E. Proulx for his service and welcomed new member Curtis S. Bosco. It also accepted an application for an illegally constructed concrete dam at 120 Tranquility Road, agreed to sign off on a certificate of occupancy for an 891 Straits Turnpike building, took an application for afterthe-fact work for an oversize patio constructed without prior approval, and accepted an application for a building on Southford Road. Chairman Vincent B. LoRusso opened the meeting by thanking Proulx, who was not there, for his service. Proulx, a 10-year veteran of the commission, served as its chairman from October 2013 to August 2014. LoRusso called

Proulx “a solid member of the commission you could always count on.” LoRusso then welcomed new member Curtis S. Bosco, Middlebury’s zoning enforcement officer and a former member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Attorney Anne Peters, representing dam owner Robert Bosco, said at the Aug. 25 meeting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) granted approval for a planting plan for the dam, which was built without a permit. LoRusso on Feb. 24 instructed Peters to come back with an application for a new wetlands permit within 60 days after the ACOE made its determination. Also in August, Peters said the dam is constructed so water flow is more predictable and the dam is less susceptible to wash out. Soil scientist Cynthia Rabinowitz

said the native species plantings are designed to be naturalistic and in time will create a woodland setting, provide shade and keep the water cool. The application was accepted for review with the requirement commissioners be allowed to walk the property and a list of changes be provided. In enforcement matters, Wetlands Enforcement Officer Deborah Seavey told commissioners a 20-by-20-foot patio was approved for the new office building at 891 Straits Turnpike but a 20-by-40-foot patio with stairs and a retaining wall was built. She said the owners asked for a certificate of occupancy with the condition an after-the-fact modification application be submitted. Commissioners agreed and unanimously accepted the application for review. At the September meeting, the commission unanimously ac-

cepted for review an application by Joseph Desantis and Richard Brown of Middlebury, D/B/A Southford Road LLC to combine a 2½ acre parcel at 1000 Southford Road with an acre from the adjoining lot at 984 Southford Road owned by Francis Cipriano of Watertown D/B/A Southford Park LLC for a new 14,000square-foot commercial building. Attorney Michael McVerry said the 1000 Southford Road property previously was approved for a car wash/gas station/convenience store, and the combined 3½ acres would provide room for a centrally located commercial building on the property. The next regular CC meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in Room 26 at Shepardson Community Center.

St. George’s Church Blessing of the Animals Festival What: When: Where:

Annual blessing of the animals festival includes pet adoptions, pet basket raffle, pet grooming, food and drink, vendors 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. George’s Episcopal Church, Tucker Hill Road, Middlebury

Annual Fenn Farm Fall Tour

What: Farm tour, hot dogs, apple cider, apples, pumpkin raffle and photo contest When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: 55 Artillery Road, Middlebury

Middlebury Parks and Rec Annual Halloween Trick or Trunk What: When: Where: Info:

Decorate your vehicle and fill your trunk with candy for a “Howling Ghoul” time Set-up from 12 to 1 p.m.; Trick or Trunk from 1 to 3 p.m. Memorial Middle School parking lot, 1 Memorial Drive, Middlebury For more information call Parks and Rec at 203-758-2520, ext. 702

The November Middlebury Bee-Intelligencer will be out Friday, Oct. 30! Send mail to

P.O. Box 10, Middlebury CT 06762

203-577-6800

Visit us at 2030 Straits Turnpike, Suite 1

The Bee-Intelligencer

Middlebury Senior Center Events Flu shot clinic Flu shots will be available at the Middlebury Senior Center Monday, Oct. 5, from 1 to 3 p.m. Insurances accepted will be Athena, Anthem, Connecticare and regular Medicare. The price for those who have to pay will be $30 for the regular dose and $50 for the high dose. To avoid overcrowding and an unnecessary wait, please call the Senior Center at 203-577-4166 for an approximate time. Please bring your Medicare card or other insurance card that covers the cost of the shot.

Immunization importance Mary Jo Brennan from the Lutheran Home will be at the Middlebury Senior Center Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 11:30 a.m. for a lunchand-learn titled “Importance of Pneumonia and Shingle immunizations.” Please plan to attend this seminar and enjoy a free lunch. Call 203-577-4166 for a reservation.

Online 24/7 at bee-news.com!

Commission on Aging meeting The Commission on Aging will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 9:30 a.m. in the Shepardson building, Room 26. All who are interested are welcome to attend.

Driver safety program The next AARP Driver Safety course will be Monday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the senior center. The course is the nation’s first and largest driverrefresher course. Using new materials and new videos, the course covers new defensive driving techniques, new laws and regulations, how to deal with aggressive drivers, and how aging affects drivers. Drivers who attend the class will receive a completion certificate and may be entitled to a discount on automobile insurance (contact your insurance company for details). AARP membership is not required, and drivers of all ages are invited to attend. The cost to participate is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. All checks must be made out to “AARP.” Call 203-577-4166 to register.

October 2015

Library Highlights Trips Kent Falls foliage trip Thursday, Oct. 8, the Middlebury minibus will take passengers through Kent Falls State Park to see the beautiful fall foliage. The main attraction is the falls, but at this time of year, you get the best of both worlds with the falls surrounded by beautiful colors. After a relaxing ride, we will stop at the Charcoal Chef Restaurant for lunch. Please call the Senior Center to reserve your seat (203-577-4166). The ride will cost $7 per person.

Painted Pony restaurant As part of the Senior Dine lunch program, the minibus will go to the Painted Pony restaurant in Bethlehem Friday, Oct. 23. This trip is on the fourth Friday each month. You must have a Senior Dine card to participate. If you do not have a card, stop by the senior center office to get one. If you want to go to the Painted Pony, call 203-577-4166 to reserve a seat.

This column features library highlights, this month from only the Middlebury Public Library. For an extensive list of events at area libraries, please visit our website, www.beenews.com, and click on “Libraries.”

Middlebury

Dog photo contest The library is holding its first dog photo contest through the month of October. Rules are available at the library. From Oct. 1 to 29, bring your photos to the library for display and vote for your favorite pooch with pennies. The winner will be announced at the dog listener talk Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. The winner will receive a special gift from Oliver & Company: A Natural and Organic Pet Store. All proceeds will be donated to a local animal shelter.

Bake your best cupcake The 7th Annual Bake Your Best Cupcake Contest will be held at the library Thursday, Oct. 8, at 4 p.m. All ages are welcome, but preregistration is a must. Rules are available at the time of registration. Please call 203-758-

2634 for more information. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, third and fourth places.

awarded to the top two male and top two female runners.

Traveling Gourmet

Brown Bag Book Discussion

Join us Tuesday, Oct. 20, for the Traveling Gourmet. Enjoy a travel documentary while sampling cuisine from Italy prepared by Chef John Cookson. A light luncheon will be served at 1 p.m. and a light dinner will be served at 5 p.m. Reservations required.

The Brown Bag Book Discussion group will meet Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 1 p.m. to discuss “I am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai. New members are welcome.

Mystery Book Group

Middle School Masterminds

The Mystery Book Group will meet Thursday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. to discuss Kathy Reich’s “Devil Bones.” New members are welcome.

The Middle School Masterminds, youth in grades six to eight, will meet Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 4 p.m. to design and print 3-D jewelry. Design your own earrings, dog tags and bracelets during the meeting and pick up the printed items a few days later. Registration is required. For Middlebury Public Library events, please visit middleburypubliclibrary.org. The Middlebury Public Library is at 30 Crest Road. The telephone number is 203-758-2634. To see more library events, please look online at www.beenews.com.

Second Annual Rockin’ to Read 5K The 2nd Annual Rockin’ to Read 5K Run/Walk will be held Sunday, Oct. 18, at 9 a.m. Preregistration is $20 for an individual and $60 for a family of four (each additional member $10). Registration will be $25 the day of the race. Children ages 6 and under may enter the Children’s Run, three laps around the library parking lot. The cost is $10 per child. Costumes are welcome. Prizes will

Library Lines

Books to fill your fall reading hours

By Donna Hine

• Openings • Closings • Weekly Service • Repairs Call now for information on our fall specials or for an appointment for a free in-home consultation and free design plan.

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203-598-0185 Open by appointment only.

ew books make me laugh out loud. Almost any book by Janet Evanovich is the delightful exception. I haven’t read all of her books, but any Stephanie Plum book is sure to make me giggle. A close second are her Fox and O’Hare novels. They are not always a laugh a minute, but this series is sure to keep you turning pages. “The Scam” (EVA) is her newest addition to this series about the charming con man secretly working with the FBI agent to capture bad guys the law can’t touch. One of my favorite characters in this

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chain of books is FBI agent Kate’s father – an ex-soldier who taught Kate a lot of useful moves and shortcuts for apprehending a criminal (and a deep and abiding love of big weapons). In this particular book, Fox and O’Hare become high-stakes gamblers to nab a money-laundering casino magnate. This could be interesting … Next up is a thriller by Todd Moss, “Minute Zero” (MOS). Minute Zero is a term used to explain the moment of extreme disruption in a country at which events can be shaped to move the country in a particular direction. In a tale taking place in Zimbabwe, we find Ryker trying to create his Minute Zero there before many people die. Think armed gangs, suspicious money sources and the inevitable enriched-uranium leakage. This reads like an action-packed, upper-level Jack Ryan-type of novel. I am just finishing my first Catherine Coulter novel featuring Nicholas Drummond and Mike (actually short for Michaela) Caine and have really enjoyed it. It’s nice to know a sequel is already available! “The End Game” (COU) features the pair of FBI agents examining a violent group who is known for bombing power grids and refineries. When a refinery is bombed in New Jersey, they investigate and are nearly killed when a second bomb explodes. The action-packed novel has a slight undercurrent of possible romance between the two.

“Fates and Furies” (GRO) by Lauren Groff is an NPR News book-club pick. It looks like a great recommendation about a couple who fall in love in college, marry, and are still married 24 years later. This is the basic story – but the author weaves many threads into this to create a much more complex and many-layered tale. We are not allowed to know just what stunning revelations occur to generate such a surprising novel but must read it to uncover the truths. “Their Last Suppers: Legends of History and their Final Meals” (920.02 CAL) by Andrew Caldwell has to be one of the quirkiest books to come around in a very long time. What did Cleopatra eat at her last meal? And how would we ever verify the answer? Apparently, Elvis had just finished a plate of spaghetti and meatballs and requested cookies and ice cream on the night he collapsed. What’s really fun about this book is that the recipes for all the meals also are included. So you can make Elvis’s fried banana and peanut butter sandwich as well as the meatballs! Hitler’s last meal was vegetable soup and mashed potatoes – just thought you might want to know! “The Last Season: A Father, a Son and a Lifetime of College Football” (796.332 STE) by Stuart Stevens is so appropriate to the current season that I couldn’t resist it. The author and his 90-year-old father take in a season of Ole Miss games and reestablish both their relationship and a lifelong love of the game.

Reconnecting with an elderly parent involves lots of laughter and memories – and attending football games was a perfect bridge of communication. Joyce Carol Oates has written more than 70 books, including fiction, poetry, plays and essays. Now she has written a memoir about her childhood and adolescence, “The Lost Landscape: A Writer’s Coming of Age” (B OATES, JOYCE OAT). When writing of her toddler years, she deliberately writes simplistically and in a manner we think a toddler may actually think, and as she ages her memories become more sophisticated. Sunday drives, teen-age friendships and just a life lived shape the author’s future. Especially poignant is her passage about her much younger sister’s struggle with autism. Finally, “The Invention of Nature: Alexander Von Humboldt’s New World” (509.2 WUL) by Andrea Wulf is about the beginnings of environmentalism. To think that things are interconnected globally was a revolutionary idea and inspiring to future naturalists - think of Thoreau’s “Walden.” As an explorer, Von Humboldt traveled to many places and was deeply influenced by what he saw and experienced. He lived from 1769-1859, but his observations and beliefs are as relevant today as they were then. Middlebury Public Library Adult Services Librarian Donna Hine writes Library Lines. If you have a topic you’d like her to cover, contact her at the library at 203-758-2634.

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The Bee-Intelligencer

October 2015

Vote Row B – The Middlebury Republican Team Middlebury’s Proven Leadership! Pictured are two of the many recreational facility projects completed during the St. John administration. Middlebury Public Library Expansion

Schoolhouse Park

Earlier projects include The Greenway, Ledgewood Memorial Park and Meadowview Park.

Woodside Heights, a senior housing community, was conceived, funded with Federal Grants and completed during the St. John administration.

Responsible Economic Development Moore, O’Brien & Foti Law Office

Shaker Ford

Middlebury Station

Earlier projects include Timex Watch Hill, Middlebury Edge, Crossroads East, Crossroads West, Village Square and Four Corners Store.

Please Vote for the Entire Republican Team!

Please Vote Row B on Tuesday Nov. 3, 2015. Approved by Ed St. John. Paid for by Friends of Ed St. John 2015, C. Rossi, Treasurer & the Middlebury Republican Town Committee, Ken Heidkamp, Treasurer

The Bee-Intelligencer

October 2015

Bee Intelligencer

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

Issued by: The Middlebury Bee-Intelligencer Society LLC Bee-Intelligencer Staff: Editor-In-Chief/Publisher: Marjorie Needham Contributing Writer: Terrence S. McAuliffe Art & Production: Mario J. Recupido - Submit press releases in person, by mail or email The Bee-Intelligencer welcomes news, press releases and advertising from all surrounding communities 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 © 2015 by The Middlebury BeeIntelligencer Society, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Flu shot vaccine is just the start

need a booster, especially for tetanus if you work outside in the soil, which is where tetanus bacteria comes from. Pneumonia: There are two types of vaccines for pneumococcal disease, but 90 types of pneumonia bacteria. Both vaccines protect against only a couple of dozen types, but either one is better than no vaccine. The CDC has a short quiz you can take online that will tell you the vaccines you need. You can print it out and take it to your doctor to see if he or she agrees. Go online to www.cdc.gov and put “immunization schedule” in the search box. To find locations that are giving flu shots in your area, go online to flu.gov and put your ZIP code in the search box.

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

Pumpkins, including specialty, sugar, prize winners Mums, Ornamental Cabbage, Kale, Millet, Corn Stalks, Straw, Squash, Peppers, Cukes, Tomatoes, Apples, Winter Squash, Gourds Perennials • Ornamental Statuary Roses • Hanging Baskets • Shrubs Mulch in bulk or by the bag

Deer Corn • Livestock & Poultry Feed

Sullivan’s Jewelers Middlebury’s trusted jeweler since 1987 Local owner John Sullivan • Born and raised in Middlebury • Lifelong area resident • Has a gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America • Has over 30 years’ experience • Has an experienced master goldsmith on the premises Sullivan’s Jewelers employs local residents who understand the needs of their neighbors. Sullivan’s has supported this community for the past 27 years. Hours: T-W-F 9:30 am - 6 pm, Th 9:30 am - 7 pm, Sat 9:30 am - 4 pm Closed Sunday & Monday

By JUSTIN GOLDEN With National Cyber Security Awareness month approaching, it is time to reiterate the important lesson to reduce cyber attacks at home or in the workplace: “Think before you click.” We’ve written about this previously, but continuing computer security breaches in the news indicate it bears repeating. Humans still are the weakest link when it comes to business security, according to a 2015 Intel Corp. survey. Successful security attacks against companies most often stem from three actions: user errors caused by lack of awareness, unofficial use of online services and using social media web sites at work. You may have the latest information security technology, but you may fail if your employees are not a critical element of your overall security plan. Every employee needs to buy in to and understand the value of protect-

ing customer and company information as well as their role in keeping it safe. The National Cyber Alliance, www.staysafeonline.org, recommends the following best practices. • When in doubt, throw it out: Employees should not open suspicious links in emails, tweets, posts, online advertising, messages or attachments – even if they know the source. Employees should be instructed about your spam filters and how to use them to prevent harmful emails. • Good password practices: Make passwords “long and strong” with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Change them regularly and keep them private. • Keep a clean machine: Have clear rules for what employees can install and store on their work computers. Make sure they understand and abide by

203-598-3305 • sullivansjewelry.com

employees about new risks doesn’t suffice. Nor does the common practice of requiring all employees to take an annual course that involves spending an hour or two reviewing digital policies, with a short quiz after each module. Admittedly, more intensive measures are time-consuming and a distraction from day-today business, but they’re imperative for companies of all sizes. They should be as robust as programs to enforce ethics and safety practices, and companies should track attendance. After all, it takes only one untrained person to cause a breach.” You are being targeted; don’t be the next one in the news. Golden Technology Services helps its clients ensure their cyber security. They can be reached at 972-679-9738 or justin.golden@ gtscloud.com.

Now Here’s a Tip • Here’s a tip for you waistwatchers out there: Wait until Halloween Day to buy the candy. That way the in-house sweets won’t be haunting you throughout October.  JoAnn • Update window treatments to compensate for dropping temperatures. Trade your sheers for sturdy, draft-blocking panels. • Now’s the time to install weatherstripping or caulk for fall and winter. To find drafts, try this

trick: Light a taper candle and

• Need a patch for old woodwork? it very along Tryrun mixing paintslowly (whatever color the you When arecracks using) of andyour flour.windows. Make a paste, fill see the that’s in you the holes andflame let dry.flicker, It’s hard like cement, canhave be sanded into shape whereand you a draft leak. if necessary. • When you get near the end of a roll of paper towels, save it to put in your car. Put together a kit with the following items: a small bottle of Windex or other cleaner, a squeeze bottle of water, some wet wipes and the short roll of paper towels. Now you’ll always be ready for a quick on-theroad cleanup. • Use baking soda to scrub away stuck-on food on your grill. Sprinkle it on the metal brush, and scrub away. If your grate is beyond the power of fire and baking soda, remove it and by on some newspalay it on the ground per. SprayMrs. with oven M. cleaner and let sit (keep pets and kids away from it). Rinse with a garden hose and replace on the grill. called “small group • “I have a plastic cupinstruction.” that changes color when the is hot. Oddly This allows thedrink teacher to group enough, at the perfect temfour to itsixchanges students with similar perature for myand baby’s bath. So,each I fill deficiencies zero in on the tub and toss in the cup. When the child’s cup startsparticular to change weakness. back to its origichild’s teacher for the nal Ask coloryour (blue), I know the bathwater testing She or he will be is not tooresults. hot.” — P. in Idaho

• Want to save money and be a good environmental servant? Get with the times  the old times, that is. Buy second-hand items and have household items repaired instead of throwing them out. Goodquality clothes can be sold or donated to charity shops; furniture and household items also can be sold or donated, or repurposed into new rooms. • To keep sauces from splattering and dirtying the inside of

your microwave, cover the food with a damp paper towel or a coffee filter.  E.C. in Utah • Now you can have your tea and clean something too. Teabags can be used to clean woodwork. Rub the wood softly with a damp bag. Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

Beginning of the year testing Greetings from School Daze! We’ve been back in school now for about a month, and I’m sure your child has been tested, retested and tested again. The first few weeks of school are all about obtaining data and analyzing where your child is on the scale of learning. Your child has taken numerous assessments in reading comprehension, fluency and spelling. These assessments will determine if your child is reading below, on or above his/her grade level. By determining your child’s reading level, the teacher can then provide the suitable instruction geared toward your child’s ability. We do this in what is happy to share the results with

School Daze

you so you will know how to help your child at home with language skills. As I’ve said in previous columns, reading is the key to academic success. Just because a child can “decode,” or read the words, it doesn’t mean he or she is understanding what they are reading. Fluency is one part of reading, and comprehension is another. Of course, to obtain comprehension, one must be a fluent reader. There are many techniques to improve fluency and thereby improve comprehension. If your child is struggling with reading, ask his/her teacher for strategies or resources that can www.nfda.org

I am an individual, who is part of a family and that is part of • Sprinkle baby powder in our dish community. I want my gloves to help them slide on in an funeral to reflect that. instant.

• “To remove muffins or rolls Wefrom know the things that are important to a pan, set it on an old, damp towel theforfamilies we serve. After all, they’re a minute. The steam must loosen the bottoms, because they just slide right the same values that guide our out. I thank my mom for this tip.” —business... family, community, and personal service. To learn more about Janey R. via e-mail Send your tips to Now Here’s a how we can help you and your Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Serfamily create a meaningful vice, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL funeral, please contact us. 32853-6475. © 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

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these rules. If they use their own computers for business, separate work from personal content. • Back up their work: Whether you set your employees’ computers to back up automatically or ask that they do it themselves, they should be educated on protecting their work. • If you see something, say something: Employees should be encouraged to keep an eye out and say something if they notice unusual issues with their computer. U.S. Navy Admiral James Winnefield (Ret.) addresses cyber security human factors in “Lessons from the Pentagon” (Harvard Business Review, Sept. 2015). He says, “Relatively few companies, in contrast, have rigorous cyber training for the rank and file, and those that do rarely augment it with refresher courses or information sessions as new threats arise. Merely emailing

King Features Weekly Service

On the digital frontier

May 25, 2015

A flu shot might not be the only vaccine you need. So say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Health and Human Services. This year, the list of needed shots is quite long. Flu shot: Ideally you should get the shot by October. Flu will peak in December, but the vaccine takes a few weeks to start working and provide protection. There are two types: trivalent (three-way) and quadrivalent (four-way), plus an extrastrength trivalent for people 65 and older. Shingles: Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful rash that we’re hearing more about, and maybe we even know someone who’s had it. Those of us over age 60 should get the vaccine, they say, whether or not we’ve had chicken pox. Protection lasts about five years. Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis: This is usually in a combination shot, with Tdap and Td given to older adults. That stands for tetanus-diphtheria, as well as pertussis. Your doctor would need to figure out whether you

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help in this area. I always appreciate and value the times that my students’ parents seek my advice, and I’m sure your child’s teacher will as well. If your child is not struggling with reading, then continue to use the strategies I mentioned in a previous column. Your child should be reading for 20 minutes every night. Be part of that reading experience. Ask questions about the story. Have your child retell what he/she has read. If you show your child that you are enthusiastic about what he/she has read, then they are more likely to feel great about reading. You will be creating a successful student as well as a lifelong lover of reading. Remember, reading affects all subjects. When your child is a fluent reader with appropriate comprehension skills, he/she will see progress in all other areas. Until next month ... keep smiling! Teacher: Did you do your homework? Student: No, teacher. Teacher: Do you have an excuse? Student: Yes, it’s all my mother’s fault. Teacher: She kept you from doing it? Student: No, she didn’t nag me enough! Mrs. M. (Fran Mullen) is an educator in the Waterbury School District. She welcomes your opinions and comments. You may email her at fmull04@gmail.com.

The Bee-Intelligencer

October 2015

It Happened in Middlebury

Obituaries

Little People’s Village mystery solved By DR. ROBERT L. RAFFORD One of the most popular Middlebury folktales is that of the Little People’s Village. I receive more requests for information about that mysterious site than any other historical conundrum in town (especially around Halloween). Much has been written about the village, particularly on the Internet, and some spooky tales unfold there. One Internet site (www.damnedct.com/littlepeoples-village-middlebury) includes tales of the village’s builder as “mad” or “insane”; it goes on to describe the “little people” who allegedly lived there, and mentions the presence of “strong fields of negative energy” and potential curses on visitors. The village is, in fact, not in Middlebury but lies just over the line in Waterbury. The origin of the designation “Little People’s Village” is unknown but probably arose when folklore about this 1930s’ village started to amass many years later. Originally it was simply called a “village” or a “toytown.” Research had not uncovered the origins of the village until recently, when the sharp eyes of historical society board member Harold J. West Jr. spied an Oct. 29, 1939, article from the Sunday Republican in one of Helen Benson’s Middlebury scrapbooks. It revealed the village’s origin. In the mid-1920s, William J. Lannen of Naugatuck opened a gas station on Middlebury Road, a major road between Waterbury and Middlebury. It used to curve under what is known as Pine Rock and come out about 100 feet south of the current intersection of routes 63 and 64. The gas station prospered until the state began rebuilding roads in the area in 1928. The curved stretch of road on which the gas station was located was bypassed by a straightened Middlebury Road, then called Route 14, which had been blasted through the heavy rock, where it still passes today. By the mid-1930s, few automobiles passed by Lannen’s gas sta-

This small structure from the Little People’s Village is in one of several photos the Middlebury Historical Society has of the site. (Middlebury Historical Society photo) tion. Business had fallen off so much that Lannen used his spare time to plant shrubs and flowers and build little houses, churches and a lighthouse, some illuminated by electric lights. He was preparing the property to begin another business – a nursery. However, that didn’t exist by the date of the Waterbury paper’s article. In 1936, Lannen married Elizabeth Kennedy of Naugatuck. In need of steady work and with World War II looming, he evidently abandoned the gas station, the toy village and his hopes of beginning a nursery. The property lay dormant and was sold to a relative just before he died in 1958. It was resold in the 1960s. Many people have trekked to the site over the years. Vandalism

soon claimed the little ceramic, metal and brick houses, and today they resemble little of what they once were. Meanwhile, tales of the village and its origin have become magnified or distorted. There is no point in visiting the site. The land is privately owned, and its current owner is concerned that people not visit what little is left because of safety concerns; there are, however, a number of images available on the Internet. Bob Rafford is the Middlebury Historical Society president and Middlebury’s municipal historian. To join or contact the society, visit MiddleburyHistoricalSociety.org or call Bob at 203-206-4717. Your membership would be a valuable addition.

Charitable contributions: Tax deductions and required documentation When I meet with clients during tax preparation season and discuss their tax deductions with them and we get to charitable contributions, the client will sometimes say, “I will just take the standard amount.” I will say, “There is no such thing.” Sometimes they will counter with, “Okay, just tell me how much I am allowed to take, and I will take that amount.” And I will reply, “I am not allowed to do that.” (Sometimes these discussions happen in reverse order.) The fact is you are only allowed to take a tax deduction for actual contributions made by you to IRS-approved charities and for which you have appropriate documentation. More details: The overriding IRS regulation is that all donations must be substantiated by either a canceled check, credit card statement or a letter from the charity verifying the donation. And all means all. There is no dollar amount mentioned here. So no matter the size of the donation, you are supposed to have documentation for it.

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The above rule also means you cannot take a tax deduction for cash donations (e.g., bills placed into a church basket) unless you have a letter from the charity/ church verifying the amount of the donation (which you usually will not have unless you use the church envelope system). Furthermore, any individual donations of $250 or more must be substantiated by a letter from the charity, meaning that a canceled check alone is not sufficient. If your donation to charity consists of used goods (e.g., clothing and furniture to Goodwill), then in addition to the receipt from the charity showing that you donated the items, there also must be an explanation of how you arrived at the dollar value of the donation. The charity generally does not provide the dollar value; you must do that. Agencies such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army make available lists and software products which, while

not officially sanctioned by the IRS, can be very helpful for this purpose. Special rules apply to donations of used goods valued at over $5,000, including things such as real estate, antiques, art work, etc. You are not required to provide documentation up front in order to include a charitable contribution as a deduction on your tax return, but you are required to be able to provide this documentation upon audit by the IRS. Also, in order to take a tax deduction for charitable contributions, you must itemize your deductions on your tax return. If you take the standard deduction, then the above does not apply to you since you are getting no incremental tax benefit from charitable contributions anyway. This has been a very general discussion. Always consult a tax professional if you are uncertain about how tax matters might affect you. Mark A. Burns, MBA, is a CPA with Diversified Financial Solutions PC in Southbury. He can be reached at 203-264-3131 or Mark@DFSPC.biz.

Grace M. (Sweeney) Bilanchone

Loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and aunt Mrs. Grace M. (Sweeney) Bilanchone, 101, of Torrington, formerly of Kelly Road in Middlebury, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, at her residence. She was predeceased by her husband, Louis Bilanchone, and longtime companion, John Byrnes. Grace was born in Waterbury Jan. 6, 1914, a daughter of the late Gilbert and Marie (Hodkins) Sweeney. She attended Post Junior College on Bank Street in downtown Waterbury. She worked at Uniroyal Rubber Co. for a while before she left to raise her family. She was a proud homemaker who loved gardening, cooking, canning and baking. She took great pride in her flower and vegetable gardens. She was formerly a member of several golf and bowling leagues. She volunteered for several organizations as a fundraiser. She was a former longtime communicant of St. John of the Cross Church. Grace is survived by a son, Robert Kline and his wife, Carol, of Jacksonville, Fla.; two daughters, Lois Ercoli and her husband, Philip, of Middlebury and Anita Adams of Waterbury; 11 grandchildren, including Lianne Fuller and her husband, Glenn, of Cheshire; 15 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Grace’s family would like to acknowledge the entire Weingardt family for caring and treating Grace like their own. Besides her husband and companion, Grace was predeceased by a daughter, Dolores Pearl; four brothers, Leon Singleton, Leonard Sweeney, Francis Sweeney and Howard Sweeney; and a sister, Veronica Sweeney. Her funeral was Sept. 18 at St. John of the Cross Church in Middlebury. Burial was to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Watertown. For more information or to send e-condolences, visit www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com.

Frances A. (Zappulla) DiMaria Loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother

Mrs. Frances A. (Zappulla) DiMaria, 87, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, at her home. She was the loving wife of Vincent DiMaria. Mrs. DiMaria was born July 29, 1928, in Waterbury, daughter of the late Paul and Concetta (Privitera) Zappulla. She was a graduate of Waterbury Catholic High School and held an accounting degree from Post College. Fran was a longtime communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. She worked in the office at U.S. Rubber and Bristol Company and retired from HemingwayBartlett, where she worked as a machine operator for over 15 years. Completely devoted to her family, Fran loved to be at home caring for her husband, children and grandchildren. In addition to Vincent, her husband of 60 years, Fran is survived by her sons, Vincent DiMaria Jr. of Waterbury, Paul

A. DiMaria of Middlebury, Francis M. DiMaria of Waterbury and Thomas E. DiMaria and his wife, Rebecca, of Oakville and her daughter, Constance A. DiMaria of Waterbury. She also leaves her 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews. Fran was predeceased by her son Pasquale J. DiMaria. The DiMaria family would like to thank Shelley Guerrera of VNA of Oakville for her outstanding and compassionate care shown to Fran. The funeral was Aug. 29 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Waterbury. Burial was to follow in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Fran’s name may be made to American Parkinson’s Disease Association, CT Chapter, P.O. Box 718, Old Mystic, CT 06372 or VNA Health at Home, 27 Siemon Co. Drive, #101W, Watertown, CT 06795. For more information and online condolences please visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.

Lynne H. (Howard) Simpson Lynne H. (Howard) Simpson, 58, of Derby, wife of Robert E. Simpson, passed away Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, at Masonicare of Wallingford. Mrs. Simpson was born in Derby, Conn., on July 11, 1957, the daughter of Jean (Buonocore) Howard of Beacon Falls and the late Charles Howard. A resident of Derby for the past eight years, she had worked for Lifetouch as a photographer and also for Homemakers and Companions. She enjoyed nature, the outdoors and especially gardening. Besides her husband, Lynne is survived by her children, Nicholas and David Brown, both of Beacon Falls; her brothers, Gary Howard of Naugatuck and Robert Howard of Anchorage, Alaska; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Edward Howard. Her funeral was Sept. 6 at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home in Naugatuck. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101.

Karen L. (Hintz) Carroll

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Mrs. Karen L. (Hintz) Carroll, 68, of Middlebury passed away peacefully at Waterbury Hospital Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of Thomas R. Carroll. Karen was born in Manchester, Conn., Nov. 6, 1946, daughter of the late Walter and Myrtle (Brendel) Hintz. She was an accomplished fife player and was a Northeastern States Champion for the Prospect Drum Corp. She was also highly skilled in quilting, crocheting, knitting and sewing. In her younger years she enjoyed gardening and ceramics. Besides her husband, Tom, of 51 years, Karen leaves to cherish her memory a son, Thomas M. Carroll, and his wife, Krista, of Middlebury; a daughter, Tami C. Mills, and her husband, Michael, of New Milford; two brothers, Walter Hintz and his wife, Ellen, of Cheshire, and Arthur Hintz and his partner, Mark Shoemaker, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; a sister, Marilyn Heye and her husband, Thory, of Clinton; three grandchildren, Evan, Matthew and Shannon; and several nieces and nephews. Her funeral was Sept. 26 graveside at Lake Elise Cemetery in Middlebury. For more information or to send econdolences, visit www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com.

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David F. DeRienz

Loving father and grandfather Mr. David F. DeRienz, 68, of Waterbury passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, in Brunswick, Maine. Dave was born in Waterbury Nov. 23,

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1946, a son of the late Ralph and Marjorie (Urban) DeRienz Sr. He graduated from Crosby High School, class of 1964, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut. He worked as a district manager of Auto Zone for many years until his retirement in 2009. He was a member of the Black Sheep, a close-knit group of friends that met on a weekly basis. He was an avid car enthusiast, enjoyed bowling and sailing, and was a NASCAR fan for many years. He is survived by his beloved daughter, Heather DeRienz Jones of Waterbury; his grandson, DeRent Glenn of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; a sister, Patricia Martino, and her husband, Joseph, of Middlebury; a sister-in-law, Deborah DeRienz of Woodbury; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends he loved dearly. Dave was predeceased by a son, David F. DeRienz Jr., and a brother, Ralph DeRienz Jr. His dog, Baugo, also brought him great joy. His funeral was Sept. 30 at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury. Burial was to follow at Middlebury Cemetery. For more info or to send e-condolences, visit www. chaseparkwaymemorial.com.

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The Bee-Intelligencer

October 2015

Prepare to succeed Winning Ways By Pat Iannuzzi Insights for Constructive Living

Adequate preparation is critical to success. It helps us get the results we want significantly better and faster than if we simply “wing it” or “go with the flow.” How many successful athletes, musicians, speakers or trial attorneys do you know who do not prepare extensively before they perform? Do you think that in 2013 Diana Nyad could have become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the use of a shark cage if she had not devoted extensive attention to personal and team preparation? There is no way she could have just jumped into the

water and achieved such phenomenal results. In order to adequately prepare for an undertaking, we first need to clearly understand what is required to achieve success. Too often we minimize or overlook this component and simply get to work on something without effectively analyzing our situation to determine the key knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to generate the successful outcomes we seek. Without a keen awareness of what we should be doing and how we should be doing it, we will often find ourselves spinning our wheels by wasting time and effort on nonproductive activities while neglecting to focus on the truly essential ones. The key of course is to identify the main areas of knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to accom-

plish a specific objective. This requires a keen assessment of the tasks at hand and an objective evaluation of our personal abilities to address them. Unless we clearly understand the challenges before us and are confident of our ability to meet them, we can never be truly prepared. In fact, we will be in a state of continual unpreparedness. Certainly luck can play an important role in achieving success, but even luck can be highly dependent on preparation, a notion expressed over 2,000 years ago by the Roman Senator Seneca when he said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” We all know the powerful feeling that comes from being fully prepared for a challenge. We also can probably remember a time

when we failed even though we thought we were prepared. It’s important to realize and accept that failure can and will happen in spite of preparation. All successful people have failed more than they have succeeded. It’s how we rebound from failure and keep preparing, growing and continuing to take action that determines our ultimate successes in life. So don’t just grab an ax and start whaling away at a tree. YOU ARE THAT AX. Always strive to be as sharp as possible when beginning an important activity. Pat Iannuzzi of Symbiont Performance Group, Inc. is a performance consultant, trainer and coach focusing on selling, presentation and interpersonal skills. He lives in Litchfield and can be reached at 860-283-9963 or piannuzzi@symbiontnet.com.

Blood donation’s effect on athlete DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a fit 54-year-old male who bicycles a lot. My friends and I are pretty competitive when we do our rides, pushing hard and challenging each other in positive ways. I donate blood as often as I’m allowed. After I donate, my legs feel more fatigued when I ride, and I’m not as strong, particularly on the climbs. How long can I use my blood donation as an “excuse” for lacking strength?  A.R.

oxygen the muscles are able to get once you have achieved a high level of muscular fitness. The amount of red blood cells in your blood and the amount of blood your heart can pump are the limiting factors for oxygen delivery in a healthy person. So, for a given degree of cardiovascular fitness, your ability to go fast and climb hills is directly influenced by how many red blood cells you have. That’s why elite cyclists sometimes used to get blood transfusions before a ANSWER: What ultimately de- race. An extra unit of blood might termines how much work your make only a 3 percent difference, legs can do is the amount of but the difference between the

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.

four to six weeks to regain the blood cells. Donating a unit of blood can save up to three lives. That should give you some consolation. Maybe persuade your friends to donate blood at the same time, so you all are on a level playing field, so to speak.

winner of the Tour de France and the last-place finisher is right around 3 percent. Unfortunately, too many red blood cells increases the risk for stroke and heart attack, and several amateur and professional cyclists have died as a complication of too much blood transfused or its more modern equivalent, the hormone erythropoietin, which causes the body to make more of its own blood. Losing blood, from bleeding or donation, consequently reduces performance. The plasma (fluid and proteins) is made up within 24 hours after donating blood, but it takes

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am looking to have surgery on my cervical vertebrae at a prestigious hospital in St. Louis. Before I had even made up my mind, the hospital sent a form regarding arbitration. If anything should go wrong, they want me to agree to arbitration instead of going through the court system. They say the choice is mine. Is this normal preoperative paperwork?  T.B. ANSWER: This is increasingly common, and a brief survey of surgeons gave me a mixed response  some felt it wasn’t a red flag at all, and others recommended double-checking the surgeon’s record, perhaps through the state medical board. Any disciplinary action must be

publicly available, and in Missouri it is freely available on the website at pr.mo.gov/healingarts. asp. While I understand you might be taken aback by the question, many hospitals are moving toward arbitration as a means of reducing malpractice coverage costs. I personally don’t see it as a reason to be concerned about the surgeon. However, I spoke with an attorney who advised not agreeing to arbitration, as it isn’t germane to your medical condition and may limit your options later. Dr. Roach regrets he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell. edu. To view and order health pamphlets, visit www.rbmamall. com, or write to P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2015 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

1. How many players have hit at least 200 career home runs for the Houston Astros? 2. What year was the only time the Milwaukee Brewers reached the World Series? 3. Who is the all-time sack leader for the Green Bay Packers? 4. Adreian Payne set a Michigan State record in 2014 for most points in an NCAA Tournament game (41). Who had held the mark? 5. The New York Rangers set a record in 2015 for most consecutive NHL playoff games decided by one goal. How many games was it? 6. Between 1984 and 1988, a Team Penske driver won four of five Indy 500s. Who was the only non-Penske driver to win during that time? 7. When was the last year that Rafael Nadal won the men’s singles title at Wimbledon?

Answers: 1. Four  Jeff Bagwell (449 home runs), Lance Berkman (326), Craig Biggio (291) and Jim Wynn (223). 2. It was 1982. 3. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, with 74 1/2 sacks (2000-08). 4. Greg Kelser, who tallied 34 points in a tournament game in 1979. 5. Fifteen games. 6. Bobby Rahal, of Truesports, in 1986. 7. It was 2010.

Abraham Lincoln is reported to have said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the ax.” His obvious point is that with a sharp ax, chopping down a tree would be a fairly simple and undemanding task. But with a dull ax, it would likely be a very difficult and draining chore. In a larger sense, however, what the quote implies is that one would be wise to spend twice as much time preparing for a task than in actually performing it. Being prepared essentially means being ready to face and overcome challenges we expect to encounter. Success rarely happens by accident; in order to achieve whatever we desire, hope and dream about, we need to prepare ourselves to succeed.

Look for our November issue on Oct. 30. Meanwhile, visit bee-news.com.

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The Bee-Intelligencer

October 2015

Classified Ads

Classified Advertising Deadline: 5 p.m. Monday Classified Advertising Cost: $10 per insertion, up to 40 words. 25¢ 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 knowFlea Market ingly accept advertising which is deceptive, fraudulent, or which might otherwise violate the law WOODBURY ANTIQUES & or accepted standards of taste. FLEA MARKET open SatHowever, this publication does urdays and Sundays yearnot warrant or guarantee the round 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. accuracy of any advertisement, Routes 6 and 64 in Woodnor the quality of the goods or bury, Conn. 203-263-6217. services advertised. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly For Rent investigate all claims made in any advertisements, and to use good judgment and reasonable WARM WEATHER IS YEARROUND In Aruba. The wacare, particularly when dealing ter is safe, and the dining with persons unknown to you is fantastic. Walk out to the who ask for money in advance beach. 3-Bedroom. Weeks of delivery of the goods or services advertised. available. Sleeps 8. $3500.

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SPANISH, GERMAN, PIANO: CANCUN, MEXICO TIMELanguage tutoring/instrucSHARE FOR SALE. Royal tion and professional piano Sands Resort. 3 bedrooms, lessons, including Royal sleeps 8, 2 bathrooms, 2nd Conservatory Exams and floor, balcony, beachfront. MAP-Musicianship Achieve$16,900. Call for information ment Program participation, 413-592-9160. group and private lessons,

(Kathleen Brown-Carrano cartoon)

Fall Beers are in! Get Oktoberfest and Pumpkin Beers here! Hard Ciders also available. Gluten-free Beverages

Also offering your favorite wines and spirits

Middlebury Road 203-527-6651 1255 (the Hamlet) Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. • Sunday 12 to 4 p.m.

The Bee-Intelligencer

Fall brings new hazards to dogs DEAR PAW’S CORNER: Fall is here in the Northeast, with lots of falling leaves  and plenty of leaf piles to roll in. Can you remind your readers that fleas and ticks are still active at this time of year?  Charles, via email DEAR CHARLES: You’re absolutely right: Until the first hard frost or an extended period of cold weather, ticks and fleas remain pretty active. If they’re in the house, they may not go dormant at all. So, while it’s fine to let your dog romp in leaf piles (as long as the neighbors aren’t bothered), it’s important to check its coat for fleas and ticks as soon as pos-

sible after that fun ends. Ticks should be removed and then crushed, ideally before they embed into your dog’s skin. If a tick is embedded, try to carefully remove it. If you’re not certain how, or if you’re worried about breaking off the tick’s body and leaving its head in your dog’s skin, take your pet to the veteri-

October 2015

Adopt a Rescue Pet SAMSON

narian within 24 hours to remove the tick. Fall also brings a change in weather to much of the country. As the temperature cools, smaller dogs and dogs that are sick or elderly could suffer from the cold. Now is the time to unpack those doggy sweaters and vests and use them on chilly mornings and evenings. The change of seasons also brings stormy weather, blowing down branches and other debris. Check your dog’s paws after every walk to make sure it hasn’t damaged its pads on sharp sticks or other fallen items. Send your questions or comments to ask@pawscorner.com.

Samson is a sweet and adorable neutered, male, orange-and-white short-haired cat with golden eyes. He is 3 to 4 years old. He is mellow, affectionate, healthy, calm and a real sweetheart. He may be slightly shy at first, but he will soon come around and be your best friend and loyal companion. He loves attention. Please open up your heart and home to Samson. He’s such a great cat. Samson is with Pet Protectors. Find an adoption application on the website, www.petprotectorsrescue.org, or call 203-3300255 or email contactus@petprotectorsrescue.org for more information or an application.

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

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS:

Your pet’s photo could be here FEATURED PET

Hosking Nursery & Red Barn Gift Shoppe

Nursery ∙ Garden Center ∙ Gifts ∙ Landscaping

END OF SUMMER SALE! 40% OFF ALL NURSERY STOCK & PERENNIALS

PAUL PERROTTI ELECTRIC, LLC YES … I AM STILL IN BUSINESS!

INDUSTRIAL • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

GET READY FOR WINTER:

Gutter And Roof De-Icing Systems Basic Systems Starting At Only $600 Installed

(EXCLUDES MUMS, CABBAGES, KALE.)

Ferrari’s Appliance We Sell & Service All Brands

50% OFF ALL HARDY WATER PLANTS 70% OFF ALL TROPICAL WATER PLANTS 30% OFF BAGGED MULCHES AND STONE 20% OFF DRILLED NATURAL ROCK FOUNTAINS 40% OFF KOI 8” & OVER / 25% OFF FISH UNDER 8” 30% OFF ALL SILK FLOWERS & DECORATING SUPPLIES

All sales limited to stock on hand.

We are Water Garden Experts!

We carry everything you need to build & maintain a pond or fountain. Build it yourself or let us do it!

160 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT

Generators - Portable Or Permanent • Service Changes And Upgrades Reasonable Rates • Large Or Small Jobs

CALL PAUL PERROTTI - 203-758-2699 or 203-510-5121 www.paul@paulperrottielectric.com CT. Lic. E-1 0195012 INSURED

(203) 723-7230

10% OFF all custom water garden kits

114 Porter St, Watertown 860-274-8889 Open Mon-Fri 9-5:30, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4

Rubbish Removal and Roll-Off Containers RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Family Owned and Operated Since 1930

ED’S HARDWARE

FULL LINE OF HARDWARE SUPPLIES LARGEST IN AREA

560 Rubber Avenue Naugatuck, CT 06770

Watertown, CT Toll Free: 877-274-1444

Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-5, Sun 9-1

info@copeswaste.com

CO P 27 ES 414 4

Phone: 860-274-1444

www.copeswaste.com

203-729-8216 edshardware.doitbest.com

203-723-2268

americanflagstones.com 141 South Main Street, Beacon Falls , CT More than a Decade of Experience

The area’s largest indoor slab gallery

FREE SINK with any countertop purchase Must be over 45 sq. ft. With this coupon. Cannot be combined with any other offer. E xpires 6/3/14. Expires 10/31/14 Expires 10/31/15

Buy Directly From the Factory

Our inventory is 100% PREMIUM QUALITY. And it is stored indoors. Other shops material, stored outside, isn’t PREMIUM QUALITY!

Spruce Up Your Home Before the Holidays! See the experts here at HJ Bushka and Sons for beautiful front doors by Thermatru and Masonite. Quality Energy Star rated windows by several top manufacturers. Kitchen cabinets by Schrock. Armstrong Ceiling Products... It’s not just for basements anymore. Decorative Tin Celings are a great look for kitchens!

.99

/Sq. Ft.

Granite Countertop Installed – 1 1⁄4” Thick Min. 45 sq. ft. With this coupon. Cannot be combined with any other offer. E xpires 310/31/14 /31/14. Expires Expires 10/31/15

Over 50 years of experience serving the area with quality LUMBER, WINDOWS, DOORS & KITCHEN CABINETS. Just 7 miles from the center of Middlebury

25 Great Hill Rd., Naugatuck

GETTING HOME SUPPLIES HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER.

203-723-1700 • info@hjbushka.com