Karaoke at the Canteen

Submitted

The Sons of the Legion at American Legion Post 68 in Berlin has been working hard to grow business in the canteen. As part of that push, “Sons” members Nicholas Gagliardi, Mackenzie Ahern and Ed Bruenn have been hosting karaoke; with success. The group rang in the New Year at Post 68 singing, dancing, playing pool, and just enjoying an awesome time together.

The Sons of the Legion announced that karaoke nights will continue at Post 68, 154 Porters Pass. Come down and show your support Saturdays, Feb. 11 and 25, and March 11 and 25, at 7 p.m. Also, the group is looking to grow its membership. Email salpost68@ outlook.com.

Wall of Honor

The Berlin Veterans Commission’s “Veterans Digital Wall of Honor,” located in the main lobby rotunda of Town Hall, is dedicated to “All Who Proudly Served and Sacrificed to Protect Our Country.”

Berlin residents and their immediate family, past and present, who have served or are currently serving in the United States military can be put up on the wall. Contact Peter Galgano at petergalgano@comcast.net or 860604-7258.

Networking

Business Connections of Berlin aims to help businesses connect and grow utilizing networking, marketing and educational opportunities. To learn more, email businessconnectionsofberlin@gmail.com or find the group on social media.

Post 68

American Legion Post 68 has been serving Berlin veterans since 1947. To keep the local Legion going for years to come, Post 68 is looking for active military members, veterans, and family and friends of veterans to become involved.

Pick up an application at the Post home, 154 Porters Pass. For more information, email Post Commander Vin Trigila at v_trig@yahoo.com or send a message to Post 68 via Facebook.

Snow ordinance

Town ordinance states that “an owner of land or buildings fronting on any street or public place ... where there is any sidewalk shall, within 12 hours of daylight, or not to exceed 24 hours of elapsed time immediately following the cessation of a storm of snow ... cause the same to be removed from such sidewalk.” Failure to abide by the ordinance “shall result in a fine after an initial warning.”

Textile recycling

Berlin has partnered with AFAB Recycling LLC, a Connecticut-based textile recycling company. Residents are encouraged to drop off unwanted textiles (clothing and shoes) at the Transfer Station, 19 Town Farm Lane, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 860-828-7022 or 860-828-7069.

Local champs

The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain established its Champion Awards in order to celebrate and recognize individuals, businesses, organizations, civic groups, and others, who have supported the activities of the foundation in a manner that allowed it to fulfill its mission even more effectively and efficiently. To learn more about the CFGNB and its Champion Awards, visit cfgnb.org.

Health talk

What are parasites? How do we know if we have them? Can we get rid of them? People with any kind of chronic health issue are invited to attend a lecture by board-certified holistic health practitioner Dr. Anna Marshall Saturday, Feb. 4, 10:30 a.m., at Haller Post 111, 112 Grove St., New Britain. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com

Wellness expo

Exhibitors and speakers are sought for the 10th Bi-Annual Passport to Health & Wellness Expo, which will be held April 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The Bristol DoubleTree by Hilton. Also, vendors are sought for expos taking place May 21 and Sept. 17 at the VFW in Plainville. Contact Shirley Bloethe at 860-989-0033 or yourholisticevents@ gmail.com, or visit yourholisticevents.com.

Boxes to Boots

Berlin-based non-profit Boxes to Boots, 28 Chamberlain Highway, sends care packages to members of the U.S. military serving overseas. To learn more about the organization and its needs, visit boxestoboots.org.

ALL-STATE PERFORMER

Berlin High School soccer player Colby Nardelli earned AllStatehonorsfor hisworkduringthe 2022season.Nardelli, who isa senior,helped leadthe Redcoatsto aregular season record of 11-3-2 and a fifth seed in the CIAC Class L state tournament.Nardelli and BHScoach SalParafati are pictured at the Connecticut High School Coaches Association All-State banquet, held Jan. 22 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.

Rene Jean Benoit

MIMS, FL- On the morning of December 28, 2022, Rene Jean Benoit, 61, of Mims, FL, passed away peacefully at home. He was born on March 5, 1961 to the late Armand and Elizabeth (Wood) Benoit of East Berlin, CT and was raised with family in East Berlin.

Rene was self-employed at Anchor Yacht Interiors and was known in the boating world and by his close friends as “Frenchy.” Rene loved NASCAR racing, fishing, hunting, Harley Davidson motorcycles and his German Shepherd Maya. He was also known for his great smile and love for family and friends.

Rene is survived by his daughter Dominique of Maryland, granddaughter Penelope, brother Noel Benoit of Berlin, CT, sister Adrienne Fontaine of Farmington, CT, sister Melanie Dorbuck of Seattle, Washington, sister Donna Benoit of East Berlin, CT, sister Celeste Benoit of Higganum, CT, sister Denise Carberry of Rocky Hill, CT, and several nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held at a future date

Obituaries

Ronald E. Lindgren

KENSINGTON- Ronald E. Lindgren passed away on January 23, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Born in New Britain on March 7, 1940 to the late Leonard and Elizabeth (Spring) Lindgren, Ron attended school in New Britain. He worked in family dairy, A.J. Spring & Son, delivering milk to customers before going to school every day. From a young age, Ron worked with Uncles Frank and Joe Malczynski at their auto body shop in New Britain, developing his lifelong love of mechanics. He worked at the City of New Britain Water Department, then as a Field Engineer at National Cash Register (NCR) for over 25 years repairing cash registers in department stores, grocery stores, and computer systems at banks throughout Connecticut. Never one to sit around, on Saturdays he worked as a mechanic at New Britain Transportation. After retiring from NCR, Ron found his dream job visiting and selling fire equipment to Connecticut firehouses for Industrial Safety and Supply. After retiring from Industrial Safety, Ron worked at Porter’s Funeral Home as a funeral assistant. Ron was most proud of serving the Town as a volunteer fireman at South Kensington Fire Department for over 50 years, serving as Chief for nine years. In between, he volunteered in the Town of Berlin in various capacities as Chairman of the Berlin Fire Board; Chairman of the Berlin Water Control Commission; Chairman of the Berlin Cemetery Committee. He served as Constable for the Town, was President of the South Burying Ground Association and was a Justice of the Peace.

His love for dogs was well known in the neighborhood, he always had a box of treats on hand to offer them as they walked down the street. He thoroughly enjoyed camping and travelling, especially vacations in September on Cape Cod. He loved to watch NASCAR and cheered on his favorite drivers.

He leaves his wife of 58 years, Judith (McCormack); their children Kathleen Freeman of Pawcatuck, Kristine Lindgren of Berlin; two cherished granddaughters, Emily and Katherine Freeman of Pawcatuck. Two brothers, Richard (Diane) of East Hartland and their family Rick (Megan); Suzanne (Howard); Diane; Stephen (Lisa) Skelly and Kurt (Wanda) Skelly and Robert (Kathleen) of Harwinton and their family Kim (Mike) Hartzfeld; Todd, and many special cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 11:30 AM at St. Paul Church. Burial was private at South Burying Ground. Calling hours were Saturday morning from 9 AM to 11 AM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home of Berlin, 111 Chamberlain Hwy., Kensington. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, P.O. Box 1950, Clarksburg, MD 20871-1950, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 381019929, or South Kensington Fire Department, 1952 Chamberlain Highway, Kensington, CT 06037. Please share a memory with the family in the online guest book @ www. ericksonhansenberlin. com