Volume 23, Number 5
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Senior Center hosts drive-thru food drive By Nadya Korytnikova The Citizen
Senior Center members rallied to support local pantries during the “Rocking into 2021 with Peace and Love” drivethru food drive in January.
Pathana Savannakhet and Bouangern Singkhamlon prepare food at The Pho Bar. Photos by Nadya Korytnikova, The Citizen
Thai/Vietnamese restaurant opens on Berlin Turnpike
“It’s a new year, and it was Martin Luther King Day last week. King was all about peace and love to all people, and that’s where I got the idea for the event,” said Senior Center Director Tina Doyle.
Rocks painted by the Rocking Berlin CT! group for the “Rocking into 2021 with Peace and Love” food drive.
The food drive, held Jan. 22, collected 13 bags and six boxes of non-perishable items that were delivered to the Berlin Food Pantry and St. Paul’s Food Pantry.
“Our senior population is very loyal, they are loyal to each other, they’re loyal to their community,” said Doyle.
With the help of her mother, Pathana Savannakhet, aunt Bouangern Singkhamlon, and other family members, Jessica Rodriguez opened a new dining spot in town. The Pho Bar, 224 Berlin Turnpike, specializes in traditional Thai and Vietnamese dishes, such as pho — a clear soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and either beef, chicken, seafood or veggies. Other menu items include egg rolls, dumplings, chicken wings, customizable fried rice and stir-fried noodle bowls, as well as seven bubJessica Rodriguez serves pho soup at the 224 Berlin See Pho Bar, A11 Turnpike restaurant.
A total of 56 seniors participated.
See Drive, A13
By Nadya Korytnikova The Citizen
For some local restaurateurs, food is a family affair.
Photos courtesy of Lori Dwyer
Human trafficking seen ‘across the state’ By Nadya Korytnikova The Citizen
Town officials issued a proclamation recognizing January 2021 as a Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery, where victims are forced to work in various forms of labor exploitation including, but not limited to, commercial sex acts and other services that are induced through force or coercion, the proclamation stated.
Most underage human trafficking victims live at home with their parents or guardians while they are being exploited, according to Police Commissioner Melissa Urrunaga, who spoke at a recent Town Council meeting. “It’s happening in every county across the state, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, education level – we are seeing it in every community,” Urrunaga said. “I think there is a misnomer out there See Trafficking, A12