Thursday, June 25, 2020
www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 22, Number 17
Grandson honors grandmother Contractor shop, with 98th birthday jazz concert Lions plans get PZC approval
NEWINGTON – The Dixieland jazz that filled the halls and courtyard at Jefferson House on June 13 was delivered with love in celebration of a resident’s 98th birthday. This wasn’t just a musical performance for Berlin musicians Matt and Atla DeChamplain; it was a demonstration of love and musical traditions deeply rooted in their family.
As the ensemble performed in the courtyard, Matt’s grandmother Florence Deschamplain listened from the other side of the window while staff and residents could also hear the music via live stream throughout the community. Mrs. Deschamplain, who moved to Jefferson House at 1 John H. Stewart Drive in 2016, was serenaded by Matt on piano, Atla on vocals and an ensemble with music from the era she was born including “Three O’Clock in the Morning” and “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” capped off with “Happy Birthday to You.”
By Everett Bishop The Citizen
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to approve two requests at its June 4 meeting. A jazz ensemble led by Matt and Atla DeChamplain, second and first from right, performs “When the Saints Go Marching In” for Matt’s grandmother, Florence Deschamplain, in celebration of her 98th birthday. Photo courtesy of Jefferson House
relationship with Jefferson House began more than 20 years ago when he was in sixth grade. He was just learning how to play piano by ear and would perform during the Saturday lunch hour which allowed him a chance to hone his skills in a “safe” environment. Now he is delighted that he can continue building memories there with his “Nana.” “Our family is very musical so naturally when we visited her at Jefferson House, we would go to the piano and play and sing,” he said.
Matt DeChamplain said his
See Birthday, A8
Florence Deschamplain visits with her grandson Matt DeChamplain and great-grandson Tatum. Photo courtesy of the DeChamplains
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An application submitted by local business Superior Heating and Cooling was in regards to operating a contractor’s shop at 600 Four Rod Road. Company president Richard Solek said the business did not seek to modify the building or site in any way and that only two people would work on the premises during a “regular day of business.” Maximum daily traffic, with deliveries to the shop accounted for, is estimated at 15 vehicles per day.
ber of years investing in the town,” he said. “A local company is going to be reinvesting in the building, the community, hiring people. So I’m very happy this is here tonight.” The commission also saw a request from the Berlin Lions Club seeking approval for its revised 2020 event schedule. This included canceling food truck events for the year and approving an application for a private Sysco employee picnic without a specific event date.
The picnic, to be held on the Berlin Lions Fairgrounds, was initially proposed for Saturday, July 11. However, current COVID-19 social distancing orders do not allow for Economic Development gatherings as large as the Director Chris Edge voiced Sysco picnic requires, his support of the applica- leaving organizers with tion citing valuable reintentative plans as they vestment opportunities in- wait for new guidelines to the town. from state officials that may broaden what is al“This is a local family, a lowed. local company, that has been in Berlin for a num-
See PZC, A37
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