www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 23, Number 47
Thursday, November 25, 2021
Santa’s coming to town
Robert B. Dornfried Sr. Lifetime Volunteerism Award winner Richard “Dick” Benson, left, is pictured with Diane Dornfried and Mayor Mark Kaczynski.
Santa and his elves invite Berlin youngsters in preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade to visit with them next week. Hosted by the Berlin Parks and Recreation Department, “Visit with Santa” will take place Monday, Nov. 29 and Tuesday, Nov. 30 from 6 to 7.30 p.m. at the Community Center, 230 Kensington Road. There is no charge to attend, but visitors are asked to bring a donation for the Berlin Food Pantry. Items most in need include mayonnaise, jelly, peanut butter, canned fruit, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese; and snacks, such as cookies, crackers and granola bars. After their visit with Santa, each child will receive a bag with treats and a small toy. Unvaccinated attendees are asked to wear a mask. For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 860-828-7100. — Nadya Korytnikova
Purple Heart recipient earns Lifetime Volunteerism Award Richard “Dick” Benson is the recipient of the 2021 Robert B. Dornfried Sr. Lifetime Volunteerism Award. A news release announcing the recognition states, “Dick is a Viet Nam veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He has dedicated his life
to helping others; particularly veterans and their spouses.” The longtime volunteer has served on the Republican Town Committee, Charter Review Commission, Police Commission, Veterans Committee and on the Joseph & Anthony Manzi Founda-
tion Board of Directors. Currently, Benson serves as a Trustee of the State Veterans Commission, and president of the Wilcox Cemetery in East Berlin. He is also a member of the Veterans Cemetery Committee. See Volunteerism Award, A5
Hall of Fame Class of 2022 is unveiled The Berlin High School Athletic Hall of Fame has unveiled its Class of 2022.
ball, softball), and Nikki Kureczka (Class of 2010; soccer, track and field).
Entering the Hall next spring will be: Larry Barber (Class of 1963; baseball, football, basketball), Robert Facey (Class of 1978; football), Scott Trevethan (Class of 1988; tennis), Kory Kevorkian (Class of 2001; baseball, football, track and
Berlin High’s 2000 and 2001 Division II state championship boys golf teams will be recognized as well.
field), Jack Cooper (Class of 2008; football), Kaitlyn Bovee (Class of 2010; basket-
Longtime BHS tennis coach and teacher Rex Smith will we honored posthumously. This is year No. 12 for the
Berlin High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
was one of the goals that I put down when I became athletic director. As a matter The late Jim Day, longtime of fact, it's the last goal that wrestling coach and athletics I hadn't reached. So I've director at BHS, was the gotten everything that I said driving force behind the in the interview done as of Hall. tonight." Speaking with The Citizen The induction ceremony for at the first induction cerethe Hall of Fame Class of mony back in 2010, Day 2022 is slated for April 24 at said, "This [Hall of Fame] the Aqua Turf in Plantsville.