The Cheshire Citizen

BACK

Child medicine shortage during spike in illnesses

By Jessica Simms Record-Journal staff

Amid a spike of flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses, a shortage in Children’s Tylenol and other medicines is making it more difficult for parents to take care of their sick children.

“Obviously the shortage comes at the worst possible time, but it really is because there’s just so many individuals that have gotten sick,” said Susan Lonczak, director of health for the Plainville-Southington Health District. “There’s just a really big demand.”

See Medicine, A3

Busy year for local business in 2022

By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff

A new project in downtown Meriden, a distillery in Southington and an approved warehouse at the former Bristol Myers site in Wallingford helped make up some of the economic development news in the region during 2022. Cheshire also moved forward, with

help from government grants as well as business investment, to improve its economic scene.

The year began with trepidation as the world and the economy continued its crawl out from under the pandemic in the hope of defining a new normal.

See Business, A9

Lionel Brault, 81, of Wolcott, touches the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall on June 2, 2022 at Cheshire’s Bartlem Park. More photos from the year gone by on Page A8.

Daniel Passapera, for the Record-Journal

Letters Policy A rise in pet ‘surrenders’ following the holidays

By Jessica Simms Record-Journal staff

MERIDEN Every year there is a bit of a rush for pet adoptions during the holiday season at the Meriden Humane Society. Karen Annis, vice president of the board, said that over the course of 2022, there has been an uptick of pet surrenders.

“Animal shelters right now are very full and like I said, we’ve just gotten a lot of unexpected surrenders where people will literally dump animals,” Annis said. “Unfortunately there’s not really a better way to say that We do our best to accommodate the animals that are in danger. ”

As of Dec. 28, Annis said they have had 375 adoptions in 2022, so the average is a little over 30 per month.

Adoptions do ebb and flow over the course of the year. Annis said from Thanksgiving of this year to Dec. 27, they had about 37 adoptions, which is slightly more than in 2021 where they had 35 pet adoptions between Thanksgiving and Dec. 27.

“I always feel like there’sa little bit of a bump up in animal adoptions around the holidays, so I think that once people have decided they want to adopt, they’re sort of eager to welcome their animal home before the holidays or do that around the holiday season,” Annis said.

However, Annis said the Meriden Humane Society does not allow a person to adopt an animal in order to surprise someone for the holidays.

“We always want all family members and all household members to be on board with the adoption,” Annis said. “... Of course little kids get surprised, but certainly we do not want people buying them as a present for their spouse. Just because we want everybody to have the opportunity to be in agreement and make a family decision.”

Despite the slight increase in adoptions during the holiday season, Julie Rogers, staff and volunteer supervisor, said there is a “lengthy waitlist” of people who have applied to surrender an animal.

“I work in the office and we get phone calls literally every single day from multiple people calling and they just want to drop off the animals,” Rogers said.

Rogers said she suspects that for some people, financially it is hard to take care of a cat or dog.

“Bills are definitely higher than they have been in the past and sometimes that’sa struggle for people,” Rogers said. “We get a lot of phone calls from people who haven’t planned ahead.”

Sometimes people call for an elderly relative who can no longer take care of a pet or a family is moving and cannot take their pet with them to their new residence, Rogers said.

“Maybe people are more overwhelmed by life in general,” Rogers said. “... It’s definitely a lot more people in situations where they need help and they think they need help ASAP.”

See Pets, A6

Letters to the Editor are limited to 300 words. Letters must be signed and names will appear in print. We reserve the right to edit letters. Include a phone number so The Citizen can contact you for verification. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Friday to be considered for publication the following Thursday. Send submissions to news@ thecheshirecitizen.com.

One of the many cats ready for adoption at the Meriden HumaneSociety. Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal

From

Tips during the shortage

Kathryn Glendon, public health specialist with the Chesprocott Health District, said now is a good time to go on social media to see if someone may have some children’s medication to spare or know where people can find some. “There are people that may pick it up for you if they see it,” Glendon said. “Sometimes the stores you don’t think about will have it like Walmart or Aldi’s, Target. So just being in mind of where you shop.”

If a parent is in a situation where their child is sick, but they can’t find any children’s medication, Lonczak said “there are basic tried

and true things that they can do for their kiddos.”

Lonczak said some of those are encouraging rest, having kids drink a lot of fluids, having children take lukewarm baths, wearing cold compresses and being there for sick children, while also watching their symptoms.

“A fever will run its course, but if it continues or spikes or children are complaining of other symptoms, we encourage obviously calling their pediatrician, but a lot of times you can naturally work through a fever with your child,” Lonczak said.

For a homeopathic remedy for coughs, Dr. Lucia Benzoni, a pediatrician with Hartford HealthCare, suggested using two teaspoons of honey with lemon tea.

“That’s a big thing that we use, ” Benzoni said.

Saline nasal spray can help with congestion, along with having a humidifier going by the child’s bed, Benzoni added.

“Use a lot of saline nasal spray, ” Benzoni said.

Health professionals say that parents should not give children adult medication and should give their children’s pediatrician a call if they are struggling with a child’s fever and are looking for an alternative medicine to use.

One medication Benzoni mentioned as a homeopathic fever and pain reducer is Arnica, however, dosage is uncertain.

Parents should consult with a pediatrician before using any new medications to ensure dosage and type of medication is correct for their child.

“Children’s medication is very specific to weight and age, ” Lonczak said. “A parent may think that giving half of an adult sized medication might be OK but it’s not something to play with. If parents are struggling and

have concerns, they should just call their pediatrician before opting to do anything that’s not intended for children.”

jsimms@record-journal.com 203-317-2279

Technology: A domestic abuse double-edged sword

All forms of domestic abuse center around the abuser exerting power and control over the victim to inflict pain and cause fear.

Domestic abuse takes many forms, for example: physical violence, financial (by cutting off access to money and credit cards), and emotional (threatening to take children or harm pets).

Abuse using technology adds another dimension.

An abuser may use social media to post or threaten to post compromising photographs or information, or to impersonate the victim.

On-line accessing of bank or credit card accounts to track or control a victim’s spending is another tactic.

Smart home technology can be used to control home heating systems or capture images from doorbell cameras.

An unknowing victim can be tracked 24/7 by software or devices installed on cell phones or vehicles, with the resulting information used to stalk, threaten and intimidate.

A simple form is to isolate a victim by taking away or disabling cell phones and other devices.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that sometimes tech can be turned to the victim’s advantage.

The internet can make it easier for a victim to obtain information and support to break the abuse cycle.

Cell phones allow fast requests for emergency medical assistance and law enforcement protection from while allowing the victim to escape a dangerous situation.

The ability to stay connected with friends and family using email, texting and cell phones disrupts the abuser’s tactic of isolating the victim.

In the past, abuse was often difficult to prove because it was one person’s word against the other.

Now, victims may have the ability to have supporting evidence, especially of physical violence. For example: cell phone photos of bodily injuries and property damage, and transcripts or recordings of an abuser’s threatening texts, emails and cell phone messages.

The abuser’s own computer may provide evidence to

contradict their story and support the victim’s.

If abuse of any kind is an issue in your divorce case, your lawyer should be able to guide you about how to use technology to your advantage. That may be to support your legal case or combat or prevent further abuse.

Lisa J. Cappalli is Of Counsel at Cappalli & Hill, LLC and Freed Marcroft LLC. She can be reached at lcappalli@cappallihill.com or 203-271-3888.

This column should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion by Attorney Cappalli, Cappalli & Hill, LLC or Freed Marcroft LLC. The content is intended for general information only and you are urged to consult an attorney to advise you personally concerning your own situation and any specific legal questions you may have.

Cappalli

Pets

From A2

‘We’re bursting at the seams’

The increase in surrendered animals has made work more stressful, Rogers said.

“We have limited cage space, so a lot of our cats are free roaming, but then we have other cats that have to be in cages,” Rogers said. “New cats have to be in cages and dogs, obviously, have to be in a kennel.”

Rogers said it is even more difficult when people show up at the Humane Society wanting to surrender their animal, without calling ahead.

“So when people just show up and are like, ‘I can’t keep this animal’ when we don’t have cage or kennel space available, it’s definitely a stressful interaction,” Rogers said. “Trying to figure out what we can do to help the animal, but also not hurt the animals that we already have There’s just a lot to deal with.”

So, Rogers said workers are feeling the stress, especially since they want to help all the animals that walk through the door.

“You’re stressed because you want to do the right thing by the animals, but you also know you’re limited by resources, ” Rogers said. “It adds to what’s already kind of a difficult situation.”

How to help

Up until Dec. 31, the Meriden Humane Society held its annual Pawliday Challenge, where donations were matched up until the shelter hits its $15,000 goal.

“We have some generous donors who have pledged $15,000 to our shelter,” Annis said.

Financial donations support the shelter in veterinarian bills, Rogers said.

“Just like vetting bills, vetting costs have increased for private pet owners, they’ve increased for us too,” Rogers said. “... If animals come in that need surgery or extra attention medically, we do that for the animals. So it definitely comes with a high price tag.”

Donations of supplies are also welcomed and Rogers said people can see the shelter’s wishlist on their website.

Spreading the word of ways to donate to the Meriden Humane Society is also encouraged.

“Little things like if people like our Facebook page and then share our posts of animals that need to be adopted,” Rogers said. “If people can’t do more than that, just that is helpful to spread the word because you never know which person you’re going to reach that might be able to adopt an animal.”

jsimms@record-journal.com 203-317-2279

In order to continue delivery to your home or business, we need to have each resident or business let us know that, by filling out our on-line requester form at myrecordjournal. com/cheshire-requester

Or, you can call us at 203-634-3933 and we can mail you a postage paid postcard to fill out and return. Without the necessary requester information, delivery of your Cheshire Citizen to your home or business, will end.

In a recent social media post, the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department said its holiday gift card, toy and food drive was a "huge success." The CVFD stated that it pulled in more than $500 in cash and gift cards for Cheshire Social Services and some 250 pounds of food for the local pantry. The toys collected by the fire department went to YaleNewHavenHospital. Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department, Facebook

Quality never gets old.

We Sell Jewelry

Don Walsh is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced gemologists in the area. He will sit with you and explain everything you need to know about a diamond or colored stone and get you the best deal around. He will work with you to custom design your unique piece of jewelry or you may find it in his vast inventory.

We specialize in unique, one of a kind, pieces of estate jewelry from the Victorian era to modern. Don’s experience and connections in the jewelry industry will leave you confident that you will get exactly what you are looking for at an incredible savings from most jewelry stores. You will always be dealing one on one with the experienced owner in a private office setting with no pressure selling.

We Buy Jewelry

We Buy All Kinds of Antique & Estate Jewelry, Diamonds, Watches, Coins & Flatware.

Why sell to DW Gem Services, LLC?

Don is one of the most experienced and respected antique and estate jewelry experts in the country. He has over 37 years of experience and understands that selling your jewelry is a personal and sometimes sentimental experience. He will fully explain the process and make you feel comfortable about selling to his firm.

At DW Gem Services, LLC you can be assured that you will get a fair and honest evaluation of all of your items.

Obituaries

LONG BEACH, CATim Mara, 53, died unexpectedly at his home in Long Beach, CA, where he had resided for more than 20 years. He was born September 29, 1969 in Philadelphia, PA, the son of Shaun and Annette (Maccari) Mara. He is predeceased by his mother, Annette Mara, his aunt, Mary Elizabeth (Maz) Patrick and his Godson, John Joseph Latoracca.

He is survived by his father, Shaun E. Mara, his brother, Shaun P. Mara and his wife, Chantal, his sister Elizabeth Latoracca and her husband, Buddy, his sister Maureen Morris and her husband, Bill and his sister Eileen Matheson and her husband, Jon. He is also survived by 8 nieces and nephews whom he adored - Tim Morris, Bridget Morris, Stephanie Mara, Ryan Mara, Lindsey Latoracca, Jason Latoracca, Cameron Matheson and Cory Matheson as well as Jameson and Anderson Noack, whom he thought of as family.

Tim graduated from Villanova and earned his MBA from Tulane University. After several years of consulting in HR technology, he founded TM Solutions, LLC, in 2008 and was a Strategic Advisor at Blue Lake Consulting group since 2020. Tim had a photographic memory regarding dates and had an uncanny knack for trivia.

Tim’s passions included

his love for travel, (he visited countless locations around the world) running (he completed more than a dozen marathons with impressive times) and cooking (he especially enjoyed preparing ethnic dishes). Tim generously shared his gifts with others by training family and friends for marathons, inviting loved ones to experience fine cuisine and amazing vacations. His sisters will always cherish their annual sibling’s weekend with Tim.

Tim will be missed most for his kindness, thoughtfulness, quirky sense of humor and practical jokes. He was an incredible human being with a beautiful soul. May he rest in peace. The funeral service and burial will be private. The funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS 2022

Cheshire High’s Alexa Ciccone holds onto the lead during the girls combined Housatonic/Oronoque division cross country race at the Guilford Fairgrounds on Sept. 29, 2022.Cicconefinishedfirstwithatimeof18:03.80.

Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal

Timothy Eamon Mara

Sis Schlesinger, 100, shares in a laugh with Doris Manseau, Heidi Thorsen and Lilian Revel on May 17, 2022, while setting up for a photo during the Centenarian Celebration at Elim Park, a retirement community in Cheshire. The event highlighted the lives of six

women ranging in age from 100 to 105. Schlesinger was born in 1922 in New Brunswick,N.J.

Dave Zajac, Record-Journal

But COVID-19 remained as the omicron variant raised new challenges for fighting the pandemic and people took advantage of testing and new vaccine boosters.

For the small business community, support came from continuing to seek any available funding through government assistance programs and the American Recovery Plan Act. Larger and small businesses faced supply chain issues and global inflation that slowed expansions and recovery.

But the region fared well as entrepreneurs helped fuel the local economy by opening new businesses in Meriden, Wallingford, Southington and Cheshire. State and federal funding helped assist in much of that growth.

Here are a few of the business highlights from Cheshire last year:

In August, the IAT Insurance Group, a specialty property and casualty insurance and surety products provider, completed the renovation of a 24,000-square-foot building at 1157 Highland Ave., after acquiring the building in 2021.

Home to approximately 30 employees, the new space allows for growth of up to 50 employees and provides multi-functional, technology-enabled training space for workshops and internal training programs for up to 48.

In September, St. Peter’s parishioner and Boulder Knoll Community Farm coPresident Marjorie Chapman, along with Boulder Knoll’s Hap Jordan, went to New Haven for a public event designed to raise awareness about gun violence in Connecticut.

There they were introduced to Swords to Plowshares Northeast. In the aftermath of the Uvalde, Texas school shooting, and feeling a deep sense of urgency, two ministers at the First Congregational Church of Cheshire wanted to act.

The Rev. Dr. James Campbell and the Rev. Alison McCaffrey began discussing how the church could respond to such a horrific act. So the local churches teamed up.

In October, the town received nearly $300,000 in state funding to further improve its West Main Street corridor. The $290,000 grant to the town part of the Small Town Economic Assistance Program, will go toward work on the third phase of Cheshire’s West Main Streetscape improvement project. The grant requires a match of $72,500.

In November, Cheshire held a workshop with members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, which will ultimately have responsibility for deciding what cannabis activities in Cheshire will look like.

SO-SO START FOR RAMS

Cheshire High School’s Chris O'Neal drives past Maloney’s Allen Lee on Dec. 30 in Meriden. The Rams lost that night 60-43 and headed into 2023 with a record of 2-2. Maloney improved to 3-0 with its win against Cheshire. Junior Marquis Ward paced the victors with 18 points and senior teammate Tadrique Jones added 17. Cheshire senior Jack Markarian led his team with 15 points.

Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal

The perfect and easiest part time job - Newspaper Delivery Routes Available - Earn up to $600.00 every Two weeks +Tips (Depending on area) Routes available in the following towns:

MERIDEN, WALLINGFORD, SOUTHINGTON/ PLANTSVILLE, CHESHIRE AND MIDDLETOWN

Must be 18 or older. Must have valid drivers license, reliable vehicle and be available early mornings. Make extra cash before you go to work making early morning newspaper deliveries using your own vehicle. NO experience necessary. Must able to deliver early mornings, 7 days a week. MUST be dependable, and be able to read a route list with specific delivery instructions. We will demonstrate the route to you. Routes average 1.5 to 3 hours daily. No collections required.

Not Temp Work. Retirees, Stay at Home Mom’s, and Veterans are also welcome to apply. Make extra cash to pay rent, mortgage, bills, save money, or a great vacation. Text or call Peter at 860-846-0216 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and start as soon as tomorrow morning.

BUYING MACHINIST TOOLBOXES - Tools & tooling, contents of machine shops, home workshops and small lathes. Call anytime 860-985-5760

TIMELESS TREASURES

ESTATE AUCTIONSIs looking to purchase estate contents. From single items to entire estates. Clean-out services available. Call Bill (203) 494-2496.

TOP CASH PAID For any Toyota any condition, running or not, crashed okay. Will take other makes and models. (203) 600-4431.

TOP CASH PAID

For Junk or unwanted vehicles, Toyota’s etc. Please call Mike @ 203284-8562 8am-5pm.

1,2,3 CASH FOR ANTIQUES - Call Todd Shamock, 203-4941695.

ALWAYS BUYING CASH PAIDVintage Electronics, Musical Instruments, Amps, Ham Equipment, HiFi, Radios, CB, Guitars, Audio Equipment, Antiques. 860-707-9350

MERIDEN - Room for rent, utils incl., shared BA. Free Wi-Fi. Call (203) 217-7122.

OFFICE SUITE - Avail. for lease, 550 sq.ft., ground level, Clocktower Square, 710 Main St., Suite 1, Plantsville, CT. $800 per mo. Call (860) 276-8068 ask for Tony or Gail.

ANTIQUES - Always buying old; Toys, military, jewelry, art, watches, musical instruments, signs, arcade games, cameras, pre 1970 sports memorabilia, plus more. One item or entire estate contents. Call 860718-5132.

GRASSY HILL AUCTIONS, - an Estate Sale, Liquidation, Attic & Basement Cleanout Company is Always Buying and providing services all over Connecticut. These are just a FEW of the things we are looking for: Antiques, Collectibles, Old/ Vintage Toys, Musical Instruments (Saxophones, Trumpets, Violins, Flutes, Clarinets, Trombone & SO MUCH MORE) Advertising Items, Wristwatches (Broken or Not), Pocket Watches, Tools (Machinist, Woodworking, & MORE) Doorstops, Clocks, Oil Paintings, Old Signs, Old Photographs, Old Postcards, Brewery Items, Hunting & Fishing, PEZ Dispensers, Costume Jewelry, Broken Jewelry, Gold & Silver Jewelry, Gold & Silver Coins, Military Items, Swords & Bayonets, Helmets & Patches, Medals & Uniforms, Pocket Knives, Lighters & Pipes, Foun tain Pens, Mechanical Pencils, Fraternal Order Items, Religious Items, Industrial Items, Win chester Items, Sikorsky Items, Pratt & Whitney Items, Colt Items, Na tive American Items, Vintage Electronics, Slot Cars, Toy Trucks, Matchbox & Hot wheels, Barbie’s, Folk Art, Statues, Bronzes, Trains, Cameras, Mid Century Modern Fur niture, Straight Razors, Shaving Items, Political Items, Comic Books, Sports Cards & Auto graphs…& THE LIST GOES ON! So please give us a call at your earliest convenience.

Grassy Hill Auctions 203-868-1816 - Grassy HillAuctions.com

WANTED Individual firearms, collections & estates including military & related items.Federally licensed firearms dealer. Gunsmith, appraisals, Richard Pleines, (860) 663-2214.

DETECTO BALANCE BEAM SCALE - W/ height rod and wheels, in original box unpacked, call Lilly 203200-9806

TWIN MATTRESS SET - New, $200; Futon, opens to bed, $75. Call (203) 235-0875.

ANTIQUES WANTEDComic books, toys, adv. signs, military items, motorcyles, mini bikes, etc. All items considered, appraisal & estate sale services, incl. clean-outs. 40 years exp. Call or text, Gary at 203-237-4124.

BUYING ALL - Costume Jewelry, Old Watches, Gold Jewelry, Silver Jewelry, Gold & Silver Coins, Sterling Flatware, In Any Condition. Please Call Jude M. Dichele @ (203) 8681816.

PREMIER ESTATE JEWELRY - Is interested in buying your fine jewelry, watches, coin collections, silver flatware, and costume jewelry. Call Bill, (203) 4942496.

603.630.2258.

WODATCH

Adelphia Café

476 Washington Avenue North Haven, CT 06473 203-535-0149

Family owned/operated. Former proprietors of the Neptune Diner in Wallingford. Extensive menu for all tastes. Breakfasts, luncheons and special dinners. All baking on premises.

Colony Diner

611 N Colony Road Wallingford, CT 06492 (203) 269-9507 colonydiner.com Wallingford’s place to go for oldfashioned breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Proudly serving up delicious and hearty meals daily. Voted Best Diner 4 years running by Record Journal. Open seven days. Breakfast served all day.

Welcome to On The Menu.

Let us help you find the perfect place to eat.

Whether it’s a celebration, date night, or just grabbing a bite to eat, this list of local restaurants is sure to satisfy your taste buds.

Find great local eats - MenusCT.com

Athena II Diner

320 Washington Ave, North Haven, CT 06473 203.239.0663 www.athena2diner.com

Open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Serving breakfast, lunch, & dinner. Accept Q Cards. Serving North Haven for 30 years. Daily specials and full liquor available.