The Cheshire Citizen April 1, 2021

cheshirecitizen.com

Volume 12, Number 13

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Proposed town budget tops $121M

A safari is coming to town

By Joy VanderLek The Cheshire Citizen

Record-Journal staff

Town Manager Sean Kimball presented his recommendations for the town's 2021-2022 operating budget at the March 16 Town Council meeting. The budget proposal calls for $121.57 million in municipal spending. If passed, the budget would carry a 4.57% tax increase for town residents, approximately $36.58 more per month.

If you’re looking for something fun to do around town as a family, you won’t have to wait much longer.

Cheshire’s Parks and Recreation Department teamed up with the Cheshire Lions Club to come up with a plan to show off beautiful Bartlem Park South and make the walking trail a real treat for youngsters and their families.

Working in their backyard, Lions Club members Andy and Colette Anderson paint a giraffe cutout for a Cheshire’s Parks and Recreation Department and Cheshire Lions Club project to launch this spring at the Bartlem Park South walking trail.

See Safari, A10

Joy VanderLek, The Cheshire Citizen

Next up, the town will hold a series of virtual budget workshops, open to the public.

A calendar of the upcoming budget workshops can be found at cheshirect.org.

See Budget, A10

Reporting initiative serves diverse Latino communities Evelyn Robles-Rivas, supervisor of Language and Community Partnerships at Meriden Public Schools, poses for a photo on March 18.

Dave Zajac, Record-Journal

By Michael Gagne Record-Journal staff

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When Robles-Rivas arrived in Meriden she had just graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree. She Evelyn Robles-Rivas came to central began teaching, and eventually rose Connecticut from Puertoclasses Rico in Enrichment are forming through the ranksnow! to become a 1991 to stay with family living in the school principal. area.

Upcoming Online Classes: She now holds a doctorate in educa“I was planning to probably be here tion and supervises Language and for a coupleStrategies of years. I stayed.for And Successful I Community Partnerships for the Financial Retirement, love my job,” said Robles-Rivas, Meriden Public Schools. admitting it was challenging at Allwhile About Avoiding Probate, VA Benefits, Golf times juggling the responsibilities of Robles-Rivas was among more than forwork, Men and Women, Home Buying and Selling raising a family and continuing her education.

See Reporting, A2

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Robles-Rivas attributes her own success to the support of her family and community.

“That was key to be a successful Latina educator here in Connecticut,” she said, adding she would like to see more Latino residents, like her, have greater access to information.

While the population of Meriden has remained relatively constant over the last three decades, Latino residents now represent close to one-third of the city’s population, compared to about 8% in 1980.

Latino families account for much of that growth, as evidenced by enrollment in local schools. According to the district’s latest official count on Oct. 1, more than 58% of the overall student body in Meriden public schools identified as Latino, or 4,727 students out of a total of 8,118, more than twice the state average.

One of her first Record-Journal bylines was about Meriden officials’ plans to increase vaccination outreach targeting local Black and Latino residents.

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In its development of the Latino Communities Reporting Lab, the Record-Journal has gathered information, insights and perspectives through 82 conversations

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Fast forward to 2021: Rodriguez is now that agency’s executive director. And SCOW continues to serve the diverse local Latino community.

SCOW is typically the first stop in Wallingford for Latino newcomers, who’ve emigrated not just from Mexico, but other countries like Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras and Spain, as well as migrating from Puerto Rico.

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Health officials acknowledged the rates of vaccination for people of color have lagged behind those of the white, non-Hispanic population and promised to strengthen outreach efforts.

the current school year, 142,552, or close to 28%, of the 513,079 pre-kindergarten to grade 12 students enrolled in Connecticut public schools identify as Hispanic or Latino. By comparison, in the 2007-2008 school year, 96,127 of the state’s thenstudent population of 574,848 students identified as Hispanic or Latino, a 16.7% share.

Maria Campos-Harlow, executive director of the United Way of Meriden and Wallingford and another conversation participant, encouraged the initiative to highlight the success of local Latinos who call the Meriden area their home.

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Since February, Diaz has worked with other RecordJournal reporters and editors covering topics important to the local Latino community.

They included conversations with Latino leaders like recently confirmed U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, a former Meriden schools administrator, who spoke with the project team while serving as state commissioner of education. Cardona stressed opportunities to amplify the voices of Latino youth and to engage with families.

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The population of Latino students has grown in other The mission of the Latino communities as well. In Communities Reporting Lab neighboring Wallingford, is to amplify the voices of more than 19% of the 5,451 our local Latino communipublic school students identies — historically undertify as Latino. Neighboring served and underrepresent- towns, including Southinged in local news coverage. ton and Cheshire, have also Plans include building a new seen growth in their Latino populations, although to a team of five bilingual jourlesser degree. nalists — three reporters, one photographer/videogra- Similar trends have occurred pher and one editor — statewide. While the overall through philanthropic fund- student population in Coning. The first dedicated posi- necticut has declined for tion for the lab was added in more than a decade, the February with the hiring of numbers of Latino students reporter Jareliz Diaz, folenrolled in the state’s public lowed by plans to add a sec- schools continue to rise. Acond dedicated reporter with cording to enrollment data funding raised over the next reported by the State Detwo months. partment of Education, in

with community members, four focus groups and dozens of survey responses over several months.

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80 community members who participated in conversations the Record-Journal hosted over several months of planning for its new Latino Communities Reporting Lab.

Latino presence

The Cheshire Citizen (USPS 12210) is published weekly by Record-Journal, 500 S. Broad Street, Meriden, CT 06450.

Periodicals postage paid at Meriden, CT and at additional mailing offices.

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professional lives, experiences and cultural traditions, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez noted there is great cultural diversity even within Latinos whose families have similar national origins. For example, in Meriden, there’s a significant population whose familial roots are in Puebla, Mexico, a city located southeast of Mexico City. She hopes to see stories highlighting that diversity more widely shared.

plored source: philanthropy.

longer a presence.

Traditional for-profit news organizations like the Record-Journal have long relied on subscriptions and advertising for funding.

Those funding sources have declined, as have the newspapers they previously sustained, in terms of the numbers of newspapers and their sizes.

The media landscape in Connecticut has also dwindled. While the number of daily print newspapers covering communities across the Nutmeg State has not declined over the past decade and a half, the number of weekly newspapers has declined by more than half. Overall circulation declined as well. In 2004, total circulation among daily and weekly newspapers was 2.5 million. By 2019, that number had dwindled to 1.2 million. As a result the sizes of newsrooms in papers across the state have also shrunk.

USNewsDeserts.com is a database maintained by the University of North Carolina’s Hussman School of Journalism & Media. The website tracks the decline of newspapers throughout the country, noting there are now entire counties where local newspapers are no

The Record-Journal itself has not been immune to declin-

ing circulation and revenue loss from reduced advertising, nor has it been spared from having to reduce newsroom positions.

While advertising and print circulation has declined, new opportunities to bolster

audience engagement through digital means have emerged. The Record-Journal has the largest audience in its history with its print and digital audiences combined.

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Valentin said the Latino Community Reporting Lab’s concept, which includes highlighting Latino voices, makes him feel like he has a voice too.

Valentin suggested including even more diverse voices than just the Latino community.

“I would love it to be diverse voices: Black, Hispanic, any individuals who are underrepresented voices in the community. Identity is very complex,” he said.

Philanthropic model The Record-Journal’s push to expand its news team to cover an underserved community came with a simultaneous effort to seek funding through a previously unex-

See Reporting, A4

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Like Rodriguez, Orlando Valentin was raised in central Connecticut. Valentin grew up in Meriden. He now teaches fourth grade at Casimir Pulaski Elementary School.

“That is a good feeling. It makes me want to buy in more,” Valentin said, adding he would be particularly interested in coverage that more deeply explores education, as well as highlights local Latino-led businesses and non-profit organizations serving the community.

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“Many people who have relocated to the United States come with a whole story of professions, or reasons why they moved. And it’s very interesting to learn and so inspiring,” she said.

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From A3

Nancy Lane is the long-time chief executive officer of the Local Media Association, a Michigan-based nonprofit organization that according to its website works with more than 2,800 local media brands, from newspapers, to television and radio stations, online news sites and others.

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Lane said the use of philanthropy as a news media funding source is not new.

Public broadcasting and non-profit media outlets have long relied on such funding.

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Last September, the Local Media Association announced the Record-Journal was one of 16 local news organizations to participate in its Center for Journalism Funding lab.

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The center, according to LMA, is supported by the Google News Initiative. It “aims to strengthen the understanding and capabilities of local news organizations

regarding fundraising programs and working with philanthropic organizations to support journalism projects.”

That lab has two goals: raising at least $2.25 million to support all 16 initiatives and publishing an extensive industry playbook on philanthropy-funded journalism for other newsrooms to follow.

Joaquín Alvarado, the executive director of The Seattle Times’ Project Accelerate, serves on the faculty for the Center for Journalism Funding lab. Project Accelerate was an effort launched eight years ago, with an Education Lab focused on expanding coverage of that topic. The newspaper now funds 19 journalists through philanthropy.

“The shift to philanthropy for for-profit media really started to emerge in the last few years, and it was led by The Seattle Times, and their very effective strategy,” Lane said, describing that familyowned newspaper as an early adopter of the philanthropic model.

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“I think we all learned a lot from them,” Lane said. It’s not a strategy that works for all companies, she added.

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The model has also been successful in Fresno, Dallas, Miami and Boston.

“I think that it works for companies that are very committed to journalism, that have an appropriate size newsroom for the size of their organization, and at which journalism is at the heart of what they do,” Lane said, noting there are local media companies where that is not the case.

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“There are newsrooms that have been stripped down to levels that are hard to justify.

And in those cases they are not going to have the same success as the news organizations that invest heavily in journalism,” Lane said.

“Watchdog journalism, with investigative reporting being front and center, that will get the attention of the funding community. So I think family-owned and independently owned newspapers and digital sites are in a great position to secure philanthropic funding for journalism projects.”

Editorial independence “It’s important to find out what part of journalism different funders would be willing to invest in,” Lane said.

She added, the terms between donors and news organizations have to be clear.

“There are no strings attached,” she said. “... The contract or (memorandum of understanding) you sign with the funder makes it clear they have no control over the editorial part of it, no influence, no right to direct how this coverage is made. You just have to be crystal clear in the contract.”

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“I think listening to the community is first and foremost: understanding the needs that aren’t being covered, problems that exist that need the solutions, and then talking to the funding community,” Lane said.

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Lane’s advice as news organizations like the RecordJournal explore philanthropic funding models is to start by listening to local community members.

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is a topic that has seen significantly reduced coverage over the past decade.

“Knowing there are a lot of problems in K-12 education, (funders) are looking for coverage and solutions…

They want to bring awareness to the problem. And they want solutions proposed and they trust journalists can do this,” Lane said.

Dan Kennedy, a journalism professor at Northeastern University in Boston, is familiar with traditional news-

rooms’ efforts to bolster shrinking news coverage and newsrooms with philanthropic funding.

Kennedy echoed Lane’s point about news organizations needing to be clear with donors that funding does not dictate coverage and news organizations maintain editorial independence. Kennedy also urged transparency for the sake of readers.

“Just be straightforward and transparent,” Kennedy said.

“Be straightforward with the funders, letting them know you have to understand, you’re not going to dictate coverage…. And on the

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transparency end, you tell munity’s needs,” he said. your audience who your “We’ve got good evidence funders are. And how you these things are sustainable.” are going about covering this Connect and engage topic.”

Project Accelerate has since Record-Journal publisher Liz White Notarangelo exexpanded to include invesplained the seeds for the tigative reporting, in-depth coverage of issues impacting Latino Communities Reporting Lab were planted around Seattle’s homeless populatwo years ago. In 2019, the tion, police accountability company launched a team and other projects. whose focus was on listenOne of the strategies for phi- ing. It led to launching Voiclanthropic supported joures – Community Powered nalism is taking a multi-year Journalism. That platform approach, Alvarado exallowed community memplained. bers to submit questions and topics, which Record“None of this is easy. It takes Journal reporters could ana lot of dedication. You want swer through reporting. to be able to think it through — centering it on the com“All of that work led us to

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thinking about how we can do more outreach to the local community,” White said.

“What we want to do is more outreach to the Latino community. That’s how we developed our mission to amplify voices within the Latino community.”

The Rev. James Manship, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Meriden, described the newspaper’s initiative as “something that’s long overdue for the region.”

“This is something that’s so important for civic life, to make sure the Hispanic community is included,” Manship said. He stressed the importance of having access to information: “There are so many decisions that are made that impact people’s lives.”

The Record-Journal previously published a Spanish language weekly newspaper Tiempo, which Manship said parishioners still reference and remember fondly.

It’s too soon to say whether the Record-Journal’s current See Reporting, A9

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initiative will yield a Spanish language offshoot. The paper’s leadership has indicated it could be a possibility.

“I think we need to recognize the diversity of the community,” Manship said.

“So everyone knows and they have an understanding of the struggles they face and the joys they have.”

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Campos Harlow, the United Way of Meriden & Wallingford director, described a shift, which she largely attributes to social media, in how people get their news, but local newspapers like the Record-Journal, she said, offer the community a chance to connect and engage civically.

“Schools are very important, so are local businesses and local government,” she said, adding, “there are so many great stories to share.”

Campos Harlow, a supporter of the lab who emigrated to the United States from her native Colombia, said she has mixed feelings about the possibility of a new Spanish language publication. She is fully bilingual and would encourage children to be fully bilingual.

The Meriden-Wallingford Community Foundation is the Latino Communities Reporting Lab's non-profit fiscal sponsor. That sponsorship enables a for-profit news organization, like the Record-Journal, to accept foundation funding and taxdeductible donations. Campos Harlow is secretary of the Meriden-Wallingford Community Foundation.

As for the Record-Journal’s initiative, the paper’s leaders expect to see changes in the project as it moves forward, it may include other formats and approaches.

“We’re building the plane as we’re flying it,” White said.

“It will evolve over time based on input from the community.” mgagne@record-journal.com 203-317-2231 Twitter:@MikeGagneRJ

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Cheshire Public Library

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ter Gina Nichol has been a naturalist and birder for more than 30 years. Through her company, Sunrise Birding, Nichol offers tours, workshops, and lectures that

reveal the wonder of the nat- Wednesday, April 7, at 2 p.m. ural world. Register at Whether you garden in sun cheshirelibrary.org. or shade, there are lovely spring perennials that will Spring perennials add colorful flowers and inStunning Spring Perennials,

Budget

Those goals and objectives include: practicing fiscal responsibility; prioritizing economic development and growing the town’s grand list; improving maintenance and user group service levels for parks and recreational assets; and reorganizing staffing and departmental operations for administrative and human resource function areas.

From A1

According to Kimball the main objectives for this budget are: to maintain the delivery of town services historically expected by residents and businesses, and that includes the restoration of services either deferred or eliminated last year from the current budget in anticipation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and also to advance the key goals and objectives of the Town Council.

Safari From A1

“Tim Weed with Cheshire Parks and Recreation reached out to me with a proposal to have the Lions create safari animals in a portion of the old Chapman Farm,” Lions Club Membership Chair Tony Cipriani explained. “The town will be installing them once we finish making them.”

See Library, A11

The proposed budget also unfreezes some full-time positions.

recurring and contingency spending requests.

The education budget — $74,593,926 — was presented by Superintendent of Schools Jeff Solan earlier this year and then approved, without modification, by the Board of Education. General government spending for 2021 is projected to be $32,962,510 under Kimball’s plan, with debt service costing $7,581,981.

The town also is eligible for federal funds related to COVID-19 pandemic relief, The budget is broken down into general government, pending state review of how education, debt, capital non- to disperse the funds.

Club members will make a total of eight African animals to display along the trail.

“The material for the animals was purchased by the Cheshire Lions Club and subsequent labor in painting is being provided by members,” Cipriani said, adding that Creative Dimensions of Cheshire donated equipment and manpower to cut out the animal designs.

Cipriani said the Cheshire Lions Club strives

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The Lions were thrilled to be a part of this “open air” display, he said, “which we hope will be a walking experience for kids and their parents. The Lions Club can’t wait for them to be on display in Bartlem Park this spring.”

On a recent Saturday morning, Lions Club members Colette and Andy Anderson spent the day meticulously painting a 12-foot-tall giraffe in their backyard.

Other club members were painting other animals, like a hippo and an elephant. A giraffe figure was made in sections, but to paint, Colette Anderson worked on the fully-assembled animal.

Yellow paint was used for the majority of the giraffe's body along with some brown accents. Colette Anderson outlined the eyes and ears in black paint using a thin brush.

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The following programs are presented via Zoom.

day, April 6, at 2 p.m. One of the most satisfying aspects of bird watching is getting a good close view of a wild bird, one that allows you to study plumage features, observe behavior or simply enjoy the aesthetic experience.

This program will focus on “Fieldcraft,” practices and specialist skills for observing birds at close range. Presen-

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Cheshire Public Library, 104 Main St. 203-272-2245. The library has expanded services to allow in-person visits. For more details, visit cheshirelibrary.org.

The cutout was laid out over several tables to accommodate its size, taking up a good portion of the Andersons’ backyard.

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Library From A10

teresting foliage to the early season garden. Learn about our favorites and how to combine them for best effect in the garden from presenter Joan Butler, an enthusiastic gardener for over 30 years.

Register at cheshirelibrary.org.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Saturday, April 10, at 1:30 p.m. David Maliar, a Cheshire police officer, has written a book called Kupanda and Being Brave in the Attempt. This is the true story of 12 men and women who committed to a challenge much greater than themselves. The challenge?

To raise awareness and much-needed funds for Special Olympics athletes by conquering the tallest mountain in Africa. Join us as the author talks about his experiences climbing the mountain, his book and the Special Olympics. Register at cheshirelibrary.org.

A11

News Briefs Street sweeping The Cheshire Public Works Department will begin sweeping town roads on Monday, April 5. Sweeping operations will begin in the southwest corner of town and will progress from there. A map of the areas, in the order they will be swept, is available at cheshirect.org.

Residents can assist the Public Works Department by sweeping sediment from sidewalks into gutters and moving parked cars, which will interfere with sweeping operations. Sweepers cannot pick up brush, branches or yard waste.

Sweeping operations are expected to be completed by mid-June, weather permitting.

through May 1. If you are interested in motor vehicle parade through town attending classes, call Artsplace at on Sunday, May 30, starting at 1:30 203-272-2787. p.m.

Trivia Challenge The Cheshire Junior Women’s Group is hosting its second online trivia event. The Trivia Night Challenge is set for Saturday, April 10, from 7 to 8 p.m. Cost is $20 per family. Join via Zoom and answer questions using your phone. The event is suitable for ages 8-plus. Prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners. Visit the Cheshire Junior Women’s Group on Facebook or Instagram for a direct link to sign up, or contact Carolyn Dudeck at cheshirejrwomen@yahoo.com.

Art show

Memorial Day

Artsplace is sponsoring a special art show with original works by students, teachers and staff in conjunction with the Cheshire Public Library. The artwork, which was created on-site at Artsplace over the past few weeks, may be viewed in person in the lobby of the library and on the Artsplace website, artsplacecheshirect.org,

The Cheshire Memorial Day Parade is a long-honored town tradition to honor our military veterans. In 2020, the parade had to be canceled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, while still needing to adhere to crowd control, the Cheshire Memorial Day Parade Committee has announced there will be a special

To keep the procession manageable, there will be no marching units or organizations involved, yet this year’s parade will be extra-special, as each vehicle will be occupied by local veterans who served our country.

Prior to the parade, Cheshire’s annual Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony will be held on the First Congregational Church green. The ceremony is sponsored by the Cheshire Veterans Council, which consists of American Legion Post 92, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10052, Army Air Force Round Table of Connecticut, Disabled American Veterans, and the Town of Cheshire. The motor vehicle parade of veterans will begin at the green with a brief ceremony and the playing of “Taps” to honor those who sacrificed all.

The parade route, which will be released in the near future, will cover residential areas of town. Viewers will be asked to adhere to the CDC guidelines. No mass gatherings along the See News, A13

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Broadway Tails with Bill Berlioni, Tuesday, April 13, at 2 p.m. For more than 30 years, animal stage trainer Bill Berlioni has been rescuing animals and making them stars. He is the only trainer to ever receive a Tony Award. Register at cheshirelibrary.org.

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A12

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, April 1, 2021

C O M M U N I T Y C O N V E R S AT I O N S

COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A

CONVERSACIONES COMUNITARIAS

Preguntas y Respuestas Sobre la Vacuna de COVID-19

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Submit your questions in advance to arodriguez@scowinc.org

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Wednesday, April 14, 2021 12:00pm Recordings will be available to view after on myrecordjournal.com and on our Facebook page.

PRE-REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/39d6EO0 Zoom Webinar ID: 868 9236 8531 Passcode: 686537 Phone: +1 312 626 6799

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EN ESPAÑOL EL

Las grabaciones estaran disponibles despues del seminario en myrecordjournal.com y en nuestra página de Facebook.

miércoles, 14 de abril de 2021 12:00pm PREINSCRÍBASE AQUÍ: https://bit.ly/39d6EO0 Código del Seminario por Zoom: 868 9236 8531 Contraseña: 686537 Telefono: +1 312 626 6799

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The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Letters to the Editor Outstanding veterans Editor : The veterans of Cheshire appreciate Mitzi Romano and the History Hound's article about Cheshire and the Medal of Honor.

A few amplifying comments: Cheshire is unique among the small towns of America with a population of fewer than 30,000. I've checked the official registry of Medal of

News

April 15 by emailing Leslie Marinaro at lesliem@ snet.net or by calling 203631-7762. Any veteran participant should secure a driver. However, anyone needing a ride to be part of the procession should let the committee know when contacting Marinaro.

From A11

route will be allowed.

The Cheshire Police Department will lead and handle navigation of the parade route to stop traffic as needed.

Parade vehicles will be limited to veterans and any residents who served and would like to take part. Register by

GROW YOUR BUSINESS Advertise with us.

203-317-2312

Letters Policy Public Library displays an actual Medal of Honor and various things highlighting his life.

Email letters to news@ thecheshirecitizen.com; mail to 500 South Broad St., Meriden, CT 06450 or fax to 203-639-0210.

Letters are limited to 300 words. The Citizen will print only one letter per person each month.

We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not list names of people, organizations and business-

John White, Commander, VFW Post 10052 Cheshire Veterans Council

es being thanked. Names of businesses are not allowed. Letters must be signed and names will appear in print. Include a phone number so The Citizen can contact you for verification. Letters must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday to be considered for publication the following Thursday.

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Honor recipients; no other town that size has two awardees who were residents. That's why Route 10 through the center of town is designated The Medal of Honor Memorial Highway.

Col. Harvey Barnum was the guest of honor at the 2015 ceremony which named Rt. 10. He was a CHS student in the Class of 1958 (not 1956) and is a life member of the town's VFW Post 10052. An exhibit case in the Cheshire

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The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, April 1, 2021

COMMENTARY

Something is missing from my backyard

By Joy VanderLek The Cheshire Citizen

stairs. It’s on those stairs that both the raccoon and Dennis will take on the arduous task of climbing up to see if Princess can come out and play. Or maybe they just check to see if Princess has any food left in her dish. It’s hilarious.

Opossums. Raccoons. Eastern box turtles. Those are just a few of the animals that used to come to my yard. At one time, the opossums were plentiful. It wasn’t until their numbers dropped that I began to appreciate them. I learned how good they were to have around.

Here’s where I chastise mything is that Mitch lives in a They are not aggressive. self and say, “Too soon old, second-floor apartment, When they get scared they’ll too late wise.” along with a formerly feral just fall over and play dead. cat, he named Princess. His I know a man named Mitch Did you know they eat place has a deck in the back, who has quite theseassortticks? TheyBasement also eat insects Services Waterproofing civreS gnifoorpretso aW he tnemand esaB Princess can sit ment of wildlife, including a out and enjoy pleasant sunand small rodents, too.

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We’ve been visited by deer. I was planting in my vegetable garden in the backyard, kneeling down low, tucking the plant into the soil, and whoosh, I look up, and there’s a huge doe standing no more than 10-feet away from me. She had come in through the break of the bushes from the neighbor’s yard. I didn’t move. I don’t think I was breathing. I’d never been so close to a wild animal of that size. She didn’t move either – at least not at the moment. We silently looked at one another. Then she took a few steps, jumped six feet in the air, completely vertical, and cleared the backyard fence to get into another neighbor’s yard. It was crazy, and so cool.

It was not unusual to have families of deer go through the backyard. The neighbors' wooded lot must have made the deer feel safe as they wandered across the Honey Pot and up through our yards. The woods run behind us all the way to a pond on Country Club Road.

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up from the Honey Pot Brook at the end of my street and found their way into our neighbor’s backyard, where a summer party was going on. Their mother was nowhere to be seen. My neighbors and I were laughing our heads off as the ducklings scattered while we chased them. We finally scooped them all up and put them in cardboard boxes and whatever else we could find – including the pockets of our jackets – and marched down the street to bring them back to the stream to find their mamma.

We’ve seen our fair share of See Joy, A16

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, April 1, 2021

A15

. . . HERE ARE THIS WEEK’S NOMINEES . . .

AMAAN CHAUDHRY WALLICA BAILEY CHESHIRE HOCKEY

PLATT BASKETBALL

The least coveted starting position this winter? Cheshire hockey goalie. The Rams had graduated Nick Maringola, last year’s Division II state player of the year. Who could hope to fill those skates? Turns out, the Rams found a good one in Amaan Chaudhry. The junior backstopped Cheshire’s five-game win streak late in the season and it led to an appearance in Saturday’s SCC/SWC Division II championship game.

The Platt girls finished 2021 making a run to the CCC Bracket 3 semifinals, and it was no surprise to see Wallica Bailey out front as the driving force. The senior veteran scored 15 points in the quarterfinal victory over Rocky Hill, then 11 in the semifinal loss to Hall.

Bailey finished the season averaging 11.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.0 steals a game.

She and teammate Ja’lexia West were named All-Conference.

JOE PERALTA

ALLISON CARR

Maloney junior Joe Peralta put his name in the Meriden Co-op boys swimming record book when he teamed with his brother John Peralta, Spencer Studley and Mehdi Moumen on a 400-yard freestyle relay time of 3:28.76, which placed the quartet third in the Central Connecticut Conference’s Pod D. Individually, Joe finished fourth in the Pod D championships in the 100 freestyle with a season-best time of 52.80.

One of Southington High’s top all-around athletes, Allison Carr wrapped up her hoops career leading the Lady Knights to the semifinals of the CCC Championship Bracket Tournament. Her three-point play in the final minute earned the quarterfinal win over East Harforrd. In the semifinal loss to eventual champion Newington, Carr went out battling with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 7 steals. She was named All-Conference.

JOEY ZELLNER

BRIANNA MIK

Joey Zellner has swum his last competitive laps at Sheehan, but his name won’t be forgotten. It will be on the pool deck, up on the record board. Zellner set three school records this winter: 50 freestyle (21.32), 100 free (47.10), 200 IM (1:57.77). Already a twotime SCC champ, he won the 50 free and 100 breaststroke last week and was named the SCC’s Most Outstanding Swimmer. He’s going on to swim at Loyola-Maryland.

As the daughter of coaches, Brianna Mik grew up on basketball courts, so by the time she hit Lyman Hall in 2017, she was ready for varsity. This winter, Mik brought a four-year scholastic career to a close as senior captain of the Trojans. A solid all-around player, she averaged 9.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. She spearheaded the defense with 3.7 steals per game and was named to the AllSCC East Division Team.

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A16

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Joy

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From A14

coyote and fox, as well. For a few years, there was a fox who ran a circuit that included our backyard. There were fox families who made their homes at the base of trees on the prison grounds up the road on Route 10. I heard the offspring made their way to my street and made a cozy home for themselves in a neighbor’s backyard.

I don’t know what happened here, but for the longest time we haven’t seen anything.

No fox. No bats. No turtles.

Nothing.

I attribute it to people driving faster, leading to roadkill.

Also, a lot of woodlots have disappeared, some by way of pests like the ash borer and gypsy moth. We’ve lost trees to long stretches of drought, ice storms and windstorms.

And of course, we’ve lost wildlife habitat to new subdivisions.

It’s a lot of pressure on the local habitat and wildlife.

The other night, I turned on the backdoor light and saw a bunny at my small pond. I was really excited to see it after such a long time without seeing a thing.

Hubby was up late one night, turned on the backdoor light, and thought he saw something walking near the pond. After that, I put out a small container with a tight-fitting lid, and filled it with coffee grinds, egg shells, and some old vegetables. In the morning, the lid was off and a potato that had been in the can was on the step. I asked hubby and he said he didn’t do it, but he was up late, as usual, and before going to bed, he looked outside and saw a plump opossum. We’ve decided his name will be “I’m also Dennis.” What do you think?

Contact me at jvanderlek@ record-journal.com.

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The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, April 1, 2021

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The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Legal Notices & Classifieds

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MATERIALS DISTRIBUTION Screened Topsoil $25/ per yd; Sand-$15 per yd; Millings-$10 per yd; Screened Millings $30 per yd; Clean Fill $8 per yd: $100 minimum delivery. No pickup truck service. Minimum 16 yd pickup at our yard. Call Jim @ 860-982-4819 for delivery

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.

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Local, dynamic, fastpaced financial services office seeks Part-time office professional, to PREMIUM PLANTSVILLE - 1.5 rm work in Berlin, CT. Help Wanted effic’y near I-84, $175 SCREENED wk incls. heat, hw, a/c Qualifications for the TOPSOIL & appls. Sec.+ref req.

FOOD SERVICE job include great people No pets.860-620-0025. $25/yard delivered, skills, a strong custom3 yd, $100 min. delivery er-service orientation, Call Jim 860-982-4819 and organizational Wanted To Rent ELEMENTARY Miscellaneous For abilities. Good teleCAFÉ Sale phone skills, computer MATURE COUPLE knowledge and verbal RELOCATING - To the 12’ FISHING BOAT - With MANAGER Cheshire / Southingtrailer, swivel seats & and writing skills are also ton area to take care orrs; motor 45 lb thrust; necessary. Attention to Wallingford Board of of ailing parents seekEvinrude engine 4 hp, detail a must.

Education-Food Service ing a house or con4 cycle; aboveground We offer not only comDivision is seeking a dominium to rent. A pool safety ladder, with petitive compensation, minimum of two bedqualified individual to locking entrance door rooms, one bath, and but also career enrichand railings. $1,500 coordinate activities of one garage space. o.b.o. 860-621-6498. ment and an opportunity the other foodservice Excellent credit and to work with a company $$$BEAT ANY PRICE$$$ employees within the references. June 2021 Wood Fuel Heating Antiques, military that serves the local facility. Position requires occupancy. Call 508Equipment items, oddities, anycommunity.

246-4852 anytime. a High School Diploma thing of value, motorTREE LENGTH To find out more about or G.E.D. In addition, cyles, minibikes, go FIREWOOD this position, email must have experience in carts. Estate & free apLawn and Garden CALL FOR DETAILS resume to praisal services. Gary, food service and a san24/7, 203-237-4124.

203-238-2149 itation certification from applyggroup@gmail.com BARK MULCH - $29 Yard an approved Department BUYING MACHINIST & up, 7 varieties. Also of Education source.

Wanted To Buy TOOLBOXES - Tools native woodchips or SHIPPER/RECEIVER School food service & tooling, contents of clean top soil $15 yd., Mon. thru Fri., 8-5 p.m., machine shops, home firewood $20 + up. 1,2,3 Items or an Estate fax resume for review experience preferred. $$$ CASH $$$ workshops and small (203) 269-5485, EMS Pickup at 50 MastriSupervisory experience lathes. Call anytime Todd Shamock New England, 65 South anni Place, Plantsville. also preferred. Wages 860-985-5760 Delivery available. Call Turnpike Rd., WallingEstate Sale Service $16.78 (hourly) plus an ford, (203) 269-1354.

Paul, (860) 621-6332.

Costume Jewelry, excellent fringe benefit Antiques, Dolls, Toys, package. Applications Paintings,Meriden Items may be obtained at the 203-494-1695 Department of Human A-1 LOOKING - For Old Resources, Town of Costume & Sterling Wallingford, 45 South The perfect and easiest part time job - Newspaper Jewelry Box Lots & Main Street, Wallingford, Delivery Routes Available - Earn up to $600.00 Other Doodads.”I Pay CT 06492. Forms will Top Cash For Your every Two weeks +Tips (Depending on area) be mailed upon request Grandma’s Costume Routes available in the following towns: from the Department Jewelry Stash” Julie 203-443-9602. of Human Resources MIDDLETOWN, CROMWELL, OLD SAYBROOK, or may be downloaded AARON’S BUYING MERIDEN, PLAINVILLE, NEW BRITAIN, WATERBURY from the Department of Old Machinist Tools, Human Resources Web Must be 18 or older. Must have valid drivers license, reliable Lathes, BenchTools, Page. The closing date vehicle and be available early mornings. Make extra cash Hand Tools & more. before you go to work making early morning newspaper will be the date the 50th (203) 525-0608. deliveries using your own vehicle. NO experience necessary. application or resume is Must able to deliver early mornings, 7 days a week. MUST received or April 7, 2021 ALWAYS BUYING be dependable, and be able to read a route list with specific whichever occurs first.

CASH PAID delivery instructions. We will demonstrate the route to you.

EOE Vintage Electronics, Routes average 1.5 to 3 hours daily. No collections required.

Musical Instruments, Amps, Ham Not Temp Work. Retirees, Stay at Home Mom’s, and Veterans HANDYMAN - LookEquipment, HiFi, are also welcome to apply. Make extra cash to pay rent, ing for someone to Radios, CB, Guimortgage, bills, save money, or a great vacation. do handyman jobs & tars, Audio Equipyardwork. Apply to: Text or call Peter at 860-846-0216 from 9 a.m. ment, Antiques.

PO Box 373, Middle860-707-9350 to 6 p.m. and start as soon as tomorrow morning. field, CT 06455-0373

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237783

Need to Earn Income ASAP? Earn up to $1,200 mo. + Tips!

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, WANTED Individual Old/ Vintage Toys, Mufirearms, collections & sical Instruments (Saxophones, Trumpets, Vi- estates including military olins, Flutes, Clarinets, & related items.Federally Trombone & SO MUCH licensed firearms dealer.

MORE) Advertising Gunsmith, appraisals, Items, Wristwatches Richard Pleines, (860) (Broken or Not), Pocket 663-2214.

Watches, Tools (Machinist, Woodworking, & MORE) Doorstops, Pets For Adoption Clocks, Oil Paintings, Old Signs, Old Pho- CATS - Free to good tographs, Old Posthomes. Multiple ages cards, Brewery Items, and sizes. They need Hunting & Fishing, PEZ to be spayed/neutered.

Dispensers, Costume Please call or text StaJewelry, Broken Jewelcey @ (860) 853-4505. ry, Gold & Silver Jewelry, Gold & Silver Coins, Military Items, Swords & Bayonets, Helmets & Patches, Medals & Uniforms, Pocket Knives, Lighters & Pipes, Fountain Pens, Mechanical Pencils, Fraternal Order Items, Religious Items, Industrial Items, Winchester Items, Sikorsky Items, Pratt & Whitney Items, Colt Items, Native American Items, Vintage Electronics, Slot Cars, Toy Trucks, Matchbox & Hotwheels, Barbie’s, Folk FACEBOOK.COM/ Art, Statues, Bronzes, RECORDJOURNAL Trains, Cameras, Mid Century Modern FurNEWSPAPER niture, Straight Razors, Shaving Items, Political TWITTER.COM/ Items, Comic Books, Sports Cards & AutoRECORD_JOURNAL graphs…& THE LIST GOES ON! So please give us a call at your INSTAGRAM.COM/ earliest convenience.

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

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Classified ads are the best way to find what you need.

They are also the best way to sell your services, goods or items.

Call Monday thru Friday 8:30am - 5pm 203-238-1953

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Businesses & Services Attics and Basements Cleaned GARY WODATCH

Gutters

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Cell, 860-558-5430

Carpentry

CARPENTRY

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Call Bill (203) 901-2136.

CT. Reg. # 0647093

Electrical Services

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Exp. Call today for Free estimate. 203-440-3535 Ct. Reg. #578887

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Specializing in roofing, siding, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, basement remodeling.

Senior citizen discount Insured. Free est.

203-265-5200 HIC#0631937

CLEAN & REMOVE Furniture, appliances, entire contents of: homes, sheds, estates, attics, basements, garages & more. *SPRING YARD Clean-ups* FREE ESTIMATES. LIC & INS. 203-535-9817 or 860-575-8218.

Landscaping

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Power Washing Painting Int. & Ext. Gutters Cleaned. Free Ests. Ins. Refs.

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Roofing

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203-238-1953

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CKV LAWNMOWING - Spring Clean-Ups and lawn cutting for Residential & small business lawns. Chris 203.598.6411

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IF YOU Mention This Ad SPRING Yard Clean-Ups Brush, branches, leaves, storm damage **JUNK REMOVAL** Appl’s, Furniture, Junk, Debris, etc WE CAN REMOVE ANYTHING Entire house to 1 item removed!

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Painting Wallpapering #1 PAINTER’S EDGE

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Senior citizen discount Insured Free est.

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Specializing in tree removal, trimming, chipping & grinding.

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The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, April 1, 2021

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