The Cheshire Citizen

Have you met the new neighbors?

More than 70 entries were submitted for this year’s Here Come the Scarecrows event co-sponsored by Artsplace, Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, Cheshire Public Library and the Cheshire Parks and Recre ation Department.

Residents and businesses get involved by registering their creations with Parks and Rec., which displays a map on its website, giving scarecrow hunters a chance to trav el around town and find the Halloween “visitors.”

The range of characters to be found have been described by observers as fun, spooky, goofy, scary, and cute. Some pro mote a cause.

For instance, there scarecrow at Norton Elementary School, and Charles Schultz nus and Sally sit on the lawn of Barker Cartoon Museum waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arrive.

And over at Ball & Socket Arts, the Greek goddess of Autumn, Xarpo, puts in an ap pearance.

Organizers have high hopes for Nov. food drives

Record-Journal staff

Two local food drives are scheduled for November and organizers look forward to big participation from the community.

The 49th annual Cheshire Food Drive is scheduled for Nov. 5 and 6, and is held on the First Congregational Church green and at Stop & Shop, as well.

Cheshire Food Drive volun teers will accept food and monetary donations at both locations from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. Volunteers are needed on the green to collect and sort food. All ages are wel come, and no sign-up is needed. Community service hours will be provided on re quest.

Since 2020, the Cheshire Food Drive has provided more than 1,750 food vouch ers, or nearly $75,000 in food assistance. In addition, due to a recent bequest from a long-time resident, $20 sup plemental food vouchers al so are available.

The Cheshire Food Drive helps fund the town’s Food Voucher Program. A part nership between the non profit Cheshire Food Drive, Inc. and the Town of Cheshire's Human Services Department, the Food Voucher Program provides food assistance, indepen dent of any food pantry, to Cheshire residents on an emergency basis with no pa perwork, or monthly for those who meet the eco nomic criteria. Go to cheshirefoodrive.org for more information.

Another food drive is sched uled for Nov. 12 and this one is geared towards a distribu tion for the Thanksgiving holiday. However, this drive uses a two-pronged ap

See Food drives, A9

"Where's Waldo," located at Norton Elementary School, is one of the entries in this year’sHereCometheScarecrowsevent. Joy VanderLek, The Cheshire Citizen

Record-Journal staff

SCC CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Sean Krofssik Record-Journal staff

NEW HAVEN Cheshire coach Rob Schae fer couldn’t contain his excitement after his girls ran in the Southern Connecticut Con ference cross country championships on a blustery Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 19, at East Shore Park. He had every right to be pumped. The Rams blew away the competi tion in winning the SCC crown by a wide margin.

Cheshire scored 64 points, placing well ahead of five-time defending champ Guil ford and Wilbur Cross. Those schools tied for a distant second place at 125. “We really came to run today,” said Schaefer, who was selected SCC Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year later in the day. The Rams were led by junior Alexa Ciccone. She won this race last year as a sophomore. This year, with a time of 18:44, she was runner-up to Shelton junior Hannah Andrejczyk (18:37), who broke free from a four-girl cluster that was in front for the first two miles.

After Ciccone, the next four Cheshire girls came home in groups of two. Emily D’Souza was eighth (20:06) and Mia Vientos ninth (20:11).

Rounding out Cheshire’s championship top five were Eva Curran (23rd, 21:32) and Ava Ciccone (24th, 21:35).

“I feel for Alexa,” Schaefer said. “I would have a loved an individual championship, but I love a team championship. I’m so ex cited for the girls and we did it decisively. I’m very happy.

“We finally beat Guilford; I was so fearful of Sacred Heart Academy as well,” Schaefer added. “My four and five of Ava Ciccone and Eva Curran came to race today. All of my girls are heroines in my book. Four and five was my worry and Eva Curran is our hero of the day.”

Alexa Ciccone said she was excited for the team championship after finishing second as a squad last season.

From left: Shelton’s Hannah Andrejczyk, Wilbor Cross’ Anna Omelchenko, Lauralton Hall’s Kelly Jones and Cheshire’s Alexa Ciccone run in the lead pack Wednesday, Oct. 19 at EastShoreParkinNewHaven. Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal

As food insecurity rises, free school breakfast helping

By Jessica Simms Record-Journal staff

Many students continue to benefit from extended free breakfast programs in local schools, for instance in Meriden, Southington and Cheshire. However, Walling ford, reports the district is currently unable to offer the program at every school.

Cheshire Public Schools of fer free breakfast at all of the district’s schools, funded by the SMART program. Cheshire schools have re ceived $687,771.

The district’s Food and Nu trician Services Director Eri ca Biagetti said that once the funding runs out, families who are not eligible for free and reduced-price meals will have to start paying again.

In 2020, 15.7% of Cheshire students were eligible for free and reduced-price meals. In 2000, this percent age was 2.1%. Biagetti said that the free and reduced program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agricul ture.

In August, Biagetti told the Record-Journal that if fami lies who are eligible for free and reduced meals fill out

their applications as soon as possible, the district can make the SMART funds last longer for families who do not qualify for free and re duced meals.

“We are working hard to make sure that families who do qualify understand that if they do fill out their applica tions and they do receive the USDA funding, then that's going to be able to help us help families who do not qualify longer,” Biagetti said in August.

However, Biagetti said that she has seen an increase in participants in the program.

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career in the jewelry industry over 40 years ago as a teenager. In 1982,

achieving a degree in Business Economics, he started at Michaels Jewelers. Within 2 years he received his Graduate Gemologist title from the Gemological Institute of America. He went on to became one of the first Certified Gemologist Appraisers in the country.

his career at Michaels, Don was the lead gemologist and managed the appraisal department and estate division as well as lead many management training seminars. He has built a strong reputation for honesty and integrity in all of his business practices. Because of his vast appraisal background, he has served as an expert witness for numerous cases for the state of Connecticut and various police departments. He was a guest lecturer on Estate Jewelry for the American Gem Society Conclave. He has spoken before a number of civic groups on jewelry, gemology, appraisals and selling your jewelry.

Community Focused

Don is also a civic minded individual. He and his wife, Jenifer, started the charity Cheshire’s Lights of Hope in 2005. Since its inception, this charity has raised over $1 million to help those in need within the Cheshire community.

He also captain’s “Team Jenifer”, a WalkMS team started in 1999 to raise funds for multiple sclerosis. To date, this charity has raised over $400,000.

Don served as an alternate on Cheshire’s Planning and Zoning Commission from 2018-2019. In 2019, Don was elected to serve on the Cheshire Town Council representing the 3rd District and was elected as Vice Chairman in 2021.

Family Oriented

Don and Jenifer have lived in Cheshire since 1996 and have 2 children, Cara and Patrick, as well as a dog named Sweet Caroline.

Food Service Director Erica Biagetti works at Cheshire Public Schools central office in this May 5, 2021 photo.

Dave Zajac, Record-Journal

Medical experts warn of severe flu season, urge vaccination

By Cris Villalonga-Vivoni Record-Journal staff

As another flu season is gearing up to sweep across the states, local health offi cials and medical providers are urging anyone over six months old to get vaccinated before the end of the month.

Chief Medical Officer of ConnectiCare, Dr. Indu War rier, explained that this

year's flu season is predicted to be significantly more se vere than previous years as the state faces reduced COVID-19 mask and social distancing mandates. "We are going to have a really bad flu season," she said.

"So, it's important that we take precautions, including vaccinations, to prevent hav ing the flu and spreading the flu."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that from October 2021 through June 2022, there were eight to 13 million flu illnesses, 82,000 to 170,000 flu-related hospi talizations and 5,000 to 14,000 deaths across the U.S.

In Connecticut, the state De partment of Public Health (DPH) reported 564 flu-re lated hospitalizations and 12 fatalities from June 2021 to 2022. Since restarting data collection on Oct. 1, DPH has reported 65 cases, two hospitalizations and zero fa talities due to the flu.

Who is at risk?

Although everyone is at risk of contracting the flu, specif ic demographics are more likely to develop severe complications like pneumo nia and neurological prob lems, Warrier said.

According to the CDC, indi viduals most susceptible to flu-related complications in clude pregnant people,

young children, seniors and people living with chronic illnesses, such as asthma and diabetes.

Warrier explained that the flu vaccine acts as a first line of defense but may not pre vent someone from con tracting the flu. However, the chances of hospitalization and developing severe or fa tal complications are signifi cantly lessened. According to the CDC, an individual is 40-60% less likely to contract the flu after vaccination. But, the CDC also estimated that flu vaccines prevented eight million influenza illnesses, four million medical visits, 105,000 hospitalizations and 6,300 deaths during the 2019 to 2020 season.

"That's the reason why we need to get vaccinated to en sure that we are able to stop the spread of the infection and also to make sure that complications from these in fections can be prevented," Warrier said.

Vaccines also help create herd immunity that can pro tect individuals unable to re ceive a flu vaccine, said Mary Blankson, chief nurs ing officer at Community Health Center. She ex plained that doctors often recommend new parents re ceive a flu vaccine to protect their newborn.

"The higher our community immunity is... the more pro tected they are, as well," Blankson said.

"You're doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your fami ly."

Driving factors

U.S. scientists make seasonal virus predictions based on information gathered from the Southern Hemisphere, namely Australia, and their flu season, said Dr. Henry Anyimadu, chief of infec tious diseases at Midstate Medical Center and Hospital of Central Connecticut.

See Flu season, A7

“We have seen an increase in breakfast participation with meals being available at no charge,” Biagetti said.

Nya Welinsky, school food service director for South ington Public Schools, said that while the district has of fered a breakfast program for many years, it has evolved over the years, especially due to the pandemic. “It has changed a lot through the past couple years through the pandemic where school closed and now we’re kind of getting back to normal where it’s grab and go...” Welinsky said.

The breakfast program is available at all schools, free of charge. It is funded through the SMART pro gram. Southington was granted $633,164 and Welin sky estimates that the funds will run out sometime in early December.

“We are going to look to do the 30 days’ notice for the community and start to probably do some press re leases at the end of the month, beginning of Novem ber,” Welinsky said.

“... We encourage families now to fill out the free and reduced application in ad vance because the funding will end.”

Welinsky said that it has been great being able to “take a burden off families”

when it comes to offering free meals. In 2020, South ington had 24% of its student population eligible for free or reduced-price meals. In 2000, the number was 6.2%.

Welinsky said the district has seen a good number of stu dents participating in the meal program as it has of fered the Seamless Summer Option, which combines fea tures of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and the Summer Food Service Pro gram.

According to CT.gov, it re duces paperwork and ad ministrative burden by mak ing it easier for schools to feed students from low-in come areas during the sum mer vacation period.

Wallingford Public Schools currently offer breakfast in the elementary schools and high schools, with the hopes of bringing breakfast back to the middle schools some time this academic year.

Tammy Raccio, chair of the Wallingford Board of Educa tion, said for a period of time during the pandemic, the middle schools offered grab and go breakfasts to its students.

This was before the district slowly started the program at the elementary schools.

Free breakfast

The middle schools “ were the first schools (between el ementary and middle) to pi lot the expanding breakfast program, ” Raccio said.

Fran Thompson, assistant superintendent for person nel, said the district offered breakfast at the middle schools during the pandem ic when half of the school population was in the build ing at a time.

James Bondi, food services director, said that the district is hoping to start the pro gram back up at the middle schools, but is currently fac ing some challenges. “The food service operations are in the midst of planning for the introduction of school breakfast at Dag and Moran Middle Schools,” Bondi said. “However, as the middle schools are distinctive in the complexities of their physi cal layout and the amount of students in each school ver sus the anticipated service model, we are facing some unique challenges that we are working on overcoming. We hope to have solutions to the issues, and get school breakfast at the middle schools up and running in a timely manner.”

Wallingford’s free breakfast program is funded by the School Meals Assistance Revenue for Transition (SMART) program. The state of Connecticut distributed

$30 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to school districts to allow for them to continue to offer free meals to all students until the funding runs out.

Wallingford has received $541,793. As of theOct. 11 board of education opera tions committee meeting, Bondi said that in Septem ber, the district used $196,310.13 of the SMART funds. Between breakfast and lunch, 98,941 meals were served last month, making for the average par ticipation in the meal pro gram 60.2%.

There were 2,678 paid breakfast meals served in September. The number of reduced price breakfast meals served was 211.

Meriden Public Schools has been offering free breakfast at all of the schools elementary, middle and high schools since 2015 or 2016, said Susan Maffe, di rector of food and nutrition services. Breakfast programs are funded through grants from the Walmart Founda tion and the American Asso ciation of School Adminis trators.

Meals for all students in Meriden Public Schools are free under the Community Eligibility Provision of the National School Lunch Pro gram established in 2010.

Flu season

Australia's flu season typi cally lasts in the winter months starting in May and ending by October.

Anyimadu explained that flu seasons often mirror one another across the hemi spheric divide and provide foundational predictions on the severity of illness and the effectiveness of vac cines.

According to the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, their 2022 flu season was the worst in over five years. In addition, the 2022 flu season peaked in June, indicating an earlier start date.

Anyimadu explained that the country reported more than twice the number of cases than their 2019 sea son. He said that the prima ry concerns lay with how early the season started, the rate of infection and hospi talization, and the length of illness.

Several factors drive high in fection rates, primarily lax mask mandates and social distance rules. Anyimadu explained that masks, social distancing and high vaccina

tion rates helped keep flu in fection rates low. However, although COVID is still a concern, many states have relaxed their restrictions, leading to higher rates of in fection.

"When the weather gets cold, people begin to get to gether more inside rather than outside. Respiratory virus just takes that advan tage, goes around, and peo ple get infected," he ex plained. "So, there's a lot of other respiratory viruses go ing around. That's more the reason why we all have to be cautious," he explained.

State invests $20M aiming to prevent wrong-way drivers

By Christian Metzger Record-Journal staff

The Department of Trans portation will integrate new technology at off-ramps across the state to prevent wrong-way collisions, the department announced dur ing an unveiling in South ington. The $20 million plan was unveiled as part of a DOT demonstration at the Interstate 84 Exit 32 west bound off-ramp on Queen Street Tuesday evening, Oct. 18.

The project entailed the in stallation of four wrong-way

signs along the off-ramp in tegrated with sensor tech nology that causes lights to flash at drivers who might be heading up the ramp against traffic giving them ample time to correct themselves. Officials said the plan is a necessity for driver safety, as fatal accidents involving wrong-way drivers have in creased dramatically.

“This year has been by far the deadliest year in recent memory, with 22 wrong way fatalities occurring on the highways. In fact, 2022 ex ceeds the number of wrong way fatalities from the previ

ous three years combined,” said DOT Commissioner Joe Giulietti, adding that over 85% of reported wrong-way incidents involved impaired drivers.

In an evaluation of the state's 700 entrance and exit ramps, more than 200 of them were assessed as ‘high risk’ for wrong-way acci dents. Additional measures have also been considered to further improve the safety of these ramps, such as mark ings on the pavement and the addition of reflective tape on guardrails.

State police officials put their support behind the project, citing firsthand the danger posed by the sharp increase of wrong-way incidents this year.

“We receive multiple calls on a weekly basis reporting wrong way drivers,” Sgt. Christine Jeltema said. “No highway in our state is im mune. The fact is, wrongway drivers put too many at risk.”

Effect of pandemic

Giulietti partially blames the pandemic for the safety is sues, as drivers still drive quickly on the highway after having gotten used to lighter traffic. “The infrastructure has remained the same. What has gotten much worse is driver behavior,” he said. “Cars are going much faster than they've ever gone before. They got used to driving on the highway when we had low pandemic num bers. Now with everything back at pre-COVID levels, to see these high speeds and the accidents that they're causing has caused us a great concern.”

Currently, the project is only in its earliest stages, having been implemented on the single exit ramp, but DOT officials plan to implement the same system on the east bound exit 32 ramp on I-84 in the near future. Although the State Bond Commission allocated $20 million for the project in July, it’s not

enough to implement the system on all 200 high-risk ramps. According to the DOT, current funding pro vides enough to roll out the system on several ramps so that they can test its effec tiveness before seeking funds from the legislature to put signage up statewide.

‘Great step forward’

The system has already proven effective, Giulietti said, as shortly after the signs were installed before their public demonstration, a driver was caught going up the ramp the wrong way and quickly turned around when they saw the flashing lights.

State Sen. John Fonfara, DHartford, has been a major proponent of the project and pushed for the approval of the $20 million. He ex pressed support for the work of the DOT, and thanked the governor for getting the funds approved quickly after the threat of traffic accidents had been made clear.

Food drives

From A1

proach and residents are en couraged to get involved early. The Third Annual CHS Food Drive’s drop-off day will run from 12 to 4 p.m. A school bus will be parked in front of the school and students will load food and non-perishable items to be donated to the Cheshire Community Food Pantry.

The CHS Food Drive actual ly starts days earlier when students drop off bags on or around Nov. 4 at homes throughout town.

Students will return to pick up the donation bags on Nov. 9 and 10.

The Ryan T. Lee Memorial Foundation will donate 2,500 to 3,000 bags for the drive. Inside the bags, stu dents will leave item lists for what the food pantry needs.

Among the items needed are: old-fashioned oatmeal, salad dressing, pasta and canned soup.

This collection is organized by the CHS Peer Health Ed ucators and the school’s Na tional Honor Society stu dents.

Peer health is an elective course in which students or ganize activities and events centered on leadership.

Last year, CHS collected nearly 7,000 pounds of food products. The goal this year is 8,000 to 10,000 pounds.

Spooky spots not hard to find in Connecticut

By Andrea Melone Special to The Citizen

The following writeup first appeared in the Oct. 31, 2013 edition of The Berlin Citizen.

October arrives briskly with chilly air, earlier nightfall, and a certain spookiness leading up to Halloween.

As such, The Citizen brings its readers five local loca tions of creepiness, Con necticut's own haunts and horrors.

Dudleytown

For years, this "Village of the Damned" has sat empty. Long ago, people aban doned the seemingly cursed area, leaving Dudleytown which was never actually its own town, but a section of Cornwall named for multi ple members of the Dudley family desolate, deserted.

Aside from the difficulties that came with land imprac tical for farming, dense for

est and three looming mountains, the cause of Dudleytown's demise can only be speculated upon.

Legend states that the Dud leys brought with them a curse, originated with En glish nobleman Edmund Dudley, who was beheaded for treason during Henry III's reign. The curse al legedly followed his behead ing, passing on down the generations, to those who once resided in Dudleytown.

According to myth, the town's misery encompassed everything from suicides and demonic visions, to a wom an being struck by lighting on her front porch and her husband's subsequent de mentia, to an unlucky man whose children went miss ing in the dark woods, whose wife died of con sumption, and whose house burned down.

Legend has it Dudley town ruined the lives of its few later residents, as well.

From then on, Dudley town remained deserted. But various visitors and ghost hunters claim to have seen suspicious orbs, felt unnatural chills, and heard strange sounds. Even if none of that is true, the idea that an area once populated and full of life, now quietly de cays, is quite eerie.

Mark Twain House

Mark Twain, the author of the beloved adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckle berry Finn, wrote such books in his Hartford home, which is supposed ly lively with the dead.

Following the tragic demise of Twain's daugh ter, Susy, who died of meningitis at 24, it has been suggested that her presence lingers, and her ghost still roams her old home.

Multiple paranormal in vestigators have described hearing unexplain able sounds and seeing shadowy movement, even full-bodied apparitions, at the Twain residence.

The Mark Twain House actually advertises its re puted haunting. Seasonal ghost tours are offered, presenting accounts of paranormal activity and lessons on Victorians' fas cination with spiritualism.

From a woman claiming to have been briefly pos sessed by the ghost of Susy, to inexplicable smells of cigar smoke in the billiards room where the author did most of his work Mark Twain House employees and guests mostly agree the place has a creepy vibe.

Union Cemetery

While all graveyards pos sess certain spooky quali ties, particularly at night, the mysterious White Lady and Red Eyes who drift around Easton’s Union Cemetery make it distinct. Visitors tell tales of the White Lady, the supposed spirit of a murdered wom an. Named for her white nightgown or wedding dress, she's described as having long, dark hair.

See Spooky, A16

Have a fun and safe Halloween

The following Halloween safety tips are courtesy of the National Fire Protection As sociation and National Safe ty Council:

Costumes

All costumes, wigs and ac cessories should be fire-re sistant; When choosing a costume, stay away from long trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough to see out of; Any props should be soft, and no part of the costume should impair vision or movement; Wear sturdy shoes and temperature-ap propriate clothing under costumes; If children will be allowed out after dark, fas ten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them a flashlight or glow sticks to ensure they are visi ble to drivers; When buying Halloween makeup, make sure it is nontoxic and al ways test it on a small area of skin first; Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.

Decorations

Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters; Use bat tery-operated candles or glow-sticks in jack-olanterns; If you use a real candle, use extreme cau tion; Make sure children are watched at all times with candles lit; When lighting candles inside jack-olanterns, use long, fireplacestyle matches or a utility lighter; Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways, and yards; Re members to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing

See Halloween safety, A14

UNIQUE CONTEST AIDS CHESHIRE FOOD DRIVE

The Cheshire Chamber of Commerce was on hand when orthodontist Dr. David Daniels presented a check to members of the Cheshire Food Drive.

The Chamber hosted Daniels, a former Triple A baseball pitcher, at the Cheshire Fall Festival in September. For every child who stepped up to challenge his fast pitch at the festival, Daniels donated in their name to the Cheshire Food Drive.

The brave participants who took the fast pitch challenge are: Daniel Anastasio, Jack Anastos, Holly Ash worth, Kaitlin Ash worth, Brenda Babin, Ethan Bernstein, Mathew Blair, Conor Byrne, Kaitlyn Cassesse, Mathew Cassesse, Emma

Celone, Jenna Cyr, Henry Daniels, Rumi Daniels, Angie Decesare, Audrey Dins more, Nolan Dins more, Braydon Gras so, Mackenzie Hear rin, Deanna Johnston, Taylor Keiling, Emilie Lederer, Si mon Lederer, Ann Man ley, Daniel Margary, Eli Mar tinez, Jack McGuiness, Mag gie McGuiness, Clark Min doza, Natalie Min doza, Rachel Min doza, Sophia Mindoza, Alex Minutoli, Hope Minutoli, Josie Minutoli, Aubrey Nel son, Ryan Nelson, Hope Os trowsky, Efrain Pa gan, Keisha Pangaro, Tim Reinhard, Alex Sanders, Cyn thia Silengo, Anthony Spinelli, Gia Spinel li, Meghan Stratton, Eli Weed, Logan Wilson, Jaxon Zappone and Abby Zenowitz.

Letters to the

Submissions

There comes a time when managing at home can be too much. But you or a loved one don’t have to settle for an undesirable alternative.

Visit The Residence at Elim Park, a licensed residential care home that provides non-medical assistance for seniors. Located within the campus of Elim Park, The Residence offers a home-like environment with private and semi-private rooms and three chef-prepared meals daily. Residents also have access to on-campus amenities including a Fitness & Wellness Center with an indoor pool, grocery market and the Nelson Hall Theatre.

Cheshire,

06410 elimpark.org

T.J. Roome, Marlena Sobol and Janet Blake, from the Cheshire Food Drive, are pictured with Dr. David Daniels and Chamber President Yetta Augur.

Press Release

Friends book sale

Friends of the Cheshire Li brary Fall Book Sale will be held Nov. 9 to 13. The sale will feature more than 15,000 books of every genre. Adult and children’s titles are avail able in both hard and soft cover editions and are priced from 50 cents to $2. The sale kicks off Wednesday, Nov. 9 with a special preview sale for Friends of the Cheshire Library mem bers. Not a member? Sign up at the book sale or apply for membership online at cheshirelibrary.com. Sale hours: Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, pa trons can fill a book bag for just $10 and a second bag for just $5. Cash, checks, credit cards accepted.

Veterans Breakfast

Comcast will host a Veterans Breakfast at the Boxes to Boots Operation Cares event Saturday, Nov. 5 at McGee Middle School, 899 Norton Road, Berlin. Breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. All veter ans are welcome. They need not be a resident of Berlin, or Connecticut even. To at tend, contact Andralou Millerd at milleal@com cast.net or 860-670-5131.

Energy assistance

The Cheshire Human Ser vices Department is taking applications for the Con necticut Energy Assistance program, which provides fi nancial support to income eligible households in pay ing for a portion of their heating cost during the win ter months. All heat sources are considered, including oil, propane, electricity, gas and wood. Contact Kristen Schechter at 203- 271-6690.

Voter registration

Registrars of Voters' offices will take part in a statewide voter registration session Tuesday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. This will be the final regular session for admis sion of electors who have turned 18, become a U.S. cit izen or moved to Connecti cut before Nov. 1.

Trunk or Treat

The pumpkins are back at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. The “Community Pumpkin Patch” is open Monday to Friday, noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All profits do nated to charity.

Cheshire orchestra

The Cheshire Symphony Or chestra is comprised of ap proximately 50

from many communi ties. New members are

come. Visit cheshiresympho nyorchestra.org or find the group on Facebook.

Lawn debris

The Town of Cheshire pro vides a container at 1304

of

for

The container is accessible Mondays, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., through Monday, Oct. 31.

Chamber event

The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce’s 21st Annual Support the Troops and Honor the Veter ans Member Breakfast Meet ing will be held Monday, Nov. 7. The gathering, spon sored by Middlesex Health, will take place at the Shera ton Hartford South Hotel from 7 to 9 a.m. The cham ber looks forward to wel coming Rear Admiral William G. Kelly, Superinten dent, Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Coast Guard as keynote

Halloween safetyIn Brief

speaker. All veterans and troops that are currently serving can attend this event free of charge. To register, call 860-347-6924 or email info@middlesexcham ber.com.

Snowflake Fair

The Congregational Church of Plainville, 130 West Main St., will host its Snowflake Fair Saturday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafters are sought. Call 860-747-1901 or email churchoffice@ucc plainville.org.

Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they dis cover their strengths and rise to meet new chal lenges. Visit gsofct.org.

Walk with Me

Walk with Me is a spe cialized outpatient treat ment track for LGBTQ+identifying people age 10 to 25 who are seeking therapeutic, medical, and/or peer support. For more information, call 888-793-3500.

blocks escape routes; Make sure all smoke alarms in the house are working; If your children are going to Hal loween parties at others' homes, have them look for ways out of the home and plan how they would get out in an emergency.

Trick-or-Treating

A responsible adult should accompany young children on neighborhood rounds; If older children or teenagers are going out alone, plan and review a route that you feel is safe and acceptable for them to follow; Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car;

Tell children to stay away from open flames including jack-o-lanterns with can dles in them; Be sure they know how to stop, drop, and roll if their clothing catches fire (Have them practice, stopping immedi ately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with hands, and rolling over and over to put the flames out); Instruct children to travel only in familiar, welllit areas and to stick with their friends; Tell your chil dren not to eat any treats until they return home.

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MATT JEFFERY CHESHIRE FOOTBALL

Here’s fresh proof necessity is the mother of invention, and a couple of touchdown catch es. Shaken up the previous week in a loss to Fairfield Prep, Cheshire junior quarterback Matt Jeffery was shifted to wide receiver for Friday’s game with Notre Dame and wound up catching a pair of scoring passes from Michael Simeone. Jeffery also recovered a fumble on defense in a crucial 27-12 win.

AMARI ROBINSON PLATT FOOTBALL

Junior running back Amari Robinson had his first 100-yard game Thursday, rushing for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in Platt’s 42-7 win over Rocky Hill. This was a welcome sight for the Panthers. Through the first five games, Robinson was pretty much limited to defense due to a broken hand. A 1,429-yard rusher from a year ago, Robinson now lends further fuel to a hot Platt offense.

KYLE VALENTINE MALONEY FOOTBALL

A welcome sight for the Spartans in Week 7? Senior QB Kyle Valentine’s performance in Saturday’ 35-7 victory at Bristol Central. Valentine completed 17 of 26 passes for 218 yards and three TDs to three different receiv ers. Settling in as a first-year starter, Valentine is now 69-for-118 for 1,055 yards and 14 TDs. He and the Spartans are 6-0 and rank No. 3 in the state polls and Class L playoff points.

ELLIANA LOPEZ

WILCOX TECH SOCCER

This had been quite a season for freshman phenoms, and Wilcox Tech soccer has one in Elliana Lopez. She continued her stellar rookie season by scoring in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Bullard-Havens and then erupting for a hat trick when the Wildcats went to Bridgeport to beat Harding/Bassick by the same score on Thursday. Now 12-3, Lopez and Wilcox will contend for the CTC tournament title.

CAMI WESSELS

SOUTHINGTON VOLLEYBALL

Already Southington’s leading hitter, junior Cami Wessels went on a recent tear in which she racked up four straight double-digit outings in kills, punctuated by a season-high 19 at Bristol Central and 18 the following night at Bristol Eastern. Wessels has 226 kills on the season as the Lady Knights, ranked No. 5 in the state coaches’ poll, look to wrap up a 15-2 regular season on Thursday vs. Avon.

MAYA WRESIEN

SHEEHAN FIELD HOCKEY

Senior Maya Wresien has been in the middle of quite a bit of Sheehan success during her career. She’s a middle-distance runner on the SCC and state track and field champi onship squad and, this fall, has been a major player on a field hockey team heading to the postseason. Wresien had a goal and an assist in Thursday’s 3-0 win over Lyman Hall, which gave her four goals on the year.

Some suspect she's the ghost of a woman killed in the 1940s; others suggest that she was a woman murdered early in the 20th century, her body left to rot behind the neighboring church. There are others who claim she's a woman who died during childbirth and is fruitlessly searching for her lost child. Numerous witnesses have taken photographs that ap pear to capture her essence.

Red Eyes speaks to the sim ple sighting: people say a pair of red eyes seem to peer out of the darkness, eyes al legedly belonging to a man who burned to death.

Multiple ghost hunters have explored the cemetery; many claiming to have ob served the White Lady and Red Eyes, as well as other sinister suggestions of ghost ly activity like unexplained orbs of light, misty figures, and the sounds of footsteps.

Connecticut demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren,

part of the New England So ciety for Psychic Research, even wrote a book, "Grave yard," about this cemetery, and appear to have video and photographic footage of the White Lady.

Seaside Sanatorium

The derelict Seaside Sanato rium in Waterford served as a hospital for children plagued with tuberculosis, a nursing home, and a facility for people with mental dis abilities. Sanatoriums homes intended to provide fresh air and special treat ment for patients often housed misery and death.

It's been suggested that long-dead patients who met their grim end in the seaside health resort continue their stay. Ghost investigators have reported inexplicable

sounds and unexplained movements at the site.

Even without the threat of ghosts, the deserted remains of the Waterford sanatorium are nonetheless chilling. Bereft of its former child pa tients, the metal skeleton of the playground, without its swings or seats on the mer ry-go-round, is gloomy and unnaturally still. The dilapi dated building crumbles and rots, with broken and board ed-up windows, diminishing slowly with age.

Yankee Peddler Inn

Much like other rumored-tobe-haunted hotels and inns, Torrington’s Yankee Ped dler features specific rooms that are said to be especially spooky. The best-known room was that of Alice Con ley, one of the original own

ers, where she supposedly died. Room 353 is reputedly still her home, and guests are told to be wary of her presence. Her rocker, which sits in the lobby, has been known to rock on its own.

The inn's pub may also be visited by one of the founders, Alice's husband, Frank Conley, a grey-haired ghost in a black suit.

Also, there are stories of lights that turn on and off unassisted and doors simi larly opening and closing unguided. Guests and em ployees even recount the feeling of being pushed or tugged.

The haunting stories and at mosphere at the inn actually inspired a horror movie. Af ter director Ti West stayed at the Yankee Peddler Inn, he made the film "The Innkeep er," based on its history.

Keep in mind, there has nev er been definitive proof to support the stories drifting around these locations.

It may all be myth and su perstition, historical exag geration.

Regardless of skepticism, there are nonetheless ele ments of inherent eeriness regarding these areas. Tread lightly.

“It was exciting to beat Guil ford,” she said. “Our team has been really stacked this year and everyone has been coming in close together.”

Individually, Ciccone said the competition was tougher than last year. “No one was slowing down and everyone was very competitive,” she said. “It was a faster race. I was proud with how I ran. It wasn’t exactly what I want ed, but it was good to im prove from last year’s time.”

This is the fifth SCC crown for the Cheshire girls and their first since 2016. Schae fer’s 2022 squad went 10-0 in the regular season and won the SCC Housatonic/ Oronoque divisional meet that fed into the overall con ference championship. Now the Rams turn their sights to states. “This is a stepping stone,” Schaefer said. “This is a great confidence booster for the state meet, to know you are the cream of your league and our league is one of the top leagues in the state. We won this and we did it decisively.”

As in past years, runners fin ishing 1-12 were named to the All-SCC First team. Run ners 12-24 were All-SCC Second Team.

In the boys race, defending champion Xavier dominated again. The Falcons were led

by overall winner Alexander Ushchak, who bested the field with a 16:02. Xavier had runners place first, fourth, fifth, ninth and 13th to take first with 32 points. Guilford was second (81) and Daniel Hand third (109).

Cheshire was the area’s top boys team with a fourth place finish with 143 points, improving their sixth-place finish from last fall. Like last year, the Rams were paced by Tyler Caron. The junior made All-SCC First Team, finishing 11th in a 17:02.

Cheshire’s second runner was Colin Grevelding, who was 24th overall with a 17:29 run that earned him All-SCC Second Team. Grevelding was followed by teammates Daniel D’Souza (27th, 17:41), James Boyd (33rd, 17:49) and Jack Lengyel (48th, 18:14).

“It was a great day and the SCC is blessed with such outstanding teams,” Cheshire boys coach Pam Gunneson said. “We’re so happy to be in the top four. We were able to hold off Shelton one more time.

“The boys did an outstand ing job; they did great. It’s been such an awesome sea son. We are shooting to make it to Opens as a team. We have good shot to make it in.”

Cheshire’s Tyler Caron closes in on the finish line during the2022SCCchampionships. Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal

WATER TREATMENT

LEVEL I WATER TREATMENT PUMPING OPERATOR

The Town of Wallingford’s Water Division is seeking qualified candidates to maintain and operate the Town’s water treatment plants, pumping stations, storage tanks, and ground well facilities. Must process a High School Diploma or G.E.D with one (1) year of experience involving the operation or maintenance of equipment. In water supply and treatment; or a technical high school diploma with a demonstrated career and technical education related to electronics technology, electrical, H.V.A.C or water supply and treatment activities and operations or completion of a program in water management. Applicants must have or be able to obtain within 12 months a State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Class 1 or higher Water Treatment Plant Operator certification and completion of a program in water management. Wages: $27.49 - $33.40 hourly, plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. Phone # 203-2942080, Fax # 203-2942084. The closing date will be November 8, 2022. EOE

PROPERTY APPRAISER

Assists the Town Assessor in all phases of the property appraisal function; Applicants must have an A.S. degree in economics, business, finance, real estate or related field plus 3 years of real estate or appraisal experience or an equivalent combination of education and qualifying experience substituting on a yearfor-year basis. Must have a valid driver’s license. Salary: $33.97 - $42.66 hourly plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main St., Wallingford, CT 06492, Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. Phone (203) 294-2080. Fax: (203) 294-2084. The closing date will be that date the 50th application form/resume is received, or November 14, 2022 whichever occurs first.

COLLECTOR OF REVENUE

Due to pending retirement, the Town of Cheshire invites only highly qualified candi dates to apply for senior management level position of Collector of Revenue. Reports to Director of Finance. Current salary range: $79,238 to $124,231.

Only 2 individuals have held this position since 1977. Strong collection practices & procedures in place. Position responsible for the collection, receipt & ac counting for all taxes, sewer assessments, sewer use charges, water assessments & other revenues for the town. CCMC desig nation required. Refer to the Town’s web site at www.cheshirect.org for how to apply, job description & other per tinent information. All submissions must be received no later than 4:00 PM on 11-10-22.

The Town of Cheshire is an EEOE, M/F/D/V.

1947 MERCURY EIGHT Fully Restored W/ Flat 8 Cylinder Engine.To Be Sold In A Public,No Reserve Estate Auction Nov 17th, Wallingford,Ct. For info www.ricksold schoolauctions.com or Call 203-901-2123.

BOSCH NEXXT SERIES

WASHER & DRYER 500 Series Washing Machine &

$400. (203) 715-6489.

ACCELERATED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

FREE CLEAN FILL AVAILABLE FOR COST OF TRUCKING! PRICED PER LOAD DEPENDING ON LOCATION $100 minimum. CALL JIM 860-982-4819

ALWAYS BUYING CASH PAIDVintage Electronics, Musical Instru ments, Amps, Ham Equipment, HiFi, Radios, CB, Gui tars, Audio Equip ment, Antiques. 860-707-9350

TOP

For Junk or

call Mike @ 203284-8562 8am-5pm.

‘08

WALLINGFORD

MATERIALS DISTRIBUTION

ALWAYS BUYING OLD TOOLS - Old, used & antique hand tools wanted. Machinist, engrav ing, woodworking & workbench hand tools & tool chests. Hunting equipment also of interest. Fair & respectable offers made in your home. Call w/confidence, Cory, 860.322.4367.

MERIDEN

Screened Topsoil $25/ per yd; Sand-$18 per yd; Millings-$22 per yd; Screened Millings $30 per yd; $100 minimum delivery. No pickup truck service. Minimum 16 yd pickup at our yard. Call Jim @ 860-982-4819 for delivery

GRASSY HILL AUC TIONS, - an Estate Sale, Liquidation, Attic & Basement Cleanout Company is Always Buying and providing services all over Con necticut. These are just a FEW of the things we are looking for: An tiques, Collectibles, Old/ Vintage Toys, Mu sical Instruments (Sax ophones, Trumpets, Vi olins, Flutes, Clarinets, Trombone & SO MUCH MORE) Advertising Items, Wristwatches (Broken or Not), Pocket Watches, Tools (Ma chinist, Woodworking, & MORE) Doorstops, Clocks, Oil Paintings, Old Signs, Old Pho tographs, Old Post cards, Brewery Items, Hunting & Fishing, PEZ Dispensers, Costume Jewelry, Broken Jewel ry, Gold & Silver Jewel ry, Gold & Silver Coins, Military Items, Swords & Bayonets, Helmets & Patches, Medals & Uni forms, 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

ANTIQUES

at your

Grassy Hill

203-868-1816

Diesel

LOST CAT In Southington. Thin adult female, black, short haired, with green eyes and small patch of white on her chest. Her back legs show a wobble when she walks and she is not wearing a collar. Went missing weeks ago. Please call Southington Animal Control 860 6288053, or 860 655-5707.

COUCH - 72”x34”, blue, exc. cond.; Kitchen table, 53”x35”x36”, 6 chairs, dark wood, good cond.; Kitchen light fixture, 34” diam eter, nickel finish, exc. cond. (203) 235-3794.

VOLLEY BALL POSTS10’, pressure treated with hardware, FREE. (203) 235-3794.

TREE LENGTH

DETAILS 203-238-2149

BUYING

Silver Jewelry, Gold & Silver

PREMIER ESTATE JEW ELRY - Is interested in buying your fine jewel ry, watches, coin col lections, silver flatware, and costume jewelry. Call Bill, (203) 4942496.

FOR SALE - Trumpy Bear with certificate of authenticity. $50.00. Please call 860-6286822.

Flat ware, In

Condition.

Call Jude M. Dichele @ (203) 8681816.

BUYING MACHINIST TOOLBOXES - Tools & tooling, contents of machine shops, home workshops and small

Call anytime 860-985-5760

TIMELESS

Specializing

WANTED

MULCH,

ALEX

#580443.

Specializing in

Call for free estimate. 203-945-1808.

PATIOS,