PHS seniors earn ‘Student Rocks Award’

plaque, which is displayed in the school’s awards showcase.

Wargo was nominated by staff members Sarah Centore, Michele TavernierMorel, Melissa Moore, Deb Pikiell and Ken Fusco.

ber of our school community and I look forward to seeing what great things Lily will accomplish in the future.” best awards a student can earn at PHS,” school principal Carl Johnson said.

Wargo and Feyerabend were honored at the high school on Jan. 4.

Plainville High School seniors Nolan Wargo and Lily Feyerabend are the recipients of the first semester

“Student Rocks Award,” recognizing their outstanding contributions to Plainville High School.

The Student Rocks Award was established by three teachers in 2010 as a way to honor those students who “do the right thing” every day without looking for acknowledgement. Once a semester, teachers nominate and then vote for two students they believe are worthy of this award. The students are honored, along with their family members and guests, at a staff meeting where they are awarded a book and presented with the engraved Student Rocks

“Nolan is one of the nicest young men I have ever had the pleasure to know. He is not only academically superior, but his joy of life and sense of humor are inspiring. Nolan is the kind of individual who gives 100 percent in whatever he does,” Fusco noted in his nomination.

Feyerabend was nominated by staff members TJ Riccardo, Dominic Talotta, Jeff Roberts, Eileen Hebert and Sandi Dowsett.

“Lily is deserving of this award because she truly gives every day her best shot and seems to have fun while doing it,” Dowsett stated. “She is a valuable mem-

“The Student Rocks award is one of the most prestigious, and in my opinion,

“It recognizes the impact these students have had on our school culture. Both of the students honored this semester embody what we hope for from all of our Blue Devils at PHS.”

■ Signs and symptoms

■

■ New treatment options in neurosurgery

■

Thurs., Feb. 23 | 12-1pm

PRESENTER:

Nazer Qureshi, MD

Board certified in Neurosurgery Director, Brain Tumor Program The Hospital of Central Connecticut

After you register, you’ll receive an email with easy instructions on joining the virtual class.

Trashion Fashion

Using items that would otherwise end up in the trash, students in the Middle School of Plainville's Trashion Fashion Club created one-of-a-kind, wearable pieces of art. Club members also learned about the environmental impact of the paper, plastic and fashion industries. Items made by the Trashion Fashion Club included jackets, a two-piece dress with cape, handheld purses and a backpack. The club is comprised of Amari Robinson, Olivia Foley, Emerson Roche, Josia Perez, Raveyn Garrow-Cooke and Izabella Plucinik. MSP Office Professional Michele Fischer-Paul is the club's advisor.

Tony Valenti, of Newport Realty Group, and partner Mark Lovley, of Lovley Development, Inc., are the team behind the Steele Center development.

“Tony Valenti and (Berlin Economic Development Director) Chris Edge approached me about coming to Berlin,” said Miller, who also has Hop Häus restaurants in Plainville and in the Plantsville section of Southington.

“Chris has been stalking me for about four years to come to Berlin with the restaurant,” Miller quipped.

The Berlin Hop Häus will offer indoor and patio dining, as well as curbside pick-up.

“We were getting ready to launch Steele Center when Chris Edge introduced us to Mike, and it was easy to see that he was the right fit for that spot,” Valenti said. “We are excited to have him in Berlin.” what the company anticipates to be a big year. This season sees the debut of a floating stage in the lake where the amusement park plans to host concerts throughout the summer.

With their positions, employees gain complimentary park passes, discounts on food and retail items, and flexible hours for full and part-time positions. Applications are available online at lakecompounce.com

Organizers aim to begin hosting their first employee orientations on Tuesday, Feb. 14, running them up through the park’s opening. This includes complimentary certification for those in lifeguard positions, as well as food-handling licenses for those at the con- cession stands. Unlike years prior, they’ve sought to streamline the process by offering both visual and virtual courses to take the place of several hour-long lectures from previous years.

Wages offered by the park are higher than in the past and were put in place to keep the park competitive, according to Human Resources Director Natalie Scinto, along with making it attractive for younger hires to work in a unique environment.

“We're lucky because we are who we are, we just naturally attract employees that want to work here. It's not mundane, it's not your typical job at a retail store. It's really an amazing experience, and a really great job for some of these young adults,” Scinto said.

The park is also looking to implement a more comprehensive outreach program for this season, looking to get recruiters at high school job fairs and coordinating with Connecticut state universities to let prospective young adults know about their opportunities at the park.

This is in part to make up for what the park feels was a shortfall in employees last season.

The large number of positions Lake Compounce is looking to fill for the year is needed to keep the park running smoothly throughout the busy summer season, officials said.

“There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that our guests don't even see. They see our ride operators front and center, but you know,

Help Keep

Coming to your home or business

In order to continue delivery to your home or business, we need to have each resident or business let us know that, by filling out our on-line requester form at myrecordjournal. com/southington-plainville-requester Or, you can call us at 203-634-3933 and we can mail you a postage paid postcard to fill out and return. Without the necessary requester information, delivery of your Southington & Plainville Citizen to your home or business, will end.

HELP US HELP YOU, CONTINUE RECEIVING “YOUR” LOCAL WEEKLY.

there's an entire maintenance team that's working behind the scenes day and night to make sure our rides are safe,” Marketing Director Lynsey Winters said.

“That all plays into the guest experience. So we really have been trying to staff the park as best as we can, since COVID. And just ensuring that we have every department as filled as possible so that guests have a seamless experience. The more team members we can get here helping us at the park, the better guest experience we're going to be able to provide.” cmetzger@record-journal.com

Having already brought on over 200 returning employees, with the applications only having been open for less than a week, park officials say they are confident they’ll have the staff they need to put their best foot forward on opening day April 29, especially with the strong rebound in attendance post-pandemic.

“We saw a strong rebound post pandemic and post COVID. We were really excited with just the overall turnout at the park for the season. And we were pretty confident that we're gonna have a fantastic season this year with the addition of the stage and trying to grow We're looking forward to a fantastic season. I think it's going to be a good one here at the park,” Winters said.

Garden club

The Orchard Valley Garden Club of Southington will meet Tuesday, Feb. 28 at American Legion Hall, 64 Main St. The program will feature Joey Listro from New Britain Roots, who will present “Starting Seeds and Growing Gardeners." Doors open at 9:45 a.m.; program begins at 10. Guests are welcome for a $5 donation. For more information about The Orchard Valley Garden Club, visit orchardvalleygardenclub.weebly.com or follow the group on Facebook.

50th Reunion

The Southington High School Class of 1973 will celebrate its 50th reunion Oct.

7 at the Back Nine Tavern. Tickets are $50. RSVP to Shs73_50threunion@ aol.com. Send checks payable to Maureen Cassidy to: 46 Dunham St., Southington, CT 06489.

Ballpark jobs

The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, will hold its annual job fair at Dunkin’ Donuts Park (1214 Main St., Hartford) Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Yard Goats are seeking applicants to fill a wide range of game day positions and are looking for upbeat, fan-friendly individuals to help make the upcoming season in Hartford another huge success.

Scholarships

More than 90 scholarship funds administered by Main Street Community Foundation are accepting applications. The scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors, current college students, adult learners who are or will be attending two- or four-year colleges as well as technical schools and career certification programs.

The deadline for all application submissions is Friday, March 10.

A full list of scholarships available, their eligibility criteria and links to the online application are available on the foundation website, mainstreetfoundation.org.

Wellness expo

Exhibitors and speakers are sought for the 10th Bi-Annual Passport to Health & Wellness Expo, which is scheduled for April 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The Bristol DoubleTree by Hilton.

Also, vendors are sought for expos which will take place May 21 and Sept. 17 at the VFW in Plainville.

Contact Shirley Bloethe at 860-989-0033 or yourholisticevents@gmail.com, or visit yourholisticevents.com.

The Senior Center is located at 200 East St. To register for programs, call 860-747-5728.

Caregiving Connections

Connect with other care givers Tuesday, Feb.14 at 10 a.m. at the Plainville Senior

Plainville Senior Center

Center. Support eachother’s journeys and recognize the challenges and frustrations associated with this 24/7 labor of love.

Memory Café

The Plainville Senior Center will host a Memory Café

Thursday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. Memory Cafés are safe and supportive social gatherings for people with changes in their memory, and their care partners.

Relax and socialize with others experiencing similar life challenges.

Raising grandchildren

If you are a grandparent or relative who is raising a grandchild, niece or nephew, you are not alone. Come to the support group Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m. at the Plainville Senior Center. Share resources, ideas, struggles and joys with others who are raising their grandchildren.

Veterans’ Social Hour

Join the Veteran’ Social Hour Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Plainville Senior Center. For veterans age 60 and over and their spouses. These monthly information and support meetings are conducted by Veteran’s Liaison for Hartford HealthCare Senior Services, Sherri Vogt.

project. With the extra tree piece, he created a “Reading Partner Chair” where students enjoy sitting, hanging out and reading together.

After many hours of work and three shades of stain, the Wheeler wolf carving was completed and now sits proudly on the school grounds.

“On behalf of the Wheeler school community, we thank Mr. G. for his selfless, ex- traordinary act of kindness and we are grateful to him for showing his love and commitment to Wheeler School through his rare, artistic, wood carving, sculpting ability,” Batchelder said.

Guarino was recognized at the Jan. 9 Board of Education meeting, where he received a “PCS All Star Award.” neighbors!

“Having a beautifully-crafted, 8 foot Wheeler Wolf carving for all to admire is a wonderful thing, made only more meaningful and special because of its creator,” Superintendent of Schools Steven LePage stated.

Senior Transportation Services, Inc. is looking for safe, reliable volunteers willing to use their own car to help some of Berlin, New Britain, Meriden, Wallingford, Southington & Plainville’s elderly residents get to medical appointments in the area.

DRIVERS:

• Will be reimbursed for mileage

• Will be given supplemental automobile insurance

• Will be given supplemental liability insurance

• Must be willing to donate your time at least twice a month and our staff will provide you with a schedule ahead of time

Senior Health

Understanding Arthritis

Join this class on Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. to learn more about: the causes of arthritis, how arthritis can be diagnosed, what to do from there, and prevention tips. Presented by Christine SoliminiSwift, exercise physiologist, Hartford HealthCare GoodLife Fitness. Registration required. Call 1-855-4424373 or go to HartfordHealthCare.org/VirtualClasses.

Bones & joints

Join this class on Friday, Feb. 17 from 12 to 1 p.m. to learn more about: bone and joint health, benefits of moving to maintain bone health, and exercises to promote healthy bones and joints.

Presented by Erica Bruno, exercise physiologist, Hartford HealthCare GoodLife Fitness. Registration required. Call 1-855-442-4373 or go to HartfordHealthCare.org/ VirtualClasses.

The Orchards

The Orchards at Southington, an independent and assisted living community lo-

Friendly Battle

cated at 34 Hobart St., will host an open house Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is recommended. To reserve a time, call 860-628-5656.

Arbor Rose

Arbor Rose at Jerome Home, an assisted living community located at 975 Corbin Ave., will host an open house Sunday, Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is recommended. To reserve a time, call 860-229-3707.

Dementia caregivers

Chat with those who come from the same walk of life every third Monday of the month (Feb. 20) from 1 to 2:30 p.m., in-person or online. In-person: Berlin-Peck Memorial Library, 234 Kensington Road. Facilitated by a Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging Dementia Specialist. Registration required. Call 1-855-4424373 or go to HartfordHealthCare.org/VirtualClasses.

The Plainville Unified Sports basketball team topped a squad made up of faculty members and administrators from across the school district in a friendly game played Jan.19 at Plainville High School. Unified Sports is a registered program of Special Olympics that combines athletes with and without intellectual disabilities or other developmental delays on sports teams. As of last year, Plainville Community Schools was approved to run three seasons of Unified Sports for middle and high school students in Plainville, including soccer and kickball in the fall, basketball and bowling in the winter, and track and field, volleyball, and cornhole in the spring.

Strong Showing

Six Middle School of Plainville robotics teams kicked off the New Year by taking part in a competition at the STEM Academy in Wallingford. Five of the six MSP teams finished in the top 20, earning a spot in the finals.