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Friday, September 6, 2019
Church revives carnival
Southington, Cheshire students head back to school
By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
By Michael Gagne Record-Journal staff
New Southington High School Principal Frank Pepe smiled as he stood outside the school Thursday afternoon, Aug. 29, during dismissal, pointing students toward their buses. Pepe, who last year was principal of DePaolo Middle School, said the first day of school “was invigorating.” Seeing many of his former middle school students made him “feel at home,” he said.
Mary Our Queen Church will hold a carnival later this month, reviving a parish tradition from decades ago. New Principal Josephine Rogala asks a few questions to fourth-grade students on the first day of school at Zaya A. Oshana School in Plantsville, Aug. 29. More photos at www.myrecordjournall.com. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
Both Southington and Cheshire school officials reported a smooth return to classes Thursday.
really great to get all of the kids here and to get (the school year) going.”
“Everything went great,” said Amy O’Brien, the new principal at Cheshire’s Doolittle School. “It was
O’Brien was named principal earlier this summer, replacing former See School, A15
Bittersweet end for Hidden Valley batting cages By Devin Leith-Yessian Record-Journal staff
Patrons got in a few last swings at the Hidden Valley batting cages over the long weekend before the 38-year old cages closed for good after Labor Day. It’s a bittersweet end for Hidden Valley owner Paul Rossi. His four
sons learned to bat in the West Street cages and he’s watched generations of Little Leaguers learn to hit.
Ross said he’s noticed interest in baseball and the batting cages has waned. When he first opened customers would have to wait in line for a chance to bat, but 10 years ago attendance started to decline.
“We have customers that have been coming since day one,” he said Sunday. “They’ve brought their kids “Kids aren’t playing ball,” he said. here and how they’re bringing their “It used to be that just about every grandkids.”
See Cages, A9
The church on Savage Street plans to have food, rides and entertainment from Friday, Sept. 13 until Sunday, Sept. 15. “It’s to bring people together,” said Sebastian Vosne, chairman of the church’s carnival committee. “It’s to get Mary Our Queen back on the map.” Food trucks and food vendors will offer sausage and peppers, meatball grinders, hamburgers, fried dough and other carnival fare. Vosne said the rides will be provided by the same company that works the Apple Harvest Festival. Entertainment includes live bands and a singer who’ll provide “good old Italian music” complete with accordion. There also will be kids games, face painting, a raffle, silent auction and a bake sale by parishioners. See Carnival, A2
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Volume 13, Number 36