GoFundMe raises over $43K for injured educator By Everett Bishop Town Times
The community is responding after learning a local educator was struck by a car and critically injured. On March 21, Coginchaug Regional High School Band Director Tim Fisher was hit by a car while walking his dog near his home in Middletown. According to police, Fisher was struck at approximately 5:30 p.m. by a GMC Terrain driven by Jefferson Javier Cusnia-Llamuca of Meriden. Fisher was taken to Hartford Hospital and was initially in critical condition. On March 25, his family said Fisher was in stable condition. In response, town resident Dr. Oanh Stephan created a GoFundMe page to help Fisher and his family “in the long recovery days ahead.” As of Wednesday morning, more than $43,000 had been generated by 617 donors. In a statement sent to students and parents, Coginchaug Principal Brian Falcone said to “please keep Mr. Fisher and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Friday, April 10, 2020
www.towntimes.com
Volume 26, Number 2
Coginchaug Regional High School Band Director Tim Fisher. Facebook
A sense of normalcy at the Durham Farmers Market Bronwyn Commins Special to Town Times
I applied the new normal to my walk, as I had done throughout the week: a On my walk to the Durham very fluid lateral move Farmers Market on a refollows the sighting of ancent Saturday, I intention- other person, and then ally left my house early, so each resumes his or her I could get in a few extra original path and moves steps before the market be- on. Forgive the teacher in gan. It was, after all, a deme reminding you to see lightful morning, and some the metaphor here. Wave walks outside have been or nod, sharing in the unthe source of sanity these spoken understanding past few weeks, fueled by that this is life for the mothe overconsumption of ment. This is the new etipasta with bottled Buffalo quette: seeing another wing sauce. (It’s a new person and stepping away recipe. Only two ingredients.)
See Market, A6
The GoFundMe page also included a statement from Fisher’s students. "Fisher has done more for the students, teachers, and parents in this community than we can ever fully thank him for,” the statement read. “Please help, in what ever capacity you are able, to repay a truly un-repayable man. Bring him joy, thoughts, strength and music – he would do it for us without a second thought." For more information, or to donate, you can visit the GoFundMe page, gofundme.com/f/our-community-for-mr-fisher.
The Durham Farmers Market is a good way to shake the quarantine blues. Photos by Bronwyn Commins
Town turns to technology to continue recreation activities By Everett Bishop Town Times
Despite the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the town recreation department is still providing programs and activities via
video conferencing. After the closure of town offices and programs, Durham Recreation quickly improvised. Now, residents can attend different programs and activities hosted by the department over Zoom, a
video communication service. “With our Facebook (page) we are adding crafts and exercise programs for all to enjoy,” said Recreation Director Sherry Hill. “This is a sad time for our world but also a
special time to connect, love and cherish family and all people. Exercise and fun projects can keep us happy in this stressful time.” Programs have included T’ai Chi classes, paper plate monster crafts, Zumba and
an Easter egg coloring contest. According to Recreation Committee Chair Jon Scagnelli, since launching on March 22, the Facebook See Recreation, A17