Friday, May 28, 2021
www.towntimes.com
Volume 27, Number 22
Racial justice group holds vigil for Floyd
SCOUTING TRAILBLAZERS
By Nadya Korytnikova Town Times
The Middlefield-Durham Racial Justice Team held a vigil Tuesday to honor the memory of George Floyd and others who have died in police custody.
Leaders from Middlefield and Durham Pack 33, Troop 33G, and representatives from the Middlefield Lions Club pose on the Eagle Scout pathway at Peckham Park.
Not too long ago, the Boy Scouts of America decided to break more than 100 years of tradition and allow girls to join their BSA and Cub Scout programs. On May 22, Pack 33 of Middlefield and Durham held their annual Blue & Gold event where their very first female Scout crossed over to the older BSA program. Earlier that week, Troop 33G was created. Troop 33G (for girls) and 33B (for boys) are linked so that Scouts can attend events, work together and share resources. Erica Fenwick, Cub Scout Leader with Middlefield and Durham Pack 33, and a founding member of Troop 33G, stated: “These female Scouts are trailblazing the way for younger girls behind them, including a
pathway to ultimately earn their Eagle Scout award. Female Scouts are welcomed, thriving and celebrated in Pack and Troop 33, where leaders are excited to support these Scouts as they work hard on advancement, community service, and leadership opportunities.” The Middlefield Lions Club serves as the charter organization for Pack and Troop 33. Lynn Johnson, the Lions’ incoming president, and wife of an Eagle Scout, spoke at the Blue & Gold gathering, recalling when women were first allowed to join the Lions Club. Johnson recognized that this was a historic moment for local Scouts and was honored to take part in the event.
The May 25 event held on the Middlefield green marked one year since Floyd, a Black man, died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. That officer has been convicted of Floyd’s murder.
People gathered on the Middlefield green Tuesday in memory of George Floyd and other Black people “Because it is an issue that who have died at the hands of police. is ongoing, we want to
make sure that the attention is brought to it,” said Patrick Holden, Middlefield-Durham Racial Justice Team leader and the vigil organizer. “We, as a group, don't want to fade away and just become a little footnote as it has happened in the past.”
At the vigil, participants held candles as a pastor from the Middlefield Federated Church read from
State’s first monument to honor Gold Star Families breaks ground By Nadya Korytnikova Town Times
BERLIN – The community broke ground on a monument to Gold Star Families on May 22 at Veterans Memorial Park. The monument will honor those whose relatives have died while in service to
the U.S. military and is scheduled to be completed and dedicated in April 2022. The Berlin Veterans Commission hosted the event.
mate sacrifice to their country,” said Mayor Mark Kaczynski. “We will not only remember them, but we will honor and recognize the sacrifice of their families and loved ones.”
“Today we are presented with a perfect opportunity to By establishing this monubuild this memorial to honor ment locally, Berlin beour veterans who have honored us by making the ultiSee Monument, A20
Photos by Nadya Korytnikova
scripture. Attendees then read aloud a list of names of unarmed people of color who have died at the hands of police since 2000. After reading more than 170 names, participants browsed through “Something Happened in Our Town,” a children’s book by Donald Moses and MarSee Vigil, A21
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