Friday, June 3, 2022
www.towntimes.com
Volume 28, Number 22
Loss of a legend
Local cemetery plays key part in ‘Nuri’ run
Former CRHS coach Economopoulos dies By Sean Krofssik Record-Journal staff
“E Chiamamulu Paisanu! Primu Diu E Sammastianu!”
WALLINGFORD — The area lost one of its all-time coaching greats last week when Wallingford’s Nick Economopoulos passed away at age 72.
The Italian phrase, which translates to “He’s one of our own. First God and then Saint Sebastian,” was heard once again, loud and clear, on the streets of Middlefield and Middletown on May 15.
Economopoulos spent 20 years coaching the Lyman Hall girls basketball team and oversaw five state championship appearances in his tenure, which spanned from 1974 to 1993.
By Frank LoGiudice
See Coach, A8
The “I Nuri Run” starts at St. Sebastian’s Cemetery in Middlefield en route to St. Sebastian’s Church in Middletown. This year, more than 350 “runners” from Connecticut and beyond made the trek, an important component of the annual St. Sebastian’s feast. This was the first time the gathering was held since 2019. It was called off in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID.
New school budget passes
The “I Nuri Run” begins at St. Sebastian’s Cemetery in Middlefield and travels along Route 66 to St. Sebastian’s Church in Middletown. Photo by Frank LoGiudice
By Nicole Zappone
Town Times Melilli, Sicily. The Italian “I Nuri Run” began at 3 in the morning, The THU RSD13 budget has passed. SAT SUN MON d TUE WED FRI SAT inFRI the mountains — the “Sacre July Cross.” 1 2 initial 1 school 1 budget 2 failed at 27 28 The NOR BRO Why do the “I Nuri” do this? YK LA NOR BRO VT referendum in early May, so the 6:35PM Joe Spatola, Sr. started the annual Spatola sought to replicate that 10:35AM 6:35PM Board of Education reconvened and “I Nuri Run” in 1982 with Chris sacred place for the local “I Nuri According to participant Lisa presented 3 4 5 6 7 a new8budget9 — a smaller 30 31 Scott Colavito. The run is Run,” and the spot selected was Brown, of Middletown, “It is a sac- and29 WOR BRO WES NORlateNOR — to voters last month. one NOR VT NOR Saint Sebastian’s Cemetery in modeled after aWOR similar celebrarifice, a pilgrimage, faith to God 6:35PM 6:35PM 6:35PM 10:35AM tion at Saint Sebastian’s Church in Middlefield. and St. Sebastian.”
Cecelia Carabetta, of Meriden, is drawn in by the “tradition.” She SUN participating MON TUE in WED began “I Nuri”THU runs23at age 24 15. She’s now 24. 25 26
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20 21 • nbbees.com 22 23 • 860.826.2337 24 25 Buy Tickets Now! $8 GA TicketsWOR &19Free Parking WOR BRO WES WOR VT 1:35PM
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