12-31-2010TownTimes by Town Times Newspaper

Happy New Year to all!

Volume 17, Issue 38

Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall

In the frozen grip of winter ...

Friday, December 31, 2010

Learning the true meaning of giving during this holiday season

Above, the Durham skating pond is deserted after the snow; below, a lone skater in a Santa hat takes to the ice at the Lucy Strickland Skating Pond in Middlefield.

The blizzard of 2010 had only minor effects locally despite the howling wind and blowing snow on Sunday and Monday. Durham’s First Selectman Laura Francis said, “There were very few power outages and very few fire calls. All Departments handled it very well and were very well prepared.” Cleaning up and widening the roads and taking care of the skating pond and cemeteries where the road crews major concerns. “They were called in on Sunday at about 1 p.m. and went home around 5 p.m. on Monday,” Francis stated. Middlefield First Selectman Jon Brayshaw said, “There were no reported accidents, but would like to remind residents that many roads in town like Routes 147, 157, and 66 are state roads and are not handled by the town.” Brayshaw went on to say. “ I am glad that it’s is over for now, but I am sure the kids loved it immensely, being that it was during the school vacation. It was cute to see the little kids out with their snow suits on.” Cheri Kelly

Serving at an “Out-of-the Cold” luncheon at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, these ‘future Rotarians’ understand the true meaning of giving during the holiday season. Pictured from left are: Graham Gates, of Xavier High School in Middletown; Jake Sapia of Strong Middle School, Durham; Rotarian Dr. Michele Imossi of Kensington; Angela Barbagallo of Thomas Edison Middle School in Meriden; Rotarians Victor and Elizabeth Fumiatti of Bristol; India Gates of Mercy High School in Middletown; Luke Wininger of Griswold Middle School in Berlin; and Casandra Sapia of John Lyman Elementary School in Middlefield. This photo gave us an opportunity to introduce also the many examples of “food art” — from phtographs to paintings to ceramics to poetry and stories — that we received for this year’s annual Creative Arts editions. The section starts on page 12 of this issue. Next week we will feature our non-food artists and writers. Enjoy and stay warm! Submitted photo

In this issue ... Calendar Creative Arts Libraries Obituaries Photos Town Briefs

4 12-23 6 11 24 10

Our wish for you in 2011 — A happy New Year! Grant that I May bring no tear to any eye When this New Year in time shall end Let it be said I've played the friend, Have lived and loved and labored here, And made of it a happy year. Edgar Guest

Town Times Community Briefs

Corrections We strive to bring you the most accurate information available each week, but if you see something in Town Times that isn’t quite right, give us a call at 860-349-8000, and we’ll do our best to make things right.

Index of Advertisers To advertise in the Town Times, call Joy Boone at 860-349-8026.

The Durham CoginChuggers will hold their Cabin Fever dance on Friday, Jan. 14, at the Brewster School, Tuttle Road in Durham, from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Bruce McCue will be the caller and Sue Lucibello the cuer. For more information and pricing, please call 860-349-8084 or 203-235-1604.

Taste of Durham? What’s that? Laurie Stevens Special to the Town Times The 15th annual Taste of Durham will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011 at the Durham Library from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets go on sale at the library Monday, Jan. 3. As we celebrate this 15year milestone, we thought people might be interested in how it all started. It may be hard to remember when our wonderful library didn’t include the children’s wing, the community rooms on the lower level and the beautiful vaulted room currently housing the computer center, but it’s not really that long ago. A group of ardent library supporters got together in the mid-1990s and held a series of fundraising

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endeavors that paid for a significant portion of that last expansion. A Taste of Durham was the brainchild of Dorothy Willet and part of that greater fundraising effort. In 1996 the first Taste was held, and 15 years later it’s still going strong. Not only has it become a part of Durham’s winter social scene, proceeds continue to pay for those extra programs and materials that make our library so special. If you’ve never been to a Taste of Durham, picture 24 area restaurants and caterers stationed throughout the library serving their delicacies to those patrons fortunate enough to purchase their tickets early. PALS organizers work hard to make this a great evening that people want to return to year after year. Businesses have the opportunity to showcase their specialty hors d’oeuvres, mini-entrees and desserts while patrons can sample a wide array of food while socializing with friends – and everyone supports our award-winning library. Space is limited and this popular event is always a sell-out. The entry price of $30 per person is paid at registration. This is an adults only event and patrons must be 21 or older. New restaurants interested in participating should contact Laurie Stevens at 860-349-1916.

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DMYFS Office hours are 10-3 Tuesdays-Fridays; 860-349-0258. Astro Program Are you a teen in grades 7 through 12, who is looking for something to do after school? Sign up for one or more of the Astro activities by calling or visiting the Durham Library. On Mondays they are offering “Card Mania.” On Wednesdays they have “Video Game Fun.” The Astro program is held in the library Community Room from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and snacks are provided. Keep in mind that space is limited. Donations are appreciated. Astro is looking for donations of two larger screen TVs and any gaming systems that your family may have outgrown! Contact Jane Moen, program director, at jmoen.dmyfs@comcast. net if you have a donation! Tot Time is an open age playgroup held at the Middlefield Community Center. This program is open to all Durham and Middlefield residents and their children. Join the fun every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (except New Year’s Eve). Go to www.dmyfs.org for info about DMYFS programs and services.To volunteer or to register for any of the Center’s programs, call 860-349-0258 or e-mail bdean@comcast.net.

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Friday, December 31, 2010

Town Times

Holy Joe’s Café has local roots

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way to let the guys and gals relax a bit over a cup of coffee in the chaplain’s office café and talk about their experiences,” Wallace explained. “Many of the men and women serving are away from home for 18 months or more and working 16-hour days without coffee. In the summer in Iraq, it can Enjoying a “cup of Joe” at a Holy Joe’s Café while deployed. get up to 145 degrees and the troops are still enjoy- large company like Cooper things that people can do ing a cup. I can appreciate Atkins and the church is that, as a coffee drinker my- great, but there are simple See Holy Joe’s, page 24 self. Imagine not having it in those conditions? It just helps them to know that we are thinking about them.” Jastermsky added, “The support of a Fortune 500 company like Green Mountain, a

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Coffee drinkers out there (and even those who do not enjoy that beverage) can truly appreciate this story. A member of the First Congregational Church in Wallingford, Ellie Hazelwood was deployed in 2006 to Sather Air Base in Baghdad. They ran out of coffee, and she e-mailed her now-husband Steve, asking if there was a way to get some over there. He asked around, and the church began to collect coffee. This is how Holy Joe’s Café started. Thomas Jastermsky was the original coordinator; he handled the logistics until handing it off to Bill Evers at Cooper Atkins, a Middlefield company. Jastermsky stated, “We started out very humbly with a few cases of Green Mountain coffee, and expanded from there. Green Mountain was the first company to drop off a trailer load. Most of the donated coffee comes from Green Mountain and New England Coffee.” Carol Wallace, CEO of Cooper Atkins, approached Jastermsky when she heard about a huge shipment of coffee that was going to be dropped off at the church. It was going to be repacked at the church and brought to the post office to be shipped. Wallace said, “We already do a lot of overseas shipping, and I thought it would be more efficient and easier for us to help with the packing

and shipping part of the process. We donate the manpower and take care of the repacking and shipping from our company.” Bill Evers who coordinates the interactions between the church and Cooper Atkins said, “This year we shipped roughly 25,000 pounds of coffee to the troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.” “In the three countries 30 or 40 chaplains’ offices are supplied with coffee and the cafés are set up,” Jastermsky continued. “Whichever chaplain requests coffee, no matter what denomination, no questions are asked, we do what we can to ship it.” This is a year-round program. The folks from Holy Joe’s Café and Cooper Atkins ship donated coffee as well as flavor syrups, Keurig machines and coffee, small coffee makers, cups and some tea and hot chocolate occasionally. In the combat hospitals it is especially hard for the doctors and nurses to know if the coffee is old and no longer good, which is where the individual servings from the Keurig machines come in handy. “Every year after the Girl Scout cookie sale, the unbought cookies are sent here and shipped overseas. And I can attest that not one thin mint is tasted in the process,” Wallace joked. “At that time of year there are pallets and pallets of cookies in the shipping department ready to go. It is just a little

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Friday, December 31, 2010

Town Times

Ever hear of Christmas chickens?

For Christmas this year, Girl Scout Troop 62092 wanted to go beyond making a difference in our community to helping around the world. They purchased a flock of 50 chicks from Heifer International, a non-profit organization, who will deliver chicks and educate a less fortunate family to become self-sustaining. A good hen can lay up to 200 eggs a year; there will be plenty to eat, enough to share with others in their community, or the family can sell the eggs or chickens to make money to be able to provide other things that are necessary to survive. This follows the old saying: “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; you have fed him for a lifetime.” Heifer International distributes to and educates communities in 125 countries all over the globe. Way to go, Girl Scout Submitted photo Troop 62092, for making a difference.

Students encouraged to serve

Above, State Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) welcomed 54 fourth-graders from the Francis E. Korn School in Durham to the State Capitol Senate Chamber onTuesday, Dec. 21. Sen. Meyer encouraged the students to consider public service at the local, state or national level. Submitted photo

Scenes of the Season Right, Nativity scene at St. Sebastian’s Church in Middletown. Photo by Frank LoGiudice

Town Times & Places FRIDAY

December 31 New Year’s Eve Music Piano recital by Neely Bruce featuring the works of Chopin, Bruce and Shapiro, at South Congregational Church, 9 Pleasant St. in Middletown.

SATURDAY

January 1 Happy New Year!

New Year at Wadsworth The 12th annual New Year’s Day Open House at the Wadsworth Mansion will feature horse-drawn carriage rides provided by Allegra Farms and music by Lost Acres String Band, who will play from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Visitors will be able to ride in a horse-drawn carriage from 1 to 4 p.m. Weather permitting, there will be guided walks on the grounds of the 1908 estate. The Open House is from 1 to 4 p.m. at Wadsworth Mansion,

421Wadsworth St. in Middletown. All activities are free.

SUNDAY

January 9 100th Birthday Party All friends of Edith Trischmann, formerly of Middlefield, will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the Middlefield Federated Church fellowship hall. No gifts; light refreshments will be served. Shh! It’s a surprise (maybe)!

WEDNESDAY

January 12 District 13 Budget A public forum on the proposed 2011-2012 District 13 budget will we held during the first hour of the Board of Education meeting at 7:30 p.m. Come join the board at their meeting at Korn School, share your concerns and let your ideas be heard.

THURSDAY

January 13 Creative Juice Twitter — what it’s all about, a primer, will be held at noon in the Chamber of Commerce meeting room on Main Street in Middletown. Call Cathy at 860-347-6924 for further information. MLK Honored Coginchaug High School will host a community Martin Luther King celebration at 7 p.m. (Snow date Jan. 19)

FRIDAY

January 14 Middlesex Dance Center Ballet students at the Middlesex Dance Center will present an American Academy of Ballet Performance Award event at 7 p.m. at the St. Colman’s on Hubbard St in Middlefield. Dancers will perform a series of predetermined combinations as well as short solo dances. The director of the American Acad-

emy of Ballet in NYC, Mignon Furman, will adjudicate. Admission is a per person donation of a food item or pet food. All collected donations will be distributed to a local food bank and animal shelter. This is the second season for this event. The snowdate for the event is Feb. 4. Drama Play The senior class drama will be performed at Coginchaug high school at 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

January 15 Hot Shot Contest The Durham Basketball Association will host a local Hot Shot shooting contest at Strong School from 1 to 4 p.m. The contest is open to residents of Durham and Middlefield, ages 9 to 15 as of Dec. 31, 2010. Ribbons will be awarded to all, and medals to the highest scorers in each division. Winners on Jan. 15 will advance to a Connecticut Regional Hot Shot Contest to be held in February or March

2011. Winners of the Regional Contest will advance to a State Championship contest to be held April 2. For more details and registration information, visit www.dbact.org, or e-mail Dan at dan.davis@dbact.org.

TUESDAY

January 18

Band Concert The Strong School band will perform at CRHS at 7 p.m. Clean Energy Forum The Durham Clean Energy Task Force is hosting a Clean Energy Forum for town residents and businesses at 7 pm in the Durham Library. Available for discussion and Q & A will be residents and businesses that have implemented some kind of clean energy systems in their homes and businesses. Among presenters will be residents who have had solar electric and solar thermal systems installed, businesses who have chosen clean energy purchases and builders with geothermal integrated into their construction projects.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Liberty Bank donates to Operation Fuel

Middlefield P&Z deals with several long-standing topics By Cheri Kelley Town Times

ed that the application was identical to the one that was previously approved, with 16 conditions. Corona said they are very willing to accept those conditions again. After discussion, the hearing was continued to Jan. 12 to allow neighboring property owners to be contacted. Monarca Property Sal Monarca was present after having been invited to discuss violations of the site plan at his business in the Strickland Farm Industrial Park. Town planner Geoff Colegrove stated that there was an approval of the site plan, but that it was not filed with the town clerk. According to Colegrove, the issue is that there are designated areas shown for storage, parking, and a fence. At the time of the meeting, the fence was not in place, the storage of materials extends over property lines and there is less than 50 percent open space on the property. Monarca said the he under-

stood the issues, which is acre and left it as open space, why he was there to discuss the 50 percent regulation purchasing or leasing adja- would be met. Commissioner cent land from the town in orSee Mfld. P&Z, page 9 der to become incompliance. Colegrove wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sure if that purchase would in fact solve the issue. He wanted to meet and discuss the plans more carefully. Monarca said that if he purchased an additional

Liberty Bank has donated $5,000 to Operation Fuel on behalf of the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customers and employees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very grateful to Liberty Bank for this generous donation,â&#x20AC;? said Patricia Wrice, executive director of Operation Fuel. Non-profit Operation Fuel provides emergency energy assistance throughout Connecticut to low-income working families and senior citizens who are not eligible for energy assistance from government-funded programs. For more info on energy assistance, go to www.operationfuel.org. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know that many families are still struggling to meet basic needs in this economy. We felt the warmest holiday wish we could give would be heat for those who need it,â&#x20AC;? said Chandler J. Howard, president and CEO of Liberty Bank.

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USPS 021-924 Published weekly by Record-Journal Publishing Co., d/b/a Town Times, P.O. Box 265, Middlefield, CT 06455. Periodicals Postage Paid at Middlefield, CT and at additional mailing offices. P O S T M A S T E R: Send address changes to Town Times, P.O. Box 265, Middlefield, CT 06455.

Executive director Patricia Wrice, left, accepts a check on behalf of Operation Fuel from Chandler J. Howard, presiSubmitted photo dent and CEO of Liberty Bank.

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Lyman Farms Inc. During the regular Middlefield Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) meeting held on Dec. 22, commissioners discussed a special permit application by Lyman Farms Inc. to allow for the construction of a golf instruction facility, including a nine-hole training course practice green and bunkers, a clubhouse with classrooms, a 40-station practice range and parking. The construction will be on the northwest corner of Route 147 and Miller Road. Attorney John Corona spoke on behalf of Lyman Farms Inc. He also introduced Pat Benjamin, project engineer, and Stephen Ciskowski and John Lyman III of Lyman Farm. The project was approved several years ago, but the permit has lapsed. They are now looking for re-approval for the same project. Since the time lapse, the commission has added a new requirement, which is to send certified mailings to neighboring property owners. At the time of the meeting this had not been done. Corona stated that he would like to proceed with the meeting anyway. Pat Benjamin presented the proposal using maps and drawings, as well as various reports and landscape and building plans. Corona stat-

Town Times

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In Our Libraries

Levi Coe Library

Levi E. Coe Library’s Annual Giving Tree & Holiday Open House took place December 8. Pictured top left, Cooper Berry; top right, the Dugan Family; bottom left, Nicholas Smith and Santa and bottom right, the Rollka’s.

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Hours: The library is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Visit www.leviecoe.com or call the library at 860-349-3857 for information or to register for any program. You can also renew, reserve and check your library record on the website. Holiday Hours: Library will be closed Saturday, Jan. 1 for the holiday. Facebook.com: Please check out the Levi E. Coe Library’s Facebook page for events and news. Children’s Room Storytime: Storytime will resume Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 10:30 a.m. To register, please call the Children’s Room at 860-349-3857 ext.2. A cup of coffee and a good book: Come to the library and warm up this fall and winter with a nice cup of coffee and a good read. The library is selling cups of coffee at $1 a cup and biscotti $1 each to raise money for the purchase of museum passes. Support your library, support your community and get a cup of coffee and biscotti for less than a latte somewhere else. New Museum Passes: The library now has the following museum passes, which offer either free or reduced admission: CT State

Friday, December 31, 2010 Parks & Forests Day Pass, Mystic Aquarium, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art and CT’s Old State House. Please call the library for more info. New Titles: Bloodroot by Amy Greene, Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy, Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher, Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs, Pursuit of Honor by Vince Flynn, Sweet and Deadly and by Charlaine Harris. New DVDs: American Devil, Going the Distance, Inception, Nanny McPhee Returns, Shrek Forever After and more! To view anticipated arrival dates for new titles, visit our webpage and click on Activities and Events and then click Monthly Calendars.

Durham Library Hours: Regular library hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Visit www.durhamlibrary.org to search the catalog, review your account, register for a program or renew your materials online. For info or to register for a program by phone, call 860-349-9544. Holiday Hours: The library will be closed December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1. Facebook: Receive daily updates on library news

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and events by becoming a Facebook fan. Click on the Facebook link on the library’s website. JobNow! On demand access to expert career coaches is yours with a click on the JobNow! icon on the library website. Destination Durham: The first two Destination Durham Cable Shows are now on DVD and are available to borrow from the library. Show #1 Farmers’ Market and Go Far, Show #2 Mock Crash and Internet Safety. Storytime 2011 Registration: The Winter/Spring Storytime registrations are Dec. 17 for nonresidents. All Storytimes begin Jan. 3 and end April 13. The Storytimes are: Mother Goose (18-30 months), Mondays at 10:15 or 11 a.m., Time for Tots (2.5-3.5 years), Wednesdays at 10:15 or 11 a.m. and Preschool (3.5-5 years), Tuesdays at 10:15 or 11 a.m. To register for Storytime call 860-349-9544 or visit the library. Book Lovers Circle: Come to the library on Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m. for a discussion of Aztec by Gary Jennings. All are welcome to participate in an evening of stimulating conversation. Copies of the book are available at the library.

Mystery Book Discussion: The mystery book club will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 7:30, when Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin will be discussed. All are welcome. Copies of the book are available at the library. New Arrivals: Licence to Dream by Anna Jacobs, Secrets of the Grave by Tami Hoag, Comfort to the Enemy by Elmore Leonard, Eighteen Acres by Nicolle Wallace, If the Allies Had Fallen: Sixty Alternate Scenarios of WWII edited by Dennis E. Showalter, The 4Hour Body by Timothy Ferriss, Cooking for Geeks by Jeff Potter, All the Devils are Here: The Hidden History of the Financial Crisis by Bethany McLean, Great Food, All Day Long by Maya Angelou and Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Town Times

Happy 100th birthday, Edith Trischmann By Cheri Kelley Town Times

and was piped into the attic. There was a wooden box above the toilet, to make it work. We were pretty lucky; not many people had indoor plumbing back in those days. Some neighbors would get their drinking and washing water from outdoor springs.” The manner in which daily tasks were performed varied from today; instead of a refrigerator they had an icebox to keep their food cool. “ The ice man would come and you would buy a chunk of ice and put it in the icebox,” Edith explained. “It would drip into a pan placed on the floor.” Certain things weren’t discussed at that time either; when Edith was 14 years old she was sent to Wallingford to stay with her aunt for two weeks. When she returned home, there was a new baby sister to play with. The fact that her mother was pregnant was not spoken about, and she didn’t notice because her mother always wore a cape so it was concealed nicely. Edith said, “It wasn’t ladylike, to talk about it then.” Edith attended private kindergarten with Mrs. Lan-

Edith Fowler Trischman, a long time Middlefield resident was born on Jan. 11, 1911 and very soon will be celebrating her 100th birthday. In a recent interview, Edith shared a bit about the day she was born. “It was in the middle of a snow storm and my father had to drive on a horse drawn sleigh all the way from Powder Hill to Main Street in Durham to pick up Dr. Markham. My aunts and a midwife were back at the house waiting for the doctor to arrive.” Edith said the foundation of the original house they lived in is still there. Edith and her family lived at Powder Hill for two years, they then moved to the house next door to the current Middlefield Post Office. At that time it was a two-family home and the post office all in one. The post office was on the lower section where Edith’s grandmother lived. “In that house we had a blue tin fullsized bath tub. The water came in from Augers Pond,

er; things were so different then. The school didn’t have running water; we would get it from the neighbor and everyone would drink from the same dipper. No one hardly ever got sick.” Because they didn’t have indoor plumbing at school, they had to go outside to a wooden outhouse to go to the bathroom. “In the winter it was cold,” Edith laughed.

Edith Trischmann turns 100 on Jan. 11. gatell; “All the kids were picked up on a horse drawn wagon for school,” Edith shared. After kindergarten she went to the South School. “It was near Long Hill, and there were two rooms with about 12 kids in each room and two teachers total.” Edith noted the differences in the way the children played at school. She said, “The girls played on one side of the school and the boys on the oth-

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“People didn’t have as many clothes then as they do now. In fact many homes were built with tiny closets and some without closets at all. I wore a regular gingham dress to school and always changed into an older dress as soon as I got home. I had one white dress for Sundays only.” Edith explained that

MIMS OIL

girls didn’t wear pants when she was a child but when she was going out to play in the snow, she had a pair of special pants. “It wasn’t like snowsuit pants you can get today, but they had about a million buttons all the way up the sides, and I wore Arctics for shoes.” When asked what women usually wore at that time, Edith responded, “The mothers at that time usually wore housedresses, and because it was cold, they wore long flannel petticoats.” In 1931, the year that she and her husband Warren married, they moved into the house located between the Levi Coe Library and the

Philip M. Perrino, O.D.

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Town Times Opinion

Friday, December 31, 2010

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Contributors: Chuck Corley, Diana Carr, Trish Dynia, Elisabeth Kennedy, Karen Kean, Judy Moeckel, Kathy Meyering, Tori Piscatelli and Sue VanDerzee.

Letters policy The Town Times intends to present a forum for the lively exchange of ideas and issues. To facilitate the publication of your contributions, several guidelines should be followed. Letters to the editor must be signed, with a phone number included. The writer will be called to confirm authorship. No anonymous letters will be printed. Contributions by any individual or group will not be published more frequently than once a month. Every effort will be made to print all letters received. However, the selection and date of publication will be at the discretion of the editor. Finally, the opinions expressed by our letter writers are not necessarily those of this newspaper. Deadline: Tuesday noon for Friday publication.

Skating pond ready to go

Almost five years ago, thanks to former State Representative Ray Kalinowski, the town of Durham received a grant of $50,000 to make improvements to our outdoor skating pond. We are proud to announce that the project is complete. A new berm and dam have been installed; vegetation has been removed and lighting has been upgraded. I want to thank members of the Skating Pond Committee and the Public Works Department for all the work that was done.

Now that the pond is so inviting, it is time to review safety measures. The town of Durham does not monitor the thickness of the ice. It is strictly a “Skate at Your Own Risk” pond. The average depth of water in the pond is three feet. You

I may be in an especially fortuitous position to comment on old and new this year, and especially on old and new plans and projects. When I retired as editor of Town Times in October, I was determined to not step too quickly into the “next thing.” Now, however, after three months of retirement, I may be ready to make some of those leaps. That makes New Year’s Day especially poignant for me this year. In the old year, I was a newspaper editor. In the new year, who knows? What I do know is that I enjoy my continued part time involvement with this enterprise, as well as the ability to at least think about doing some traveling and some writing not connected to Durham and Middlefield (lovely as it has been to write about these towns and their residents). It’s also nice not to have to get to the office every day, a luxury for a night owl who hates mornings. I’ve also found out from the respondents to our online poll that these are not towns filled with resolution-makers. Of the 15 folks who answered our online poll question – “Do you make New Year’s resolutions? – the largest amount by far, 53 percent, said, “No, I don’t bother.” The next largest group – 27 percent – said “Yes, but I never stick with them.” These are folks who might be cheered by a quotation from Mark Twain: “New Year’s Day: Now is the

accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.” Only 20 percent answered “Yes, they help keep me on track with new goals.” I have yet to be counted among those last few, but I’m going to begin working on it in 2011 ... And here’s a few more quotes to hopefully help you launch your own new year: “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” Bill Vaughan “For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” T. S. Eliot “Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.” Oprah Winfrey “The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.” G. K. Chesterton And finally, “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.” Benjamin Franklin Not a bad sentiment on which to close. Happy New Year to all! Sue VanDerzee, filling in as editor

Letters to the Editor

should avoid inlets and outlets because flowing water may not freeze. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Make sure that a responsible party is present and able to call 911 in case of an emergency. There is limited parking at the pond; therefore, carpooling is recommended. Remember, there is no parking along the side of Route 68. Have a fun and safe ice skating season. Please do not hesitate to report any problems. Laura L. Francis, Durham First Selectman

wasted on elections. Even though I myself am not eligible to vote yet, it’s safe to say that I have become concerned about the money used to fund campaigns, and I think all Americans should as well. Linda McMahon spent almost $50 million on her campaign; the New Haven Register figures that’s about $100 per vote. Richard Blumenthal spent a reported $2.25 million on his successful campaign. But successful or not, isn’t it time we as Americans take a look at what this spending is really worth?

hand. In this struggling economy, does it really make sense to waste that much money on TV ads, tshirts, and bumper stickers? There are starving families in Connecticut. There are kids who have the grades to get into college but can’t because they don’t have the money. They too live in Connecticut. There are families who live paycheck to paycheck, people who have to choose between their medicine and their groceries. And guess what — these people live Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall too.

For what it’s worth ...

I think it’s obvious that in this election cycle, the amount of money spent played a huge role in how people voted. The amount of stuff candidates gave out was atrocious, and when the amount of spending is uncapped, election cycles become more and more about who has the most money, rather than the issues at

The issue of outrageous spending goes beyond party lines. It’s an issue that we see in large scale national elections for U.S. Senators, and for local State Senators as well. That is why it is my belief that we should stop this wasteful spending. Even if candidates spend their own money, it still disgusts me to see it go to waste, for

In the months following a highly contested election cycle, after all the ballots are counted and the victors are announced, voters may find themselves in absolute awe in regards to the outrageous amount of money spent and

even if a candidate wins, was that money really put to the best use possible? I firmly believe that campaign spending should be capped. I believe everybody should be given the same amount, based on what position they are running for, and then may the best man or woman win. Then it really will become about the issues, how the candidates reach out to the people, and not about merchandise. Maybe it would be wise for our newly elected officials to propose this legislation, but since that is unlikely, it is we the people who are responsible for demanding election spending regulations. Maybe one day the issues will truly matter again. I know that I at least will be electing officials based on the issues, rather than how many flyers I receive; I hope you will too. Erika Trapp, Durham

Town Times Columns

Friday, December 31, 2010

Sen. Meyer unveils environmental priorities for upcoming legislative session sizing the state DepartState Senator Ed Meyment of Environmental er (D-Guilford), the SenProtection,” Sen. Meyer ate chairman of the Gensaid. “By some measeral Assembly’s Enviures, DEP has the same ronment Committee, restaffing levels it did in cently unveiled four enthe 1970s.” vironmental priorities Link environmental for the upcoming legislapolicies to job creation, tive session which he bei.e. environmental relieves will re-commit mediation, green techConnecticut to protectnologies, climate ing and enhancing its change and alternative environmental initiaenergy sources. “One of tives and will result in the great fallacies is an improved quality of life and better business State Senator Ed Meyer that good business policies and good environclimate. mental policies don’t go “The common theme together. They really of my proposals is makdo,” Sen. Meyer said. ing the environment a “We proved that last priority in Connecticut public policy,” Sen. Meyer said. “The session with our DEP streamlining decimation of the staff at the Depart- bill, which was crafted with input ment of Environmental Protection from the business and environmental (DEP) over the years indicates that communities and which had bipartithe environment is no longer a priori- san legislative support and the enty in Connecticut, even though the en- dorsement of Governor Rell.” Validate and continue significant vironment represents our quality of life here and even though there is a environmental initiatives, including strong connection between environ- Clean Water Act funding; open space mental policy and economic develop- and farm preservation; the protection of wetlands, watercourses and related ment.” Specifically, Sen. Meyer said the training; investigation of allegedly Environment Committee, the legisla- toxic chemicals by the new Chemical Innovations Institute at the UConn ture and the state must: Establish a strong relationship be- Health Center; restrictions on outtween the new DEP commissioner door wood-burning furnaces; and an and Connecticut’s environmental end to budgetary raids on environcommunity. “Governor-elect Malloy mental funds such as the Energy Effihas stated that he is including nation- ciency Fund. Sen. Meyer announced his priorial candidates in his consideration for who will next lead the DEP,” Sen. ties at the environment summit of the Meyer said. “If that person is from Connecticut League of Conservation outside the state, it becomes even Voters (http://www.ctlcv.org/), a bimore important for him or her to meet partisan, statewide, nonprofit organiwith and work with our environmen- zation dedicated to protecting Connecticut’s environment by making it tal community.” Reorganize the DEP, with an em- a priority for elected leaders. The conphasis on “upsizing” the permitting ference attracted 180 environmentaland enforcement divisions. “Con- ists, legislators, business representanecticut will be downsizing its gov- tives, administration officials and ernment overall, but we should be up- Governor-elect Dannel Malloy.

From The State Capitol

Mfld. P&Z From page 5 Bob Johnson stated that he would have to speak with First Selectman Jon Brayshaw and that this topic would have to go to public hearing. More drawing and plans were requested. Colegrove agreed to work with Monarca and meet on the property to discuss the issue. Proposed Subdivision Nancy Grenier requested a one-lot subdivision at the corner of Main Street and Cherry Hill Road. Grenier

is representing the estate of Walter Martancik. A letter from the town sanitarian was attached to the proposal. The motion was approved. Crescimano Property Matthew Crescimano is prepared to file the Mylars of his approved application on Route 66, and he provided hard copies to the commission for review. There was much discussion about signage, with no solution currently in place. According to Colegrove, all necessary permits are in the town’s offices.

Bailey Zettergren and her friends sold ornaments and bracelets at John Lyman School before the holidays to help raise money for cancer research. Bailey had just learned that her sister had leukemia (see story below). From left, Jayde Avery, Hannah Huddleston, Michaela Grenier and Bailey with some of the items they made. (Missing from photo: Maura Zettergren)

Submitted by Elizabeth Hadlock

The road to recovery: a sister’s view By Bailey Zettergren

On Wednesday night my dad told my sister Maura and I to sit down. He told us that my sister Brenna had cancer. We didn’t do anything. We were very scared. I didn’t sleep all night. My dad told me that the next day after school we could go see Brenna in the hospital. So after school we went to go see her in the Smilow Cancer Hospital. The walk up to her room was a long walk. By the time we got there we were tired already. Brenna looked like she was sleeping. She looked better than I thought. One hand had a hard bottom and on the top there were tubes that gave her medication. On the other hand there were lots of hospital bracelets. On her chest there was something called a port. A port is like a button connected to a tube that goes into a big vein in the heart. There was a bag with water and sugar attached to a tall metal walker. The doctor came in and tested her blood it was as thick as ketchup. When they were done, I carefully got in the bed and laid next to her. My mom and dad were not there because they were at a meeting with the doctor.

Birthday church on Main Street. “In this house there was a pump to get water and only one small light hanging down.” She said it was an old house at the time they moved in. Edith and Pat Congdon, her daughter, spoke about the delivery services in the 1940s and early 1950s. Edith laughed and said, “There was always someone ringing your door.” Pat went on to say, “There was a milk man, a meat man, and a fish man that came to your door to deliver their products. I remember we used to get those huge two and a half gallon tubs of ice cream delivered, like you see in Friendly’s.” Pat said, “Not only did we not lock the front door, but there was no key to lock it if we wanted to.” Pat continued: “Everyone who had a spare room took in a school teacher, and I shared my room with one when I was in kindergarten, in the 1940s. The teachers were straight out of teacher’s college in Springfield and the schools needed them. They became a part of people’s families. We all ate together and my mother did her laundry. It’s just the way it was.”

(Continued from page 7)

Pat and Edith also remembered the Apple Blossom Festival at Lyman Orchards. “One year it rained and we made all these lemon meringue pies, they went all over the place,” Edith explained, and Pat added that her Aunt Lois was the Apple Blossom Princess that year. They had all sorts of fun things to do but if they wanted to go shopping in downtown Middletown they had to drop off Warren at work in East Hartford at Pratt and Whitney, where he was an electrical foreman. “We would get the aunts and friends together and go into Middletown to Sears Roebuck, Woolworth’s and Penney’s, It was a big deal to go into town,” Pat said, “We had a great time.” All these stories and memories were graciously shared over a cup of tea and doughnuts on a chilly December afternoon. Another place for friends and family to share memories is at the upcoming 100th birthday celebration for Edith on Jan. 9, 2011 at 1 p.m. at the Middlefield Federated Church Fellowship Hall, those who know and love Edith (and they are legion!) are welcome to attend.

Town Briefs

Middlefield Government Calendar (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Community Center.) Monday, January 3 7 p.m. — Board of Selectmen Tuesday, January 4 7:30 p.m. — Midstate Planning, 100 DeKoven Dr., Middletown Wednesday, January 12 7:30 p.m. — Board of Education at Korn School 6:30 p.m. — Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday, January 18 7 p.m. — Conservation Commission 7 p.m. — Board of Selectmen Wednesday, January 19 7-10 p.m. — Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Agency 7 p.m. — Metacomet Regional Windfarm Committee Thursday, January 20 7 p.m. — Board of Finance 7 p.m. — DMIAAB

Durham Government Calendar (All meetings will be held at the Durham Library unless otherwise noted. Check the town Web page at www.townofdurhamct.org for updates.) Monday, January 3 7:30 p.m. — Clean Energy Task Force Tuesday, January 4 6:30 p.m. — Public Safety Committee 7 p.m. — Fire Trustees at the firehouse 7:30 p.m. — Midstate Planning, 100 DeKoven Dr., Middletown Wednesday, January 5 6:30 p.m. Ambulance Corps at headquarters, Main St. 7:30 p.m. — Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday, January 6 5 p.m. — Board of Selectmen budget meeting (note time change), second floor conference room, Town Hall 7 p.m. — Public Safety Facilities Renovation Committee at the firehouse Wednesday, January 12 7:30 p.m. — Board of Education at Korn School

Jan. Durham Rec offerings This session begins the week of Jan. 3, 2011. Registration is open now. Mondays, POWER YOGA w/Sue from 7-8 p.m. (eight weeks, $40) Tuesdays, ZUMBA® w/Shelly from 7-8 p.m. (8 weeks, $40) Wednesdays, YOGA Ball w/Sue from 7-8 p.m. (eight weeks, $40) Thursdays, ZUMBA® TONING w/Shelly from 7-8 p.m. (eight weeks, $60 includes toning sticks, must register by Dec. 14) Saturday mornings MultiLevel YOGA w/Sue from 8-9 a.m. (eight weeks, $40) Sunday mornings TBL class from 9-10 a.m. (seven weeks, $35) Questions regarding Yoga, call Sue at 203-214-0198; for Zumba®, call Shelly at 203464-2173.

Noon meals coming to DAC Senior and social service director Jan Muraca is pleased to announce that noon meals on Mondays and Wednesdays will be offered at the Durham Activity Center (DAC) starting on Monday, Jan. 10, at noon. Reservations must be made at least a day in advance by calling Muraca at 860-3493153. Suggested donation is $2 per meal, but nobody will be turned away for lack of payment. The meals will be provided by CRT, and menus are available at DAC. Volunteers are also needed on Mondays and Wednesdays to help serve the meals. “We are just delighted to begin to offer this service for our seniors,” said Muraca.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Unlawful deposit of snow, leaves and other debris The Durham Board of Selectmen would like to remind residents that it is unlawful to deposit snow, ice, leaves or other debris on public roadways or sidewalks. so as to impede or render unsafe any manner of use or travel upon said public town roads, streets or sidewalks. Any person violating this article shall be guilty of an infraction. This infraction shall result in a fine of $50 per offense. Residents are reminded to talk to their plow contracters and make sure that no snow is deposited onto the roadways.

Middlefield Senior Center Start the New Year right with a commitment to get your blood pressure checked at least twice a month at the Senior Center. We offer this free clinic twice a month on the first and third Wednesdays at 12:15. Also please feel free to discuss with the nurse any other health issues or questions you may have. In January we will have clinics on Jan. 5 and Jan. 19. We are also planning on offering cholesterol/blood glucose screening starting in February (watch for upcoming date in next issue). Exercise classes with Sue Shade are back! Exercise classes are offered on Mondays and Fridays at 7:45. Work off those extra holiday pounds! This will be a moderate work-out class. Gentle yoga is offered on Wednesdays at 7:45. This class is perfect for the beginner yoga stu-

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dent. Help align the spine and torso. Focus on breathing techniques and stress reduction. Both classes are free to Middlefield/Rockfall seniors. Non-residents and non-seniors will pay a $3 fee per class. Bring mats and water bottles. Classes will resume on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. Foot care is available on the third Wednesday of each month by appointment. The Connecticut Visiting Nurse provides this service which includes, soaking, clipping, massaging and assessment. The fee is $30. Appointments are available from 9 a.m.- 2:15 p.m. The next clinic will be Jan. 19. Please call the center for an appointment. Movie Madness on Wednesdays will start up again (food is the theme in January), starting on Jan. 12 with Eat, Pray,Love; Jan. 19, Food INC; and on Jan. 26, Mostly Martha. Movies start at 1 p.m., and popcorn and hot cocoa will be served. Movies descriptions and starring roles are posted at the Center. No reservation is necessary. No fee for the movies or refreshments. Free income tax assistance will be available every Tuesday from February to April. This income tax preparation service is provided by AARP. The IRS-trained counselor will help those 60 years and older with low or moderate income by appointment only. Please call the Senior Center once you have received all your documents and paperwork for filing. We will not take any appointments until you have all your paperwork. The knitting/crocheting group meets every Tuesday at 1 p.m. or Thursdays at 9:30. Bring your projects to work on or we have plenty of yarn and needles to get you started. Don’t knit? Just come for coffee and a biscotti and chat. Drop-in setback games are played every Tuesday at 1 p.m. All welcome. Bridge is played every Thursday and Friday at 12:45. No partner is necessary. This is also a drop in group. The Senior Cafe is all decorated for the winter with a beautiful snowflake theme (thanks to Marion Ely) and open for lunch. Enjoy a hot, delicious dinner every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at See Seniors, next page

Town Times Obituaries

Friday, December 31, 2010

Alberta F. Sakowich

Alberta Florence Sakowich, 86, of Yalesville, died Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010 at Apple Rehab Coccomo in Meriden surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Benjamin Sakowich. She was born in Colebrook, NH, on Feb. 16, 1924, a daughter of the late Roger A. and Abigail Shaw Dustin, and had been employed by MidState Medical Center as a nurseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aide and later in the housekeeping department. She enjoyed going to Stop & Shop every day. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law,

Anna and Steven Sobieski of Meriden; her son, Benjamin R. Sakowich of Middlefield; her two granddaughters, Stephanie Sobieski and her fiancĂŠ Michael Reed; and Ashley Sobieski and her boyfriend, Christopher Irzyk; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Michael; three brothers and three sisters. The family would like to thank Dr. Wein, Dr. Nadkarni, Wendy Homes A.P.R.N., and all of their staff, and a special thank you to the staff at Apple Rehab Coccomo for the loving care they gave their mother. Her family received relatives and friends in the Yalesville Funeral Home, 386 Main St. in the Yalesville section of Wallingford, Wednesday, Dec. 29, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services were held on Thursday at 9 a.m. from the funeral home and the funeral cortege proceeded to Our Lady of Fatima Church where a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Meriden; www.yalesvillefh.com.

Obituary rules If you would like an obituary printed in the Town Times, you must either submit it yourself with check or cash for $25, or ask your funeral home to submit it to us, in which case you will be billed by them, and they will send us $25. We made this change because we would like to be able to print those obituaries that readers want us to print, but not those that readers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want printed. The nominal $25 charge is a way for us to know that you want neighbors in our towns to know about a particular passing. Call Stephanie or Dee at 860-349-8000 for further information.

noon. Monthly menus are available at the center or just call us and we would be happy to send one to you. It is the best deal in town for a $2 donation. To reserve a lunch please call the center 24 hours prior. The Senior Center is located in the Community Center at 405 Main Street. We can be reached at 860-349-7121 or email at a_astle@middlefieldct.com. Come and warm up with a delicious meal and friendly conversation! Please remember to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lug a Mugâ&#x20AC;? every time you come to the Senior Center. Please bring a coffee mug/cup from

(Continued from page 10) home (one of your favorites maybe with a story to tell us) to use for your beverages. Help us to use less sytrofoam cups and help the earth! Center closings due to inclement weather will be posted on WFSB, WVIT and WTNH TV. Please watch those stations if you are unsure if the Center will be open. The closing announcement is only for senior center activies(lunch, bingo exercise, bus trips, etc). The office will be open for residents. Antoinette S. Astle, Middlefield senior and social services director

Jean (Callahan) Adams, 81, of Rockfall, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010 surrounded by her family at Middlesex Hospital. Born in Frankfort, NY, she was the daughter of the late John and Helen (Rauscher) Callahan. Jean received a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree from SUNY Potsdam and a Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree from the University of Hartford. She was a very well-known and respected music teacher in the Windsor School System and had the distinction of being invited with her choral groups to perform at several state music educatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conferences. She also shared her musical talents through di-

recting local theatre for many years. Jean was an excellent musician, and music was her life and her love. She is survived by two sons, Bill Adams and his wife Sue, of Terryville, and John Adams and his wife Donna, of Rockfall; two daughters, Christine Gerritt and her husband Reid, of Middletown, and Cynthia Sitler of East Hartford; two brothers, John â&#x20AC;&#x153;Larryâ&#x20AC;? Callahan and his wife Dolores, of Hudson, MA and James Callahan and his wife Betty, of Albany, NY; a sister, Mickey Tomajer and her husband Chuck, of Albany, NY; six cherished grandchildren, Matthew Sitler, Colin Gerritt, Erin Adams, Jaci Adams, Christian Adams and Lauren

Adams; o n e great grandchild, Kelly Sitler, and seve r a l nieces and nephews. F u neral services were held on Thursday, Dec. 23, at the Doolittle Funeral Home in Middletown with the Rev. Jamie Callahan officiating. Interment followed in the Middlefield Cemetery. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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Creative Arts

Friday, December 31, 2010

Town Times

Creative Arts

Looks good enough to eat, part I!

Creative Arts

All-Out Cupcakes By Evan Sliker “Yuck,” Tyler said while spitting out the orange frosted vanilla cupcake. It had been JR’s, also known as Ricky Bobby, birthday. The cupcakes were made by his mom for the team, although she wasn’t known for being the best baker around. Suddenly the first of many cupcakes was thrown. As a joke Tyler had thrown his spit out cupcake right at Taggart’s head and it had stuck in his hair. Grossed out and mad, Taggart took his hand and slowly scooped the cupcake, frosting included, and whipped it across the locker room, hitting Tyler’s bag that was now covered in orange frosting. At this point everyone was hysterically laughing at the residue on Taggart’s head and Tyler’s bag. Soon there were more and more cupcakes being thrown across the room. At one point, in between throwing, I looked over and noticed two of my friends, Smity and Julliono, were taking three at a time and sneaking behind people while smashing the entire cupcakes in their faces. At the same time I quickly realized that seventeen 13-yearolds can make a real big mess throwing around 50 cupcakes. Then, out of nowhere, our coach walked in. With “the look” on his face, he demanded that all of us scrape and clean the benches, walls, and floor until they were spotless. With no hesitation, we all scurried to work, making sure to “accidently” trip, fall, and throw one every now and again.

Thanks, everyone, for your fantastic food art pieces! “Cupcake Confection,” ceramic by Dina Canalia, Coginchaug High School

Looks good enough to eat, part II! Thanksgiving Food By Jayde Avery, Grade 4 I love food! It makes me feel good. Pie, corn, a BIG turkey as big as a whale and Mashed potatoes. Traveling to people’s houses. Spending time with family. Having a big white smile on your face. Looking at all the food on your plate Thinking how am I going to eat it all? Smells so good that my mouth waters like a dog! Looks so good, but tastes better! Good thing Thanksgiving is here!

“Banana Split,” ceramic by Stephanie White, CRHS

Friday, December 31, 2010

Creative Arts

Town Times

Creative Arts

Breakfast By Madeline DeFlippo, Grade 3 Bagels for breakfast, Egg bagels, plain bagels, Soft and squishy, Toast them in the toaster, Smells like burntness but My bagel is not burnt. Toasted bagels crunch, It feels hard, but not too hard. Cream cheese, Tasting cheesy, Great bagel, The delectable taste On my taste buds makes them dance, I want another!

The Food Catastrophe Andrew Sacco, Grade 3 Breakfast Eggs, bacon, pancakes, sausage Lunch PB and J, salad, lettuce Dinner Tacos, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes Dessert Cake, ice cream, cheesecake UGH! I think I ate too much! 3 —-2—-1 Boom!!!! I guess I ate too much!

“Fresh Fruit,” watercolor, Mary-Kathryn Lema, CRHS and University of Hartford graduate

“Where fruit comes from,” two photos by Jill Caturano of Durham

Friday, December 31, 2010

Town Times

Creative Arts

“Heirloom Tomatoes I,” oil painting by Terry Oakes-Bourret of Durham

Texas Hot Sauce Trick By Eric Solomon Vibrations and lights started to go off in my hands as I stood up and handed the small square machine to the waiter knowing our table was ready. My family and I strolled over to our table and sat down. I had a disappointed look on my face when I looked down at my plate to find that the waiter had put down a kid’s menu and a box of crayons. I wondered, “Do I really look that young?”

When it was my turn to put in my order, I asked for my favorite Applebee’s dinner — spareribs. The waiter came back several minutes later with all my tables’ meals. “Hey, Matt,” I said. “Pass me the barbeque sauce.” He grabbed a bottle and stretched over the table to deliver it to me. I popped open the top and poured the sauce all over my ribs with delight.

ORTHODONTICS

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Creating Beautiful Smiles!

www.Town Times.com www.TownTimes.com Stay in touch with Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall

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When I was satisfied with the amount of sauce I had put on, I tucked my napkin in the collar of shirt and prepared to feast. I tore off one of the ribs and took a bite. It was delicious, but slowly things were getting worse. It felt like someone stuck a stick of dynamite in my mouth and set it off. Sweat started to pour down my face. I grabbed my soda and chugged it down to nothing in the matter of seconds. I took a deep sigh of relief when the burning started again while my brother yelled “GOTCHA!” from across the table.

I was furious but at the same time embarrassed about the scene I had just put on. Other families were staring at me as I sank slowly in my seat. I picked up the bottle, and it read in bold letters: Texas Hot Sauce.

To advertise your business, call the

Town Times (860) 349-8026

Friday,December 31, 2010

Town Times

Creative Arts

Homemade Memories By Rachel Plant I look forward to this winter night all year. The crisp coldness outside makes a warm fire the only thing on your mind, besides the smell of cookie dough in the next room.

place them side by side to decorate. I sit there for a minute, tracing out the designs in my head. Finally I start after an, “It’s not life or death, just go!” comment from one of my brothers.

Every year around Christmas time, my brothers and I gather in the kitchen. With smiles on our faces and ideas in our heads, we are ready to work. My mom takes out the dough she made earlier, puts it on the flour-coated board, and rolls it out to a quarter inch blanket. We each grab a cutting board. As always I go first, the youngest gets the pick. I carefully choose the different shapes; ginger

When finished, I carefully look over my rainbow gingerbread boy and girl, pink Santa and blue pig. My mom puts them in the oven, and in minutes that seem like hours, they are done. Once my mom puts them on a plate, I rush to the table. I put one in my mouth; I hear “Now don’t burn your tongue!” I smile because all I taste is a warm sugar cookie, and homemade memories.

bread boy and girl, festive ornament, Christmas tree, Santa’s face, and a misplaced pig of unknown origin. After they are all cut out, I

By Nicole Bartolomeo, Grade 2 Ms. Novak found something kooky on the road. It looked like a brain. It had bumps and scribbles and dots. Ms. Novak saw a lot on the ground. Someone was with her. It was Mr. Gifford! Mr. Gifford and Ms. Novak picked up a couple. All together there were five. Then when she got to school, she showed us what they found. We looked on-line to figure out what it was. It was an osage orange. We cut it and then put in on the ELMO so we could all see it on the screen. (Do not think it’s the Elmo in Sesame Street.) The orange was green on the outside. It was sticky on the inside. It was fun learning about the osage orange.

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By Kerry Turecek, Grade 3 It’s dinner time, The best time! The creamy mashed potatoes look like a cloud, When I see the delicious mashed potatoes I scream so loud! The crunchy carrots taste so bad, If I have to eat one more, it will make me gag. My applesauce is about to drip, It’s going to make my milk slip. Now that dinner is all done, It’s time for me to have some fun.

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The Dinner Surprise!

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Friday, December 31, 2010

Town Times

Creative Arts

“Fruit Portrait” drawings by Emily Dell’Orfano of Middlefield, left, and Isabelle Haeberly of Durham, below. Both are fourth grade students at the Independent Day School (IDS) in Middlefield.

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Creative Arts

Blueberry Bond By Audrey Arcari Crazy, chaotic, and insane, that’s my family’s thanksgiving dinner. The meal begins with a gratifying turkey at the beginning of the banquet, followed by delicate pastries sprinkled with the lightest confectionary sugar. Just as you feel you’re about to explode, the meal is finished off with a voluptuous and memorable pie. However, “memorable” is not strong enough to describe this ancestral delicacy in the Arcari family.

The moment the thick warm pie is removed from the oven, something is triggered in everyone at the dinner. Without a word, people clear their plates and wobble over into the dining room with bloated stomachs. Scrambling for their designated seat, everyone unbuckles the last loop on their belt and prepares for the finale of the holiday. Grandma Evey strolls into the crowded room with the pie raised above her head as if it were a gift from the heavens. When I see heat seeping through the carefully poked holes on the top of the pastry, I lose my patience and agonize over the temping aroma wafting around the room. Shoulder to shoulder we all squeeze next to the table and take a bit of the buttery, crisp crust as our senses give in to the luxurious flavor of the sweet, juicy blueberries melted just enough to satisfy your soul. Every time I look around the table I know I am thankful for the family I see brought together by this love-bonding blueberry pie.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Creative Arts

Town Times

Creative Arts

Food Feast Surprise By Kenny Trawicki, Grade 4 Breakfast Time Sit down at the table, A feast in front of me Pancakes, Sausage, Bacon, Eggs, How am I going to eat it all? Lunch Time Sit down at the table, A feast in front of me Pizza, Sandwiches, Banana, Salad How am I going to eat it all? Dinner Time Sit down at the table, A feast in front of me Steak, Potatoes, Carrots, Ribs, How am I going to eat it all? Dessert time Sit down at the table, A feast in front of me Cupcakes, Cake, Cookies, Brownies I explode!!!!!!!!!

More “Fruit Portraits” from IDS fourth graders. At left, Alexandra Santiago’s portrait and above, Colin Kelly’s colorful effort.

Cucumber

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By Connor Doyle What more can I say So beautiful and fresh no matter the day On a salad or in a bowl this vegetable is sure to refresh you as a whole So moist, juicy, and crisp Every bite is a mouthful of bliss Other produce were never like this Such a flavorful treat which is so satisfying to eat How can anyone ignore It must have been fate Oh, how can anyone hate How can anyone not have ate This remarkably tasty masterpiece of a food So no matter the day and no matter which way The cucumber is always the one you’re going to say As you put the junk food away Hey! Let me get one of those!

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Friday, December 31, 2010

Town Times

Creative Arts

Creative Arts “Cake Collages” by Brewster School first graders Joshua Lesniak, far left, and Erin Donlon, near left.

Peanut Butter Passion

Town Times Service Directory 1185952

V.M.B. Custom Builders “No jobs too big or small” Mike Gerchy OWNER/BUILDER 1185951

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By Timothy Halverson, IDS, Grade 6 My heart broke like an eggshell Being cracked into a bowl When I couldn’t have a muffin Until I clean my dirty room. He said I had to clean it from the bottom to the top, All the dirty, stinky clothing and the dust that made me cough. But the peanut butter vapors, wafting straight into my nose the yummy chocolate chipness sent a shiver to my toes. The smell of all those muffins was like torture to my heart, like watching all your siblings tear open presents without you. I straightened out my bookshelf and I heard the timer beep the muffins were not ready my eyes began to water. But I did not give up hope for my room was almost clean no more clothes not in their places, no more books without a home my determination was endless, and I knew I would succeed. Finally finished with my cleaning I raced down the stairs I quickly snatched a muffin my reward for all my labor I wonder was it worth it? All that cleaning and the time My first bite into the warm, fluffy muffin sure eased my mind.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Creative Arts

Pizza Frustration

Town Times

Creative Arts

More “Cake Collages” from first graders, including Lauren Coughlin’s at right and Kelly Viski’s above.

Town Times Service Directory

By Katie Pareti A warm aroma seeps though me, making my stomach growl with hunger. As the piece separates from the pizza, strands of cheese ooze off. Walking towards the couch, the first delicious bite found i t s

CT ELECTRICAL SERVICES

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way i n t o my mouth. I sighed with satisfaction as the hot blob found its way down my throat. As I sat down, I immediately started digging in. To cool the burning heat of my throat, I put down my pizza and went for a cool drink. As I set down my pizza on the plate in my lap, I picked up my water and took a drink. I reached down for my pizza once again, but realized that there was nothing on my plate. Looking up confused, I see none other than little Max, my friend’s dog, waddling away with my pizza in his little mouth. I yell with aggravation and quickly scamper after him, hoping to get my pizza back.

Creative Arts

Central CT’s “Ultimate” 2500 square foot training facility featuring * 1 on 1 and group personal training * Athletic training and conditioning * Muscle Infusion BootCamps * 1 on 1 nutritional coaching

Friday, December 31, 2010

Town Times

Creative Arts

The Dinner Surprise! More “Good Enough to Eat” creations from Coginchaug High School students

By Kerry Turecek Grade 3 Lyman School It’s dinner time,The best time! The creamy mash potatoes look like a cloud, When I see the delicious mash potatoes I scream so loud! The crunchy carrotstaste so bad, If I have to eat one more,it will make me gag. My applesauce is about to drip, It’s going to make my milk slip. Now that dinner is all done, It’s time for me to have some fun.

Above, “Cupcake” in Sculpey and acrylic, by Brittany Lowry; near right, “Pineapple” in ceramic and tissue paper by Rachel Foley; and far right,“Cherry Pie,” ceramic trompe l’oeil (fool the eye), by Oliver Bouteiller.

Town Times Service Directory FOOD!!! Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Licensed • Insured

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For breakfast I had pancakes and bacon,

For snack I had a piece of cheese, I wouldn’t want to have a bowl of peas. For lunch I had peanut butter and fluff, Also some strawberries and a bunch of other stuff. I could really go for a bowl of Cheetos, But I’m not really a fan of Fritos. I really like hotdogs and steak,

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I never really like cherries, But I do like some other berries. A tray of cupcakes I do see, For dessert I’d like a brownie.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Creative Arts

Smoothies

After our gathering ended, we walked over to the cake, and saw one lonely piece just lying there. I guess it was better than it looked since it had been mostly devoured. That just goes to show you, never judge a cake by its crumble.

“Kiwi,” a graphic design etching by Nicole Godbout, a student at CRHS.

Town Times Service Directory

Tim Griswold

860-554-5219

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Creative Arts

Looking around at the table, I saw warm cookies, blonde brownies and many more. Our poor unstable cake could not compete with any of these desserts. When we placed the plate down and removed the cover, we expected no one to eat it due to its unsightly condition.

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Creative Arts

By Maria DeLuca tion, we were getting anxious to try our one-of-a-kind cake. We entered the building with smiling faces, and waltzed on over to the dessert table.

Its chocolate-coated side crumbled as soon as the knife came down to put yet another layer of delicious frosting onto it. I guess it would have been my fault, me being the one holding the knife. My friend Chloe just stared at the ugly little cake in amazement. Amy, always being helpful, attempted to fix it but only made it worse. Sam just stood there not knowing what was going on, but she laughed anyways. We put sprinkles on it, to take away from the failed structure. As a team, we put the double-layered, chocolatey rich cake ever so gently into the container. We placed it into the car and drove on, still laughing about this unforgettable memory. As we reached our destina-

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Creative Arts

Crumbling Chocolate Side

By Caitlyn Lowry The chopped up strawberries flew into the blender as banana slices followed behind. I paid close attention as I poured in a mixture of milk, ice cream, and vanilla. “Smoothies, smoothies!” Alicia, my 4fouryear-old sister, sang aloud as we grabbed the few remaining ingredients from the fridge. The scent of ripened strawberries loomed within my nose. Then it hit me… “One more ingredient and then it’ll be perfect!” I sprinted across the room to come to a complete halt, so I could slide on the newly mopped floor. “Yogurt, where’s the yogurt?” I thought as I glanced around the room. “I could’ve sworn I snatched it out of the fridge.” I mumbled to myself. I looked over my shoulder and froze. “Ally…what are you doing?” I said quietly trying not to startle her. “No yogurt! I want smoothies now!” Ally exclaimed as her tiny finger pressed the button. Without time to think, I grabbed my little brother and dove to the floor. In a matter of seconds, Ally had single handedly painted the entire room pink. I jumped to my feet and yanked the cord from the wall. I stood there drenched in a pink mixture that I had intended to consume. A large chunk of a banana slid down my nose as a freezing cold white mixture slowly oozed down my arm. I glared down at Ally as she looked up at me and said innocently, “Does this mean no smoothies?”

Town Times

Friday, December 31, 2010

Town Times

Creative Arts

Layered By Tyler McDonald The sharp, sweet aroma drifted up the stairwell. I followed the other footsteps down the stairs from the cool attic, and dashed around the corner to the kitchen. I stand among my brother and two friends as we vie for a fitting apron. Grabbing a suitable red and white plaid one, I hastily wrap it around my waist and step up to my cookie tray. It’s sitting among countless bowls and shakers of sprinkles, chips, and chocolate. The smell weaves its way into every nook and cranny, a warm, rich scent that can only mean one thing: caramel apples.

Left, Connor Thrall’s graphic design etching, “Corn.”

The tray is set down upon the counter, the apples glistening under their newlydonned coats of sweet, gooey caramel. I reach forward and grab one with eager fingers. Dropping it on my tray with a resounding smack, I reach for the cold handle of the spoon hanging out of the bowl in which creamy milk chocolate has been melted. I zealously scoop the warm goodness onto my apple; grasp its attached stick in my other hand as I twirl it in slow circles, methodically spreading the chocolate. I then spoon out the dark chocolate, swiping the back gently and flipping the spoon with the bulge facing up, drizzling the thin stream upon the apple’s surface. I repeat with white chocolate. I fum-

Town Times Service Directory

Residential Wiring Specialist Landscape Lighting Design • Install • Service 1156941

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ble for a shaker containing blue sugar. A slight dusting on the white chocolate, and I finish off my creation with carefully placed semisweet chocolate chips. A work of art.

Chosen By Nathaniel Weir The smell of the arena kept Pete from thinking straight. He and the others waited for what was inevitable. Unlike his nice, crowded, frigid home, this bright arena was warm and spacious. This change was probably some way to condition them before “the Guy,” as it was simply called, brought them up into the sky. Pete had no idea what lay in store for him: doom or delight, luxury or squalor. He hoped for the best. He looked around at the other “Chosen Ones.” All were anxious, but they were the same big, brawny type. Everyone was, as Pete’s father always said, ‘the cream of the crop.’ “Sure, you and your brothers were three peas in a pod, but you, you have something special!” Suddenly, a cry broke Pete’s train of thought. “It’s coming!” Pete looked up just in time to see four enormous pillars descend to the ground. Their sharp edges scraped the ground as they started sliding toward him. He stumbled, and one of them rammed right into him. It scooped him up into the air. Suddenly, he realized what was happening. He was being taken, and was off to wherever it was the Chosen Ones went! He turned his head, and immediately glee turned to dismay. He was headed for a dark cave lined with gigantic white boulders above and below. It seemed ready to smash closed at any second. The truth lay before him. Being chosen was not a good thing, nor was “the Guy.” Pete the Pea looked down at the green outlines of the lucky other peas, who, unlike him, were going to live for another day and meal.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Creative Arts

Town Times

Creative Arts

Love in Many Forms

Autumn in the Summer By Joseph Ertle

By Stephanie Mangiameli

fall, but it was the summer. I had tasted this jelly so many times, but soon it would be our own special concoction. After the familiar pop sound told us the jelly jar was sealed, we rested on the porch with a glass of cold cider each. After all, making jelly isn’t easy. To this day when I have a piece of toast with cider jelly, I smell fall, but I think of summer in the kitchen with my Grandma.

The delicious aroma filled my body as I ran into the kitchen. “Mom, are they done yet? I’ve been waiting for like an hour for them to be finished!” I shouted impatiently to my mother.

each Christmas for the whole family when they come over. Making brownies with my mom is one of the only bonding times we have with each

“No, Stephanie, first help me put some M&M’s on top of the brownies,” my mother stated as she placed a tray of them on the table. I rapidly grabbed a handful of M&M’s and urged them into the freshly baked, warm, soft chocolate-chip brownies as fast as I could.

other and it really means a lot to me to know that she enjoys making brownies just as much as I do. I set my fa-

See Forms, page 24

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We started creating smiley faces on the brownies with the candy, presenting different emotions on each one. My mom and I always decorate brownies before

1185605

I popped open the sealed Mason jar. The trapped cinnamon smell escaped and overwhelmed my nose. I hadn’t smelled anything this good since I put the mulled apple cider jelly in this very jar. Steam hung on the old windows so you couldn’t see the beautiful lake. The vapor that covered the room trickled out of the huge metal pot on the stove. My Grandma bustled around the kitchen and furiously stirred the contents of the great tub. I carefully measured out the gelling mixture, pectin. Cinnamon, cloves, and gelling powder lay spread out on the rickety table, but we were missing an ingredient. “Joseph, can you get the lemon?” my Grandma called out. Thankful for an excuse to open the fridge and absorb the cool air, I walked over and rummaged through the shelves. “Hey Grandma, where is it?” “The lemon is on the bottom shelf, left corner,” she replied. I continued my search but still, no luck. “Wait a second. We could use these!” my Grandma said as she held up the yellow box of lemonheads. I bent over the boiling pot and poured in the last “secret ingredient.” These lemonheads were the substitute for the missing sour fruit. The gooey mixture bubbled and frothed. The smell made me reminisce of

Creative Arts

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48 Main Street Middletown

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ort

lin Kil

KILLINGWORTH A grand Colonial home on a rural 2.1 acres at the end of a cul-de-sac adjoining Cockaponset State Forest. With the additional barn there are garages for at least 5 cars and a fine workshop. The home has 4 BR, 2.1 baths, a sunken FR w/FP, formal DR, office room, kitchen and breakfast area looking out onto the deck and pool. Offered below market at $479,900. Call Frank Guodace For details 860-301-7400

Visit us on the web at www.viewCThomes.com

From All of Us at

360 Main St., Durham 860-349-5300

Two Locations to Serve You Better Meriden 192 South Broad St. 203-440-0303

360 Main Street Durham, CT 06455 Phone: (860) 349-5300 Pamela Sawicki-Beaudoin Broker, Owner

Cell: (203) 623-9959

Lisa Golebiewski, ABR, GRI

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Experience makes the difference.

Durham 360 Main St. 860-349-5300

Experience Makes the Difference!

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Friday, December 31, 2010

Town Times

Strong School holiday luncheon enjoyed by staff

The hospitality committee of the Stong School parents’ group provided a lovely staff luncheon before the holidays. Joanne Badin hosted and brought beautiful decorations from home to provide a winter wonderland. All the members of the committee baked or cooked a most delicious lunch for the staff.

When the temperature drops below 20 degrees, Brewster students stay inside during recess. This week Mrs. Archer’s second grade boys came up with a creative way to spend their recess time. Check out the cool design that they created with their shape blocks. Pictured are Logan Willett, Cameron Neville, Ryan Frier, Michael Malek, John Vumback, Michael Andrews, Michael Garofalo and Nicholas Planeta. Photos submitted by Patti Checko

Holy Joe’s

Above, Joanne Badin and Anne Figoras setting out the meal; right, principal Scott Nicol getting ready to enjoy the feast; and below, Valerie Leeds, Ryan Donecker, Nancy Earls and Dr. McCarthy in the (background) at the festively set tables. Photos by Karen Kean

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every day.” The folks from Holy Joe’s Café are trying to get the word out about this unique program; much is donated, but checks help purchase coffee in bulk to be sent over to the troops. Anyone who wishes to donate can send either coffee or checks to First Congregational Church, 23 South Main St., Wallingford, CT 06492. The phone number for Holy Joe’s Café is 888-970-7994 or you can check out the website at www.holyjoescafe. org for more info.

Above, single cups are a treat in war zones. Below, coordinator Thomas Jastermsky flanked by two packers from Cooper Atkins in Middlefield.

Forms

(From page 23)

More goodies for the troops

vorite color M&M, red, on a brownie and my mom placed her favorite color, blue, on the same one. Then, we created a face with three eyes and no mouth. My mom laughed, picked up two glasses of milk, and sat down next to me. She gave me a plate full of delicious, hot, mouth-watering chocolate smiley faced brownies on the table in front of us. I guess neither one of us were in the mood to create a sad face. We observed as the blue and red M&M’s slowly melted together into a purple puddle from the warmth of the brownie. I knew this may just be the best brownie we had ever made together.

Each December, for the past 15 years, the Central Connecticut Aquatics Team (CCAT) has hosted its annual Swim for Hunger Meet at Wesleyan University in Middletown to collect food and hygiene items for food banks. This year, the CCAT team’s meet had a new focus: American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Swim for our Troops Invitational was held at Wesleyan University Dec. 17-19. Items were donated to The Shoreline Community Women’s Soldier Box Project, who will box the items into 20-pound packages per soldier, and mail to our troops. Many of these boxes will be distributed to Connecticut soldiers. Due to the generous donation of items, approximately 500-700 boxes will be sent to brighten the lives of our troops. Photo submitted by Heidi Hajna