Volume 19, Issue 35
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
Friday, December 9, 2011
‘O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...’
Photos by Sue VanDerzee
Excited volunteers gather around the carts and take counted and collected food to tables arranged around the gym. The Durham tree lighting on Dec. 3, above and left, was very well-attended this year. There was hot cocoa, cider and cookies, which went very fast. Dean Coutsouridis and the Brass Band played Christmas carols, and everyone sang along. Above left, Bob Dynia introduces his grandson Benjamin Morello to Santa for the first time. Left, Ethan helped Santa light the tree. Photos by Karen Kean
The Middlefield tree lighting, below and right, took place on Sunday, Dec. 4, and a fun time was had by all. At right, Tommy Koba helped Santa turn the golden key that lit up the tree on the town green. There was a momentary issue with the Christmas lights during the the tree lighting. But with a little effort from the crowd and a round of joyous singing — and laughter — all the lights on the beautiful tree eventually dazzled for the occasion.
Left, the Middlefield Women’s Club, who organizes the event each year, posed with Santa and Mrs. Claus who greeted children while families enjoyed snacks and crafts. Photos by Cheri Kelley
Community effort rounds up food and cash By Sue VanDerzee The sixth Community Round-Up (CRU), held last Saturday, Dec. 3, broke records again in spite of, or more likely because of, the sluggish economy. “People understand the need these days,” said an organizer. And Saturday morning, they responded. Over 450 local volunteers, from seven-year- Volunteer Bruce old students to senior Schmottlach. citizens, participated in a two-town-wide “scavenger hunt” for food and gift cards that netted 14,028 items of nonperishable food and home and personal care items and $2,450 in cash and gift cards. Eightyfour teams of local students, accompanied by volunteer drivers, reported to Coginchaug High School early in the morning, snacked on food provided by the Durham Women’s Club and were then sent off with maps of “their” sections of Durham and Middlefield. When teams finished their sections of the towns, they returned to Coginchaug where their cars were unloaded and their items counted and sorted by more volunteers. Food and other items were reserved for 21 local families and the Durham-Middlefield Youth and Family Services (DMYFS) nutrition project with the rest of the thousands of See CRU, page 16
Town Times Community Briefs
2
Chamber Choir concert
choirs from Portland, Middletown, Coginchaug, Mercy and Xavier high schools.
The Coginchaug Regional High School Chamber Choir will perform at the annual Evening of Harmony on Saturday, Dec. 10. This concert is sponsored by the Middletown Exchange Club and showcases the smaller select
The program will begin at 7 p.m. at Middletown High School, and tickets will be available at the door for a fee. Please join the choirs as they celebrate the season with this evening of joyful holiday music.
Submission reminder The Town Times welcomes submissions regarding upcoming events happening in the community (e-mail news@towntimes.com by Mondays at noon). We do our best to run submissions at least one time. However, due to space constraints, we cannot guarantee a submission will be published on a specific date. To ensure your submission runs exactly as you would like it to, contact our sales representative, Joy Boone, at 860-349-8026 or e-mail advertising@towntimes.com for a paid-for ad. Thank you.
Index of Advertisers To advertise in the Town Times, call Joy Boone at 860-349-8026 MICKEY FINN’S.......................................28 MIDDLEFIELD REMODELING................24 MIDDLESEX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .13 MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE...12 MIDDLESEX HEALTH CARE..................15 MIDDLESEX OB/GYN ...............................6 MILLER TREE FARM ..............................14 MIMS OIL .................................................13 MOVADO FARM ......................................24 NATUREWORKS.....................................15 NEIL JONES HOME IMPROVEMENTS..23 NEW ENGLAND DENTAL HEALTH SERV .20 PEACEFUL HEALING .............................11 PROFESSIONAL SECURITY SYS .........26 RANEY, JASON, DMD.............................10 REALTY ASSOCIATES ...........................27 RLI ELECTRIC .........................................23 ROB NEVINS PLAN.................................15 ROBLEE PLUMBING...............................22 ROCKFALL CO........................................26 RSDL HOME IMPROVEMENTS .............22 SINGLES ALTERNATIVE........................16 SISTERS CLEANING SERVICE .............22 SOUL SPACE ..........................................17 SUPERIOR STONE & FIREPLACE ........17 T-N-T HOME & LAWNCARE...................24 TAIL WAGGING.......................................23 THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE & BODYWORK..25 THOMPSON CANDY COMPANY ...........16 TILE RENOVATORS ...............................22 TORRISON STONE & GARDEN.............10 U.S.E.P.A....................................................6 UNCLE BOB’S FLOWER & GARDEN ......2 VMB CUSTOM BUILDERS......................26 WESLEYAN POTTERS ...........................10 WHITEHOUSE CONSTRUCTION ..........22 WILD WISTERIA......................................11 WILDWOOD LAWN CARE......................25 WINDOWS PLUS.....................................16
Core Club (350 Main St. in Durham) is an official dropoff center for Toys for Tots. They will be collecting toys from now until the end of December. The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience a joyful holiday season, play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources (our children), unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign and contribute to better communities in the future. For more information, please call 860-349-9100.
Catales fundraiser Catales, Inc. will be selling hot cider, hot chocolate and baked goods at Indian Brook Tree Farm (614 Bow Ln. in Middletown) on Dec. 10-11 and 17-18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info, call 860344-9043.
Holiday gift drive The Probate Court for the District of Middletown is holding its 17th annual holiday gift drive. The event is sponsored and coordinated by Judge Joseph D. Marino and the clerks of Middletown District Probate Court.
Poinsettias Fresh Flower Arrangements Centerpieces Delivery Available 1227061
ALL EARS HEARING AID SERV ............21 ALLAN’S TREE SERVICE .......................26 ANTHONY JACKS ...................................17 APEC ELECTRIC.....................................25 ASSISTED LIVING OF MERIDEN...........19 BATTERS BOX ........................................18 BERARDINO COMPANY REALTORS......3 BINGE BRUCE.........................................26 BOYLIN, DR. WILLIAM............................13 BRENDA’S MAIN STREET FEED...........13 CAHILL & SONS ......................................24 CARLTON INTERIORs............................16 CARMINE’S RESTAURANT......................3 CAROLYN ADAMS COUNTRY BARN....11 CONROY, JOHN, DMD ...........................15 COUNTRY LANDSCAPING ....................22 DAN TIEZZI & SONS BUILDERS............25 DEMARIA FAMILY FARM .......................14 DOC NUTRITION CENTER.....................21 DUMAS CHRISTMAS TREE FARM........14 DURHAM AUTO PARTS .........................23 DURHAM DENTAL ....................................6 DURHAM FAMILY EYECARE.................10 DURHAM KITCHEN.................................11 DURHAM MARKET ...................................7 DURHAM NATUROPATHIC HEALTH ......6 EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS/NORTH HAVE.16 FAMILY PEST CONTROL.......................25 FUEL & SERVICE....................................13 FUGGE DAVID M.....................................25 GLAZER DENTAL ASSOCIATES .............3 GRANT GROUNDSCAPES.....................24 GRISWOLD PLUMBING SERVICES..........23 HERZIG FAMILY TREE FARM ...............14 HOME WORKS........................................23 IANNIELLO PLUMBING...........................24 JAY LANDSCAPING................................26 KIM’S COTTAGE CONFECTIONS............3 LINO’S MARKET........................................5 LYMAN ORCHARDS .................................7 MAPLEWOOD FARM ..............................14 MASONICARE .........................................20 MICHELI UNISEX STYLING SALON ......13
Toys for Tots drop-off
Friday, December 9, 2011
The court will once again collect gifts for residents of five area health care facilities. Gift “wish lists” are provided to the court by the staff of the facilities for the residents who do not have any family. Anyone can stop by the court between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 94 Court St. in Middletown to pick up a “wish list” or call the court at 860-347-7424. The holiday gift drive will run through Friday, Dec. 16. The court serves the towns of Cromwell, Durham, Middlefield and Middletown.
Bone marrow registry Be The Match is a national organization which registers people to be bone marrow donors. They will be holding a donor registration drive at Korn School in Durham on Sunday, Dec. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. This drive is being held
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.
in honor of Brenna Zettergren, a four-year-old girl in Durham awaiting a bone marrow transplant. To join, you only need to be between the ages of 18 and 60, be willing to donate to any patient in need and meet the health guidelines. For more information or to make a monetary donation, visit bethematchfoundation.org/goto/t eambrenna.
Production to benefit Jill Riggles Memorial Fund Come join the Castle Craig Players as they present an original CCP production called An Old Fashioned Christmas. Follow our grandparents as they share their stories of Christmases past to their grandchildren through words and holiday songs, then join in on several holiday carols sung by all. Be sure to make your reservations soon as this is a very limited engagement. Performances are Dec. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse (59 West Main St. in Meriden). All proceeds will be donated to the Jill Riggles Memorial Fund in memory of our beloved musical director. Additional donations will be accepted. Call 203-6346922 or visit www.castlecraig.org for ticket prices and to make your reservations today!
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Friday, December 9, 2011
3
Town Times
What is the permanent record? Data collecting in RSD13 By Mark Dionne Special to the Town Times
skills within broad areas like reading and math. Teachers and administrators can research a tested ability, such as estimation, to see when improvements or regressions have been made on a student, classroom or year-to-year specific basis. Pearson Inform, like PowerSchool Portal, is run by a private business called Pearson School Systems. With headquarters in California, Pearson School System has been used by school systems across America and in Canada and England. Concerning the security of private information, Fielding says, “There’s several levels of safeguards in place,” beginning with parental passwords.
See Data, page 14
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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.
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“I hope you realize this will go down on your permanent record.” It’s a classic threat from an authority figure. The idea that a failure committed in the classroom could haunt you forever or mark you in the eyes of future teachers, colleges and employers is pretty frightening. But what is the permanent record? Parents who have been paying attention to the information coming home from schools or attended Board of Education (BOE) meetings have heard quite a bit lately about the benefits and requirements of data collection. Over the summer, Rich Fielding, RSD13’s director of information technology, sent a letter to parents announcing the opening of the PowerSchool Portal and the beginning of a program
called Pearson Inform. Parents at most schools have already started using the PowerSchool Portal for school information and cafeteria purchases. It is also becoming the digital file for grades, attendance, homework, news, contact information and demographic data. According to Fielding, the information is kept on district servers and most of it will be kept indefinitely. The letter to parents also announced the start of a program collecting “benchmark achievement data” called Pearson Inform. This database collects assessment data such as standardized test scores (the CMTs and CAPTs), early literacy evaluations called DIBELS and more. “This means that a teacher will now have immediate access to all kinds of data about their students before they even have their first class.” This data, according to Fielding, tracks specific
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Town Times & Places
4 FRIDAY
December 9 Holiday Concert The Middletown Symphonic Band (MSB), under the direction of conductor Marco Gaylord, will celebrate the joys of this most festive season with its 2011 winter holiday concert today at 7 p.m. at Westbrook High School (156 McVeagh Rd.) and on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m., at South Church (9 Pleasant St. in Middletown). Both concerts are free and open to the public. Call 860214-8609 or visit www.middletownsymphonicband.org. Durham Senior Holiday Lunch Come and join the Durham Senior Committee from noon to 2 p.m. at the Durham Activity Center. Lunch will be provided by our local restaurants. Join in on some holiday games and meet Santa. Holiday desserts are welcome. Bring a friend and join in on the holiday spirit. Snowflake Dance The 4 C’s Square Dance Club will hold their “Snowflake Dance” from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at Brewster School in Durham. The caller will be Bruce McCue and Sue Lucibello the cuer. For more information, please call 860349-8084 or 203-272-7463.
SATURDAY
December 10 Story Time at the Apple Barrel Lyman Orchards and Levi E. Coe Library present a story time with a craft at the Apple Barrel. Please feel free to call the Levi E. Coe Library to register at 860-349-3857 or join us at the Lyman Orchards Apple Barrel today. NYC Bus Trip A bus to New York City will leave the Durham Town Green at 8 a.m. today and will return at 10 p.m. Includes two stops: shopping and then dinner at Forlini’s Restaurant in Little Italy. Fee includes four-course dinner, unlimited beer and wine, tax and tip. Please contact Wendy at 860-539-7902 for fee info. Breakfast with Santa Cub Scouts Pack 27 invites you to Breakfast with Santa
from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at United Churches of Durham. Santa and Snow Pony Join Santa and Snow Pony at Five Star Performance Horses from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (280 Old Pent Rd. in North Guilford). Get a picture with Santa and Snow Pony. Coffee, hot cocoa and snacks are available. Everyone will be entered in a raffle for free riding lessons. For more info, please call 860-638-7421. Boys’ Rec Basketball Boys’ seventh and eighth grade basketball will start today. Boys in seventh grade will meet at Strong from 9 to 10:15 a.m., and boys in eighth grade will meet from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. for team placement. Please register at the Durham Town Hall. For more info, call 860-343-6724. Catales Fundraiser Catales, Inc. will be selling hot cider, hot chocolate and baked goods at Indian Brook Tree Farm (614 Bow Ln. in Middletown) on Dec. 10-11 and 17-18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info, call 860344-9043. Art Guild of Middletown There will be a holiday pot luck at 390 Main St. in Middlefield from 6-9 p.m. Bring a dish. For more information, please call 860-346-6546. Chamber Choir Concert The Coginchaug Regional High School Chamber Choir will perform at the annual Evening of Harmony at 7 p.m. at Middletown High School. Tickets will be available at the door. Please join the choirs as they celebrate the season with this evening of joyful holiday music.
SUNDAY
December 11
Christmas Concert The “Christmas Candlelight Concert,” featuring the Senior Choir, Celebration Singers and Heart in Hand Bell Choir of First Church of Christ, will be at 4 p.m. at the First Church of Christ (190 Court St. in Middletown). There will also be Christmas poems and singing of carols. Reception follows. The event is free, and donations will be accepted. For more info, call 860-346-6657. Holiday Concert The Middlesex Hospital Vocal Chords will present their 22nd annual holiday concert at 2 p.m. at Portland High School. Money raised from the concert is given back to the community in the form of scholarships for students pursuing a career in nursing or music. Discounts available for seniors and youth under 12. For more info and prices, call 860-3472787 or 860-342-3120 for tickets or go to www.vocalchords20.org. Family Holiday Brunch Santa Claus and his wife will host a special family holiday brunch at the historic Lyman Orchards Homestead today and Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children will have an opportunity to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and each child will receive a special treat from Santa. Brunch seating times on both Sundays are 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Pre-paid reservations are required. For reservations and prices, call 860-3496043 or register in person at the Apple Barrel market. Menu details and more info are available online at lymanorchards.com.
MONDAY Group Cycle For teens, Sundays at 11 a.m. and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. at Core Club. If you’re a first timer, please arrive to class 10 minutes early so that your instructor can make sure your bike is adjusted and give you the rundown. Whether your teenager needs to lose weight, get in shape or build strength, this class is the one. A 40-minute cycle class will burn 500-700 calories depending upon the individual. Call 860-349-9100 to reserve your spot.
December 12 Durham Senior Lunches Every Monday and Wednesday, hot lunches are available for seniors over 60 and their spouses at the Durham Activity Center (350 Main St.). Following the lunches on Mondays is game time, which includes billiards, Wii and cards. For pricing info and to make a reservation, call Amanda Astarita, senior café manager, at 860-349-3153. Middlefield Senior Lunches
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Middlefield Senior Café is serving lunch three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Reservations are required 24 hours prior, and the monthly menu can be picked up at the center, Town Hall, or on www.middlefieldct.org.
TUESDAY
December 13 Manufacturer’s Council The Manufacturer’s Council will meet from 8 to 9 a.m. at Cooper-Atkins Corporation (33 Reeds Gap Rd. in Middlefield). Call 860-3476924 for more info. A Night of Holiday Music From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at MidState Medical Center (Horwitz Conference Center, second floor), take a moment to relax from the hustle and bustle of the season. Enjoy some light refreshments and join MidState musicians for an evening of holiday music, provided courtesy of the Palladino Family Cancer Center. For more info, contact Pamela Cretella at 203-6948732 or pcretella@midstatemedical.org.
WEDNESDAY
A flu clinic has been scheduled for today at South Fire District Firehouse (445 Randolph Rd. in Middletown) from noon to 8 p.m. The vaccine will be given by injection only (flu mist is not being offered). Anyone three years of age or older and in good health is eligible to receive the vaccine. Insurance is not needed and residency not required. There is a limited supply of vaccine which will be given out on a first come, first served basis. Appointments are not needed. For more info, call 860-3443482 (Middletown). Senior Holiday Lunch The annual Christmas luncheon will be held at noon at the Middlefield Senior Center. Enjoy the warmth of the season with old friends and neighbors. The menu will include punch, cheese and crackers, a stuffed chicken dinner, dessert and coffee. Enjoy the sounds of the season following lunch with vocalist Karen Wagner. Reservations need to be made by Dec. 12, and space is limited. Please call Antoinette at 860349-7121 for more information or to reserve.
FRIDAY
December 14 December 16 Durham Senior Lunches Every Monday and Wednesday, hot lunches are available for seniors over 60 and their spouses at the Durham Activity Center (350 Main St.). Bingo starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. For pricing info and to make a reservation, call Amanda Astarita, senior café manager, at 860-349-3153. Middletown Flu Clinic A seasonal flu clinic is scheduled from 12 to 8 p.m. at South Fire District Firehouse in Middletown. The vaccine shots are free and will be administered on a first come, first served basis. Supplies are limited. Anyone over age two and in good health is encouraged to receive the vaccine. For more info, call 860-344-3482. Healing Eucharist Come to the Church of the Epiphany, Main Street in Durham, at 10 a.m. for the weekly Holy Eucharist with healing. Flu Clinics Scheduled
Tot Time The MOMS Club of Durham and Middlefield sponsors a weekly Tot Time every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Peckham Park, or, if it’s rainy, at the Middlefield Community Center. This open-age playgroup is available for all residents and their children of Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall. No RSVP is required. For more info, please contact Ann at momsdurhammiddlefield@yahoo.com. Bridge Night Come join in at the Durham Activity Center every Friday night at 6:30 p.m. for a fun night of bridge with great people. If you are not sure how to play, Jim will teach you. You may call Jim at 860-346-6611 with bridge questions. Call Durham Recreation at 860343-6724 with further ques-
See Calendar, next page
(Continued from page 4) tions. Living Nativity Today and tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m., the Middlefield Federated Church at (402 Main St.) will present a Living Nativity in celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus. Walk along side Mary and Joseph as they step through this historic birth story. Let live actors, real animals and drama set the tone for your Christmas celebration this year! The entry fee will be a humble can of beans to support our ongoing mission commitment to the Amazing Grace Food Pantry. Everyone is invited! Advent Service You are invited to share in a quiet, contemplative candlelight service of prayers, Scripture and music at Emmanuel Episcopal Church
5
Town Times
(50 Emmanuel Church Rd. in Killingworth) at 6 p.m. The service will be a time for people to acknowledge their common sadness and loss. Refreshments will be served following the service. For further information contact Cheryl Czuba at cherylczuba@comcast.net .
Calendar
Holiday Gift Drive The Probate Court for the District of Middletown is holding its 17th annual holiday gift drive. The Court will once again collect gifts for residents of five area health care facilities. Gift “wish lists” are provided to the court by the staff of the facilities for the residents who do not have any family. Anyone can stop by the court between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 94 Court St. in Middletown to pick up a “wish list” or call the court at 860-347-7424. Today is the last day.
Durham and Middlefield impacted by state redistricting The results from the state’s redistricting are in, and things will indeed be changing for the residents of Durham and Middlefield. According to www.cga.ct.gov/red2011, Middlefield will be part of the 82nd House District together with a section of the city of Meriden, and Durham will be broken up into two house districts. Part of Durham will be joined with the town of Madison in District 101, and the other will be grouped with the towns of Wallingford, North Branford and Guilford in District 86. A statement from State Representative Matthew Lesser (D-100) regarding the changes in redistricting the 100th Assembly District was received by Town Times: “It’s wrenching to see the district split. I love serving the people of Durham, Middlefield, Rockfall and Middletown, and I will continue to represent all of my current constituents until January 2013. These are some of the finest towns anywhere, and I will treasure the relationships I have developed for years to come.” Durham First Selectman Laura Francis, reacting to the redistricting, said: “I am disappointed for several reasons. First, this is going to be an administrative and costly burden for the town of Durham when it comes to elections. Depending on how the maps overlay, we will be printing perhaps three, four or more ballots. Also, an increase in polling districts will result in extra poll workers and perhaps an additional polling place. All this is yet to be determined. I am also disappointed that we won’t be in any district with the town of Middlefield. Because we share so much together, it would have been helpful to have common legislators representing our interests. From a political point of view, I believe it will be difficult for either party to field a local candidate in any district since our plurality is so small. This is unfortunate because we have had Durham residents serve admirably in the state legislature. The only hope I have left is that we end up in a single congressional district. Senate districts will see less change. Middlefield will stay in District 13 (currently represented by Len Suzio, R-13) with Cheshire, Meriden and part of Middletown. Durham, however, will be split, with part staying in the current District 12 (represented by Ed Meyer, D12) and part moving to Senate District 34 with Wallingford, East Haven and North Haven. (Cheri Kelley)
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Dear Customers, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your loyalty throughout the years. I wish you all a safe, joyful, and happy holiday season - patience is the key. I look forward to doing business with you in the New Year. Thanks again for making Lino’s what it is today. Without your support we would not be here. Thanks again for your patronage Lino, Family & Staff
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Friday, December 9, 2011
Gift Certificates Gift Baskets Fruit Baskets Pasta Baskets Fresh Bread From Mozzicato Di Pasquale and Arthur Ave. Bakery
ITALIAN GROCERY Italian Panettone...2 lb. box .. $4.99 ea. Almond Paste........................ $5.49 lb. Sesame Seed ........................ $1.89 lb. Fresh, Local JUMBO White Eggs ............. $2.29 dz.
1% Guida’s Lowfat Milk $2.99 gal.
NO TIME TO SHOP? SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER ~ Give a Lino’s GIFT CARD ~ Not responsible for typographical errors. Prices may be subject to change.
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Public Notice The United States Environmental Protection Agency announces an Explanation of Significant Differences to the remedy for the Durham Meadows Superfund Site in Durham, Connecticut.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Town Times
Boston - The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today an Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) to the remedy for the Durham Meadows Superfund site in Durham, Connecticut. The purpose of the ESD is to make changes specific to the remedy for the Merriam Manufacturing Company Study Area (MMC Study Area) portion of the site. No changes are being made to any other portions of the Durham Meadows site. As outlined in the Record of Decision (ROD), signed by the EPA in September 2005, the selected remedy for the MMC Study Area portion of the Durham Meadows Superfund site included: • Soil excavation and off-site disposal, in conjunction with soil vapor extraction, to address risks to human health from contamination in soil and soil vapor. • Institutional controls, primarily in the form of Environmental Land Use Restrictions (ELURs) as defined in the Connecticut Remediation Standard Regulations, and/or by local ordinance, to prevent unrestricted future use of the site and of contaminated groundwater. Soil excavation and off-site disposal is currently ongoing at the MMC Study Area. Based on soil investigations conducted after the ROD was signed, EPA and the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) determined that more soil requires excavation at the site, and that the soil vapor extraction component of the remedy is unlikely to be costeffective. The amount of soil requiring excavation has increased from 4,800 to 32,600 cubic yards, and the current cost estimate for the MMC Study Area remedy has increased from $2.2 million to a range of approximately $6 to 8 million. While the cost of the remedy has increased, the time needed to implement the remedy has decreased from over seven years to less than two years. The remedy will still address current and future residential risk by excavating and removing soil that exceeds risk-based goals and/or Connecticut criteria for soil cleanup. Soil investigation results also indicated that the excavation will impact approximately 14,000 square feet of wetlands located at the extreme east of the MMC Study Area. EPA and CT DEEP also determined that modifications were necessary for the original environmental land use restrictions and the planned operation and maintenance requirements outlined in the ROD.
By Cheri Kelley Town Times The topic of discussion ... again ... at the Middlefield Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting on Dec. 5 after the annual town meeting was Power Ridge. Three things were addressed during a property update. The first was that the bond anticipation note was to be executed on Tuesday, Dec. 6. First Selectman John Brayshaw said that it will be a nine-month program that goes through September 2012 at a 1.75 percent interest rate. The second item of note was that Brayshaw reported on a meeting with the town attorney following the last BOS meeting, and the attorney said the there is no longer an agreement to work with because Alpine Ridge LLC pulled out. So the question of working off of that contract with new potential buyers is not possible. The third area of interest
is the lack of security at the Powder Ridge property. The Middlefield building official went up to the property and noted that more needs to be done. Brayshaw said, “It is unsafe as it is now.” There are going to be “Danger” and “Keep Out” signs put up, as well as a fence around the restaurant building and pool. They also need to protect the buildings from more weather damage using tarps and possibly boarding up the windows. Lucy Petrella asked what role the Public Works Department would play in the work at Powder Ridge, and Brayshaw said, “Normally they would play a bigger part, but because there are still two to four more weeks of work for the brush pick-up related to the October storm, it puts them rather far behind in the normal winter weather preparations.” He is not sure the town crew will be able to help with this process. They have 30 days
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The ESD for the MMC Study Area has four major components: • A decision that the soil vapor extraction component of the remedy will not be implemented, and that the volume of soil requiring excavation and off-site disposal will increase, as will the cost of the soil excavation and disposal; • Identification of wetlands that will be impacted by the increased lateral extent of the soil excavation, and restoration of these wetlands; • Changes to institutional control provisions; and • Changes to the environmental monitoring program to remove soil vapor and groundwater monitoring, and to add inspection of restored wetlands and monitoring and enforcement of institutional controls.
Alpine contract will not suffice for new potential buyers
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The annual town meeting took place before the regular BOS meeting, but the meeting was postponed until all the reports from various town commissions are obtained. They are planning for a three-fold meeting on Feb. 6, 2012, to resume the annual town meeting, at which time the new regional Coucil of Governments issues will be ratified, and the DMIAAB final draft will be ready.
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For more information on the ESD, please contact Anni Loughlin, EPA Project Manager, at 617-918-1273, or by e-mail at loughlin.anni@epa.gov
Another topic discussed was brought up by Selectman Dave Burgess while campaigning with Lucy Petrella. He said that many residents’ biggest concern was speeding and the safety of their children. He came to the meeting with a list of roads of highest concern. Main Street, Cherry Hill Road, Powder Hill Road, Woodland Heights, Peters Lane, Baileyville Road and Mack Road were named as roads that might benefit from having more police presence during peak travel hours. Selectman Ed Bailey suggested the town investigate a speed-detecting device that attaches to telephone poles to visually alert folks to their speed.
DONALD E. MILLER, M.D. KENNETH L. ECKHART, M.D. ROBERT A. YORDAN, M.D. FRED S. SIEGEL, M.D. SALLY J. IRONS, M.D. JESSICA T. WEI, M.D.
The ESD and its supporting documents are available for review in the information repository at the Durham Public Library at 7 Maple Avenue in Durham, Connecticut. The ESD is also available for review by appointment at EPA’s Records Center at 5 Post Office Square in Boston, Massachusetts, by calling 617918-1440. The ESD is currently available for review on EPA’s web page at: www.epa.gov/ne/superfund/sites/durham
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Friday, December 9, 2011
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Town Times
Warming hearts matters the most at DMYFS By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times Jane Moen, program director at Durham-Middlefield Youth and Family Services (DMYFS), is presenting a new mitten program that she hopes will warm hands, and more importantly, warm hearts. “The hope is that everyone will have a warm heart by either making mittens, donating supplies or receiving mittens,” explains Moen. “Warm hearts for all is a wonderful gift in the long winters of Durham and Middlefield!” Years ago, Moen and her family moved all the way across the country to Middlesex County, CT. Unlike other children, her then-third grade daughter was unhappy during that period. It wasn’t until years later that she was diagnosed with autism, and that’s when the family realized that a move across the country was a monumental change and the reason for her sadness. Looking back, Moen says, it was the little things that got them through. Moen recalls that, one day during those difficult times, her daughter came home with a pair of mittens from the school nurse. An elderly woman in town had given a few pairs of hand-sewn mittens to the school nurse to give to children who needed them. “She was so happy with the blue and purple striped mittens,” says Moen. “They were cozy, soft, homemade, and she appreciated
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made her day.” Moen’s daughter is now 17 and still talks about those
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and supplies can be dropped off or picked up anytime. All collection sites are open during regular business hours. “You don’t have to shop; people can just donate what they have for mittens,” said Moen. “You should not have to spend money.” At the end of the project, the finished mittens will be turned into the schools and preschools in our towns where “all mittens will warm the hearts and hands of local children,” says Moen. The children will receive mittens anonymously, which Moen thinks is special because the project is anonymous from the start. In other words, a person who wants to sew a pair of mittens can stop by the collection site and gather the materials from an anonymous person who donated the supplies from their own home. It’s a nice cycle of giving, and Moen notes, “Kindness that See Warm hearts, page 14
Celebrate
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SHIP APPLES, GIFT BASKETS,
Carlie Annechino and Larissa Cade holding pairs of mittens already collected for the Warm Hands, Warm Hearts project. Photo by Sue VanDerzee
mittens. The touching story inspired the project Moen is naming “Warm Hands...Warm Hearts Community Mitten Collection” that will take place from Dec. 12, 2011, to Feb. 13, 2012. The idea of the project is that, when you’re giving, it doesn’t have to be big. It could be just a pair of mittens. Moen points out that anyone of any age can be part of the project, and it is designed so that there are several ways people can participate. Some people will make handmade mittens (knitted, felted or sewn), and some will donate the mitten supplies (yarn, polar fleece, wool sweaters or wool fabric). Collection sites for mittens or supplies will be DurhamMiddlefield Youth and Family Services (405 Main St. in Middlefield), Levi E. Coe Library in Middlefield and Durham Public Library. Free patterns for knitting, sewing or felting mittens will be available at both libraries,
Merry Christmas from all of us at The Durham Market
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Town Times Opinions
8
Friday, December 9, 2011
Celebrating the holiday from the heart By Cheri Kelley Town Times
Town Times 488 Main St., P.O. Box 265, Middlefield, CT 06455 http://www.towntimes.com News Advertising Fax Marketplace
(860) (860) (860) (877)
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Town Times is published every Friday by the Record-Journal Publishing Co. and delivered to all homes and businesses in Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall. Stephanie Wilcox, Editor Cheri Kelley, Reporter Kimberley E. Boath, Advertising Manager Joy Boone, Advertising Sales Michelle P. Carter, Office Manager Contributors: Diana Carr, Trish Dynia, Elisabeth Kennedy, Karen Kean, Judy Moeckel, Mark Dionne and Sue VanDerzee.
Letters to the Editor Thanks for the support As the holiday season approaches and we all take the time to reflect on the past year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported my campaign for Durham First Selectman, whether in time, talent, guidance or vote. Wishing all residents of Durham and their families a very happy, healthy holiday season and New Year. Roger Kleeman, Durham
Storm support appreciated Thank you to everybody who helped Durham’s Kitchen out during the period of power outages in August and October. Special thanks to Alpine Environmental Services that provided me with a generator to
serve hot meals and coffee to our customers. Matt and Carmila Lockwood, Durham Kitchen’s family
POPS clothing drive a success Wow! I am so thankful for the generosity of the wonderful people in our community! On behalf of POPS (Parents of Performers), I would like to thank everyone who came out to support our semi-annual clothing drive. You did not forget us even with the snow and power outages. The CRHS Music Department touches so many of our families throughout the year, and I am happy we can show them our gratitude by giving our support. Thanks again! Look for us in the spring; happy holidays! Lori St. Amand, President of POPS
This year is a great year to really try to enjoy the holiday season and the gaiety and delight that it can bring. For some, December is a month of racking up credit card debt and worrying all through January and February what horrors one might find when emptying the mailbox each day. There are many non-expensive — and fabulous — ways that one can create a magical Christmas from the heart. The idea is to bring everything back to more traditional and thoughtful gifts that are beautiful and sentimental. This will give us more time to spend with our families and not in packed malls, loaded with caffeine and jammed like sardines in big box stores with cranky, tired shoppers everywhere you look. Are you on board? Then keep reading. I am not saying that you should give up shopping, but some of the things on your list might be created at home. As a crafty person myself, I love making things for my family. Throughout the process, whether I am painting a primitive wooden sign or whipping up baked goods for a holiday basket, I put love into the action of creating. Every step of the way, I put a bit of myself into the gift, and it is exciting to see people unwrap those efforts with a smile. When we were kids, my sisters and I made little presents for our parents and grandparents with the help of our maternal grandmother. It was a tradition, one that I continue to this day with my sons. Once kids figure out that there are gifts being exchanged, say around the age of two-and-a-half or so, they
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.
want in on the gift-giving as well, which is great because this teaches them the joy of giving and receiving. Last year, we made cinnamon dough ornaments and garland for the aunties and grandparents. It is a very simple dough made out of ground cinnamon, applesauce and the traditional white school glue. Mix the ingredients together, then roll the dough out just like regular cookie dough, using more cinnamon to dust the surface and cookie cutters instead of flour. Once the “cookies” are cut out, use a tooth pick to make a big enough hole for a ribbon or twine to fit through. The dough takes a few days to dry, and then they can be strung on the colorful ribbons or rustic twine for all sorts of different looks. We added tiny jingle bells to our ornaments to add a little whimsy, and they were a big hit. The kids unwrapped them and hung them on the tree this year, and they smell delicious. I honestly loved making these myself and made more after the kids lost interest — it is a great gift idea whether you have kids or not. I have to restrain myself from putting on Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving, and this is always an inner struggle, let me tell you. But now all bets are off, and jingle bells are rocking all over my house. The boys and I will be baking up a storm throughout the next few weeks. Baking with kids can be extraordinarily messy, but it is so worth it. They remember year after year just exactly what you did, down to the raisin buttons on Grandma’s cookie tray. The smells of home-baked gingerbread boys can not be recreated, period. Even the best, most luxurious scented candles are no match for the warmth of the molasses, brown sugar and ginger perfection that spreads from the oven and permeates the home when baking. The excitement of a five-year-old when they see the stand mixer on the kitchen table is amazing and
contagious. With all the “Waits!” and “Don’t touch that, it’s hots!” there are memories being made. I have a cookie cutter addiction. It’s a problem, I know, but having just the right shaped cookie for every occasion is so worth the hunt and the amount of space the cutters take up in my small pantry closet. Especially when you hear, “Yes! I’m going to use the gnome cookie cutter first. Then the Kermit the Frog one.” Because what says Christmas more than gnomes and Kermies, I ask you? Really the spirit of Christmas is seen in the pure bliss behind the big brown eyes of the child who is claiming first dibs on what he has made into his own tradition. Another way that we celebrate the season is through reading winter- and holidaythemed books. I keep these books in a basket separate from the other shelves and shelves of books so that they are easily found. I have seen loads of other families do this throughout the year based on the season or upcoming holiday. Doing so makes it a very simple process to grab the basket and go find a cozy spot to read and have a quiet moment during a time that can be very hurried and full of commotion. Whatever way that you celebrate this season, make sure to take the time to enjoy it and all those with whom you are making merriment.
Web Update This week, we asked our online readers, “Does a light-up snowman on the town green bring you holiday cheer?” By press time, 34 people responded. Here are the results: 71 % Yes - bring on the cheer 29 % No - it annoys me Be sure to vote in our next poll at www.towntimes.com!
Town Times Columns
Friday, December 9, 2011
Paws Place: Gerry Hi, I’m Gerry! I am about 10 months old as of Aug. 5, 2011. A woman wanted to put me to sleep when she found out I have leukemia, and Catales saved my life! I am a very good cat and love attention. I love to sit on your lap and be petted. I am very affectionate! I sometimes will bully the other cats at Catales, so I’d like to be the only cat in a forever home. I need to be fed goodquality food and be kept indoors where I am safe. I would be great with children. I’m not sure how I’d be with a dog, but I am very laid back so I bet I’d get used to him or her. I still have many years to live and would love to have a forever home and for someone to love me. If you are interested in adopting this cat, please call Catales, Inc. at 860-344-9043 or e-mail info@catales.org.
Breaking Dawn Part I One of my favorite Tanya lines from Gone With the Wind is not spoken by Rhett Butler or Scarlett O’Hara but by her mouthy maid Prissy. “I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout birthin’ babies.” Apparently, Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight series, knows just as little about birthing babies. Taken one step further, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are no Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. Still, whether you’re a fan or not, Edward and Bella have left their legacy as one of cinema’s most memorable couples. In Breaking Dawn Part I, Twilight fans get to watch milestone after milestone flash across the screen: a romantic garden wedding that rivals A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the much-anticipated consummation of the marriage bed (toned down to PG13), a lightning-fast pregnancy ripe with disgusting food cravings, and an all-too outrageous birth. As a physician who has delivered 60 babies over the course of her career, I have to say I was grinning, bordering giggles, throughout the labor scene. Epidurals and medications are a luxury to the modern woman (a luxury I am lucky to have partaken in), but women have been delivering au natural for thousands of years. It is when a complication arises that a bit of obstetrical knowledge can save a life. Imagine a C-section without anesthesia. Without going into details, the pain would be excruciating, the bleeding excessive and shock a near inevitability with risk of death. Now imagine a C-section where, instead of a scalpel, teeth are used to tear into the flesh and eat apart the umbilical cord. It is laugh-
able and a potential gore-fest, though Breaking Dawn tries to dull it down by flickering through brief images that allude to this cannibalistic horror. This stylistic approach has been so sickening in fact that people have reportedly had seizures from the flashing lights. Talk about making a spectacle! Then again, perhaps I should cut Meyer some slack for her vision. After all, human-vampire babies remain a bit of an enigma. That is not to say that Breaking Dawn is a bad film. It’s actually quite entertaining and homey as you reunite with Meyer’s familiar and deeply flawed characters. Anyone who is going to criticize Edward, Bella or Jacob for their non-traditional relationship should have stopped watching the series three films ago. It is the melodrama of the classic love triangle that tantalizes the audience, though the freakish imprinting twist in Breaking Dawn is one that may make some do a double take. It is that innate sense of humor that ices the (wedding) cake. In particular, the toasts at the wedding reception are a hoot. Twilight always shines strongest when it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Unfortunately, Breaking Dawn loses its humor in the last 40 minutes, though it still remains a guilty pleasure. My rating: 3 stethoscopes Editorial: Dr. Tanya Feke is a physician at Middlesex Hospital Primary Care - Durham and guest columnist for the Town Times. She was press credentialed to the LA Film Festival in 2009 and 2010 and continues to pursue a love of film. Her reviews are rated on a five stethoscope scale.
Feke
Diagnosis: Movies
9
School connectedness: student recognition and promoting good choices nities provided by Over the past two Scott D. Sadinsky, Strong their teachers that months, I have had the they are quite reMiddle School principal opportunity to have sourceful in their aplunch with students proach to time manfrom each of our acaagement, task compledemic teams on two tion and creativity. separate occasions. Of course, as we During these lunch gatherings, I have been able to gather continue to work with our students to valuable information specific to the promote the five core values, et al, we perspectives our students have relat- must work together regarding intered to their daily experiences at Strong. net/technology safety. As technologiAmong the many positive comments cal enhancements allow all of us easiare the following: “My teachers really er and faster connectivity via social care about me and all of my class- network sites, texting and instant mates.” “My teachers are so willing to messaging to name a few, our need for provide help.” “Strong is a good learn- enhanced vigilance and oversight reing environment.” “I like my teach- lated to our students’ behavior has exers, and they like me.” It is refreshing panded. What is our role as parents to hear such comments and to know and educators? How can we promote that what I have observed in my brief our Core Ethical Values while also altime at Strong is what our students lowing for freedom to be resourceful and creative in this ever-changing also experience on a daily basis. Among the many reasons for the world of technology? Here are some monthly lunch groups, one of the suggestions: • Encourage your students/chilmore important is engaging students and further enhancing their connec- dren not to distribute their cell phone tion to school. “School connectedness number, screen name or to “friend” refers to an academic environment in others they do not know. • Take time to review your stuwhich students believe that adults in the school care about their learning dents’/children’s social network site and about them as individuals” (A profiles and related information. • Familiarize yourself with the webCase for School Connectedness, Educational Leadership, 2005). What we sites your children/students visit. • Promote an open dialogue with know is that student engagement and success is related to their comfort and your students/children so that, in the knowledge that they are visible, cared event a problem or concern arises, for and respected. To further support they will feel comfortable communithis goal, this year we have begun a cating and working through it with new initiative entitled “Noteworthy you. Effective communication is an esSpartans.” Strong staff members each have the opportunity to recognize stu- sential component of any successful dents for the many outstanding things relationship. To that end, the commuthey do on a daily basis. Students are nication we have with our students, presented with a “Spartan Note” — a specific to their making good choices copy to be brought home with the orig- with the use of technology, is parainal posted on the bulletin board in mount. More information on this and our front hallway. As I write this, over related topics can be found at 90 students have been recognized www.safekids.com. Recently, stusince the beginning of October. The dents from Coginchaug’s EDGE group following are some of the reasons for (Excellent Decisions Guiding Everyrecognition: improved effort; offering day) visited Strong to present a proassistance to a classmate; and exhibit- gram on Internet safety. The presentaing one or more of the Core Ethical tion was comprehensive and provided our students with an opportunity for Values. The five Core Ethical Values of Re- their peers (albeit a few years older) to spect, Responsibility, Honesty, Kind- share via stories, video and role play ness and Courage play an integral role means by which they can protect in our daily practices here at Strong themselves with the use of technoloand throughout our school district. gy. Throughout my years in education, I As we continue to enhance learnhave also worked to support one addi- ing opportunities for our students, tional “R,” that being Resourceful. It we will remain mindful of building is quite evident as we see our students connections and working with our (your children) as they approach the students regarding the choices they myriad of tasks and learning opportu- make.
A View From RSD13
Middlefield Town Briefs
10
Middlefield Government Calendar (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Community Center.) Wednesday, December 14 6:30 p.m. — Planning and Zoning Commission 7 p.m. — Water Pollution Control Authority 7-10 p.m. — Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Agency 7:30 p.m. — Board of Ed at Lyman School Thursday, December 15 7 p.m. — DMIAAB at the Durham Library
Holiday craft party Come to the third annual
holiday craft party where your kids can make decorations, enjoy some hot cocoa or cider and decorate cookies!
New Parks and Rec programs in the new year Indoor Soccer This will be
Tuesday
nights starting in January and finishing in March. The program will be eight weeks long and meet at Memorial School at 6 p.m. for the little guys and 7 p.m. for the older kids. We are happy to once again have head coach Geoff Wheeler from Wesleyan University running the program. This is a great way to introduce your child to the sport or keep skills sharp during the winter months! Go to www.middlefieldparkandrecretion.com for
more info! Adult Dodgeball Dodgeball will run on Wednesday nights this winter at Brewster School in Durham. The program will start at 6:30 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. or whenever we all pass out, whichever comes first! Program is open to all 21 and over. Great way to relieve some stress and get a little cardio workout in!
Bus trips for residents
Merry Christmas 1226102
From
The event will be held on Saturday morning, Dec. 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Middlefield Community Center. The program is free and open to everyone in Middlefield, Rockfall and Durham. Hope to see you there!
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Durham/Middlefield bus schedule is available to view on our website at www.towntimes.com. To make a reservation, please call 860-347-3313. The price for one way is $1.50 ($3 round-trip), and this covers transportation only. Admission prices are noted with teach trip. Please have exact change. The driver will not be able to make change. We ask that you refrain from tipping the driver and do not request a change in planned destinations.
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Friday, December 9, 2011
Durham Town Briefs
11
Come to church! Durham During the hustle and bus- Library tle of the season, let’s remember what this season is all story times
Durham Government Calendar (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Durham Library. Check the town website at www.townofdurhamct.org for updates.) Monday, December 12 9 a.m. — Public Works Building Oversight Committee at Town Hall 7 p.m. — Board of Selectmen at Town Hall third floor meeting room 7:30 p.m. — Inland Wetlands Tuesday, December 13 7:30 p.m. — Library Board of Trustees 7:30 p.m. — Conservation Commission 8 p.m. — Durham Volunteer Fire Company at Durham Volunteer Firehouse Wednesday, December 14 6 p.m. — Board of Education Finance Committee at John Lyman Elementary School 7:30 p.m. — Board of Ed at Lyman School 7 p.m. — Recreation Committee at DAC Thursday, December 15 1:30 p.m. — Senior Citizen Board at DAC 7 p.m. — Public Safety Facility Renovations Planning Committee at Durham Volunteer Firehouse 7 p.m. — Compensation Review/Personnel Policy Board at Town Hall 7 p.m. — DMIAAB
about. Come relax, sing and pray at the United Churches of Durham on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. We offer a Sunday school program for grades K-8 and a nursery for younger children. After church, join your fellow parishioners for a snack and a cup of coffee. We are affiliated with the United Church of Christ (Congregational) and United Methodist churches. We are located on the corners of Route 68 and Main Street in Durham. Come for the season; stay for the year.
Sessions start Jan. 9 and end April 11. Registration begins Dec. 9 for Durham residents and Dec. 16 for non-residents . Register in person or by phone at 860349-9544. Mother Goose Time: For children ages 18-30 months. An active 20 minutes of songs, finger plays and reading with a parent or caregiver. Siblings may attend. Session Schedule: Mondays at 10:15 or 11 a.m. Time for Tots: For children ages 2.5-3.5 years. Par-
ticipants will sit with parents/caregivers to listen to great stories, songs and fingers plays, then participate in a related craft for this 30minute story time. Siblings may attend. Session Schedule: Wednesdays at 10:15 or 11 a.m. Preschool Time: For children ages 3.5-5 years. Enchanting stories, songs and finger plays and a related craft at this 45-minute independent story time will mesmerize participants. Siblings may not attend. Session Schedule: Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
Open 7 Days • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner 325 Main St., Durham • 860-358-9280 Mon.-Wed. 6:30 AM-8 PM; Thurs. & Fri. 6:30 AM-9 PM; Sat. 7 AM-9 PM; Sun. 7 AM-2 PM - Breakfast All Day Sunday
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• • • • •
12
Friday, December 9, 2011
Town Times
Levi Coe Library
All nonprofit organizations invited to post volunteer opportunities to free online matching system
Hours: The library is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and closed Fridays. The library will be closed for the holidays on Mondays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. 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. Speaker: Donald Hubbard, author of 100 Things Patriots Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die, will be discussing and signing copies of his book at the Levi E. Coe Library on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. Story time: Lyman Orchards and Levi E. Coe Library present a story time with a craft at the Apple Barrel (32 Reeds Gap Rd. in Middlefield). Registration is optional. Please feel free to call the library or join us at the Lyman Orchards Apple Barrel. On Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., join us for a “Snowy” story time & craft. Children’s Winter Break Programs: Registration preferred. Please stop by or call the Children’s Department for more info. -Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2:30 p.m., Movie Matinee -Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2 p.m., Craft -Thursday, Dec. 29, 11:30 a.m., Picnic story time
Middlesex United Way is inviting local nonprofit organizations to post volunteer opportunities through its free online matching system: Volunteer Solutions. Volunteer Solutions can help local nonprofit organizations meet the increased demand for services by matching more than 500 registered users to opportunities that align with their interests, skills and time availability. Visitors to the site will find the perfect organization and cause to donate their time to and truly make a difference. “Middlesex Habitat for Humanity is proud to be a partner with Middlesex United Way Volunteer Solutions,” said Jack Doyle, volunteer coordinator, Middlesex County Habitat for Humanity. “We get many referrals, which turn into great volunteers for both ReStore and at construction sites. The system is easy to work with and provides great results.” Nonprofit organizations looking for volunteers can use Volunteer Solutions to create one-time or ongoing opportunities, manage referrals and record volunteer hours. Volunteers can also register and search the site by keyword, agency or length of volunteer commitment. To register, visit www.middlesexunitedway.org and click the ‘VOLUNTEER’ link. For information, call Matt at 860346-8695 or e-mail matt.plourde@middlesexunitedway.org. Submitted by Matt Plourde
How to register:
1. Apply for admission New students must first apply for admission to the college. You can apply online at www.mxcc.commnet.edu. Under “Quick Links,” on the homepage, select “Registration 2012” and then click on the link for “Registration Information for New Students.” You can also apply in person at the Admissions Office, room 153 Founders Hall on the main campus in Middletown. Submit application with: • $20 Application Fee • Copy of your high school transcript, diploma, or GED. • Proof of Measles/Mumps/Rubella and Varicella (Chicken Pox) immunity CT law requires all full-time and part-time matriculated students attending Connecticut college, and born after 12/31/56, to provide proof of immunization against measles/mumps, rubella, and varicella (chicken pox). Some exemptions may apply; call Admissions Office for additional information 860-343-5719.
2. Take the free basic skills assessment Call the College Learning Center on the Middletown campus for an appointment at 860-343-5770, or call the Meriden Center at 203-238-6202. Exemptions may apply.
3. Register for your courses
Business Administration
Middlesex Community College Classes start January 20th
See Levi Library, next page
Got news?
Come to campus and register for your courses on one the following dates at these convenient locations. •
•
Tuesday, December 13 from 2-6pm, Main Campus at 100 Training Hill Road, Middletown Wednesday, December 14 from 1-5pm, Meriden Center at 55 West Main Street, Meriden
We’d love to print it — photos, too!
Business Administration Understand technology, organization, and administrative skills to become a supervisor or manager.
Send it: P.O. Box 265 Middlefield, CT 06455 Fax it: (860) 349-8027 E-mail it: news@towntimes.com
Pay at the time of registration by cash, check, Payment Plan, or VISA/MC., Discover.
Questions? New students should call the Admissions Office at 860-343-5719.
Town Times MxCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability (or history thereof) or criminal record in its educational and employment practices.
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Visit us on the web @ www.mxcc.commnet.edu
Your source for local news and events
Friday, December 9, 2011
Levi Library (Continued from page 12)
Wagler, Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever by Bill O’Reilly, Miss Dimple Rallies to the Cause by Mignon Ballard, Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking Bible: The Classic Guide to Delicious Dishes, with More Than 300 Recipes by Paula Deen, Printmaker’s Daughter by Katherine Govier, Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell, Robert Ludlum’s Bourne Dominion by Eric Lustbader, Signing Their Rights Away: The Fame and Misfortune of the Men who Signed the United States Constitution by Denise Kiernan, Soft Target by Stephen Hunter, Spontaneous Happiness by Andrew Weil, Ultimate Financial Plan: Balancing Your Money and Life by Jim Stovall, Vigilante by Stephen Cannell, Waiting Game by Jayne Ann Krentz and You’re (Not) the One by Alexandra Potter.
The Durham Economic Development Commission (EDC) is excited to announce the launch of an online database of all businesses located in Durham. The new Durham Business Listing will be categorized like the yellow pages to help potential customers find local businesses. All Durham businesses, including home occupations, are eligible to participate. Business owners can participate by providing the commission with basic information about their business. The information will be published online and may be used to promote the businesses through other communication vehicles. An EDC form requesting business information is online at www.townofdurhamct.org. Users should click on
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New DVDs: The following DVDs are coming soon: Apollo 18, Blackthorn, Cowboys & Aliens, Friends with Benefits, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, The Help, Kung Fu Panda 2, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, and The Smurfs. New Books: 1222: A Hanne Wilhelmsen Novel by Anne Holt, 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz, All the Flowers in Shanghai by Duncan Jepson, Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World by Dalai Lama XIV, Call After Midnight by Tess Gerritsen, D. C. Dead by Stuart Woods, Forgotten Affairs of Youth by Alexander McCall Smith, Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope by Gabrielle Giffords & Mark Kelly, Growing Up Amish: A Memoir by Ira
13
Town Times
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14
Friday, December 9, 2011
Town Times
Warm hearts (Continued from page 7) is anonymous is almost more powerful sometimes.” The community is also invited to take part in the project in another way: by participating in a story time with the book The Mitten Tree, by Candice Christiansen. The Mitten Tree is the story about a kind, elderly woman who makes mittens for neighborhood children, and it was also inspiration for the project. Story times are as follows: Durham Library: Mother Goose, Monday, Dec. 12, 10:15 & 11 a.m. Pre-school, Tuesday, Dec.
13, 10:15 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Time for Tots, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 10:15 & 11 a.m. Levi Coe Library: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 10:30 a.m. Mom’s Club: Friday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m. (Middlefield Community Center) Says Moen, “To me, the message (for the project) is that, in a community, we all sort of take care of each other without needing to get back. It is in your heart. In tough times economically, they say the best thing you can do for yourself is to give for others. That’s why I love this project.” For more information, email Jane Moen at jmoen.dmyfs@comcast.net.
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Data (Continued from page 3) meeting, new director of curriculum Linda Berry said that close analysis of data can show which teachers are having success at teaching specific components of recorded tests. State requirements are at the background of much of this data collection. The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has expanded the type and amount of data the district is required to keep under programs called Special Education Data Application and Collection (SEDAC) and Teacher Course Student (TCS). According to the CSDE website, special education funding “will take into account whether or not a district submitted timely and accurate data to the Connecti-
cut State Department of Education...The target is to have 100 percent timely and accurate data.” Funds are also driving the creation of the TCS database. Again, according to the CSDE website, “Districts are required to submit this information to the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to help fulfill the assurances the state made when accepting the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund dollars.” Those dollars originated at the federal level. Managing the data (not to mention all the acronyms) has resulted in work at the local level. Facing enormous data collection requirements and TCS and SEDAC deadlines, RSD13 has hired a temporary part-time worker devoted solely to this task. The new data entry person works 12.5 hours per week. Some information collected from students is more per-
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sonal than test scores. The United Way recently conducted a survey of students in grades 7 and up concerning health, sexual activity, substance abuse and personal habits. Superintendent of Schools Sue Viccaro told the BOE that the survey, which is anonymous, is used by the United Way and the local Wellness Council to determine needed programs. The United Way survey is used by all the districts in Middlesex County, although RSD13’s BOE decided not to give the survey to students in grades 5 and 6. Following a mandate from the state, students in grade 6 and up will also begin creating Student Success Plans (SSPs). These plans document the students’ ideas and ambitions in academic, career and emotional areas. The SSPs are designed to foster a connection to an academic path and regular guidance from a mentor. According to Viccaro, the district will decide by the spring how to implement the SSPs, but they will more than likely be digital files. Wherever they wind up, they will be another “permanent record,” mirroring the student data collected in local offices and at the state level, in private companies and for charities. Reporter’s note: For comparison, I called my old school district to find out what exists for a student from the class of ’88. Debbie Dolan in the East Hartford High School guidance department told me that they keep a cumulative file for every graduate. These files are kept for 50 years from graduation and contain all report cards, attendance records, immunization records and standardized test scores. There are much fewer standardized test scores in these files because there were fewer tests. There are no records of my career ambitions in sixth grade (stuntman) or personal habits (falling off a bike on purpose). My permanent record is also a paper copy and exists in only one place — file cabinets the office workers have given the flattering nickname “the dead files.”
Friday, December 9, 2011
15
Town Times
“Live it, not diet” is the Fat Loss Guru’s method muscle. On many plans, you may lose weight, but Nevins says it’s the type of weight that you lose that matters. This is why he measures inches rather than reading the scale. Nevins has clients ranging from ages 12 to 80s, and he says, “This (weight loss) should be easy, not a job. It is regular food, and it works for everyone.”
By Cheri Kelley Town Times
A few upcoming seminars are scheduled on Dec. 14 in
The Fat Loss Guru: Rob Nevins ized menus to fit each individual. He creates a menu that includes foods that the client likes, and he breaks it down to include a shopping list, even down to the brand. Nevins also provides seminars throughout Connecticut to broaden the scope of people to whom he can get this information. He does smaller scale presentations in offices and at-home parties. Most of his clients are found through word of mouth and doctor’s refer-
To learn more, visit www.robnevinslivinglean.c om or call 203-294-9346.
Submitted photo
rals, and it is what Nevins calls “Live it, not Diet.” The plan follows a three-day cycle of what to eat: a client follows the plan of three meals and two snacks for two days, and then on the third day he can eat some foods that most folks would consider “cheat foods.” This gives the body a rest and tricks the system into continuously burning body fat. Body fat is the amount of pounds that you want to be losing, not just water or
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Wallingford and Dec. 19 at the Cypress Restaurant in Middletown. Scot Haney from Channel 3 and Better Connecticut will be accompanying Nevins at the Middletown seminar. Haney is a client and told Town Times, “The program was very, very successful.”
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Community Round-Up
16
CRU
Friday, December 9, 2011
Taking you through the Community Round-Up day (From page 1)
Left, collecting...a young team member runs to knock at a local home to collect non-perishable food and supplies for the annual Community Round-Up held on Saturday, Dec. 3.
items sent to Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Middletown. The cash and gift cards will be split between the social service departments of Durham and Middlefield to help local people with needs. Beth Galligan, chair of the Coginchaug Guidance Department, who organized the very first and each subsequent CRU, said she continues to be amazed and humbled by the outpouring of donations and volunteers. “This is what community is all about,” she said.
Top right, at Coginchaug High School, where teams of students and volunteer drivers delivered the collected goods, high schoolers unloaded loaned shopping carts from Home Depot in Middletown. These carts, along with carts from the schools, took the goods from team cars into the cafeteria for counting and then into the gym for sorting. Matt and Penny Sawicki were among the counters in the cafeteria.
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Friday, December 9, 2011
Community Round-Up
17 Left, behind the tables, another group of volunteers of all ages checked expiration dates and made sure that cans, bottles and boxes all ended up in the right carton.
Top left, student volunteers wait eagerly in the gym for the counted products to be delivered by cart; top right, excited volunteers gather around the carts and take the cans and boxes to tables arranged around the gym, covered with cartons labeled “cereal,” “snacks,” “pasta,” “canned fruit,” “juice,” etc. More volunteers, including Garrett Basiel and Frankie Posca, left, chose specific items from the cartons on the tables to place in other cartons along the walls for local families in need and specific programs, such as the supplemental nutrition program of Durham-Middlefield Youth and Family Services (DMYFS). Finally, the remaining donations, all checked for safety and boxed with like items, were loaded by Kyle Farrell, Alec Marczuk, Christian Alberico and Cory Hassman, above right, into a borrowed truck to be taken to Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Middletown.
Photos by Sue VanDerzee and Joan Koerber
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Friday, December 9, 2011
Town Times
Durham church leaders, past and present: they don’t work for firewood anymore By Trish Dynia Special to the Town Times In 1708, Durham received permission from the Connecticut Colony to form its own church estate. Shortly thereafter, a modest meeting house and parsonage were built on the town green, and the Reverend Nathaniel Chauncey agreed to be its first minister. As compensation, the town provided him with firewood and an annual salary of 60 pounds, which was paid for the most part with local agricultural products, such as chickens, pigs, vegetables and fruits. Prior to the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788 and its significant little proviso regarding “separation of church and state,” the Congregational Church was the only game in town. Several decades would pass before other Christian denomination members, such as Episcopal, Methodist and Catholic, would migrate here in sufficient numbers to warrant the building of their own little churches, which added to the diverse ways in which community members recognize the God of their
“Durham Town Green September 1835” from Connecticut Historical Collections by John Warner Barber 1836. understanding and serve their fellow man. Below is a brief history of Durham’s churches. United Churches of Durham The church we see today near the corner of Main Street and Route 68 was originally the North Congrega-
tional Church. In 1709, Durham built its first meeting house just west of where the town hall now stands. This poorly-built structure lasted only 20 years and was superseded by a new meeting house erected on the northeast corner of the town green, directly across from the present-day Grange building. In 1835, this church was replaced by one erected within the footprint of the present day Town Hall. When it was destroyed by fire in 1844, there was much controversy
over where to build the next church. Residents living south of Allyn Brook wanted the new structure to be rebuilt on the green, and those residing north of the brook preferred that it be built at the present-day United Church location, north of the brook. At this time, the bridge over Allyn Brook tended to wash out on a regular basis, so transportation to the church would be a problem depending on which side of the brook you lived on. It was ultimately decided to
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build a church at each location. The North Congregational Church was dedicated in 1847 (United Church) and the South Congregational Church two years later (Town Hall). However, in 1864, a violent thunderstorm accompanied by high winds lifted the south church steeple into the air, inverted it, and it crashed through the roof and into the pews. Finding themselves with no funds to repair the damage, let alone the technology to remove the offending steeple, the South Congregational Church sold the building to the town and united with the North Congregational Church. The Methodist Episcopal Church was built at the corner of Main and Fowler Avenue in 1836. The church thrived for nearly one hundred years, but, due to dwindling membership, the church closed in 1941 and shortly thereafter united with the North Congregational Church, thus forming today’s United Churches. The Methodist Church building stood vacant for several years until it became the headquarters of the Durham Grange. Today, this vibrant church community is led by the Reverend Dr. Elven Riggles and is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church. According to their website, they are “an energetic, active and diverse fellowship of Christian believers. Members and friends of the congregation are engaged in a number of ministries and outreach programs including a yearly Appalachian Mission trip, the local food pantry and soup kitchen.” Weekly worship takes place on Sundays at 10 a.m. Two special Christmas services will be held on Dec. 24. At 7 p.m. there will be a carols and candles service for families, and at 10 p.m. there See Churches, next page
Friday, December 9, 2011
Churches (Continued from page 18) will be a carols and candles service with holy communion. The regular Sunday service will be held at 10 a.m. on Christmas Day. Church of the Epiphany Although Episcopal Church services had been held in various locations in Durham since 1802, the cornerstone of the “little church on the hill” across from Strong School was not laid until 1862. The final cost for the building: $2,403.56. During the early years, services were held in private homes as well as at the Academy on Main Street (former Pythian building, now a private residence), the Academy on the Green (Durham Historical Society building) and at the South End School (today a private residence on Sand Hill Road). According to History of The Church of Epiphany, a booklet written by Mrs. Howard B. Field in 1963, two Berkeley Divinity School students from Wesleyan, who had been holding services for the foundling parish, “set out to raise funds for the building on its present site, and at great personal sacrifice they canvassed not only this community, but Middletown, Meriden, Hartford, Wallingford, Norwich, Guilford and many other places.” The Reverend Joseph Hooper served as rector from 1893 to 1916, and, as chairman of the Board of Education, he was instrumental in consolidating the town’s farflung school houses into one location and played a significant role in the formation of the Durham Public Library, established in 1902. The Reverend George Gilbert served as rector from 1924 to 1940 and in 1939 published a national bestseller called Forty Years a Country Preacher. Later he was elected to the state legislature where he worked for the improvement of roads and electric lines and was an advo-
cate for adequate housing for the poor. Reverend Gilbert was also known for his care of the less fortunate in the community and established a tradition of social responsibility throughout the county. In keeping with this tradition, and with the enthusiastic cooperation of other churches in Durham, in 2009, Epiphany’s Outreach Committee began holding free community suppers, which are generally held on the second Sunday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the parish hall. The suppers are open to everyone. Today, Epiphany is led by Reverend Anthony Dinoto. Weekly communion services are held at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. On Christmas Eve, there will be a family Eucharist with Christmas pageant at 4:30 p.m. and an 11 p.m. Christmas communion service. Notre Dame Church Catholic churches in the United States were very rare until Irish immigrants came
here in droves due to famines in the mid 1800s. They were soon followed by other predominantly Catholic immigrants from Italy and Poland. Because immigrants tended to settle in large cities, such as Boston and New York, Catholic churches first came to those cities and then gradually spread to smaller population centers, such as Connecticut’s Hartford, New Haven, Meriden and Middletown. Until Notre Dame was built in 1955, Catholic families in Durham attended services in Middletown, Middlefield and Meriden. The Reverend Father James Wilson, first pastor of Notre Dame, had served as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Middletown and St. Coleman’s, a mission church in Middlefield. According to Century of Change, Durham, CT 1866 to 1980, “Father Wilson was concerned for the Catholic families of Durham and their spiritual well-being. A
man of vision, he looked ahead to the future of the town’s Catholic community, although at that time it was small.” Notre Dame’s website notes that, in 1949, “With the help of his friend, Durham Town Clerk Francis E. Korn, Reverend Wilson purchased land for $3,000,” on Main Street. He then “called for a census of all Catholics in Durham, and the first interested people met at Jack Conroy’s Fruit and Vegetable Stand” (near the present day Lino’s Market). The Notre Dame Catholic Church Club was created, and its first officers were Gregory Curtis, president, Mary Arrigoni, vice president, Mary DiMella, secretary, and Rev. Wilson, treasurer. This was the first Catholic club that included both men and women, and their purpose was to “enable Catholics to get to know one another and to form the nucleus of a new parish, raising funds for the building of the church.” Through various fundraisers, supported by
Catholics and non-Catholics in the community, sufficient funds were raised, and the Diocese of Norwich granted permission for the church to be built. Prior to the opening of the church in 1955, Reverend Wilson asked local resident Harriet Duval to organize a choir for the new church. She has served as the church’s organist ever since. Today, Notre Dame Church is led by the Reverend Father Mariadas Lipton and supports many local, national and international causes. Holy Mass is celebrated each Saturday at 4 p.m. and on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Services are held on holy days of obligation at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. This Christmas, the children’s pageant is at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Additional services will take place at 6 and 10 p.m. Christmas Day service is at 9 a.m. Editor’s Note: Read about the history of Middlefield churches in next week’s Town Times.
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Town Times
Celebrating Christmas in the Caribbean By Elisabeth Kennedy Special to the Town Times The Caribbean is influenced by a mixture of British, French, Spanish, Dutch and African cultures. Therefore, Christmas traditions vary on each island. The birth of Jesus Christ, however, is celebrated with great joy throughout. In Jamaica, Christmas is festive and colorful, celebrating “Jonkanoo,” a masquerade parade with music and bright, colorful costumes honoring Jamaica’s African heritage. A traditional Christmas meal is prepared, generally consisting of rice
and peas, turkey, ham or jerk chicken, ackee and salt fish and a traditional fruitcake for dessert. Martinique celebrates the Festival de Cantiques de Noël and a Fete du Rhum beginning the week before Christmas. Christmas menu includes pork roast, smoked ham, turkey, pork ragout with congo peas and a traditional Buche de Noël for dessert. Guadeloupe celebrates Christmas gathering with family and friends on Christmas Eve, enjoying a traditional Christmas dinner of pork, pigeon peas and yams. Santa or Pere Noël later leaves toys
in children’s shoes. Christmas was restored in Cuba after Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1998. Many attend midnight mass, gifts are exchanged on Christmas day and roast pork is the traditional Christmas dinner. In the Dominican Republic, city streets are decorated with lights. In the countryside, a group of carolers (Aguinaldo) travel from house to house singing traditional Christmas folk songs and are invited in for a drink. By the end of their route, most of the town has joined them to form a “block party” of sorts. It is traditional to exchange food with
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your neighbor on Christmas Eve, culminating in a traditional Christmas dinner of pastels, Christmas bread (telera) and stuffed cabbage (niño envuelto) and roast pork, goose or guinea fowl. Gifts are presented to children on Jan. 6 to celebrate Three Kings Day. In Puerto Rico, many US customs have become tradition, including the Christmas tree and Santa Claus. Similar to the Dominican Republic, “Parenderos” travel with their instruments to surprise neighbors and friends with carols. Traditional meal includes roast pork, pastels, rice or coconut pudding and coquito (an eggnog-type drink with coconut cream and rum). Gifts are also presented to children on Jan. 6 for Three Kings Day. Christmas is celebrated with faith and fervor in Haiti, celebrating the birth and hope of Jesus Christ. Christmas is an opportunity to visit family and enjoy a delicious meal together, as well as a time to forget about everyday poverty and hardship. Christmas songs are sung in French and Creole and children design model houses as Christmas lanterns (fanal), which are hung or paraded on Christmas Eve. Le reveillon de
Noël is celebrated as family gathers on Christmas Eve for dinner and midnight mass. The traditional Christmas meal is elaborate and can include turkey, ham, conch, shrimp creole, pate, riz djon-djon (rice with mushrooms), beans and fried plantains. For those who can afford dessert, a Bûche de Noël or my favorite — Pain Patate (a sweet potato pudding) — are traditional desserts. In my personal experience, most in Haiti cannot afford gifts, and they are seldom exchanged or left by Tonton Nwel (Santa Claus). I am often struck by the beauty in Haiti since my first trip to a remote village sitting atop a mountain ridge. I was stunned by the multitude of stars and bright moon in the night sky — without the distraction of artificial light, the beauty of God’s creation is more vivid. Christmas in Haiti is a bit like that. Without the distraction of commercialism, the beauty and spirituality of Christmas is vivid, beautiful and moving. If you would like to experience a bit of Christmas from the Caribbean, perhaps you could try one of these recipes: See Caribbean, next page
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21
Town Times
in blankets” because that is what they look like! It is a good reminder of what (Continued from page 20) Christmas is all about: the birth of Baby Jesus. Pain Patate Sweet Potato Ingredients: Pudding…Serves 10 to 12 100 g frozen leaf spinach 2 x 125 g rump or sirloin Ingredients: steaks 4 lbs boniato (white sweet salt and pepper potato or patate) 1 hard-boiled egg 4 bananas, (well-ripened) 150 g cooked ham peeled and mashed 1 tbsp butter 1/2 cup shortening (such 4 sprigs rosemary and as Crisco) some string 1 can cream of coconut 1 tbsp plain flour (such as Coco Lopez) 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 can (8 oz) coconut or 227 g tin of chopped tomaevaporated milk toes 4 bsp butter or margarine
Caribbean
3/4 cup brown sugar 1 tbsp finely-grated ginger 2.5 tbsp pure vanilla extract 1 tbsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup raisins
4. Chop up the hard-boiled egg and the ham into very small pieces. 5. Mix the spinach, butter, ham and egg together. Spoon the mixture on to the pieces of steak. 6. Roll up the pieces of steak. Tie them up and spear each of them with two sprigs of rosemary.
Creative Arts Reminder This year’s Creative Arts issues, Dec. 30 and Jan. 6, will have a new theme: Hope. Send us artwork, poems, photographs, essays, etc. on what hope means, what it looks like, what you’re hopeful for or anything having to do with hope. Please include your name with the submission. You can e-mail submissions to news@towntimes.com, send to P.O. Box 265, Middlefield, CT 06455 or drop it off in person at 488 Main Street in Middlefield by Dec. 22. We can’t wait to see what you all come up with this year!
7. Sprinkle the flour on to a dish and roll the bundles of meat in it until they are entirely coated. Now heat the oil in a heavy pan and fry the pieces of meat for one or two minutes, turning them over at least once. When they are brown all over, add the tomatoes.
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1227056
Recipe and method: 1. Allow the frozen 8. Put a lid on the pan and spinach to thaw and then cook it over a low heat for chop it up roughly. about 20 minutes. Check oc2. Put the spinach in a casionally to see if it is getcolander and, using a spoon, ting too dry. If it is, add a litpress it hard so that as much tle water to moisten. water as possible is squeezed 9. Serve one “baby” roll to out. Instructions: 3. Season the meat with each person with potatoes Preheat oven to 350 deand a green salad. grees F (180 degrees C). Wash salt and pepper. and peel boniatos (patates) and cut in small pieces. FineWe’re on the web: www.towntimes.com ly grind boniatos (patates) with the coconut milk using a food processor. Place in a heavy 8 to 10 qt. Dutch oven. ALL EARS HEARING AID SERVICE INC. Peel and finely blend baFOR ALL YOUR HEARING HEALTH NEEDS nanas. Add banana mixture and mix well. Then add all reTwo Locations: maining ingredients (except 12 Curtis St. 78 Marlborough St. for raisins) and mix well. Meriden, CT Portland, CT Cook on medium heat, stir(203) 237-7546 (860) 342-4940 ring constantly with wooden spoon until brown (about 35 to 40 minutes). Simmer for FREE CONSULTATION • FREE IN-HOME SERVICE about five minutes on low heat. Remove from heat, add Email us at: raisins and mix well. Pour AllEarsInc@aol.com the mixture into a 15-inch oven safe dish. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden NORMAL BEFORE AFTER VALUE (4 /18 /11) (8 /15 /11) brown. Sprinkle with sugar Total Cholesterol 242 193 (<200) and let sit for a half hour before serving. LDL Cholesterol 134 89 (<100) Bon Appetit! HDL Cholesterol 73 79 (> 60)
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Friday, December 9, 2011
Town Times
Riggles had incredible strength of spirit By Diana Carr Special to the Town Times Jill Riggles, the wife of United Churches’ minister Elven Riggles, touched a lot of lives. She was a remarkable woman, people say — loving and caring with a great sense of humor and exceptional musical talent. She is sorely missed. Helen Pearce was on the search committee when the church was looking for a new minister 23 years ago. She and her husband hosted a supper for the trustees, the rest of the committee and the Riggles, and she remembers taking to Jill immediately: “I liked her right away. She was charming, with a sense of humor. She taught piano, and I always admired her musical talents. My friend, Audrey Taylor, and I used to
take care of her twins when they were babies so that she could go to choir rehearsal. She was a great asset to our church, and I feel a great loss for the whole community.” She loved music, and she loved people. Says longtime friend Jan Donovan, “She was an incredible musician, and she was so happy when she was doing her music. My son and Jill’s twins met 17 years ago in the Sunday School nursery when they were three years old, and they remained best friends all through their school years. We raised our kids together. She was the piano teacher for all three of my sons and was like another mother to my oldest, Mark. She loved kids and was warm and welcoming to them. When they came for their lessons, she would talk
to them about their school day. For years we had dinner at the Riggles home every Tuesday after the piano lesson. “She was loved by everybody. She was a very caring person and a fun person to be around. She was so full of life. She would just brighten up the room when she walked into it. There’s an empty spot in our lives now, and we will miss her, but she will always stay alive in our hearts.” She played a major role in all music aspects of United Churches: she put on numerous musicals and was the choir director, organist/pianist and director of youth choirs. Says longtime friend and parishioner Lorrie Martin, “I have watched Jill expressively playing a complex piece of piano music
while backwards to the keys, shooting ‘that look’ at the choir for holding onto our ‘sssss’ too long, all the while singing soprano, picking up the sheet music that had slipped to the floor, turning to the next page and miraculously never missing a single note during the entire sequence. Now that was some musician! But then, that was typical Jill.” Martin has wonderful memories of her friend, key among them her sense of humor and wit. “I was in the church choir, and she made it so much fun. She always had us laughing. And she got amazing things out of us.” And her compassion. Martin continues, “She had tanks of fish with snails in them, and the snails kept reproducing. But she didn’t flush them down the toilet
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like somebody else might have. She just kept getting more and more tanks to accommodate them. Every week I heard about more snails. “One time we were discussing some book or movie — I don’t remember which — about construction workers who were Buddhist and not getting the job done in a timely manner. When they were called on it, they explained that the delay was due to them taking the time to move the earthworms so that they wouldn’t be harmed. And Jill said, ‘I can see me doing that very same thing.’ “Any words I could say about Jill just wouldn’t do justice to the depth of the person I knew.” Lisa Davenport met Jill 21 years ago when Elven was getting ready to marry her and her fiancé. Jill was going to play the organ at the wedding. “What a neat lady,” thought Davenport, upon meeting her. She tells us, “We fell in love with Jill. She was laid back and didn’t have to be in the middle of everything that was going on. And you didn’t have to be immersed in the same activities as her to be a part of her life. I wasn’t a musician, but I did have many things in common with her. She was so loveable that she could tell me that I could not follow music or sing very well and I laughed. She just encouraged me to keep trying. “I am going to miss her personality and who she was. She could tell a story with her eyes. You could read everything she had to say with her eyes.” Even in the face of illness, she showed an incredible strength of spirit and a caring for others. Davenport was working at the parsonage in October and asked Elven if she could run up and see Jill. “When I walked into her room, she was sitting up in bed. She sat up straighter, took a deep breath and said, ‘I’m glad you’re here. Let’s catch up.’ Her face lit up, she was so full of love and excite-
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See Riggles, next page
Town Times
Friday, December 9, 2011
(Continued from page 22)
Blue Topaz and her mistress Victoria Footit wait hopefully for the arrival of baby Jesus. They are part of a living, walk-through nativity celebration: “A Very Special Night” at Middlefield Federated Church (402 Main St.). You can take the journey and imagine the amazing birth that changed the world on Dec. 16 and 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. Members of the congregation, along with cows, sheep and chickens, will recreate the beginning of Christianity in a perfectly Middlefield way. No passport is needed, but the cost of this adventure is a can of beans to support Amazing Grace soup kitchen in Middletown. Submitted by Marilyn Keurajian
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ment. Her eyes brightened and danced with life and were full of anticipation of what we were going to talk about.” And again, there’s the reference to her kindness and to her musical gifts. Davenport continues, “She always put people ahead of herself. She was known for never canceling a piano lesson or a rehearsal for a play. The show must go on! She was dedicated to her community. She was dedicated to her career and did a lot with her music. She also did some acting and a lot of directing for plays at the church. And she was part of the Castle Craig Players (in Meriden). “She was a warm and loving person, and our community has lost a wonderful person. She was an asset to our community and a mentor to people, especially to kids. There’s a huge hole in our lives because of our loss. But I truly believe that Jill would say that the show must go on. She wouldn’t want us crying in our beer. She would want us to go on and live life to the fullest. “I had the opportunity to know her well, and I’m a better person because of it.”
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Friday, December 9, 2011
Town Times
Durham Swearing-in Ceremony Left, Kim Garvis, town clerk, was sworn into office on Wednesday, Nov. 30, by Lou Battipaglia, moderator of the November election. Right, a full crowd attended the ceremony that took place on Dec. 4 to swear in new officeholders and board/commission members.
Far left (l-r), the Planning & Zoning Board members are sworn in; Laura Francis takes her oath as first selectman; John Szewczyk and Steve Levy, second and third selectmen.
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Town Times Sports
Friday, December 9, 2011
25
Photos courtesy of George Lemieux
At left, Zack, center, holding his trophy. At right, Zack Lemieux: Zack, on left, holding championship banner.
Durham goalie wins regional hockey tournament, heads to Michigan finals Elisabeth Kennedy Special to Town Times
Zack and his teammates will now go on to Port Huron, Michigan, for the Peewee A
Silver Stick National Finals in January 2012. Asked how he feels about traveling to Michigan to compete with teams from all over the United States and Canada, Zack replied, “Excited. I have nev-
er been involved in something so big before. I believe our team has a good chance of competing and beating some of our competition. Each win will be a big accomplishment.” He proudly projected
that his team has a good chance to win the national finals “because we have both heart and talent. Not everyone on the team is gifted with amazing talent, but everyone has heart.”
Town Times Service Directory
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Zack Lemieux, of Durham, is in seventh grade at Strong School and star goalie for the Wallingford Hawks Youth Hockey Association’s Peewee A-Team. Zack has been playing hockey since he was six, became a goalie at age eight and has been the starting goalie for the Hawk’s Travel A-Team ever since. Thanksgiving weekend, Zack and his teammates competed in the New England Regional Silver Stick Tournament, winning five games and losing none. “I could not be more proud of Zack and his teammates,” said his father, George Lemieux. “This is one of the biggest tournaments in the state for his level of play, and to win it is just amazing. As a parent, it is tremendously rewarding to watch your child work hard, compete and excel and ultimately feel the satisfaction of winning. There are great life lessons learned from competitive sports.” The victory was hard won, including a spirited final against the Wizards peewee team. “It takes courage and heart to be a goalie,” explained Lemieux. “After the tournament, Zack spent 10 minutes showing me all of the bruises from pucks hitting him where he did not have padding.” Asked about winning the championship, Zack exclaimed, “It felt amazing. I have never felt anything like it. As soon as the buzzer sounded, something went off
inside me. Everyone was shouting with joy and throwing off their helmets. It was magical!”
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Friday, December 9, 2011
Coginchaug girls ready for new season By Alan Pease Special to the Town Times Well, high school sports fans, it’s that time of year again — high school hoops, the girls’ edition, is this week’s topic. I got a great email from Coach Rett Mancinelli that really sets things up for the upcoming season — here are some extracts from that note: “We are returning a core of very experienced upperclassmen, and the sophomores were exposed to a lot of high school basketball on the JV and Varsity level as freshmen. We graduated two seniors last year; Cassidie Cade was injured and unable to play all year, so most feel we are in good shape losing only one senior. However, Amanda Boyle filled a large and very important role that we will be challenged to cover (her spot) this season as
the person who will do the important stuff that won’t necessarily show up in the box score. “The girls have earned the right to defend the Shoreline Conference Title, and they are focused on doing just that. We have 15 players who played on the 2011 Shoreline Conference Champion soccer team and two who played on the volleyball team. The soccer championship experience is very valuable, but we are behind other teams in our league who participated in fall basketball leagues. “We have a challenging pre-season schedule playing Platt, Hand, Guilford and Loomis (they have been in the top eight in the New England private school league for the last three years). Our first game this season is Dec. 8 away at Valley Regional. The regular season schedule includes our usual Shoreline
Conference opponents and rivalries, and we have added perennial Class S powerhouse Thomaston and Massachusetts Division 1 powerhouse East Longmeadow High School, whom we will play at Emmanuel College in January, to our non-league schedule. “Our team has set the bar high for this season, but we hope to have learned from our mistakes of last season and keep the focus on getting better each game and hope to be playing our best (and healthiest) basketball at the end of the season.” To add my own comments to what Coach Mancinelli says above, this year’s team returns a core group of three seniors — Samantha Mancinelli, Audrey Biesak and Lauren Esposito, who are multiple-year starters and should make the Lady Devils competitive in any
game they play. The remaining senior, Andrea Braga, should get steady minutes off the bench and will help provide the stability and maturity needed for success. Jessica Solomon is the only junior on the team and should contend for a starting spot. Sophomores Kim Romanoff and Morgan Kuehnle saw lots of playing time last year and should also challenge for starting spots. The remaining sophomores — Alison Luther, Caryn Sibiski, Kasi Whitaker, Katelyn Williams, Olivia Corazzini and Sydney Trusty — all have the talent to make a contribution and should all see some playing time, depending on how they develop and impress the coaches. There may also be a freshman or two on the roster, but those slots are yet to be determined. With the level of talent on
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Durham Demons round-up By Melissa Marteka Special to the Town Times
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this team, and with the experience they bring to the court, I look for a solidly successful regular season and significant success in both the conference and state tournaments. If the girls can stay healthy and keep from getting over-confident, this could be a season to remember! By the time you read this, the girls will already have played a game at Valley, which I hope to report on next week. Their first home game is Tuesday, Dec. 13, against Old Saybrook. If you want to see the start of what could be a special season, come on down and cheer the Lady Devils on!
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For Durham Demons coach Mike Grenier, one of the greatest compliments a team can get is the opposing coach saying, “They want it more than us,” to his own players. “And he was saying it over and over again in the second half,” Grenier said after Sunday’s 53-35 loss to East Haven, the first of the season. But that final score isn’t indicative of the entire game as a bigger and faster East Haven team raced out to a 15-6 first quarter lead and boosted it to 38-12 at the half. With the crowd at Strong Middle School imploring the Demons to play defense, the seventh grade travel team dominated play in the second half, outscoring East Haven 23-15 in a furious attempt to come back. But in the end, the East Haven team was just too much for the Demons. “We are not a team that can drop a bunch of shots; it’s about hustle. We could have buried our heads, but you came back in the second See Demons, next page
Town Times Sports
Friday, December 9, 2011
Demons (Continued from page 26) half,” Grenier said. The team was led by Owen Gonzalez’s eight points. Sam Marteka added seven points with Aidan Doyle and Trevor Morris adding six points each. Morris was the leading rebounder with eight and Ryan Vynalek adding six.
Durham Fitness organized a Zumba® and Zumbatomic® fundraiser for the Durham and Middlefield giving trees on Friday, Dec. 2. It was a great turnout, raising $40 and 68 toys. Durham Fitness co-sponsored the event with the BKPTA, who hosted the event and coordinated the communication home to parents and ran the babysitting for the evening.
Left to right, Sharon Lind, Kristen Springer and Elaine Laydon. Photos by Kristen Kleeman and Jen Schulten
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Above, adults doing Zumba; below, kids doing Zumbatomic; right, the gifts collected.
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The team dropped all three of its games during the Thanksgiving tournament in Madison, narrowly losing to Guilford 23-22; Madison 28-26 and Waterford 43-24. Leading scorers in the Guilford game were Doyle, Patrick Piscatelli and Vynalek with four points each. Gonzalez led the team in the Madison game with six points and Cam Stockdale’s 10 points leading the team in the Waterford contest.
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On Nov. 27, the team raised its record to 3-0 with a 24-23 win over Hamden at Strong. Again the team fell down early, trailing 8-2 at the end of the first quarter, 14-8 at the half and 20-16 after three quarters. The team again mounted a comeback with hustle and defense, outscoring Hamden 8-3 in the final quarter. The team was led by Kyle Fontaine’s six points and Marteka’s five points. Adam Doolittle added four points. Marteka was leading rebounder with five with Fontaine adding three.
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Recently, I competed in a national 4-H competition as a member of the 2011 Connecticut 4-H Horse Bowl Team. Our team consisted of four girls aged 15-18 from Durham, Middlefield, Clinton and Southbury, along with two coaches. We competed against 19 other state teams in the “Horse Bowl” division of the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup in Louisville, KY. Horse Bowl tests our overall horse knowledge, including facts regarding anatomy, diseases, injuries, training, history and management of horses. It is not only a factbased competition, but speed as well because we had to “buzz in” to answer each question, much like Jeop-
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