4-13-2012 Town Times by Town Times Newspaper

Volume 19, Issue 1

Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall

TownTimes.com

Friday, April 13, 2012

Middlefield Lion’s Club egg hunt About 150 families brought their children out in beautiful weather on Saturday to fill their baskets with candy. More egg hunt photos on page 8 & 26. Photos by Christine Foster

Landscape Design/Installation Patios, Walkways Retaining Walls Hydroseeding Masonry/Stonework Excavation/Grading Drainage Work Tree/Brush Removal

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Office: 860-349-1918 Nick Onofrio, Owner CT Lic. 600562 www.countrylandscapingllc.com

Town Times Community Briefs

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

Market vendors wanted

There is still time to order a choice of two types of compost bins at great prices from DMIAAB. The transfer station board is offering a 50 percent subsidy toward the purchase of either the Garden Gourmet or Green cone units. The ordering window will close on April 21. The units will be distributed from the highway deptartment garage behind the Middlefield Town Hall on Sunday, April 29, beginning at 1 p.m. Order soon to make sure you have a composter reserved in your name.

The Durham Farmers’ Market is set to begin its 2012 season on Thursday, May 3. New vendors who are interested in selling their CT grown agricultural products are welcome to submit applications. For more information or an application, contact market manager Tina Hurlbert at durhamfarmersmarket@me.com or call (203) 715-1387.

Call Chris Flanagan at (860) 349-6520, or e-mail at cflanagan6520@comcast.net for ordering and info.

Clothing drive Spring cleaning? The Parents of Performers semi-annual clothing drive is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, April 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Strong School parking lot. POPS accepts all clothes, fabric, curtains, shoes, belts or pocketbooks. Call (860) 346-3555 if you need help getting items to the drive. POPS is proud to support the Coginchaug Music Department.

Luncheon to honor seniors On behalf of St. Colman Ladies Guild, co-presidents Bonnie Callan and Cheryl Pizzo are pleased to extend an invitation to all seniors of Middlefield and Rockfall to attend this special event. In the spirit of gratitude and thankfulness, the luncheon will be held to honor seniors for service past and present, to community, family and country. The luncheon will take place on Thursday, April 19, at noon at St. Colman Church. The menu will include homemade soups, garden salad, fresh bread and butter, desserts, punch, coffee and tea. Entertainment will be provided by the musical ensemble HUMBLE BEES. It is the hope of the Ladies Guild that many

will attend to celebrate the gift of senior citizens, so please join us. R.S.V.P. by April 15. call St. Colman Church Rectory at (860) 3493868.

Family Day at New Britain Rock Cats

Coginchaug Little League is sponsoring a Family Day at the New Britain Rock Cats on Sunday, May 6. Stadium gates open at 12:05 p.m., and the game against the Portland Sea Dogs will begin at 1:35 p.m. All money raised from this event will be going toward improvements at both the boys’ and girls’ farm fields in Durham. The little league team that buys the most tickets will be our “Dugout Team” and will be able to meet the Rock Cats team members prior to the game and take the field with them during the playing of the See Briefs, page 23

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) 203-2448, and we’ll do our best to make things right.

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ACE OIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 ADVERTISING DONATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 ALLAN’S TREE SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 ANDERSON LAWN CARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 APEC ELECTRIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 BERLIN BICYCLE SHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 BINGE, BRUCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 BOBCAT OF CT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 BOOK BOWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 BOYLIN, DR WILLIAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 BROTHER’S POOL ENTERPRISES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 CAHILL & SONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 CARLTON’S INTERIORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 CARMINES RESTAURANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 CCSU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 CONROY, DMD, JOHN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 CORE CLUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 COUNTRY LANDSCAPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1, 31 CV ENTERPRISES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 DAN TIEZZI & SONS BUILDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 DEAN AUTOWORKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 DESJARLAIS, MARSHA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 DURHAM AUTO PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 DURHAM DENTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 DURHAM FAMILY EYECARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 DURHAM NATUROPATHIC HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 DURHAM REPUBLICAN TOWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 DURHAM VETERINARY HOSPITAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 EAMES, ALAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 ETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 EXECUTIVE OFFICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 FAIRCHILD, CHRIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 FAMILY PEST CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 FORRESTER, DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 FOSDICK, MD, GORDON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 FRANOS HAIR DESIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 FUGGE, DAVID, M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 GERUCH, JOE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 GLAZER DENTAL ASSOCIATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 GOLSCHNEIDER PAINTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 GRACE LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 GRANT GROUNDSCAPES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 GRISWOLD PLUMBING SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 HANSEN CONTRACTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 HILLSIDE LANDSCAPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 HOME WORKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 IANNIELLO PLUMBING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 JAY LANDSCAPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 JC FARM & GREENHOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 LINO’S MARKET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 MASONICARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25, 27 MCINERNEYS FLOWER SHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10, 25 MICHALOWSKI AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 MIDDLEFIELD REMODELING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 MIDDLESEX OB/GYN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 MIDSTATE TRACTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 MOUNTAIN SPRING WATER COR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 MOVADO FARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 NEIL JONES HOME IMPROVEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 NEW ENGLAND DENTAL HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 NORCOM MORTGAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 OLSEN, LEIF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 PAINT SPOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 PEACEFUL HEALING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 PEDERSEN, BENTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 PETRUZELO AGENCY INSURANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 QUALITY LANDSCAPING SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 RAINTREE LANDSCAPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12, 32 RLI ELECTRIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11, 32 ROBLEE PLUMBING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 ROCKFALL CO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 RSDL HOME IMPROVEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 RUDOLPH’S LANDSCAPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 SINGLES ALTERNATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 SISTERS CLEANING SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 SPLIT ENZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 STONEGATE APARTMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 SUN BEC SEAMLESS GUTTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE & BODYWORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 TILE RENOVATORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 TONYS MASONRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 TORRISON STONE & GARDEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11, 30 UNCLE BOB’S FLOWER & GARDEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 USED HITCHCOCK FURNITURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 V NANFITO ROOFING & SIDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 WHITEHOUSE CONSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 WILDWOOD LAWN CARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 WINDOW MAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 WINDOWS PLUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Compost bins available

Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times

Residents hear proposed town budget at public hearing By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times On Monday evening, April 9, the Durham Board of Finance presented its proposed 2012-13 budget to the public, and only a few dozen residents came to hear the details. “This budget was particularly difficult,” Finance Board chairman Fran Korn said at the start of the presentation. At least a couple residents in attendance were not happy that their taxes were going to increase. The proposed budget of $5.94 million is an increase of

Web Update

clear there is nowhere to tap emergency money. One resident asked why the Reserve Fund wouldn’t take care of storm emergency money, where it could be taken out if needed rather than budgeted. Korn said it was discussed. He explained that the only way money can come out of the Reserve Fund is by going to vote at a town meeting, and sometimes storm emergency money is needed more quickly than that would allow. Korn said another major fund, the General Fund Undesignated — at $1,501,610 — is the lowest he can remember. It has been dropping in the last few years in order to keep the taxes down but “we See Budget, page 33

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This week, we asked our online readers, “If you could alternate good and bad winters: for instance endure the winter of 2011 in order to have a winter like this past 2012 season — would that be a good trade off?” Here are the results: Yes: 41% No: 59% Be sure to vote in our next poll at www.towntimes.com!

$566,634 over the current year — or 10.54 percent gross. As proposed, taxes would increase $170 for every $100,000 in assessed value. The new mill rate would be 32.16, an increase of 0.80 mills. Breaking down the budget increases, Korn said about 40 percent of the proposed increase is under line #6700 Capital which has a $225,000 for the White’s Farm project. First Selectman Laura Francis explained that this project involves dredging of Allyn Brook, which will begin in August, to prevent flooding at White’s Farm. The proposed budget also has a new account, line #4019 Storm Emergencies, with $25,000. Korn said that after two major storms, it became

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Town Times & Places

Friday, April 13, 2012

FRIDAY

April 13 Preschool Drop-In Drop in at Grace Lutheran Preschool, 1055 Randolph Road in Middletown, today from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call (860) 346-0766 for more information. Spaghetti Dinner A spring spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Catales has been scheduled for today at 6:30 p.m. at Lox Parish Center, Elm Street, Middletown. A fee is charged which includes pasta, meatballs, rolls, salad and a cupcake. The event also includes teacup raffle and silent auction and gifts for animal lovers. For more information, email info@catales.org. Square Dance Club The Four C’s Square Dance Club has scheduled its Think Spring Dance for today at 8 p.m. at the Brewster School, Durham. For more information, call (860) 349-8084 or (203) 272-7463. 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 (860) 343-6724 with further questions. Concert at United Churches World renowned Gospel sensation “Soul Tempo” will bring its uplifting show to Durham. Soul Tempo will perform in the CRHS auditorium at 3 p.m. to benefit the United Churches of Durham’s fund to restore the structural integrity of the church’s unique steeple. The concert is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased by calling the church office at (860) 349-3683 or by going to www.ucdurham.org. Connecticut’s Young Professionals Can communities develop to keep and attract Connecticut’s young professionals? Come hear young professionals, municipal and state policymakers, business leaders, planners and other experts discuss placemaking — the needed physical and so-

APRIL 15: HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY Town Times! cial infrastructure that will make Connecticut an attractive place for a new generation to settle. The event, which takes place at The Lyceum (227 Lawrence Street in Hartford), includes networking and breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.; forum takes place from 9 a.m. to noon. To register, please e-mail Laura Bachman at Laura@pschousing.org.

SATURDAY

April 14 Pumpkin seminar A team pumpkin seminar is scheduled for today at 1 p.m. at the Durham Fairgrounds. The seminar, sponsored by the Durham Fair Foundation, will show how to grow giant pumpkins. Falcons Registration Durham-Middlefield Falcons will have a football and cheerleading registration for the upcoming 2012 season. All boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 14 are welcome to join. Come to the Middlefield Community Center today from 8 a.m. to noon. A photo copy of the child’s birth certificate is required at registration. For more information or to register online, visit www.dmfalcons.com, or contact league president Ken Parrilla at (860) 657-5637 or kparr@aol.com.

SUNDAY

April 15 Concert Soul Tempo is scheduled to perform today at 3 p.m. at Coginchaug Regional High School to benefit the United Churches Durham’s fund to restore the structured integrity of the steeple. The steeple, built in 1847, is one

of only a few round Greek revival style steeples left in New England. The concert is open to the public. Tickets are available by calling the church at (860) 349-3683 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com. Sprint Into Spring The Middlefield Lions club is proud to host the “Sprint into Spring” 5K/10K race at Peckham Park at 8 a.m. This will be the inaugural race. This event promises to be fun for all ages and includes a kids’ fun run, medals for all age group winners and local merchants lending their support. Contact mike@capstonephoto.com (race director) for more information and visit www.sprintintospring.com to register. Community supper The Church of the Epiphany, 196 Main St., Durham, has scheduled a free community supper for today from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. Biggest Loser The next Biggest Loser Pro Challenge at Core Club begins today and ends June 10. Call Cheryl at (860) 3499100 to get started. Luncheon to honor senior citizens RSVP by today for a St. Colman Ladies Guild luncheon to honor seniors of Middlefield and Rockfall. The luncheon will take place on Thursday, April 19, at noon at St. Colman Church. Entertainment will be provided by the musical ensemble HUMBLE BEES. All are welcome. Call the St. Colman Church Rectory at (860) 349-3868 to RSVP.

MONDAY

April 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.). Following the lunches on Mondays is game time which includes billiards, Wii and cards. 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. Middlefield Senior Lunches The Middlefield Senior Café is serving lunch three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Reservations are required 24 hours prior, and their monthly menu can be picked up at the center, Town Hall, or at www.middlefieldct.org. Bootcamp Body Boxing Bootcamp, or BBB, combines an intense calorie burning professional boxing/kick boxing workout. During the month of April, participants can have one free trial class. Classes are every Monday and Wednesday from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Core Club, Main Street in Durham.

WEDNESDAY

April 18 TOPS Meeting TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Durham Town Hall. Contact Naomi Klotsko at (860) 349-9558 or Bonnie Olesen at (860) 3499433 for more information. Gardening Program Today, from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., Levi E. Coe Library will present “Elements of Garden Design” presented by Becca Golnick, owner of Rooted Design, LLC. Becca Golnick will speak on gardening, landscaping and floral designs.

April 20 TOT Time Bring your babies, toddlers and preschoolers to join other moms and children in your community. Event hosted every Friday by MOMS (MOMS Offering Moms Support) Club of Durham/Middlefield at the Middlefield Community Center at 10 a.m. Tot Time is only open to residents of Durham and Middlefield. For more info, contact momsdurhammiddlefield@gmail.com.

SATURDAY

April 21 Meet & Greet Meet & Greet with Brownstone’s Sean Hayes, potential new buyer of Powder Ridge today at noon at the Brownstone Exploration & Discovery in Portland. Tour the property with Sean and see how they turned an abandoned Portland quarry into an amazing supper sports park. Perennial Plant Sale There is a perennial plant sale today sponsored by the Mid-Lea Garden Club at the Middlefield Community Center from 9 a.m. until noon.

SUNDAY

April 22 EARTH DAY Concert The Four Seasons Plus spring concert with Henk Galankamp, organ and Xilin and Libai Jordan, violins, wis scheduled for today at 4 p.m. a the Emmenuel Episcopal Church, 50 Emmanuel Church Rd. A fee is charged. For more info, call (860) 6631109 or visit www.churchin the wilderness.org.

MONDAY

April 23 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.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times

Middlefield resident plans 39 mile trek to fight cancer For Middlefield resident Patricia Bandzes, it was her own scare with breast cancer that inspired the plan. She also knows friends, family, co-workers and others who have had to deal with a fight against breast cancer. All of this motivation spurred her decision to participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Boston, Mass. May 19-20. One story in particular struck an emotional cord. “My walk is dedicated to a young mother of five from Durham who succumbed to this disease in December. She bravely fought for three years, but in the end, her body gave out. The children she leaves behind range in age from 13 to three. When I saw her eldest daughter at the funeral (the same week I was waiting for my results of my own breast cancer scare) it vividly reminded me of the loss of my own mother to cancer when I was the same age.

got involved with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.” Bandzes is an employeeowner of Burns & McDonnell who formed a team, “Burns and Mac Pack”. The goal is to raise over $10,000 for the walk.

Submitted by Josh Singer

The Burns & Mac Pack: Debbie Seddon, Eva Gasienica-Szymkow, Pat Bandzes, Alisha Chaney and Sarah Burress.

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Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times

Tea at Lyman Homestead to benefit Levi E. Coe Library By Judy Moeckel Special to the Town Times

If you love the idea of sipping fine tea and nibbling on special goodies at a beautifully set, themed table, you

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This special event is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, at the Lyman Homestead, located at 3 Lyman Road, Middlefield. At the tea, each table will have a different theme, including Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. There will even be a Happy Birthday table, for some special people.

Gwen Brayshaw, of Middlefield, who has a seemingly endless collection of lovely tea pots, place settings and serving dishes, is the ultimate hostess, so you know this event is going to be very special. Attendees will be treated to an assortment of tea sandwiches in the English style, as well as desserts (or, as they call them in England, “sweets” and “savories”). Harney & Sons Paris tea will be served; other beverages will also be available. There will be a silent auction of items donated by businesses from around Connecticut.

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Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times

Local author combines media, reality television and music influences in new book By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times Rob Glidden has a background in journalism and a fascination about the reality television craze. These two things propelled him to write a futuristic novel about how a print journalist with nothing to lose finds the truth behind The World Beyond, a reality television show owned by a huge media conglomerate. Town Times recently sat down with Glidden, who was raised in Durham and currently resides in Cromwell, to talk about his new book. How would you describe your book, The World Beyond, and who would be interested in reading it? It’s The Truman Show meets All The President’s Men.

out words so I read the whole book out loud. What is your writing routine? Afternoons when I had a few hours to work. As a journalist, I don’t have a 9 to 5 job; my schedule is different week to week and I have little pockets of time. I worked (on the book) on the weekends, trying to get about 1,500 words a day. In the book you mention the influence that music had on the development of this

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Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times

Letters to the Editor Burglar alert To my neighbors in Middlefield, please be sure to secure your basement windows and put up steel bars to keep undesirable intruders from gaining entrance to your home. I came home on April 2 to find a basement window that the intruder was able to get through during the day by smashing it and climbing through. Steel bars are now installed and I’ll be working more often from home, but unfortunately this is too late. We lost some very dear jewelry items. Most were given to my grandmother by my grandfather when they lived in Bangkok, Thailand after WWII while my grandfather was serving as a Major General in the Army. These unique items and the fond memories that they provided

can never be replaced. My heart is just broken from this loss. The police officer who came to our home mentioned that drug addicts grab gold items for a quick sale so they can feed their addiction. Because the entry space was so small, he mentioned that sometimes thieves will lower children so doors can be opened from the inside to gain entrance. Jewelry is all that was stolen. I have little confidence that this person will be caught or my items recovered. I have no pity for scumbags who steal from hardworking, decent people. Karin Roether, Middlefield

A not-so-wellkept secret Just a note to let you know that the Coginchaug Valley Education Foundation is

open for business. I know this because I went to their first question and answer session last week for those who would like to apply for one of their grants. Those grants are designed to support good ideas in the communities of Durham and Middlefield that will enhance learning and provide educational experiences for people of all ages. The grant process is a simple one; you certainly don’t need to be a grants writer to fill one out. The grant application is available on their website at www.coginchaugvef.com. The deadline is May 1, and if you contact them, there will be any number of nice people who will help you through the process. You may have the next great idea, and truly, can’t we all use more education? Sue VanDerzee, Durham

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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 Marsha Pomponio, Office Assistant Olivia L. Lawrence, News Editor-Weeklies Kimberley E. Boath, Advertising Director Joy Boone, Advertising Sales Contributors: Diana Carr, Trish Dynia, Elisabeth Kennedy, Karen Kean, Judy Moeckel, Mark Dionne, Christine Foster and Michelle P. Carter.

Town Times Delivered to your home or business every Friday

A hunt for the special eggs An estimated 150 families attended the Middlefield Lion’s Club Easter Egg Hunt on April 7 at Peckham Park. It was a beautiful day for the children to scramble for candy and snack on popcorn and refreshments with their families. The winner of the jelly bean contest was Cameron Biro; The winners of the prize eggs in each age group were: Pre-Kindergarten — Gianna McCarter, Johna Diaz, Paige Kaliszewski, Rachel Dills, Meira Bismack; Kindergarten — Aaron Wickham, Riley Biro, Sean Rowe, Sophie Kulas, Alec Rodrigue; first and second grades — Grace Hartland, Cooper Sheppert, Alanna Rodinone, Autumn Fisher,

(203) (203) (203) (877)

Grace Gapley; third and fourth grades — Evan Faiella, Ayiana Ford, Jessica Parkinson, Hunter Saverio, Vincent Buckley, Julia Kosienski.

Summer Lerch, president of the Middlefield Lions Club poses with Autum Fisher, 7, one of the lucky children who found a special egg during the club’s annual egg hunt at Aiyana Donecker, 3, examines the loot Peckham Park in her basket. on Saturday.

Cameron Biro, 11, was the child who made the closest guess about how many jelly beans were in the jar. He is standing with Summer Lerch, the president of the Middlefield Lion’s Club.

One of the lucky winners clutches a painted wooden egg. The children who found those eggs took home silver dollars in addition to candy. Photos by Christine Foster

More Easter Egg Hunt photos on p.26

Town Times Commentar y

Friday, April 13, 2012

Keep a poem in your pocket spired by the success of Black History Month held each February and Women’s History Month held in by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers March. The group met to discuss the “need and usefulness of holding a simKeep a poem in your pocket ilar month long holiday to celebrate And a picture in your head poetry.” And you’ll never feel lonely In a proclamation issued on April 1, At night when you’re in bed. 1996, then President Bill Clinton deThe little poem will sing to you clared, “National Poetry Month offers The little picture bring to you us a welcome opportunity to celebrate A dozen dreams to dance to you not only the unsurpassed body of literAt night when you’re in bed. ature produced by our poets in the So - past, but also the vitality and diversity Keep a picture in your pocket of voices reflected in the works of toAnd a poem in your head day...Their creativity and wealth of And you’ll never feel lonely language enrich our culture and inAt night when you’re in bed. spire a new generation of Americans to learn the power of In recognition of Keep a Poem in Your Karen Brimecombe, Principal reading and writing at its best.” Pocket Day John Lyman School As a lifelong lover of April 26, 2012 Did you poetry, it delights me know that April is Nato observe children entional Poetry Month? joying reading and Poetry Month was writing poetry. No conceived of in 1995, matter what the seaby representatives of the Academy of son, John Lyman School’s teachers American Poets, publishers, booksellers, librarians, literary organizations, poets and teachers. It was inSee Poem, page 32

KEEP A POEM IN YOUR POCKET

A View from RSD13

The Hunger Games is well done Teenagers coerced Tanya into a fight to the death holds little appeal. That is, until you are taken into the dystopia of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. The story is much more than a critical portrayal of a corrupt government. It chastises those who follow along mindlessly with the status quo. It captures the essence of fear as it demoralizes each and every person with its heavy burden. It dares to challenge a system of injustice and inequality. More than anything, it is about survival — survival of individuals, of a nation, of mankind. No doubt, The Hunger Games is more than meets the eye. In this first film of the series (rumor has it there may be four films — the third book may be split into two films), children aged 12 to 18 years old, two from each of 12 districts, are entered into the annual Hunger Games. Many young candidates enter their names more than once into the lottery just to earn food and sustenance for their families. The Capitol holds the Hunger Games with claims that they bring peace to the nation. The shameless propaganda is more brainwash than reality. The in-

tention is to prevent rebellion by inciting fear in the heart of its citizens, only rebellion is just what it invokes when one voice in particular, Katniss Everdeen, enters the arena. Jennifer Lawrence has immersed herself so fully in the role of Katniss Everdeen that she has found an eternal place in pop culture. Her delivery is simple, honest and impactful. Peeta, played by Josh Hutcherson, is depicted well but with slightly less aplomb. Many have said they wanted more of Gale, but for anyone who has read the novels know, Gale becomes a key player in later installments of the series. A highlight is the always entertaining performance of Woody Harrelson as drunken Haymitch. Lenny Kravitz is equally affecting as Cinna. Naturally, comparisons will be made to the novel. Not every detail can be incorporated onto the silver screen or the film would have gone on for hours. Still, all the relevant points are hit and with a clear and crisp vision. I did yearn for a few details (I would have loved to have seen

Feke

Diagnosis: Movies

See Hunger Games, page 33

Connecticut gas taxes: ‘2 for 2’

How much would the Last week, Governor “2 for 2” gas tax cut Malloy signed into law cost? If we assume gas a bill which puts a pervolume would be simimanent cap on the lar to last July and Austate’s Petroleum Gross gust, Connecticut moReceipts Tax (PGRT). torists would consume This is the hidden tax about 250 million galwhich has been rising lons of gas during those as the wholesale price months. Furthermore, of gas rises. The goverif gas prices rise to $5 nor’s signature and the per gallon, then the legislature’s unaniPGRT at 2 percent mous passage of this would generate 8.2 measure is one small step for Connecticut State Senator Len Suzio cents per gallon. This difference would cost taxpayers and one big about $36 million. But, step for Connecticut as the Groton gas stagovernment. While the tion example demon1.5 cent per gallon inistrates, there should be tial savings the cap will generate is not much to crow about, a substantial rebound in gas sales it marks a significant step away from along Connecticut border towns that the escalating taxation we have seen should bring in approximately $5 million in combined gas tax collecover the past decade. Now that we have stopped the tions. A net tax loss of about $30 milbleeding and stabilized this rising lion is a reasonable estimate. How would “2 for 2” be paid for? gas tax, it is time for us to take the next step. Motorists need a signifi- The state has already collected the cant gas tax break this summer. My money to give this break to taxpay“2 for 2” plan reduces the PGRT from ers! The state is currently taking in its current 7.53 percent rate to two millions of dollars worth of extra gas percent for two months: July and Au- taxes that have been gouged from gust. At today’s prices, this would Connecticut gas consumers. This save motorists about 18 cents per gal- year, the state is projecting to collect lon during the two busiest summer an extra $65 million over and above what it had originally planned. driving months. The “2 for 2” plan would benefit Those windfall tax revenues should small businesses, too. A truck driver be “spent” by sharing them with Conwho delivers gas to a service station necticut citizens. I believe “2 for 2” is a winner for in Groton recently told me the gas station had seen weekly gas volume taxpayers which will deliver relief at drop from 24,000 gallons per week the pumps at just the right time of the last year to about 16,000 gallons per year. It could generate the same biweek this year. That’s a 33 percent re- partisan support we saw when we enduction. He said drivers are going acted the permanent gas tax cap. Uninto Rhode Island to buy gas which fortunately, Governor Malloy is costs almost 20 cents a gallon cheaper spending the unanticipated windfall than in Connecticut. These lost gas gas tax revenues to cover up a differtransactions are the equivalent of 800 ent problem. The governor is using fill-ups. The driver told me that about that extra money to help make up the 75 percent of gas purchasers at that budget deficit created by his adminstation typically buy coffee, ciga- istration’s failure to generate cost rettes and other items. In other savings from last year’s no-layoff words, Connecticut lost $4,000 worth deal with our state employee unions. of gas taxes on 8,000 gallons of gaso- You may recall that this was the deal line transactions which did not oc- which predicted a new “State Emcur. Our state also lost potential tax- ployee Suggestion Box” would save es on thousands of dollars of sales taxpayers $180 million. You don’t transactions which evaporated with hear much about that box anymore, because it does not exist. The goverthe 800 fill-ups. The bottom line? By providing this nor should not be allowed to get away much-needed break at the pump, with this irresponsible and unrealisConnecticut may recapture much of tic budgeting by using the windfall that lost gas volume in our border PGRT collections to cover up his mistowns — volume which would gener- takes. Why should Connecticut taxate combined gas tax revenues to at payers have to pay extra gas taxes to least partly offset the impact of the proposed tax reduction. See Gas Taxes, page 27

From The State Capitol

Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times ( from page 7)

In the book you say that some of the ideas were stewing in your head for a while. How long were you mentally working on this book? The story came in parts. The reality show fantasy adventure had been in my head for like 10 years. Reality shows got big when I was in high school — put people on an island and see how they argue. I remember being skeeved out even then. The way peoples’ past anguish is packaged for television unnerves me. These are real, real tragedies, and (reality television) is only worse now. I wanted to tell a story about that and

You use different mediums of communication to unveil the plot. That was very clever and effective storytelling. How did you know that would work for this novel? The most fun part of the writing process was working with the different mediums of communication. The style is called Epistolary; it means told

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take it further. Imagine your life as if it was television or entertainment. I thought, what if I had some adventure and it was televised and they gave me enhanced behaviors. That would be kind of cool (to write); I can do that. I always wanted to (write a book), and I’m not getting any younger.

through documents such as reviews, news articles, transcripts from interviews and blogs. There is an emphasis on

The main character, a veteran journalist, agrees that “Good news doesn’t sell.” How much of this book is about the common perception of journalism? As a journalist, I don’t care if I get it first, I just want to get it

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Spring is a time for hope and renewal By Elisabeth Kennedy Special to the Town Times

of ourselves. Time stops, but life goes on. As do the seasons.

The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.” ~Bern Williams Spring is not just a season each year, but often a season of rebirth or renewal in our lives, just as winter can allude to a dark and lonely time in our lives. This winter of my life has indeed left me alone. Others who have cared for a loved one know the sweet mix of gratitude that our loved one is no longer suffering and grief of losing part

One day I looked out my kitchen window and saw them — daffodils. Although they’ve come up each year since I planted them, shortly after moving into our Middlefield home, this year they surprised me. These flowers that dared poke their heads up to the warm sun filled me with hope. Just as the earth, plants and trees need renewal, so do we. Energy and emotions are finite resources. We need to replenish our resources,

Daffodils in Elisabeth Kennedy’s yard.

recharge our batteries, be it after a death or illness or just a busy season. There was a time when taking time for myself felt selfish, it now feels like survival. I will take time to replenish those resources this spring. Will you? I now know it isn’t selfish, it is an investment — you will spend that energy and emotions on someone else later. Taking care of oneself is never selfish, it is stewardship because we cannot care for others if we do not take care of ourselves. Find one small way to

renew yourself, and find hope this spring. Here are some ideas to help you (and me) get started: Physically — get enough sleep, take a walk and take sometime to smell those flowers! Spiritually — spend some time with God, in prayer, in meditation, perhaps find a labyrinth and get mediation and exercise in one! Emotionally — What makes you happy? What See Daffodils, page 27

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Town Times

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Spring certainly showed up this year without any lollygagging or foot dragging. There wasn’t a moment’s delay between the calendar’s final day of winter and the arrival of 80 degree weather (and is that a spring or summer temperature?) and flowering crab trees in full bloom overnight. That barely gave me time to ponder the change of seasons and the miracle of spring. Therefore, I have just two thoughts as we cross into the time of longer days and warmer ways. Sunshine laws Everywhere I went these past few weeks people were hacking and coughing. You could hear it from one end of the building to the other at work, from every room in the house at home, and

in stores, schools and doctors’ waiting rooms. Like most years, even if you escaped the bulk of winter without a cold, bout of flu or poor spell, sure enough, before winter lost its grip, it has to visit upon us one last plague, one final indignity. My mother (and her mother) had a remedy for that last mean sickness that invariably struck after months of being inside. Get out in the sunshine, let a dose of fresh, warm air permeate your lungs and clear out all that gunk. There’s nothing like the heat that comes from the center of our solar system to chase away the remnants of winter malaise. Mothers and grandmothers would go so far as to hoist mattresses out into the sunlight, along with the bedding, to purge any remaining germs. Sunlight is See Thoughts, page 27

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No doubt, spring is an exciting time of year for those in the business of farming and gardening. David and Ty Zemelsky, of Durham’s Starlight Gardens, agree. To celebrate the start of spring last month, Starlight Gardens hosted a workshop for new growers to explain the concept of season extension farming, which the Zemelskys practice. Season extension farming is simply a way to extend the growing season. “At Starlight Gardens, we always have something fresh to harvest any time of year without any extra fossil fuels or propane,” David Zemelsky said. “We are currently enjoying the last of the crops that were planted last fall... and we’re currently selling hundreds of pounds of produce a week.” How so? Without using

any extra heat or light, a hoop house, which is nothing more than a greenhouse without heat in it, will keep plants covered. “We keep everything well-protected from the elements and choose things to grow which are pretty hardy, like kale. At their March symposium, sponsored by the CT chapter of Northeast Organic Farming Association, Zemelsky taught folks about growing in hoop houses and small tunnels in the off season. “The purpose was to share with other farmers and wanna-be farmers and backyard farmers who like the idea of growing fresh greens each year how we do it at Starlight,” said Zemelsky. “We explained what we grow, how we grow it and when we plant it.” About 50 or 60 people at-

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Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times

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Stay on track this spring break

Submitted by Kimberly Greene and Beth Maniero Spring break vacations are an opportunity to unwind, but they don’t have to derail healthy habits. Plan ahead to ensure that fitness, healthy foods and safety are part of the holiday. Get moving. • Don’t neglect your workout routine. According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s important to exercise at least 2.5 hours each week. Spring break is a time to relax, but vacation-

ers should be conscious of their activity level. Take breaks from lying on the beach to go for a walk, play volleyball, go swimming, head to the tennis courts, or take a bike ride. Make sure to raise your heart rate and be active to avoid spring break weight gain. • Participate in activities. Go on excursions or ask the hotel concierge about opportunities to get moving — snorkeling, dance classes, a fitness center, rock climbing,

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kayaking, and more. Eat healthy. • Eat a nutritious breakfast. Don’t start the day with an empty stomach. A nutritious breakfast helps control appetite, so you aren’t as inclined to snack or overindulge during the day. Breakfast can also keep energy levels up. • Dine wisely. Do your research. Check out your destination online and look at restaurant menus before the trip. This will give you an opportunity to find places that serve healthy options. Be careful at all-you-can-eat buffets and opt to share a meal with someone to control portion sizes. • Stick to a regular eating schedule. Following normal eating habits will decrease the temptation to eat highcalorie snacks and treats. Be safe. • Don’t forget the SPF. Sun exposure can cause premature aging, changes in skin texture, and skin cancer. To avoid the negative effects of the sun, use sunscreen and reapply throughout the day

Happy Easter to all

Carmine and Francesca Andranovich continue their tradition of using the chalk from their Easter baskets to make a “Happy Easter” sign in their driveway in Submitted by Susan Andranovich Durham. and after being in the water, wear a hat, and put on sunglasses. • Bring first-aid supplies. Make sure to pack bandages, hand sanitizer, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, cold medicine, and more in case they’re needed. A first-aid kit is especially useful on a road trip. • Hydrate. It’s essential to drink water, especially when visiting hot destinations or consuming alcohol. According to the Mayo Clinic, an appropriate amount of water for men is about 13 cups and

nine cups for women. Read more tips for staying on track this spring break at www.towntimes.com. TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) promotes successful weight management with a “Real People. Real Weight Loss.” philosophy. The local chapter of TOPS meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Durham Town Hall. Contact Naomi Klotsko at (860) 349-9558 or Bonnie Olesen at (860) 349-9433.

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In a packed house at Mohegan Sun Arena, the CRHS girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; basketball team capped off a remarkable season by winning the 2011-2012 Class S State Championship over the Capital Prep Trailblazers 58-48. The girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; basketball team was the first team in the history of the schools girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; basketball program to win a state title. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being able to call myself a state champion feels awesome,â&#x20AC;? said senior Lauren Esposito. We were the underdog coming into the game and I think that we really proved everyone wrong. Being the first team to ever win a state championship says a lot. All the hard work finally paid off.â&#x20AC;? Lauren was named MVP of the game as she led the Blue Devils with eighteen points and had nine boards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The loss to Cromwell in the shoreline

Above, the Blue Devils pose with the trophy after celebrating the 58-48 win over Capital Prep together at center court at Mohegan Sun Arena Saturday morning. Photo by Lisa Biesak r Crandal tournament really inspired us. At the team banquet in a speech, I told the girls to use the loss to Cromwell as motivation rather than a setback. And I guess we did,â&#x20AC;? said Lauren. The season ended with an average of twenty points per game all season, the players knew that this game wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to be a pushover. The Trailblazers trailed by only by two midway through the second quarter, before going on a big run lead by a pair of free throws and a jump shot by Lauren. Freshman guard DeJane James for the Trail Blazers had a game high nineteen points, yet her inexperience showed turning the ball over eight times throughout the course of the game. The

Trailblazers started four freshman and were physically much bigger than the Lady Devils. The team constantly ran the ball up the court and their speed was no match for the Trailblazers. With just two minutes left, the Trailblazers trailed by seven but with a pair of free throws by senior center Sam Mancinelli and a three pointer by senior guard Audrey Biesak, Coginchaug pushed the lead back up to twelve. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have just one player,â&#x20AC;? aid senior guard Audrey Biesak We had multiple scorers and contributors, which is what makes us so special. We proved to a lot of people that even though we are a small school we still are one of the best teams in the state.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153; We knew they were

going to come out strong but we also knew if we kept pushing the ball, took smart shots, and played hard defense we would get the result we wanted.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The team is coached by CRHS math teacher Ms. Megan Kavanaugh and Rett Mancinelli, who is the father of the Sam. She was another key player for the team in the big stage finishing the game with nine points, ten boards, six assists, and five steals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had a lot of preparation for this game and we wanted to use the size of the court to our advantage,â&#x20AC;? said Sam. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our goal was to control the tempo of the game and as seniors I definitely think experience helped us do that.â&#x20AC;? The girls ended the season with a record of 25-2 and are now the first girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; basketball team in CRHS history to claim a state title.

Friday, April 13, 2012

The Devilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Advocate

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Editors-in-Chief: Adam Twombly and Kaitlin McKernan Editorial board: Alex Kovacs, Kevin Onofreo, Collin Boylin, and Mike McShane Contributors and Production staff: Adam Twombly, Kaitlin McKernan, Michael Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Sullivan, Alex Kovacs, Collin Boylin, Audrey Biesak, Christopher Crandall, en Siena, James Berardino, Kevin Onofreo, Sean Cavanaugh, Dena Branciforte, Pat Daniels, Martin Malek, Meggie Andrulis , Carli Wallace, Jeremy Brown, Sarah Brady, Emily Tuttle, Richard Chi, Ross McCain, Melanie DeFilippo Advisors: Mr. Nate Fisher, Ms. Stephanie Wilcox The Devilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Advocate is the Coginchaug High School newspaper. Kevin + coffee and donuts = love

The schools new athletic complex, after years of votes and ideas thrown up in the air, was finally finished last spring. Although they are still adding a few touches, athletes are reaping the benefits of the new complex. This springs outdoor track teams will be the first to gain full usage of the surface. This season there are a total of four scheduled home meets. It has been a while since Coginchaug has been able to host any meets at all. Last year the Blue Devils hosted a single first meet, near the end of the season, against Old Saybrook and Lyme-Old Lyme. The best times run at that meet now stand as the new track records, which will most definitely be broken by the series of meets this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like the color, it matches my shoes, and Benâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hairâ&#x20AC;? laughs senior, Jimmy J. Malcolm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The old track is whack.â&#x20AC;? Jimmy was not afraid to hold back the tears while providing us with this state-

ment, as he reminisced about his old days on the rough surface of the track that is no more. Junior Ben Taber, voices his opinion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the track gives us a competitive advantage over the competition. As opposed to running intervals in the hallways, I really like this surface instead of the old concrete.â&#x20AC;? When asked about the upcoming season he responded, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really excited to actually have the Blue Devil invitational at Coginchaug. I think we can do well as a team, we have a really solid distance crew, the jumpers and sprinters are great.â&#x20AC;? Both the boys and girls teams have been making good use of the new complex and its capabilities, the jumping pits are finally finished and usable, the throwing fields are full, and the lanes of the track have seen much wear. We can be sure all of the hard work will pay off. The Blue Devils have their first meet on Saturday, April 7, and the first home meet will be the following Tuesday, the 10 of April.

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Jason Russell, the Kony2012 director, was arrested on March 15

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On Thursday, March 15, San Diego police were called on a man running around screaming in only his underwear. When the police arrived, they discovered that this man was none other than the Kony 2012 director, Jason Russell. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe that the arrest will affect the way the younger crowd feels about the whole Kony situation, but it will affect the way the adults feel about Russell and the Invisible Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cause. The Kony video was extremely effective at raising awareness for the cause to stop Joseph Kony, but it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t accurate with some of its facts. With there being some errors with the facts, adults may not think that Jason Russell is credible whereas teens may not be aware of the mistakes and may still see Russell as a credible source. According to the Washington Post, Russell was hospitalized and diagnosed with exhaustion, dehydration, and malnutrition. Right after the Kony video was first released, people who have seen the video and who were aware of the cause were saying that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stop Konyâ&#x20AC;? campaign was a scam and that Russell and the Invisible Children foundation were just looking for ways to receive money from the followers of this organization. Once the reports were publicized about Russellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrest and hospitalization, critics started on whether or not Ja-

son Russell is a role model and if he should be trusted with donorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; money. What happened right before his arrest is really just part of his personality and this is the same personality, that lead him to making the video. Russellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hospitalization wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a scheme to try to get people to feel bad for him and he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t aiming to make them want to spend their money on Kony products, but it does affect the publics opinion on him and if he is credible enough for people to support the Invisible Children.

This was just a mental breakdown and a mistake made on Russellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part, but the errors in the video were Russellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mistake and that affected the way adults thought about the whole Kony 2012.

Geek Thing will be a, hopefully, issue by issue column about some aspect of geek culture, be it the latest in Marvel news, or what Joss Whedon is doing next. This week will be my very favorite topic to talk about: Doctor Who. I warn you, the references will be obscure, the jokes will be over your head, and my vocabulary will be wibblywobbly timeywimey. To give a brief summary for those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t watch the show, Doctor Who is a British sci-fi show that follows The Doctor, a Time lord who uses his time machine to protect earth from all sorts of danger. The show has been on since the sixties, with a break between the eighties and 2005. The shows long term success has been attributed to one key feature of the show: anytime The Doctor should die, he regenerates and all his cells change. He becomes a new person with a new personality and new quirky features; a new actor. The show is currently on the 11th Doctor, played by Matt Smith.

And because time travel can get lonely ,The Doctor usually picks up a companion, played by an actress well known in Europe. The companions come and go usually lasting a season or two on the show. If you consider yourself a Whovian and have kept your radio tuned to pick up the subwave network youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll know the seventh series is fast approaching. The preview was released earlier this month and to sum it up in a few words, Spain, horses, cyborgs, Daleks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be six episodes this year, including the Xmas special. Then eight episodes next yearâ&#x20AC;? said a tweet from @ DoctorWhoOfficial. This will be a particularly exciting season with the mystery behind the Doctor rising since last year. This Christmas special will also be one of the moments very fanatic loves and hates: a new companion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Amy & Rory will leave in a final encounter with the Weeping Angels in ep 5. Not everyone gets out alive and I mean it this time,â&#x20AC;? said Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer of the show. Series seven will premier sometime in August, a late start by television standards. But with the late premier, the eighth series will be airing for the 50th anniversary of the show. Be sure to grab next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paper and look for Marvelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Avengers.

Left: The Doctor, Amy, and Rory in Spain for the filming of the series premiere.

Friday, April 13, 2012

The Devils’ Advocate

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It’s that time of year again. The Board of Education (BOE) has been discussing what cuts to make to the 2012 budget for Regional School District 13. The board members will continue to make additional adjustments to the budget until it is sent to referendum in Durham and Middlefield on May 8. The cuts have been focused on stipends for extracurricular activities, electricity, and the special education department. Just a reduction in the amount of electricity used at Coginchaug will result in a $9000 trim off of the budget. Getting rid of teachers stipends for sports and extracurricular activities has its risks. It will take away the teacher’s incentive to lead and participate in these sports and activities, which may result in the permanent loss of some clubs and organizations in RSD13. One club that will definitely be terminated by the fall is the Future Business Leaders of America club. Eliminating stipends will also result in a reduction in the number of WISE mentors in Coginchaug. The BOE has already

cut the number of WISE mentors down from eighteen to twelve in the past year. “It would be a shame to lose the WISE program,” said board member Nancy Boyle. “It gives students an experience that they would normally never have in high school, along with credits towards their graduation.” Administrators recently proposed additional cuts of $121,000 to the board members, mainly in the area of special education. “At any moment we could have a student move into the district who has significant needs,” said the pupil personnel director Amy Emory. As of April 3, the budget of $34,089,930 has already been reduced from its original 4.24 percent increase to an overall 3.27 percent increase. The board members will continue to look at the budget for additional cuts to make before it is sent to referendum May 8. 'HYLOV· $GYRFDWH UHSRUWHU -LPP\ %HUDUGL QR LV WKH VRQ RI %2( PHPEHU (OL]DEHWK *DUD

Above, Board of Ed members dicuss topics about the budget and the education reform at the lastet BOE meeting. Photo by Alex Kovacs

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Coming after a call for education reform from Governor Daniel Malloy in his State of the State address, the Connecticut State legislature has spent a lot of time over the last two months deliberating the provisions of the Governor’s Senate Bill No. 24 (S.B. 24). Expected to be voted on and sent to the Governor’s desk for approval in the remaining weeks for this Connecticut legislature, this bill has recently become the center of attention within the educational community. Just last month, Senator Edward Meyer and State Representative Matt Lesser came to a Board of Education (BOE) meeting to discuss how the bill will impact education policy in District 13. Senator Meyer discussed a variety of proposals he wished to see added to the bill like curriculum changes, and Representative Lesser supported increasing teacher’s salaries. On Monday March 26, the education committee voted 28-5 in favor of adopting a substitute version of the bill. The bill now faces more discussion among other committees as well as official revision from the legislature itself. Among the most contested issues facing the legislature right now are the teacher union’s collective bargaining rights, the use of charter schools in the educational process, and tenure dismissal procedures for teachers. State Representative Matt Lesser, a member of the Connecticut General Assembly Education Committee, said at a BOE meeting that many public schools aren’t receiving the necessary money per student to fund the education process, suggesting that taking resources away from public schools to charter schools is a risky alternative. “Right now charter schools in Connecticut are both some of the best and worst schools in the state,” said Representative Lesser. SB 24 seeks to identify Connecticut’s shools on a five-tiered scale from “high performing”

to “lowest performing,” with increasing degrees of state intervention defined at each tier. The bill will decree that Connecticut carve out a “Commissioner’s Network,” in which the greatest degree of state intervention will be imposed on radically low-performing schools. Initially there had also been concern over the tenure process, and how SB 24 would link teacher performance to their ability to acquire tenure. Many who have read the bill cite the provision concerning tenure as confusing and unclear, and others are angry that teacher’s salaries would be determined in part by the state legislature. The Connecticut Education Association (CEA) has attempted to change parts of the provision, so the current status of the bill now reflects some of the changes desired by the CEA. After the bill came out of the education committee, the provision linking tenure and teacher performance has been stricken, and according to the CEA, the “Commissioner of Education would be required to work together with the Performance Evaluation Advisory Council (PEAC) to develop a plan for linking teacher and administrator evaluations to tenure.” The possession of collective bargaining rights for the teacher’s union was another issue the CEA was deeply concerned about. After the bill came out of the Education Committee, it reflected some of their concerns. Now, the bill lets “local and regional boards of education negotiate over new salary schedules that align compensation for teachers holding initial or professional teaching certificates as well as other factors, and additional compensation for teachers holding the “distinguished educator designation” who are performing additional responsibilities associated with the designation.” Bearing these changes in mind, the legislature is expected to vote on the bill within the next month, so there is still plenty of time for lobbyists, activists, and politicians to amend the bill.

Below, protesters fighting the proposed education reform by Governer Malloy outside Wilber Cross High School in New Haven Photo by Mr. William Kurtz

The Devils’ Advocate

Friday, April 13, 2012

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Durham Citizens wait in line at the Durham Dari Serv for a nice cold treat. Photo by Audrey Biesak Every town has something special in it, and Dari Serv is that place in Durham. This popular ice cream shop recently reopened for the spring and summer and the Durham community couldn’t be happier. Dari Serv is located on Main Street and is always the hot spot to go to once its up and running. The ice cream, shakes and Italian ice are the yummy treats the town craves. This business has been up and running for 52 years. Every person in town has a special memory with their family or friends. Being a Durham resident for my whole life I can say that Dari Serv is the only thing that has stayed the same for me while living here. Throughout my life, I have gone through a lot of changes and feelings

for things in my life change. But with Dari Serv, nothing has ever changed for me. I still get just as excited as I did when I was five years old when I go. That is just one great thing about Dari Serv; it is perfect for all ages. It is also the perfect place to meet up with an old friend and catch up. “It is a great addition to our small town,” said sophomore Kim Romanoff. “It’s a good profitable business that brings people into our town,” said senior Brock Hoyt. “It’s in a perfect location on Main Street and it brings kids from Xavier and Mercy into town. It is definitely one of the top places in Durham to go to in the spring and summer,” said senior Andrea Braga. Dari Serv is really something special in Durham and everyone knows it. Without it, Main Street Durham would not be the same.

When discussing hobbies with a student at Coginchaug, some topics are much more likely to pop up than others. Horseback riding, soccer, or maybe even drawing are nearly guaranteed to be mentioned. However, one Coginchaug junior has begun making quite the splash in the music composition world. Sam Gossner has been writing music for concert bands and full orchestras for the past several years. I recently had the chance to sit down with Sam, and he told me his story. “I suppose I should start at the very beginning,” he said. “At a very young age, I would go and just bang on the piano without any idea of what musical str ucture was. That evolved and I eventually kind of worked out my own methods. Then I went into band [in school] and I started understanding traditional theory. Very quickly, Sam began using computer programs as a means for composition. “About three years ago, I found a computer program called Lenox Multimedia Studio,” he continued.” I wrote up my first song using this program, but it was just very basic stuff. I composed by ear. All of my early pieces were written that way. I would say those pieces were more diverse than some of my stuff now, but they were so much simpler. A band probably couldn’t play them because I don’t think I was really even writing in the range of the instruments. This went on for about a year and a half until I finally started using Finale. While taking

music theory 1 at school, I became very familiar with the program. It’s what I’ve only used ever since.” “Since then, my structures and patterns have really started to get more complex. It was really me teaching myself how to write music. For several months, I had no clue what a chord even was, yet I was writing them,” he said. When Sam finishes a piece, he occasionally puts it on the internet for the world to hear. He has also begun to enter his music in composition competitions. “The main place where I put my music is on a website called New Grounds, which is split between Flash animation/games and audio. They have monthly competitions and I’ve entered some of my work in a few of those. Outside of there, I’ve entered into the Connecticut Composition Contest. It’s a very cool experience go and then think to yourself, ‘wow, there are only thirty kids in the state who are doing this.’ You meet a lot of new people and you even collaborate sometimes as well. “ As for the future, Sam tentatively plans to go to college to major in music composition. “I am thinking about going into music composition in college, though I don’t yet know where or in what manner. For now, I’m just trying to get into the field. I’m not trying to make money; I’m just trying to get into the field and meet people and develop my skill. Then you can have it as a way to make money and as a passion. It’s a duel balance you have to consider.”

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Above, sophomores Tori Saleme and Caroline Fetchel enjoy their free block outside in the nice weather. Photo by Kaitlin McKernan

Friday, April 13, 2012

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The Devils’ Advocate

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sophomore Morgan Dickson. After receiving complaints about the techno music at Homecoming, Sarah requested that the DJ limit the amount of techno. Everyone has a different opinion on this year’s semiformal. Many people had a blast, but others were displeased. “When we were at Memorial, I thought it was weird. We’re in high school, but we’re having a dance at a middle school,” said Sarah. “Plus it was cramped.” Sarah wrote a proposal to Mr. Hauser, explaining to him why it should be at CRHS instead of Memorial; Mr. Hauser agreed with Sarah. This years semi-formal was held at CRHS instead of Memorial this year because CRHS gym is a lot larger than Memorial’s gym. “Personally I prefer Memorial, but that’s only because it is very close to my house. People who live closer to CRHS would argue differently,” said Grant. “I thought Semi was a lot better than homecoming,” said freshman Kelly Halligan. “Over all the dance did well,” said Sarah. Sophomore class presdient Sarah Brady is also a Devils’ Advocate reporter.

As some students may have noticed, classrooms are becoming more and more reliant on technology. While the class has become more advanced, questions have been asked as to if any of the work will continue to be “old school.” Of course ,there are bound to be students who misuse this and abuse this privilege. “There is much more good then harm from technology. Plus it’ll save some trees.” said social studies teacher Mr. Matthew Thompson. “As the school becomes more technologically based it will pose some major changes but all in all the good that comes

out from this will ultimately out weigh the negatives,” said principal Mr. Andre Hauser Eventually everything will be digitized and nothing will be written down on paper. However this is not always a good thing. In many instances plagiarism is a problem and a large one at that. It makes it a lot easier to take someone’s ideas and say that they are their own. Another problem with the classrooms becoming more technologically based is that if you use one computer lab you may not be able to pull up the same document in another due to compatibility issues. This and

other technical difficulties can increase stress in the classroom. “Technology is a double edged sword,” said junior Ryan Cassidy “Kids check Facebook and play games on Ipods and Ipads all the time, and teachers hardly notice.” “I love the fact that you can just pull out your Ipod and look something up that you don’t understand” said sophomore Philip Anderson. Both arguments are understandable, and as we move towards a more technologically based curriculum, more and more people will start to use their personal devices.

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(From left) Freshmen Erin Blecha, Kelly Halligan, senior Emily Halligan and freshman Clarissa Backus show off their beautiful dresses for the dance. Photo by Chris Halligan.

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Was this years Semi-formal dance spectacular or just plain shabby? Semi-Formal was held on March 10, and overall it seemed to have went well. Although there are some mixed opinions on the price and location changes, everyone seemed to have fun. The tickets last year were twelve dollars, this year the tickets only went up three dollars. “I think they were a little too expensive but other than that [the tickets] were fine,” said sophomore Grant Willis. Although most people did not feel put out by the increase in price, some were not pleased by the change. “The Semi-formal tickets were outrageous, so no one really went,” said junior Christine French. “We put a lot more effort into semi,” said sophomore class president Sarah Brady. “We spent more money on the decorations, and we got the more expensive lighting package. The increase in ticket prices balanced out all the expenses from making the dance enjoyable for everybody.” “I thought the DJ did a much better job than last time,” said

The Devils’ Advocate

An Actress AmongTeachers By Jen Siena

Students may know Ms. Robin Fox for her work as advisor to the television production club and helping hands, as a teacher of video production, or as a special education teacher. But what many people may not know about her is that she is an improv actor outside of school. Improv is a form of theater in which the actors use improvisation instead of scripts and make scenes up on the spot when performing. Ms. Fox has been involved with improv for ten years and has done many performances. She took weekly classes for five years with a director named Ira Sakolsky. During these lessons, Ms. Fox learned many tools of improv such as the “Yes, and.” During this activity, actors make conversation, and the first person will say something like “Hey, want to go somewhere?” The other person will respond back with “Yes, and let’s bring some food with us,” and then continue making a scene or story using this technique. “Classes are totally fun. It’s like being a little kid,” said Ms. Fox. “When you’re doing improv, it’s about learning how to be creative and spontaneous in the moment,” added Ms. Fox. “It’s actually very rejuvenating and invigorating and when our rehearsals are over I feel energized rather than depleted.” The name of the improv group is Comedy on Demand. They have been perform-

ing at the Gelston House in East Haddam once a month for the past four winters. They do a monthly dinner theater at a tapas restaurant called Dev’s in New London, Connecticut. When people go to the restaurant for dinner, they can pay an extra ten dollars and see a show. “We aren’t expensive, but we’re fun,” said Ms. Fox. Their performances are done like the show “Whose Line is it Anyway” with Drew Carey. There is a host, and the other four people make skits with the suggestions given by the audience. Students who have either had or have Ms. Fox for T.V. production may have gotten some advice from her about doing improv in videos. She incorporates some improv during her television production classes to get students to access a more creative side. “We don’t do a lot of training with acting, but I encourage people to be creative and to be spontaneous,” said Ms. Fox. A key piece of advice for actors that Ms. Fox gives is to think through what that character really wants and to find out what is holding that character back from getting what she really wants. When that actor figures out those questions, then it will become easier for the actor to understand and believably portray that character. “I would like to be doing improv theater even when I’m 90,” said Ms. Fox.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Love, Martyrdom, the Media, and The Hunger Games By Mr. Nathan “The Big Cheese” Fisher

Katniss Everdeen, the wayward heroine of The Hunger Games, shoulders quite the burden for her district, her family, and the theaters of teenaged girls who paid $155 million to watch her fight to the death in the film’s blockbuster opening weekend. And so we have a cultural phenomenon, centered around the tough, woodsy, selfsacrificing, and decidedly un-girly Katniss. played with grace and restraint by Jennifer Lawrence. Whereas Bella Swan of Twilight becomes consumed (literally) with her desires and romances, Katniss is driven by the common good and keeps the boys at arm’s length. Instead she hunts squirrels for her starving sister and traumatized mother. Then when the time comes for this year’s Hunger Games (imagine an amalgam of Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery, Lord of the Flies, and Survivor, she volunteers to take the place of her younger sister who’s been selected to fight to the death. While Katniss’s journey from her impoverished coal-mining ghetto of District 12 into the glitzy world of the capital follows the usual Campbellian formula so popular in adolescent literature--ordinary teenager catapulted unexpectedly into the role of hero with adult responsibilities on a journey through a strange new world--the film establishes itself also as a political satire of class division all the more powerful for its dreamlike images and logic. The affected speech and unnatural dye jobs of the wealthy denizens of the capital enhance Katniss’ (and our) feeling of otherness. This otherness is a result of the wealth stratification that marks a dystopian America ravaged by climate-change. To the protests of Fox

News, the film imagines a world where the one percent control the lives of the 99 percent completely, the Hunger Games themselves serving as one tool of that control. Thus Katniss, a reluctant reality star who plays the deathmatch with such innate goodness and empathy that her example prompts the oppressed masses to riot and revolution, sacrifices her identity for the cause. For reasons that feel dreamily illogical, Katniss’s gruff and drunken mentor Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) convinces the architects of the games that the only way to diffuse Katniss’s power as a symbol of revolution is to have her fall in love, on camera, with her fellow player Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). Reality TV as social control, subversion of individual needs in the interest of the state, capitalism run wild? It’s heady stuff for what some dismiss as “adolescent literature.” And it’s realistic. Why is the image of Katniss suddenly decked out like a 1950s housewife, smiling on TV about her fake romance with a boy she’s indifferent to so much more chilling than any of the images of teenagers trying to kill each other? Perhaps because it’s true to what romantic relationships have become in the minds of some young people under the influence of Twilight and The Disney Channel: decorous gestures, performed more for their appearances than for what individual fulfillment they provide. The Hunger Games, and in particular the “romance” at its center, provides a welcome, truthful response to the kind of pabulum so prevalent in literature aimed at adolescents.

You Know You’re a Hunger Games Fan If... By Emily Tuttle

Below, teacher Ms. Robin Fox and a fellow impov actor are performing a skit. Photo courtesy of Robin Fox

You can’t go anywhere without hearing something about The Hunger Games these days, but there are some people who are a little more extreme about the series by Suzanne Collins than others. Are you one of those people? Here’s how to tell. You know you’re a“Hunger Games” fan if.. 1. You had tickets to the midnight premiere since February. 2. You can’t hold a conversation very long with someone who hasn’t read or watched The Hunger Games. 3. You freak out whenever you smell roses.

4. You inspect blueberries before you eat them just in case someone slipped you Nightlock. 5. Everytime you hear a bee buzzing, your first thought is of tracker jackers. 6. Your iPad doesn’t seem so fancy anymore. 7. When your friend says she adopted the cutest little puppy-he’s a MUTT by the way-you refuse to visit it. 8. Somehow every conversation comes down to “Peeta or Gale?” 9. “Cornucopia” has nothing to do with Thanksgiving anymore. 10. You write an article like this for the Devil’s Advocate.

The Devils’ Advocate

Friday, April 13, 2012

Elle Takes the Stage in Blonde By Michael O’Sullivan

As a late Saturday night drew to a close, the crowd in a packed-to-capacity Coginchaug auditorium stood as one for the cast of Legally Blonde: The Musical. After three show stopping performances, the cast of the musical took their bows for the final time and bade farewell to the stage on which they had devoted a great deal of their time over the course of the last three months. On March 29, 30 and 31, Legally Blonde, our school’s 2012 musical, took place in the Coginchaug auditorium. For all three shows, nearly sold out, electric crowds partook in experiencing the world of the original California girl, Elle Woods, brought to life as she journeyed to the hallowed halls of Harvard Law School. The musical, starring senior Rachel Viccaro as Elle Woods and junior Garrett Judson as Emmett Forest, was a marathon of music from start to finish, but it included thrilling singing performances and a touch of comic relief. The plot begins in Malibu where the leader of a UCLA sorority, Miss Elle Woods, is surprised when her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, played by Jeff Giantonio, dumps her on the night she is expecting him to propose after explaining to her that he did not find her to be “serious.” In order to prove she is serious enough for Warner, Elle decides to follow her love all the way to Boston and one of the world’s most prestigious law schools: Harvard. She plans to win Warner back with her high IQ and her newfound longing to prove she’s serious. She soon learns that there is more to law than she had ever imagined, and in order to obtain such qualities, she must gain a chip on her shoulder to show everyone what a blonde is truly capable of. Helped along by Harvard alumni and law expert Emmett Forest, Elle finds the love she wasn’t looking for, and even they even teach each other a few life lessons along the way. With the help of her best friend, an old fashioned New England hair dresser named Paulette, portrayed by the show stopping Melanie Badin, Elle discovers life isn’t all about what you ac-

complish, but the people and challenges one meets and how they help you find your way in the end. “Doing a show like this is unforgettable,” said Rachel Viccaro. “It takes a huge amount of effort from each and every actor to pull off a musical like this. This is an experience that has absolutely made my senior year and one I will remember for the rest of my life.” Perhaps one of the most memorable characters in the show, a strapping Boston UPS man Kyle O’Boyle, played by senior Ben Plant, was sure to keep you hysterical from the moment he stepped onto the stage. “I can’t say enough about the support this show got from the audience every single night,” said Ben. “There is nothing better than an actor receiving a positive reaction from a crowd and provoking a smile out of each and every person in the audience. It is such an unbelievable feeling.” Having the opportunity to be a cast member of the show and being along for the ride was an extremely satisfying experience. As I stood on the stage for the final time in the show, I remembered our very first rehearsal back in January and could not believe how far we had come as a cast and what we were accomplishing. Day in and day out, the cast did a fantastic job when it came to doing their part to make sure they attended rehearsals and contributed to the show no matter how large or small their role may have been. Theater is truly one of the greatest things you can be a part of, whether it be acting, stage crew, pit band, or behind the scenes working with technology. It teaches you things that you would have never known about your self if you hadn’t been a part of it. It teaches you how to work well with other people under pressure and how it feels go get a positive reaction from a crowd. In musical theater especially, there is something about music combined with scenic plot that thrills and audience like nothing else. In a show, as is also true in life; there are no small

Tossing the Pigskin

By Ross McCain

When you think of high school, your thoughts often turn to those of star athletes in football uniforms, boasting the school colors as the rest of the school cheers them on from the sideline. For some students, high school football does not stop when the season ends. Senior Tanner Pedersen has been participating in pickup games since freshman year, and he loves every minute of them. “I play football for the school, and once the season ended I sort of missed that,” Tanner explained. “We try to play whenever we can. Usu-

ally we can get in at least one game a month,” added senior Frank Posca. These games are often fairly successful, “We can usually maybe get a 12 on 12 going,” said Tanner. Tanner is such a fan of these games that he decided to create a natural high video for a health project that depicts some of these pick up games and show how beneficial and entertaining they can be. “It’s a great way to get closer to people, get some exercise, it’s just a lot of fun,” said Tanner, “(I made the video) mainly

Above, girls track team practice for their upcoming meet after school on a sunny day. Photo by Dena Branciforte

Above, Colleen McClaughlin, Mackenzie Kane, and Aleah Querns are preparing for the Hunger Banquet on April 5, 2012. Photo by Kaitlin McKernan

Above, the cast of Legally Blonde: The Musical caught in action on their final song.

“Doing a show like this is unforgettable, takes a huge amount of effort from each and every actor to pull off a musical like this. This is an experience that has absolutely made my senior year and one I will remember for the rest of my life” -Rachel Viccaro

The Devils’ Advocate

Friday, April 13, 2012

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The competition cheerleaders get the crowded pumped at the State championships. Photo by Tara Dandelski

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There is no one person in a pyramid transition that contributes more than another. The bases need to be strong and have the strength to hold the flyers. The flyers not only need to have strength but also balance and flexibility. This was one of the cheerleading teams most difficult stunts that led them to winning the New England Cheerleaders Association (NECA) championship. “We went in it with a determined attitude,” said sophomore Dana Foley who tried out and made the competition team. It was Dana’s first high school competition, and “it was a lot more competitive,” said Dana. ‘We had some down time to watch

the other teams, and then we went to practice mats to get ready and I was so nervous, said Dana. On March 3rd, the cheerleading team had a competition at East Haven High School. To start preparing for this competition, the team started preparing a month into the season. “I think it’s the best we have ever preformed,” said senior co-captain Stephanie White. The level of difficulty for the routines went up immensely this year, leading to their success. Co-captain senior Katelyn Hill is extremely proud of her team. “We have come so far in the past four years,” said Katelyn.

With the beginning of the spring sports season, boys’ and girls’ tennis is off in full swing. Practicing five days a week for two hours each day, the tennis teams are working hard to have a great season and win more matches this year than the previous years. After holding tryouts on March 21 to March 23, Coach Amy Schaefer chose 23 girls for the team and created the varsity lineup. First varsity for singles this year is sophomore Melanie Frank. Melanie was first varsity last year as well, and as a freshman, she made it to the second round of the state competition and the finals of Shorelines. The rest of the singles varsity line-up include seniors Emily Romanoff, Amanda Presutti, and Melissa Conway as second, third, and fourth varsity respectively. The varsity doubles line-up consists of senior Ashley Pen and junior Jessica Solomon, junior Kylie Pascarelli and sophomore Emma Roth, and senior Justine Plourde and sophomore Samantha Turley. The captains of the tennis team, Emily, Melissa, and Ashley, have been playing for all four years of high school, and after those four years, the three captains get things done efficiently. “I think we work well together,” said Melissa. This year the captains want to get together more as a team and become closer because they feel that the team needs

to support each other off the court to be successful on the court. The boys’ team is on the ball as well. Coach Karen Kean, who has been coaching tennis for 28 years, began practice on March 19. There were no tryouts, and everyone gets a chance to get be a part of the team. The boys’ team is larger than ever this year with twenty boys. One new addition to the team is freshman Tyler McDonald. “My goal for the season is to figure out what I want to do with tennis, figure out my strengths and weaknesses, and hopefully win a match,” said Tyler. The team is getting conditioned and ready to do better this year than ever before. “We have a very good chance to have better than a 500 season,” said Ms. Kean. There are no determined positions yet, and Ms. Kean has not chosen the captains because she wants to find a responsible senior to lead the boys to a victorious season. Erikson Wasyl, a senior on the team, just joined the team last year, but he loves every part of tennis. His favorite part is spending time with the team and getting out in the sun. This season, Erikson wants to win a couple of matches, compete, and have a great time. “Tennis is a great sport; more people should try it,” said Erikson.

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“I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win!” went the chant, ringing vibrantly throughout the hearts and hallways of Coginchaug as hundreds of enthused student fans overflowed the stands of the gymnasium Friday afternoon. A Pep-rally of sorts was in order, for the Blue Devils Girls Basketball team, of course. Mr. Nystrom, the English-teaching voice of Coginchaug, escalated the ceremonial hype with a few announcements leading up to some choreographed leaders of cheer bouncing all around the gym floor. After several moments the crowd and the Pep band seemed to settle down a little and as the colored uniforms and ribbons cleared the floor, Mr. Nystrom reappeared. This time beginning his introduction of the All-Star team, in order by grade, starting with the freshmen, he listed off the names we had all been hearing throughout the winter season.

Lining up one by one in the center of the court, there was an essence of hometown-fame in the room. Each given an introduction all their own, they seemed to share the feeling of eagerness for soon-to-be champions. It was a mixture of nervousness and excitement for all. Coach Rett Mancinelli shared his feelings towards the rally “Fantastic, great for the kids” as well as his hopes for a “big crowd” of sideline support at Mohegan Sun the following day. Senior co-captain Audrey Biesak gave her thoughts on the upcoming game, “We’re really excited, we’ve worked hard to get here. We’re ready to go.” The rally ended with the ladies jogging a spirited lap around the gymnasium, accompanied by the cheers of hundreds and the tune of the perceptibly loud Pep band, Don’t Stop Believing. To which they did not, taking their hype all the way to Uncasville Connecticut, and returning home to Durham, champions.

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Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times

Spring clean-up fundraiser

Briefs

It is that time of year again when Durham and Middlefield residents look for the Coginchaug National Honor Society’s annual spring clean-up fundraiser. In the past, NHS members have cleared gardens of leaves and twigs, spread mulch and even painted barns. Usually a team of three or four NHS students is sent to help residents beautify their yards, and the donation goes to help support our school activities and charities. If you are interested in hiring an NHS team, please call Coginchaug High School at (860) 349-7215 during the week of school vacation, April 16 to 20. When you call the office and speak to the secretary, please provide a brief description of the kind of work you need done along with your name, phone number and the time you can be reached. The NHS students will begin returning phone messages on April 24. Thank you for your continued support.

(Continued from page 2) National Anthem. In addition, one girl and one boy from the spring 2012 Little League players will be randomly chosen to throw out the first pitch prior to the start of the game. All players can take part in a pre-game parade with other little league organizations apVERY LOVELY CELEBRATION™ with pineapple hearts, strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, and grapes in a watering can keepsake

proximately 30 minutes prior to game time. This event will be a fun family day for everyone, so please come and support the little league organization. You may purchase tickets online at www.coginchaugll.org until Sunday, April 22, and they will be available for pick-up at the Coginchaug Little League concessions stand during Opening Day for Coginchaug Little League on Sat-

urday, April 28. Any tickets not picked up on this day will be brought to the “Will Call” window at New Britain Stadium to be picked up on May 6, game day. Please contact Michele Wenchell, director of information for Coginchaug Little League, at mgwenchell@comcast.net, if you have any questions about this event.

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Durham Town Briefs

Durham Government Calendar (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Durham Library. Check the town website at www.townofdurhamct.org for updates.) Tuesday, April 17 6 p.m. — Board of Finance at Town Hall Wednesday, April 18 7 p.m. — Recreation Committee at Activity Center 7:30 p.m. — Planning and Zoning Thursday, April 19 7 p.m. — DMIAAB

Fun runs For the 22nd consecutive year, the Durham Recreation Department will host Tuesday night Summer Fun runs beginning June 26 and concluding Aug. 14. The se-

ries will start each Tuesday night at 6 p.m. There are races for all age groups with courses ranging from one lap around the track for youngsters to the 3.3 mile adult race. As in the past, ribbons will be awarded to

the youngsters and school age runners. Results will appear weekly in the Town Times. There is no cost for this program, which will be directed by CRHS track coach Dave Bellemare. Open registration will be held each night. The evening program will be canceled in the event of dangerous weather or high heat index conditions. For more information, contact Dave Bellemare at djb06422@comcast.net or the Durham Recreation Department at (860) 343-6724 or visit the Town of Durham website www.townofdurhamct.org and access the Recreation Department.

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Durham’s own prize-winning fiddler Tim Hayes joins Grammy Award winner Stacy Phillips and Paul Howard for Fiddles in the Firehouse, Saturday, April 21, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Durham firehouse. Tim Hayes is a winner of competitions in Roxbury, Blanford, Mass., and the New England String Ensemble Concerto competition in Boston. He has been playing at Fiddles since he was in elementary school and next year he leaves for college in Nashville, Tennessee. He is scheduled to perform with his mentor Stacy Phillips, an internationally known fiddler. The event is sponsored by the Durham Democratic Town Committee. A fee is charged. Chili tastings, cornbread, macaroni and cheese and desserts will also be offered for sale. Tickets are available from town committee members or at the door. For more information, call (860) 349-2259. Submitted by Ona McLaughlin

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May programs Sherlock Holmes: Fact or Fiction - Wednesday, May 9 at 6:15 p.m. Harold and Theodora Niver present an entertaining and educational presentation on Sherlock Holmes, William and Helen Gillette and Gillette Castle. All are welcome. Summer Paperback Book Sale - Saturday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. residents doing normal spring clean-up and yard maintenance, not lot clearing.

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The Middlefield Highway Department will conduct its annual brush pickup for all residents of Middlefield and Rockfall during the week of April 16-24. Please have all brush at curbside by April 16 to insure pickup. Please note that this will be a one-week pickup only. Residents should pile clean brush at the curb, butt end toward the street. No branches should exceed 8 feet in length or 3” in diameter. Leaves, stumps, garbage or building materials will not be accepted. This service is for

Registration Required for the following programs: Monday, April 16: Spring Tea: 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 17: It’s a Hoot Felt Owls (ages 9 & up): 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 18: Audubon Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 19: Star Wars Snow Globe: 10:30 a.m.

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judging on April 30. Items or written instructions can be dropped off anytime during regular hours (Monday through Thurday 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.). Please also include your name and phone number. Everyone loves recycled projects so even if you do not have something to submit,

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Levi E. Coe Library

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(Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Community Center.) Tuesday, April 17 6:30 p.m. — Metacomet Reg. Windfarm Commission 7 p.m.— Board of Selectmen Wednesday, April 18 7 p.m.—- Inland/Wetlands Commission Thursday, April 19 7 p.m. — DMIAAB at Durham Library 7 p.m. — Board of Finance

stop in for some inspiring ideas. A prize will be awarded May 1.

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Friday, April 13, 2012

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Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times

Searching for eggs in the sand.

Lake Beseck egg hunt The annual Lake Beseck community Egg Hunt took place April 7 under sunny skies. Local youngsters scrambled to find colored eggs in the sand at the beach, including Brianna Van Eyndhoven who came dressed as the Easter Bunny. The event, which is always the Saturday before Easter, has been going on for at least seven years, according to Amy Sorensen, who is the organizer. “There are so many new faces now in the community and neighborhood.” Sorensen also said the weather was fantastic for an egg hunt, though the event goes on rain or shine. Photos by Stephanie Wilcox

Grace Velardi finds an Easter Egg.

Brianna Van Eyndhoven dressed as the Easter Bunny.

John, right, and James Parmelee had fun hunting for eggs.

Stevie Ricci shows off the eggs collected in her basket.

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Thoughts (Continued from page 12)

nate years of mild and miserable struck a good balance. Of course, once spring arrives, the reality of winter fades fast, and the long-ago winter of ’11 is now light years away from the warmth that surrounds us. And I have to wonder if we really will ever be ready for another one of those mini ice ages, no matter how sweet the reprieve of these past few months has been.

Library (Continued from page 6) for each reservation. To make your reservation or for contribution details, visit the library in person, or call (860) 349-3857. The deadline for reservations is Thursday, April 19. The Coe Library is a non-

profit private library; donations and fundraisers are extremely important to maintain its operation. Library director Loren Webber said she is excited about this fundraiser. “I am seeing a lot of community support for it. The funds we raise with this event will be used to repair the walkways around the library.” For older patrons as well as children in strollers, safe, even pavement is important The Levi E. Coe Library Association, which maintains and supports library operations, was incorporated in 1893. If you have never visited this library, you are in for a treat. Located in a charming Victorian brownstone building that was supposedly a church at one time, the Levi E. Coe has the latest

in technology as well as wonderful staff. It is a gem we all should want to help preserve.

Gas Taxes (Continued from page 9)

Daffodils (Continued from page 11) makes you laugh? A pillow fight, perhaps? A long sail or walk on the beach? Socially — connect with friends and family who make you happy, make time for long talks or just to be silly. I wish that our lonely days of winter fade into bright, warm days of spring, and pray that spring brings the blessings of hope, laughter and love to you and those you love.

make up for the Malloy Administration’s phony budget cuts? With the public’s help, I will be raising awareness about “2 for 2” in the coming weeks. Thousands have signed our petitions demanding significant tax relief at the pumps, and I will not stop pushing until that relief is implemented. No one ever said cutting the gas tax was going to be easy. We have won a small battle in the war on high taxes, but we cannot be satisfied. The next battle in that war starts now.

We’re on the web: www.towntimes.com

asonicare’s M Inpatient Hospice Unit For years, Masonicare’s continuum of care has included an Acute Care Hospital Unit in Wallingford and Home Hospice and Palliative Care services statewide. Our Inpatient Hospice Unit at Masonicare Health Center in Wallingford blends the experience of the two esteemed programs. e Our inpatient unit features private rooms. Each room can also accommodate a patient’s loved one. e Each plan of care is specially tailored to the needs and wishes of the patient and family. Spiritual, emotional, social and clinical support are coordinated through an interdisciplinary hospice team.

e Medical staff is on-site 24/7. e Medicare and many other insurers offer a hospice benefit for specific inpatient stays requiring skilled intervention. The range of diagnoses that may qualify includes cancer, renal disease, Parkinson’s, ALS, Alzheimer’s and heart failure.

If hospital-level hospice care is needed, be assured that patients and their loved ones will experience comfort, skilled clinical care, and emotional and spiritual support from our experienced hospice team at Masonicare Health Center. Should you need more information or wish to make a referral, please call 888-482-8862.

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a great disinfectant, they’d say. While washing machines and driers and detergents (with God knows what for ingredients) might be worth something, nothing compares to the fresh, free cleansing an afternoon in the sunshine brings. Does anybody bother with this environmentally safe and effective solution anymore? It’s interesting that “Sunshine Laws” designed to bring the light of day to murky government machinations are just a metaphorical concept. But the old-timey sunshine laws of dragging winter-weary goods out to bake in the solar rays of spring are as effective as they were centuries, or even millennia, ago and worth the trouble. Table talk We had a pretty good topic of conversation at our dinner table recently, one that ignited a friendly debate. The issue was: if you could alternate good and bad winters: for instance endure the winter of 2011 in order to have a winter like this past 2012 season - would that be a good trade off? In 2011, we were encased in ice, our roofs sagged under 10 inches of solid water, our driveways had to be chiseled out by hand to create even a meager parking spot. Fuel bills soared and you couldn’t leave the house without your mittens. Conversely, in 2012, we barely hoisted a shovel, didn’t worry about losing our mittens, saved a bundle on fuel and gave nary a thought to weather conditions as we struck off for a stroll more days than not. So would it be worth it to dig in for a brutal siege one year in order to enjoy the following year sans winter? Or would you prefer a classic New England version, reasonable snow fall, a few cold snaps, a thaw here and there, and only a few rotten storm events but nothing we can’t handle. Nothing too extreme one way or the other? After a lot of discussion, we concluded that yes, alter-

Town Times

Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times

Local photographers honored

TAG SALE CONNECTICUT’S LARGEST! Saturday, April 21, 2012 Under the Festival Tent Hubbard Park, West Main Street, Meriden, CT 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM - rain or shine Join friends & neighbors, get rid of that old dresser, lawn mower, Sonny’s comic collection, Grandma’s old Crock Pot ... you know, the stuff you “are going to use someday” ... or come by to browse & buy at the area’s largest tag sale ... and while you’re at it, take a stroll through historic Hubbard Park among the 600,001 blooming daffodils ...

For only $25.00 you can rent a 10’x10’ single space that includes 1 table under the Festival tent. Set-up is at 7:00 AM - with all items to be removed by 3:00 PM (No Exceptions).

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+++++++++++++ THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE WILL MAKE FINAL DETERMINATION AS TO SUITABILITY OF ITEMS ALLOWED FOR SALE...

Durham photographers Glenn and Marie Curtis were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Connecticut Professional Photographers Association recently. They have been members of CTPPA for over 30 years and have held every office on the executive board, as well as the presidency, and continue their involvement serving in advisory capacities. Both have received Presidents Awards, the National Award from the Professional Photographers of America for service beyond the state level, as well as many print awards. Glenn is a photography instructor at Paier College of Art in Hamden. Marie has served as a director of the Durham Division of Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, has taught adult education classes at Middlesex Community College and Coginchaug High School. The couple operates the Curtis Studio in Durham. photo credit Roger Picard/CTPPA.

APPLICATION FOR SPACE NAME: ADDRESS: PHONE: SPACE REQUIRED:

PLEASE REMIT APPLICATION AND FEE WITH CHECK PAYABLE TO: Meriden Daffodil Festival Committee / Tag Sale P.O. Box 40 Meriden, CT 06450 DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 4/14/12 For more information please phone (203) 630-4123 Carnival Rides Open Weather Permitting

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Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times

Backyard chicken open house By Claudia O’Connell Special to the Town Times

the open house, please call Claudia O’Connell at (860) 3495986. Organizers would love to add more locations, especially in Middlefield. Watch for upcoming reminders in the Town Times calendar of events and on the Durham

town website: www.townof- Photos by Claudia O’Connell durhamct.org. Don’t be shy. You are invited to drop-in at one or more of the residences listed above on April 28, between 1 and 3 p.m. and learn about the wonderful world of backyard chickens.

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April is a great month to tap into the collective knowledge of your chicken-raising neighbors. If you are interested in raising chickens, mark your calendar for a Backyard Chicken Open House to be held on Saturday, April 28, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participating homeowners will be available for drop-in visits from people interested in raising egg layers of their own. You’ll be able to ask questions about feeding and watering, get a tour of their chicken run and coop and discover practical solutions to predator problems. And since some folks on the tour will have new chicks, it may be a great opportunity to see a brooder and ask questions about raising chicks. After touring some backyards on your own, you should have a better understanding of why there are a growing number of backyard chicken farmers in the area and the benefits of raising your own for a steady supply of fresh, better tasting eggs. When compared against eggs from factory farms, eggs from backyard chickens yield far greater nutritional value and supply significantly higher amounts of vitamins E and A and beta-carotene. Backyard chickens also produce nitrogen-rich droppings, great for compost bins and garden fertilizer. Their foraging and scratching provides natural soil aeration and decomposition, as well as chemical free weed and bug control based in part on a diet of grubs and other garden pests. The list is growing, but confirmed open house participants include Marylou Garofalo, 327 Haddam Quarter Road in Durham; Kathy and Ralph Chase, 398R Haddam Quarter Road in Durham; Carolyn and David Wallach, 45 Carriage Drive in Durham; Melynda Naples, 57 Saw Mill Road in Durham; Rick Bihlmeyer, 228 Maple Avenue in Durham; Tina Hurlbert, 43 Park Place in Durham; and Jen Huddleston, 2 High Street in Middlefield. If you currently raise backyard chickens and might be interested in participating in

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Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times

Going barefoot for health is a growing trend hike throughout the state, anywhere there’s a public hiking trail. When we have people who are new and not used to going barefoot, we try to get an easy trail that is easier on the feet, without a lot of sharp rocks. There are 175 people in the group right now, with a core of 10 people who always come.

By Diana Carr Special to the Town Times This little piggy went to the market. This little piggy stayed home. Well, actually, that’s not true in Dave Ellis’ case. His little piggies are out and about, naked as the day they were born. The Wallingford resident is no fan of shoes. He ditched them in 1999, when he read that going barefoot could help with his knee pain. And he liked the idea of feeling the earth beneath his feet, with all the different textures and sensations. Two years ago he formed the Barefoot Hikers of Connecticut, after inheriting the group from Richard Frazine. (It was originally called the Barefoot Hikers of Thomaston.) “We try to meet once a month, from March through November,” Ellis said. “We

“When we’re hiking, the comments of passersby are very positive. They’ll ask if it hurts stepping on the rocks. They’ll say, ‘I’d like to try that. That looks cool.’” And those bare tootsies see more than just the trails. There’s the Barefoot Winter Gathering in February, where the group, after clearing it with the owner, dines barefoot at a restaurant, bringing along pictures of their hikes and a sign that says “Barefoot Hikers.” Ellis said their bare feet are not a big deal to the

Dave Ellis and his two bare feet.

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other patrons, and they’ve even met people who say they do barefoot running, one of whom signed up with their group. Last year they walked barefoot in Central Park and on the streets of New York City. “There are more reactions there,” said Ellis, “especially on the streets. We get more stares. We heard one guy say, ‘They’re going to die.’ I’m not sure what he meant by that. Maybe he thought we were going to step on something.” This year they may join the Eastern Mass Barefoot Hikers in Boston and walk part of the Freedom Trail. On their first hike, the group’s “newbies,” said Ellis, may experience sore feet, since they are exercising muscles they haven’t used before. “The feet and hands have the most bones, with a lot of muscles and tendons holding them together. Your feet are designed to be a shock absorber system, with flexibility for all those bones and muscles. But when you’re wearing shoes, those muscles don’t move and they don’t absorb the force. When you go barefoot, the muscles have to work. “I tell them the more they do this, the better they’ll be at it. Some come back and some don’t.” Ellis said he’s learned which stores don’t care if he goes into them without shoes. They’re usually the small “Mom and Pop” stores. “They’re independently owned,” he said, “and care more about customer service and having your business.” He does wear shoes in the winter. Sort of. Ellis has become creative in ways to still remain connected to the earth, as much as possible, during the cold months. He sometimes wears waterproof socks with wool socks underneath, with non-slip adhesive on the bottom, and said, “It almost becomes like a soft moccasin. It allows my feet to stay warm, but I also have the flexibility.” And for those of you wondering about legal issues, Ellis would like to dispel a couple of myths. It is not illegal to drive barefoot, and there’s no See Barefoot, next page

Friday, April 13, 2012

Barefoot (From page 30) health code law that says you can’t go barefoot in restaurants or other public places, although the proprietor has the right to refuse you service. In their book, Earthing, Clinton Ober, Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D., and Martin Zucker espouse the many reasons you should run barefoot through the grass. To name a few — the improvement or elimination of many inflammation-related disorders, the reduction or elimination of chronic pain, increased energy, improved sleep, a reduction of stress, the normalization of the body’s biological rhythms, normalization of blood pressure, the relief of muscle tension and headaches and protection from environmental electromagnetic fields. “Your body becomes infused with negative-charged free electrons that are abundantly present on the surface of the Earth,” write the authors. “Your body immediately equalizes to the same electric energy field, or potential, as the Earth.”

warned us, separate us from the healing energy of the Earth.

IDS Pajama Day benefits New Opportunities/Shelter Now

Runners are hearing the message, as more and more are leaving the Reeboks in their closest. “Barefoot running is a new trend,” said Ellis, “and it’s helping the issue of barefoot hiking. Running on pavement is harder because the pavement is an abrasive surface, so many switch to barefoot hiking.”

Students at Independent Day School enjoyed their second school-wide Spirit Day — Pajama Day 2012 — to benefit New Opportunities/Shelter Now in Meriden. Students chose to focus their ServiceLearning for the 2011-12 school year on helping the homeless children in their nearby communities. The student body and faculty enjoyed the fun and comfort of wearing “jammies” and carrying around their favorite stuffy with them for the day, as well as the warm feeling of making a difference in another child’s life. Students brought in over 75 boxes of cereal, six cans of soup and around 105 gently-loved stuffed animals to donate. The second grade class counted and classified the cereal by different criteria as part of their math lesson.

Research aside, Ellis knows firsthand of the benefits of barefootin.’ The shock absorption has reduced his joint pain, and he said his feet are healthier. When the doctors examine him, they say he has strong feet. But mainly, he just loves the sensations and connection with nature. “It’s a sensual experience,” he said. To learn how to join the Barefoot Hikers of Connecticut, go to www.meetup.com/ct-barefooters.

Submitted by JoAnn Rider

Town Times Service Directory KENNETH R. JAY

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They go on to quote author and health authority David Wolfe. “The common shoe is perhaps the world’s most dangerous invention. It’s one of the most destructive culprits of inflammation and autoimmune diseases.” Shoes, he

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The Town Times welcomes submissions regarding upcoming events happening in the community, letters and obituaries. E-mail news@towntimes.com with your submission by Mondays at noon. We do our best to run calendar events and announcements 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 (203) 317-2313 or e-mail advertising@towntimes.com for a paid ad.

Town Times

Friday, April 13, 2012

Town Times

Zumbathon raises $1,000 for ALS research

Poem

(from page 9)

and children read, act out and share poetry with great enthusiasm. Every classroom has a collection of a variety of poetry books, and students often choose to write poetry as a

way to tell a story or express themselves. Teachers also use poetry as a great way to improve reading fluency and expand vocabulary. This year, John Lyman School is celebrating National Poetry Month by sharing a new poem each day as part of our

morning announcements. On April 2, I introduced this to the children by sharing a seasonal poem. Each day since that time, a student volunteer has read a poem that he or she has selected independently or with the class and which has been practiced for an expressive reading.

On March 30, Core Club and Gym hosted an United We Dance to Cure ALS™ Zumbathon where 100 percent of ticket fees directly benefited MDA’s Augie’s Quest, a nonprofit research initiative dedicated to finding treatments and cures for ALS. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive motor neuron disease that robs people of the ability to move their muscles. Instructors who donated their time, along with those who came to the event, helped raise over $1,000. Submitted by Cheryl Salva

Copies of the poems are then available for each class. It is exciting to hear children discussing which poem they want to share and why. We’re especially having great fun with the writing by poet and artist Douglas Florian who is the author chosen for

Town Times Service Directory 1234926

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this year’s Young Authors’ Day. Florian, whose poems are often as artistic as they are literary, has published a vast collection of poetry books which he has illustrated as well. His books are so popular that our librarian, Mrs. Kohs cannot keep them on the shelves of the Library Media Center. Children are really looking forward to meeting him, hearing him talk about his writing and illustrating and getting to know him. Members of the student Literary Board, as well as some other budding writers, will also have the opportunity to participate in a Writers’ Workshop with Mr. Florian. Some other students will attend an Authors’ luncheon. May 3 will truly be a celebration of writing, especially poetry writing as students will also be sharing their published writing with groups of students from several classrooms! Staff members talk with each other about poetry as well. At our April staff meeting, I passed around Poem in Your Pocket for Young Poets, 100 Poems to Rip Out & Read so that each staff member could rip out and carry a poem with them. This practice goes along with the tradition started last year on the special “Keep a Poem in Your Pocket Day” which will be celebrated this year on April 26. On that morning, everyone will be encouraged to have a favorite poem in his or her pocket, and I will have for them a card (later to be used as a bookmark,) of “Keep a Poem in Your Pocket.” For those in the community who would like to honor the tradition, refer to the poem at the start of this column which I invite you to rip out and tuck into your pocket.

Friday, April 13, 2012

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Hunger Games

Budget

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tended the symposium, including the commissioner of agriculture Steve Reviczky and John Bartok, a renowned expert in the field of making hoop houses . Most in the group were people currently farming or who wanted to start farming.

cannot afford to take more out,” he said. “We need money to operate, we need cash flow.” Under Salaries, all full and part-time positions with standard office hours were give a 3.5 percent increase based on current union contract with a few exceptions, which heard some concerns during public comment. Korn spoke briefly about revenue, reporting that local revenues have decreased since 2008, and the grand list is also not growing at any significant level. The 2012-13 grand lists saw a 1 percent increase. Resident Donia Viola said she appreciated the explicit answers from the Korn to questions about the budget but said the budget as proposed “is a big disservice to how you’re handling our funds.”

the candidates’ eyes on the “muttations.”), but they do not change the course of the story. In the book, the story is told from Katniss’ viewpoint, and cleverly, the film twists this by bringing in the gamekeepers’ viewpoint in several key scenes. I found this heightened the suspense. Overall, the transition from page to screen is relatively smooth, thanks to Suzanne Collins involvement in the screenplay. Too easily, the story could have sidelined from its moral agenda and been turned into a love story. The Hunger Games is no love story. Altogether, The Hunger Games is a well-done adaptation of a visionary novel. Hungry for more of the series, I will wait in line with the masses for the sequel, Catching Fire, set to start

We’d love to print it — photos, too! Send it: P.O. Box 265 Middlefield, CT 06455 E-mail it: news@towntimes.com

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Plant sale The Mid-Lea Garden Club is holding a plant sale featuring perennials from its members’ own gardens. There will be a wide variety of hearty plants available. The sale will take place on Saturday, April 21, at the Middlefield Community Center from 9 a.m. until noon. This fundraiser will help support the high school scholarship sponsored by the Mid-Lea Garden Club each year.

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Zemelsky said season extension farming is not a new concept — “people have been extending the season for quite a while” — but new ideas are always coming about and people are pioneering ideas to try. So while the Zemelskys wait for the carrots planted in November to come ripe in mid May, they will be hosting a Coginchaug Area Transition Town meeting on April 23 at Starlight Gardens (see April 6 issue for more information on Transition Town).

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If you fall into the latter category and missed the symposium, Zemelsky said it’s not too late to try your own season extension farming as the next couple of weeks could still see overnight freezes. A real hoop house would be a several thousand dollar investment, according to Zemelsky, but a backyard farmer can start small for almost no money by purchasing a few hoops, bending them into half circles and sticking them in the ground. Plastic is placed over the hoop and weighted down with sand bags for an environment to plant. Because season extension typically commences in September and carries through the winter and into spring, Zemelsky explained that the hoop is mostly for the purpose of protecting crops from the snow, so it’s not critical this time of year. A person wanting to cover their outside crops right now need just use the plastic.

shooting in the fall of 2012. More than that, I wait with bated breath to see who will play Finnick. I’m not only hungry, I’m starving for some more juicy characters. This one is definitely worth the price of admission. My rating: 4 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.

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Town Times Sports

Friday, April 13, 2012

Torrison Stone wins fourth straight Men’s League Title By Scott Strang Special to the Town Times

Torrison Stone went on a late run to overcome a twopoint deficit and defeat Around the Clock in their league semi-final game, and Adam Poturnicki had a terrific 22-point effort in the finals to hold off a tough challenge from Time Out Taverne and win the 2012 Durham Men’s League Basketball Championship last Tuesday night. Semifinal 1: Time Out Taverne 71, Shadow Room 69 (2OT) Scott Penney hit a gamewinning basket with three seconds left in the second overtime to lift Time Out over Shadow Room to advance to the league Championship. Pete Doering scored the first five of his game high 25 points to open the game,

but Shadow Room quickly responded as Greg Bereski hit a pair of three-pointers to close the score to 16-14 with nine minutes left in the half. Bereski and Jason Williams each hit a pair of free throws in the final minute of the first half, and Shadow Room led 28-25 at the break. Four minutes into the second period, Mike Criscuolo hit an eightfoot jumper to regain the lead for Time Out at 34-33, but Bereski hit another threepointer, and Shadow Room started a 17-7 run over the next 10 minutes that looked like enough to secure the win. Doering then went on a six-point run during which Williams, the top foul shooter for Shadow Room, fouled out. Shadow Room would not make another field goal in regulation, and went just 7-14 at the line down the stretch. Greg Bereski hit a pair of free

The Torrison Stone team stands with their trophy. Submitted by Tyler Gerry

throws to make it 58-54 with one minute left in regulation, but Doering was fouled shooting a three and made two of

his free throws to close the lead to two. Criscuolo was fouled and tied the game at the line with 16 seconds left.

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As time expired, a Greg Bereski three attempt would not stay in the cylinder, and the miss forced overtime. Dan Connelly opened with a basket for Time Out, and Brian Baranowski hit a three for Shadow Room, but Shadow Room missed their next four foul shots, and trailing 64-63, Bereski hit one of two free throws to tie the game and force a second overtime. Doering opened the second extra period with a pair of baskets, but again Brian Baranowski responded with a three-pointer to cut the lead to one. Criscuolo hit one of two foul shots, and Dan Thody tied the game for Shadow Room with a jumper, but in the final seconds, Scott Penney put back an offensive rebound with three remaining to seal the victory in the most exciting league game in the past two seasons. Bereski finished with 22 to lead Shadow Room, and Williams finished with 16. Penney ended with 12 and Criscuolo and Scott Chesmer scored 11 each for Time Out. Semifinal 2: Torrison Stone 62, Around the Clock 49 Around the Clock opened the contest with an 8-0 start, and led by two with 10 minutes left in the game, but Torrison shut them down from there to secure a spot in their fourth straight championship game. Ryan Donecker started strong for ATC, scoring seven of their first 13 points to build a 13-5 lead. ATC double-teamed Adam Poturnicki, and inside baskets did not come easy for Torrison in the first half. Trailing 18-16, Dave Bennett hit a three-point shot to give Torrison their first lead. Donecker hit a lay-up to tie the game at 25, but Bennett hit another pair of three-pointers to build a 31-27 halftime lead for Torrison. Trailing 39-33 early in the second half, Steve Markoski was fouled on a drive to the basket and hit a pair of free throws, then Cody Donecker scored five straight, and Markoski hit on a jump shot to give ATC a 41-39 lead with just over 10 See League, page 36

Town Times Sports

Friday, April 13, 2012

Coaches learn strategies for players’ success in life and in sports By Michele Wenchell Special to the Town Times

the main objectives of this workshop was “to assist coaches on maintaining a

balance

between

visit their website at www.positivecoach.org. The Coginchaug Little League Board of Directors would like to thank all of the managers and coaches who attended this workshop and who have volunteered their time during the upcoming spring 2012 season to continue to help make the little league organization better for the players and their families. See you all at Opening Day Ceremonies on Saturday, April 28, at noon.

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Approximately 75 Coginchaug Little League managers and coaches attended the Positive Coaching Alliance workshop on Thursday, April 5, at the Middlefield Community Center. In addition to members of the little league community, members from the Durham Basketball Association and the Regional District 13 school administration were invited to attend. The title of the PCA workshop was “Double-Goal Coaches: Coaching for Winning and Life Lessons” which focused on both helping athletes succeed in life as well as win on the scoreboard. The workshop provided managers and coaches with specific tools to assist them during practices as well as in game situations. Scott Strang, vice president of baseball, stated that one of

and keeping their entire team motivated to succeed and enjoy the sport at the same time.” The Coginchaug Little League board members who attended heard positive feedback from the majority of attendees, and coaches have already begun to utilize some of the PCA strategies during their practices over the weekend. If you would like to learn more about the Positive Coaching Alliance, please

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Town Times Sports

that would never get any closer. Bennett, Matt Lynch and Mark Pfister all led Torrison with 14. Pete Donecker was the top scorer for ATC with 13, while Markoski and Ryan Donecker each finished with 11.

League (Continued from page 34) minutes remaining. This was the latest that Torrison had trailed in a game all season. That lead would be short lived, as Bennett responded with another three-pointer to put Torrison ahead. Poturnicki hit a pair of foul shots, and after a Bennet lay-up, Tyler Gerry drained a threepoint shot to build a 50-41 lead

Championship: Torrison Stone 49, Time Out Taverne 41 Torrison survived a late scare by Time Out Taverne to complete their third straight undefeated season and fourth Men’s League Champi-

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onship. For 30 minutes it looked like Torrison Stone was just too much for Time Out to handle, Adam Poturnicki, held to just nine in the semifinals, scored 10 in the first half alone, all on shots from the low post and on putbacks of offensive rebounds. Pete Lynch also scored five first half points and added six rebounds as Torrison dominated the paint to finish the half with a 24-14 lead. Pete Doering got his game going in the second half scoring 11

Friday, April 13, 2012

of the next 15 points for Time Out, but with 10 minutes left in the game it was still a ninepoint Torrison lead. With just four minutes left, Time Out hit back-to-back threepointers by Doering and Mike Criscuolo to cut the lead to 45-41. Poturnicki, who added another 12 second half points, hit a basket in the lane, and Mark Pfister and Dave DeSanti hit late free throws in the final two minutes to secure the eight-point victory and the champi-

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onship. Doering finished with 21 and Scott Chesmer had seven for Time Out. Poturnicki ended with 22, Pete Lynch had nine and DeSanti finished with seven. The league would like to thank our nine sponsors for their support to make this another great year of Durham Men’s League basketball. The league returns next December, with registration starting in late October. Follow us on Facebook at Durham Men’s League or contact durhamctmensleaguebb@yahoo.com for more information. Before the final game, Allleague teams and the 2012 MVP were announced: All 3rd Team G Marc Crayton-Durham Dental G Wes Ulbrich-Scott Tax F Ryan Donecker-Around the Clock F Dave DeRosa-Allstate F Tim D’Aquilla-LasEngS All 2nd Team G Mike Bertrand-Allstate G Dave DeSanti-Torrison F Scott Chesmer-Durham Dental F Scott McGuiness-Time Out C Pete Lynch-Torrison All 1st Team G Greg Bereski-Shadow Room G Jason Williams-Shadow Room F Joe Davis-Snowservices F Steve Markoski-Around the Clock C Adam Poturnicki-Torrison 2012 DML MVP – Steve Markoski

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