Volume 18, Issue 1
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
Girls Scouts clean up for spring
DAC, books and wages: Durham residents sound off By Cheri Kelley Town Times
Willow, Megan, Makayla, Jenna, Stephanie, Jaylin, Margaret and Olivia of Girl Scout Troop #62650, and little sisters Morgan and Alyssa, celebrated spring by cleaning up Allyn Brook Park in Durham. The girls picked up trash and sticks, raked leaves, shoveled dirt from the brick path and swept a portion of the path. The hours of community service will be put toward the GSofCT goal of 100,000 community service hours by next March to celebrate 100 years of girl scouting. Submitted photo
Board of Ed reinstates nurse, sets budget at 4.16 percent By Mark Dionne Special to Town Times After nurses and parents voiced concerns at the April 6 public hearing about the plan to cut a school nurse from the district, the Board of Education (BOE) added the position back into its proposed 2011-12 budget. The move changes the budget’s net increase from 3.98 percent to 4.16 percent. At the March 23 meeting, the BOE adopted a plan to have two nurses cover three buildings — Strong, Korn
and Coginchaug. Talk about the danger of removing a nurse from one of the buildings dominated the public comment portion of the evening, which lasted less See BOE, page 31
In this issue ... Calendar............................4 Devil’s Advocate........15-22 Durham Briefs................26 Middlefield Briefs...........24 Obituaries. ...................32 Sports ..........................34-35
Durham residents came prepared to the annual budget hearing on Monday, April 11. Board of Finance (BOF) chairman Francis Korn directed the presentation of the 2011-2012 proposed budget, to which he said was “certainly another difficult budget.” The proposed budget is $5,468,034, an increase of $157,051 or 2.96 percent over the current year’s budget. According to the slideshow presented, this would mean an additional $413 in taxes for every $100,000 of assessed value, including both town and education budgets. The proposed budget calls for an increase in the mill rate of 20.47 percent or 1.05 mills, with the education numbers
the increase is 4.13 mills. Some cost saving initiatives came from reduction of employee hours, joint town bids and bidding consortiums and consolidation of contracts. One area of contention was the Durham Activity Center (DAC). George Eames IV questioned the way funds are being spent, saying, “I have issue with what are the true costs of maintaining the DAC.” He felt that the town should not be providing snow removal of the parking lot and walkways and even stated that he thought there might have been a town employee clearing the roof after one of the many heavy snowfalls this winter. First Selectman Laura Francis told
Friday, April 15, 2011
Web update Town Times turns 17 years old this week! In honor of our birthday, our most recent poll asked “What do you look forward to the most in each week's paper?” By press time, 49 people responded. Here were the results: Photos: 33 percent News: 41 percent Features: 4 percent Letters/Columns: 22 percent In this issue, we have hidden a few birthday candles throughout the entire paper. The first two people to email us (news@towntimes.com) with the correct number of birthday candles will get a prize.
See Durham Hearing, page 7
Unknown assailants target students with paintball guns By Erin Holden and Melissa Ober Devil’s Advocate reporters Students standing at the main entrance of Coginchaug received an unwelcomed surprise on March 16. According to witnesses, unknown assailants pulled up to the front of the school around 3:40 and fired several paintball rounds in the direction of the students. “They drove by us three times,” said sophomore Derek Matcheski. “The first time they yelled at one of the girls standing with us.” “They came back five minutes later with a paintball gun and fired seven shots,” said junior Jimmy Malcolm. “No one was hit, but the school and Derek’s guitar case were. After the
second time, junior Adam Pilarski called the police.” The car came back a third time, before the police arrived, but no one was shot. “This case is under investigation,” said Trooper Paul Piper. “We took a copy of the video,” said Trooper Piper. “There were approximately seven shots in total,” said assistant principle Mr. Brian Bodner. “The car was a newer model of a white Nissan Altima with a sunroof and tinted windows, but the students had difficulty reading the plate numbers. We don’t think it was someone from the school because there was a broad array of students outside and none of them recognized the people in the car.” The same afternoon, a student was running up Bear
Rock Road when a white car pulled up beside him. “I was running when I heard things hitting the trees,” said sophomore Jeremy Brown. “I turned around and there was a guy wearing a ski mask shooting at me with a paintball gun.” Jeremy was running alone for track practice around 4:05. “I tried to get back to the school as fast as I could,” said Jeremy. According to the criminal information summary, which was filed by Trooper Piper, “The vehicle was occupied by two white males and the passenger was described as having short dark hair and a goatee.” If you have any information about this incident or the vehicle please contact the Westbrook Police Barracks at 860-399-2100.
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Conversations with local talents in Durham During the months of May and June, Durham’s Senior Citizen Board will present a spring series of “Conversations with Local Talents” to highlight the range of talents and interests that color the lives of those who reside in town. Subjects of these conversations will range from the Hurricane of l938 and other historical memories to advice on making wise in-
Town Times Community Briefs vestment decisions and will include the craft of writing, the art of publication and the beauty and value of maps. Nationally recognized local cartographer Connie Brown will introduce the work that takes place in the Redstone Studio located behind her Main Street home. CPA Jeremy Lobo will offer a survival kit of information for the over-50 generation and award-winning writers Kristan Higgins and Leslie Bulion will discuss their successful writing careers. The Colonial schoolhouse and
Index of Advertisers
The opening series of conversations will end with a presentation by the Connecticut State Police on the history of their organization. The series of discussions will take place during the months of May and June in the Durham Activity Center at 6:30 and 7 p.m. and will be open to the community. A “pot belly stove conversa-
Corrections We strive to bring you the most accurate info available each week, but if you see something in Town Times that isn’t quite right, give us a call at 860-349-8000, and we’ll do our best to make things right. The Exchange Club Easter flower sale is April 21-23, not last weekend as was previously stated. For full details, see this week’s calendar on page four. The correct phone number for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, LLC is 860-3497063. The correct contact to purchase tickets for Durham’s Fiddles in the Firehouse is Karen Dyndiuk at 860-3493468.
tion,” led by Ralph Chase, Bob Newton and Bob Atwell will take place on May 2 at 1 p.m. following the Senior Café lunch. The schedule for these events will be posted in the Town Times during the weeks to follow.
chines, telephones, modems, routers, batteries, stereos/radios, DVD/CD players, etc. No TVs or commercial box trucks.
Please join us in Honoring RSD13’s 2010-11 Teacher of the Year, Philip Moriarty, at John Lyman School’s library media center on Tuesday, May 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. Please RSVP by May 2 to Darlene Allen at 860-349-7240 or dallen@rsd13.org.
A group of students from Coginchaug Regional High School will be heading to Yellowstone National Park this summer to do research with biologists and foresters in the National Park Service through Ecology Project International. While in Yellowstone, the students will be assisting in data collection on various research projects ranging from pine bark beetles to grizzly bears. They will also work on habitat restoration projects.
Help students do research in Yellowstone Teacher of the Year celebration National Park
Computer and electronics recycling event The Middlesex Community College and Green Monsterecycling will host the second annual computer and electronics recycling event at Middlesex Community College on Thursday, April 21 (rain date April 28). The free event is located at the college’s parking lot, 100 Training Hill Rd., Middletown, from 10-2. They will accept anything with a cord or battery: computers, monitors, terminals, toner, cartridges, printers, fax ma-
The students are currently working on fundraising efforts to put the final payments in for their nine-day trip. Do you have some yard work that needs to be done? Students are available to do yard work for $10/hour per student. If you would like to hire a student for a project, contact Susan Michael at 860349-7215, ext. 235. Leave a message indicating the job you need done and a phone number you can be reached at.
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To advertise in the Town Times, call Joy Boone at 860-349-8026 Addy & Sons..............................33 Jay Landscaping .................12, 29 Advertising Donations ...............25 JC Farm & Greenhouse ..............6 Affordable Excavation ...............31 KDM Kitchens............................33 Allan’s Tree Service ..................34 Kim’s Cottage Confections..........3 APEC Electric............................34 Langer Contractors ...................31 Aps Consulting Services ...........32 Lino’s Market ...............................3 B & R Construction......................3 Lyman Orchards........................13 Batters Box................................24 Masonicare............................6, 10 Be Free Solar ............................28 Middlesex Community College ......7 Berardino Company Realtors .....35 Middlesex Health Care Center.....11 Binge, Bruce..............................33 Midstate Tractor ........................14 Black Dog ....................................5 Mims Oil.......................................5 Bond Optics...............................27 Movado Farm ............................34 Bonterra Italian Bistro................24 Neil Jones Home Improvements......31 Boylin, William Dr ........................5 New England Dental Health......25 Brenda’s Main Street Feed .......13 Paint Spot..................................12 Brick Construction .....................30 PD Home Care And Repairs.......29 Brockett Paving & Construction ....32 Petruzelo Agency Insurance..10, 32 Cahill & Sons.............................32 Quality Landscaping Services.........7 Carlton Interior...........................24 Raintree Landscaping .........14, 33 Carmine’s Restaurant .................3 Raney, Jason, DMD..................11 Catamount Construction ...........29 Realty Associates......................35 CCSU ........................................18 RLI Electric ................................32 Celltell Communications............11 Roblee Plumbing.......................33 Centurion Exterminating............30 Rockfall Co ................................32 Conroy, John, DMD.....................7 Rockfall PC Medic.....................33 Core Club ....................................2 Rockwell Excavation & Paving ....31 Country Landscaping ..........13, 31 RSDL Home Improvements......30 CV Enterprises ..........................32 Rudolph’s Landscaping.............13 Daricek Landscaping.................29 Singles Alternatives.....................5 Durham Dental ............................3 Sisters Cleaning Service...........30 Durham Family Eyecare .............5 T-N-T Home & Lawncare..........28 Durham Fitness.........................11 Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.....28 Erba Landscaping .....................28 Thompson Candy Company .....10 Executive Offices.......................36 Tile Renovators .........................14 Family Tree Care ......................32 Tony’s Masonry.........................29 Fine Work Home Improvement.....34 Torrison Stone & Garden ..........30 Fosdick, Gordon, MD ................11 Uncle Bob’s Flower & Garden .....12 Fuel & Service .............................6 Used Hitchcock Furniture..........12 Fugge, David M.........................34 V Nanfito Roofing & Siding .......10 Gaylord Hospital........................23 VMB Custom Builders...............29 Glazer Dental Associates............5 Whitehouse Construction..........33 Golschneider Painting...............31 Wild Wisteria .............................13 Hansen Contracting ..................28 Wildwood Lawn Care ................30 Healing Hands Massage Therapy ....28 Window Man..............................24 Home Works..............................34 Wolcott Land Owners................25 Ianniello Plumbing.....................33
Durham’s own historical school building will be the subjects discussed by local historian Diana McCain and Historical Society member Sarah Atwell.
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Friday, April 15, 2011
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Town Times
Durham selectmen approve 2011 farmers’ market lin read the applicable charter section, which the selectmen concluded was not ambiguous in its language on the matter. They decided to table the appointment until a Democrat is nominated. Francis noted that Boothroyd would have to wait until the end of 2012 when terms expire to fill a seat. The selectmen unanimously approved the 2011 season for the Durham Farmers’ Market on the town green. As of the May 5 market day, there will be electricity for up to eight vendors. Those using electricity will pay a $125 fee, those without will pay $100. Francis said the electricity hook-ups were generously donated by the Durham Fair. Francis noted that there
By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times At their April 11 Board of Selectmen’s (BOS) meeting, the board was all set to appoint Jeanne Boothroyd, an unaffiliated voter, to the Clean Energy Task Force when resident Roger Kleeman took issue with the motion and spoke up from the audience. He was concerned that the board was violating the charter by filling the seat with an unaffiliated person, rather than a Democrat. First Selectman Laura Francis said Boothroyd’s endorsement came from the Democratic Town Committee itself, and all selectmen agreed it is unfortunate to have to turn down a willing resident. Nevertheless, selectman Jim McLaugh-
will be featured vendors and special guests this season, and parking signs and handicap spaces will be the same as last year. The selectmen approved the designation of April as National Donate Life Month. A flag will be flown at the Town Hall honoring people who are willing to be organ donors. In an update on the Main Street water discussion, Francis reported that members of the Environmental Protection Agency will join the first organizational meeting on April 28 to help facilitate. The earliest start date for the Merriam site clean-up is the week of April 18. There will be a meeting with the Public Safety Executive Committee to discuss safety issues during the clean-up.
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The board approved the reappointment of Judith Hurlbert to the Region II Mental Health Board Catchment Area Council #10.
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ment of Public Safety, Division of State Police and the town of Durham for the services of the RST, for the contract period July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013 (reviewed by the town’s attorney with few changes having little to no effect on town); a request from the Exchange Club to serve alcohol at the annual award reception on April 28 at the Durham Fire House.
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The selectmen approved the following: a traffic plan for Memorial Day festivities on May 30, 2011, as prepared by the Resident State Trooper (RST); a request from the Exchange Club to sell snacks/hot dogs on May 30 at Allyn Brook Park (the Road Race event); a second Exchange Club request for the annual Washington Trail Road Races on May 30 at 11 a.m., starting at Coginchaug High School; a contract and authorizing resolution between the state Depart-
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Town Times & Places
47 4 FRIDAY
April 15 One World Brewster School has its One World celebration throughout the day. Girls Outside The Girls Outside program will be held at Wadsworth Mansion or Wadsworth Falls State Park from 1 to 4 p.m. Volunteers are needed. Call Lucy at 860-395-7771 for more info or to volunteer.
SATURDAY
April 16 Forest Discussion Tom Wessels, author of Reading the Forested Landscape, will speak at the CT Forest and Park Association at 9 a.m. Volunteers will be trained. For more info, call Lucy at 860-395-7771. Easter Apple Hunt Lyman Orchards’ 27th annual Easter Apple Hunt will take place on the grounds of the Apple Barrel market. Visit lymanorchards.com for more info. Easter Egg Hunt The Middlefield Lion’s Club Easter Egg Hunt will be at Peckham Park at 1 p.m. The rain date is next Saturday, April 23 at 1 p.m. NHS’ Spring Clean-up If you are interested in hiring a National Honor Society team for help with your yard clean-up, please call 860-349-7215 during the week of school vacation (April 1623) and give the secretaries your name, phone and a description of what work you need done. NHS students will be returning the calls the week of April 24.
SUNDAY
April 17 Community Supper The United Churches of Durham will host a free potluck community supper from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in United Churches Fellowship Hall at 228 Main St. in Durham. On the menu are turkey and beef chili, chicken, scalloped potatoes, salad and more.
Parishioners from the Church of the Epiphany and Notre Dame will provide desserts. All are invited and all are welcome to this free event. Information is available by calling Church of the Epiphany at 860-349-9644. Daffodil Day The Friends of Long Hill Estate and the Long Hill Estate Authority will host the annual Daffodil Day from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate, 421 Wadsworth St. in Middletown. This family event will be held rain or shine, and there is no charge for admission. Daffodils will greet visitors as they enter. At 1:30 Marcy Klattenberg will take hikers on a walk along the Inner Trail looking for spring wildflowers. There is an exploration from 2 to 4 p.m. at the vernal pool to the east of the Mansion. Everyone Outside (www.EveryoneOutside.org) will provide viewing scopes and information. Learn what letterboxing is all about. Volunteers from Everyone Outside will explain how it works and provide clues to assist you in finding a beautifully handcarved stamp of a scene from the Mansion. Ranger Russ Miller from Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset State Park will present his live reptile show. Colorful characters from Art Farm will be clowning around from 1:30 to 3 p.m. At 2 p.m. Susan Peak will play and sing songs from her “Stupendously Wonderful Music Show.” Information will be available at the Wadsworth Mansion by calling 860-347-1064 or visiting WadsworthMansion.com. Frog Days Everyone Outside invites people of all ages to join them this spring as we observe the amazing transformations that occur in the vernal pools in Field Forrest in Durham or Wadsworth Falls State Park in Rockfall. Over several outings we will see frogs (hopefully “quacking” loudly and looking for a mate), frog and salamander eggs, tadpoles, salamander and insect larvae, etc. Additional vernal pool visits will be on April 29 and May 1.
Registration required. For more info or to register, contact Lucy at info@EveryoneOutside.org or 860-395-7771.
TUESDAY
April 19 Durham’s Ag Commission The Durham Agricultural Commission is holding a meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in the third floor meeting room at Town Hall to exchange thoughts and ideas with the town’s agricultural land owners, land operators and the public to solicit their input in terms of what they’d like to see the commission do for them as well as the residents of Durham. The commission’s duties include providing information to educate town government about agriculture laws, assist in conflict resolution and promote economic opportunities. The discussion is open to all local residents. Destination Durham Every Tuesday at 7 p.m., on Comcast channel 19, Destination Durham will be played for those living in Durham. DVDs are also available at the Durham and Levi Coe Libraries; call for availability.
WEDNESDAY
April 20 Healing Eucharist Come to the Church of the Epiphany, Main Street in Durham, at 9 a.m. for the weekly Holy Eucharist with healing. Knit Club Come knit or crochet at the Durham Activity Center every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. TOPS Join the TOPS meetings every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Durham Town Hall third floor meeting room. For more info, call Naomi at 860-349-9558 or Bonnie at 860-349-9433.
THURSDAY
April 21 Easter Flower Sale Purchase your Easter lilies and spring blooms from the Durham-Middlefield Ex-
Friday, April 15, 2011
change Club to support local scholarships, family advocacy programs and the prevention of child abuse. The club will hold its a n n u a l flower sale today from 3 to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday when doors will open at 8 a.m. Easter lilies, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and much more will be available for purchase, rain or shine, in the Strong School parking lot. Blood Drive The Durham Public Library is holding a blood drive for the American Red Cross from 1 to 6 p.m. Potential donors are encouraged to pre-register to ensure quick and efficient processing, but walk-ins are also taken. Go to www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation and put in the zip 06422 to sign up for an appointment, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Be sure to bring your blood donor card or any other form of identification.
SATURDAY
April 23 Easter Egg Hunt Durham Recreation is sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt at Allyn Brook Park at 9 a.m. The eggs are donated by HiLand Farms. There are restrooms at the park. Hunts are sectioned into age groups, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., youngest to oldest.
MONDAY
April 25
FRIDAY
Race to Nowhere Film The movie Race to Nowhere is a hard-hitting documentary that aims to expose the silent epidemic in our schools. This grassroots sensation is a must-see for students and their parents, and everyone in the community is encouraged to attend. The film will be played at CRHS tonight at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available at the door or in advance at rtncoginchaug.eventbrite.com.
April 22
TUESDAY
Golf Demo Lyman Orchards will hold a golf demo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the driving range at Lyman Orchards Golf Club. Come try the latest and greatest in golf equipment. Free admission. Ecumenical Cross Walk Clergy and parishioners from Notre Dame Church, Church of the Epiphany and United Churches of Durham, St. Coleman Church and the Middlefield Federated Church invite all to join them in the Way of the Cross on Good Friday. The Way of the Cross is a physical event to commemorate the walk of Jesus as he journeyed from the Last Supper to his crucifixion and resurrection. The event begins at noon at Notre Dame Church, Main Street in Durham, and will end by planting the cross on the lawn at Church of the Epiphany. Along the way, participants will carry the cross and observe Stations of the Cross. The sanctuary at Epiphany will be open for prayer from noon to 3 p.m.
April 26 Transition Night Memorial School will hold a Transition Night for grade four and five students who will be entering the middle school soon. It will start at 7 p.m. and is geared towards making the kids feel more comfortable with and transition into the new school and different environment. Antiques Appraisal Wadsworth Glen Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, 30 Boston Rd. in Middletown, is hosting an antiques appraisal event featuring William Barrows of Thomas Barrows & Sons, Ltd. from 5 to 7 p.m. There is a limit of three items per person. In lieu of appraisal fees for this event, they will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Amazing Grace Food Pantry. Hearty appetizers will be served. Please RSVP by April 22 to 860-346-9299 (Ext. 159) or outreach@ wadsworthglenhcc.com.
Friday, April 15, 2011
5
Town Times
Middlefield Board of Finance finalizes budget before hearing By Elisabeth Kennedy Special to Town Times The Middlefield Board of Finance (BOF) met with departments and outside agencies from Feb. 23 through March 31, going over proposals and discussing needs in an effort to determine budget priorities. On April 8, the board met to complete its analysis of the first selectman’s proposed budget and to finalize and vote on the Board of Finance budget. During these weeks of workshops, many changes were made to the first selectman’s proposed budget, to not only lower the budget,but to move money to where the BOF believes it is most needed. Changes to the budget: 2215 Mattabeseck Bridge reduced from $23,000 to $0;
2280 Dump Truck Replacement increased from $51,700 to $70,000 (with caveat that a cap be placed on spending on first truck so as not to spend reserve for second); 2281 Small Dump Truck Replacement reduced from $24,500 to $10,500; 2285 Pick-Up Replacement reduced from $7,500 to $3,000; 2400 Police Cruiser Replacement – lapse account and reallocate $10,833; 2720 Industrial Park projects reduced from $20,000 to $0; 2730 Animal Control Vehicle – lapse account and reallocate $5,000; 4700 Fund Balance increased from $75,000 to $150,000; 6007 Accounting Software License increased from $3,125 to $4,125; 6012 Office Expense (First Selectman) reduced from
$4,500 to $4,200; 6072 Labor Counsel reduced from $14,850 to $5,000; 6321 Town Hall Building Expense reduced from $15,000 to $12,500; 6341 Community Center Expense reduced from $47,700 to $45,200; 6361 Street Lights reduced from $55,000 to $49,500; 6421 Auto Maintenance reduced from $6,250 to $5,800; 6451 Computer Network reduced from $6,325 to $5,325; 6580 Social Security reduced from $85,400 to $83,635; 6582 Health Benefits reduced from $321,375 to $295,000; 6583 Life Insurance reduced from $2,935 to $2,625; 6586 Pension reduced from $108,925 to $104,300; 6608 Town Clerk Assistant reduced from $22,876 to $21,350; 6705 State Delinquent Auto increased from $780 to $990;
sharing the trooper) to $121,000 (Durham voted not to share the trooper); 7908 Police Secretary reduced from $14,922 to $4,145; 7912 Sundry Expense – Police reduced from $5,900 to $4,800; 8012 Fire Department Supplemental Benefits reduced from $31,725 to $26,000; 8052 Vehicle Mileage reduced from $900 to $800; 8054 Sundry Expense Fire Marshal reduced from $500 to $300; 8105 Emergency Notifica-
6902 Election Expense reduced from $16,200 to $10,000; 7001 Land Use/Health Department Office Assistant reduced from $36,029 to $25,084 (reduction of hours); 7609 Garage Expense reduced from $14,100 to $11,500; 7612 Sundry Expense (Public Works) reduced from $5,550 to $4,750; 7804 Shelter Expenses – Animal Control reduced from $1,750 to $1,500; 7900 Resident Trooper increased from $60,500 (the number First Selectman Jon Brayshaw proposed when Durham was considering
See Mfld. BOF, page 31
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USPS 021-924 Published weekly by Record-Journal Publishing Co., d/b/a Town Times, P.O. Box 265, Middlefield, CT 06455. Periodicals Postage Paid at Middlefield, CT and at additional mailing offices.
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Town Times
Guidelines — and the importance — of bicycle safety By Cheri Kelley Town Times The birds are singing and the daffodils are alight with cheerful splashes of yellow across yards that will soon be lush and green. Residents are happy to be out and about enjoying the weather. This is the time of year when bicycles are dusted off and their tires are pumped up and ready for the first ride of the season. With all the fun of bike riding comes the seriousness of bicycle safety. In 2009 there were two accidents in Middlefield involving bikes and motor vehicles. The first occured at
the intersection of Main Street and Derby Road in Rockfall where a 13-year-old male was treated by first responders and transported to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. The second was on Hubbard Street near Whisper Winds Road in Middlefield where a 14-year-old male was also treated by first responders and was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital. Both boys were local residents, and, according to the accident reports, they sustained minor, non-life-threatening injuries. In 2008, a nine-year-old Middlefield resident frac-
tured the bone surrounding his eye socket when his foot slipped off his bicycle pedal and he flew over the handle bars onto the pavement. He was not wearing a helmet. It took about 30 to 40 stitches to close the wound inside, and another 22 stitches on the outside. In the course of the accident, he also chipped his tooth and bruised his right foot. It is of the utmost importance that some precautionary measures are taken when bike-riding so folks participating in this warm weather recreation remain out of harm’s way. Often people debate about
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My aunt was actually one of the first residents to come here. To this day, they still treat her as if she is their only resident! And it shows: she‘s gained a much-needed 20 pounds, is happy and feels trusting again.
There is also a law about the need for reflectors on the back and all sides of bikes; the reflectors need to be visible for 600 feet. In the state of Connecticut, bike helmets are required for riders under 16 years of age. In a brochure from Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, www.helmet.org, the amount of injuries that can be prevented by wearing a helmet vastly outweigh the absurdity of not wearing one. “Medical research shows that 85 percent of cyclists’ head injuries can be prevented by a bicycle helmet. More than 800 bicycle riders are
Bike safety tips Always wear a helmet with the chin strap secure. Ride on the right-hand side of the street. Wear light or bright colored clothing so motorists can see you. Avoid broken pavement, loose gravel and leaves that make you lose control. Give cars and pedestrians the right-of-way and obey traffic signals. Check your brakes before riding each time.
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killed in the U.S. every year, almost all in collisions with cars, and 75 percent die of head injuries.” So the next time your kids complain about not looking cool, stick with the helmet requirement and insist they wear it. If all parents require it, and therefore kids are used to wearing them, being thought of as uncool won’t be an issue, and more kids will have a fun and safe bike-riding season. Enjoy your ride!
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“My aunt had lived alone, with no children. When her dementia became worse, we had people come in to care for her. Unfortunately, we had many negative experiences. So I decided to look at memory care communities in the area. I knew about Masonicare’ s great reputation and heard that they were opening a memory care assisted living community called The Hearth.
which side of the road bicyclists should be traveling on. According to the ct.gov website, bicyclists should always stay on the right side of the road going with the direction of traffic. The state’s website gives some of the reasons for the law: “Motorists don’t expect wrong-way traffic, and wrong-way bicyclists and motorists come together head-on at the sum of their speeds; neither has much time to avoid each other.”
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Durham Hearing (Continued from page 1) Town Times after the meeting, in no uncertain terms, that, “There was not a town employee on the roof.” Eames continued emphatically, “Get the town crew out of maintaining private property and get them back onto the roads where they belong!” This statement was followed by applause from some members of the community in attendance. Francis responded to his concern by saying that the town provides some plowing because the rent of the DAC is at a very reduced rate. The town had already planned that the DAC would close if the schools closed due to inclement weather in the future. Another
issue
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Town Times
Eames
voiced at the hearing was that he felt there was an “ethical dilemma” in the Recreation Department. “If the Recreation Committee is not reviewing the programs, then how can they prepare a budget? What you have is a one-person wrecking crew,” said Eames. He believes that the way in which instructors are chosen and how they are paid is an area in need of work. The instructor for one exercise class, according to Eames, was making $250 per hour, for which the town received very little money. Eames called the situation a “good old girls’ club,” and recommended the budget for the Recreation Department be reduced by $40,000 until things can be figured out. Francis reiterated the fact that the fee structure for instructors at the DAC is being studied and retooled. As she has said at many other recent meetings, they are working
on the issue, and because this is the first year for the DAC, all these issues are new. Research as to how other towns handle fees at their centers is being conducted. Another area of concern forsome residents was the allotment of $52,000 for books and media for the library. Harry Hall stated, “I just have trouble spending $52,000 on books when the Volunteer Fire Company gets $59,000.” Durham library director Valerie Kilmartin stated, “More and more people are using the library services; circulation is up. In this economy, people are giving up things like internet service, Netflix, and going to the movies.” One resident questioned
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On April 4, CT teens were honored for their 25second videos warning against distracted driving as part of the annual DMVTravelers contest. This year’s theme was “Make the Right Choice.” The three winning high schools shared $9,000 from Travelers and must be used for promoting teen safe-driving awareness. Coginchaug High School, which had placed in the top 10, did not end up being selected for first, second or third place. Coginchaug’s video can be found on YouTube.
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how raises for town employees were approved in this rough economic time. He stated, “I have lived in Durham for 10 years and am about to be taxed out of this town. What are we going to do when hard working people can not afford to live here?” The BOF felt that it was not fair to treat employees differently; union positions are contractually required to have raises, and they felt that everyone should be treated the same.
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Town Times
8
Friday, April 15, 2011
Holy Week and Easter Christian worship opportunities in our towns
Town Times 488 Main St., P.O. Box 265, Middlefield, CT 06455 http://www.towntimes.com News Advertising Fax Marketplace
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Town Times is published every Friday by the Record-Journal Publishing Co. and is delivered to all homes and businesses in Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall. Stephanie Wilcox, Editor Cheri Kelley, Reporter Kimberley E. Boath, Advertising Director Joy Boone, Advertising Sales Dee Wilcox, Office Manager Contributors: Diana Carr, Mark Dionne, Elisabeth Kennedy, Karen Kean, Michelle P. Carter and Sue VanDerzee.
All grown up It took a village, that’s for sure. This issue marks Town Times’ 17th birthday and the start of our 18th year. Newspapers are especially aware of these milestones because every year we change our volume number on page one and start again counting the weeks as our anniversary rolls around. So this issue is Volume 18, Issue 1; Volume 18 will be around till the issue number hits 52 next April; then we will start all over again. Those volumes, however, are not to be taken lightly. It has indeed taken a village to get this far. Only half of new small businesses last over five years (according to statistics published by SCORE). Town Times is thus in an elite group, but that’s because our “village” has supported us over all these years. Our village consists of the towns of Durham and Middlefield, the businesses within and without our borders who purchase ads, the residents who generously share their news and opinions, the post office personnel who assure that you get your Town Times, our mostly-part-time employees who faithfully attend meetings and interesting events and write about them, and our discerning readers who keep us going with their encouragement and enthusiasm. We’re especially pleased that, according to the latest
online poll on our website, the highest proportion of responders (40 percent) count on Town Times for local news. Though significant numbers look first for letters and editorials or photos, news came out on top. To us, that means we’re doing the job we have tried to do over the last 17 years. Another sign of growing up is letting go. Every parent knows the feeling, whether it’s letting that toddler carefully climb a set of stairs or putting a kindergartner on the bus for the first time or taking a newly-minted high school graduate to college in a car laden with clothes, books and gadgets. Interestingly, parental success is largely judged by how well this process is negotiated as the new young adult enters the world prepared, or unprepared, to deal with its challenges. Though as a parent I had traveled this route before, the past year has given me the opportunity to experience letting go yet again with a “business child.” I am proud and happy that the Town Times seems well-prepared to deal with whatever challenges lie ahead, and perhaps most gratifying of all, the village remains the source of our strength. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts… Town Times editors Sue VanDerzee (past) and Stephanie Wilcox (present)
Church of the Epiphany An Episcopal congregation, 196 Main St. Durham; 860-349-9644, office@durhamepiphany.org 17th – Palm Sunday 9:20 a.m. meet in the parish hall 9:30 a.m. head to the church 21st – Holy Thursday 6:30 p.m. Maunday Thursday Agape Supper in the parish hall (call for reservations): feet washing, Eucharist evening vigil and stripping of the altar. 22nd – Good Friday 12 p.m. Ecumenical way of the Cross 7 p.m. Veneration of the Cross The church will be open all day for prayer. 24th – Easter Sunday 9:30 a.m. Festive Eucharist There will be brunch afterwards in the parish hall.
Middlefield Federated Church, UCC/UMC 402 Main St. Middlefield; 860-349-9881 17th – Palm Sunday 10 a.m. Palm/Passion service 21st – Holy Thursday 7 p.m. Tenebrae service 24th – Easter Sunday 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service at Lyman Orchards at the top of Powder Hill Road. 8:30 a.m. Easter service 10 a.m. Easter service
Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church 227 Main St. Durham; 860-349-3058 15th 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross 21st – Holy Thursday 7 p.m. Mass of the Lords supper The Easter Triduum begins, followed by the adoration of the blessed sacrament. 22nd – Good Friday 12 p.m. Ecumenical way of the Cross 3 p.m. Veneration of the Cross 7 p.m. Living stations of the Cross With the grade 9 confirmation students. 23rd 7:30 p.m. Vigil Mass 24th – Easter Sunday 7 a.m. Easter Mass 9 a.m. Easter Mass Followed by Easter Egg Hunt 11 a.m. Easter Mass
St. Colman Roman Catholic Church 145 Hubbard St. Middlefield; 860-349-3868 17th – Palm Sunday 4 p.m. Holy week begins This will include the blessing of palm branches and the proclamation of our Lords passion at all Masses. 21st – Holy Thursday 7 p.m. Mass of the Lords supper Including Holy Communion and procession. Adoration until midnight. 22nd – Good Friday 3 p.m. Liturgy of the passion 7 p.m. Living stations of the Cross 23rd 12 p.m. Holy Saturday blessing of Easter foods 5-8 p.m. Confessions 8 p.m. The great vigil 24th – Easter Sunday 8:30 a.m. Easter Mass 10:30 a.m. Easter Mass
United Churches of Durham, UCC/UMC 228 Main St. Durham; 860-349-3683 17th – Palm Sunday 5:30 p.m. Community supper in the Fellowship hall 21st – Holy Thursday 7 p.m. Maunday Thursday Service 22nd – Good Friday 12-3 p.m. Good Friday Vigil The sanctuary will be open for prayer. 24th – Easter Sunday 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service at Lyman Orchards at the top of Powder Hill Road. 10 a.m. Festive service of Easter resurrection in sanctuary
Victory Tabernacle Christian Church 191 Meriden Rd. Middlefield; 860-346-6771 22nd – Good Friday 7 p.m. The Puppet Master Easter play Free admission, must be at least 12 years old. 23rd 7 p.m. The Puppet Master Easter play Free admission, must be at least 12 years old. 24th – Easter Sunday 8:45 a.m. Easter Mass 10:45 a.m. Easter Mass Followed by The Puppet Master Easter play Free admission, must be at least 12 years old.
Letters policy The Town Times intends to present a forum for the lively exchange of ideas and issues. To facilitate the publication of your contributions, several guidelines should be followed. Letters to the editor must be signed, with a phone number included. The writer will be called to confirm authorship. No anonymous letters will be printed. Contributions by any individual or group will not be published more frequently than once a month. Every effort will be made to print all letters received. However, the selection and date of publication will be at the discretion of the editor. Finally, the opinions expressed by our letter writers are not necessarily those of this newspaper. Deadline: Tuesday noon for Friday publication.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Town Times Columns
BFFL (Best friends for life) hard to give children Spring brings with Nancy Heckler, principal the message that it great promise. At school, spring is the Brewster School, in collaboration while here, inclusion is the norm. They will time we become with Franciene Lehmann spend 10 more years acutely aware of the with this peer group. developmental leaps They can begin now and bounds students to understand their have taken over the responsibility to good year. They begin to feel comfortable with their new suc- citizenship. Respect for and kindcesses, and we are afforded the en- ness toward every student in their joyment of watching their excite- classes will only serve them in the future and leave them open to a variment. Among the developmental ety of social opportunities. Parents can help by affording as changes is their improved social competencies, though sometimes many opportunities as possible for it may not feel like improvement. students to have varied experiences Primary-aged children move in with other children. Play dates, famand out of relationships as they ex- ily events, sports, clubs, scouting plore social interactions. They can and interest-oriented activities are spend significant amounts of pro- all great social learning experiences. cessing time working through Play dates don’t need to last for their feelings about interactions hours and, in fact, they shouldn’t. with their friends and planning the There is nothing wrong with an hour next ones. This is especially true in play date that includes making and the Great Quest for the BFFL (Best sharing a snack together. Best leave them wishing for more time together Friend For Life.) Often this is an elusive quest. A rather than waiting for it to be over. best friend, at this age, is a notion It’s OK to help your child plan a play foisted upon them by messages from date and their role in games/activimedia and culture. It is not a devel- ties. Giving up or sharing leadership opmentally typical experience. What often needs to be taught/modeled. This developmentally-appropriate is typical tends to be a social butterfly sampling of social experiences relationship smorgasbord actually that lends them a variety of situa- sets the stage for social competence tions and experiences to draw upon going forward. Conflict resolution, as they discover what they enjoy do- understanding how to include others ing, and the peers with whom they in a group, understanding how to be part of a group and interacting kindenjoy sharing time and play. The pressure they experience to ly and effectively lays groundwork have a BFFL is counterproductive to for relationships to BFFLs and notgaining critical social skills and ex- so-BFFLs with whom they must inperience with life. At school we work teract regularly later in life.
A View From District 13
Are we serious about helping the less fortunate? After thoroughly regin to realize that givviewing the govering money to people nor’s budget, I must and expecting their ask: Isn’t there a better economic condition to way to help the less forimprove just doesn’t tunate? Governor Malwork? It never has loy’s budget calls for and it never will. $219 million to be diInstead I would arvided amongst every gue that spending person (college stumuch more than $219 dents and many eldermillion to help those ly not included) that is below the poverty line living near the poverty is quite acceptable line. This comes out to and would encourage John Szewczyk, Durham giving $1,700 a year to it. It is how the money every able-bodied is spent that needs to adult living in poverty. be examined. Job This is perhaps the training programs, most concrete, easy to education grants, any understand example of program that will lead fiscal irresponsibility I an individual to selfhave witnessed in quite some time. sufficiency is how the less fortunate When will those decision-makers be- should be helped. These programs
From The Desk Of The First Selectman
9
Beware of deals that sound too good to be true not, are area seniors. You have probably Seniors from seen their ads on TV, Durham, Middlefield maybe received a and Rockfall comphone call or even plain to me all the had a knock on your time about high presdoor. sure sales tactics. They are ConnectiOne Rockfall resicut’s new competitive dent complained that electricity suppliers, while she was able to and they promise to sign up with a supplisave you money on er over the phone, it your electric bill. took her weeks to And they are right; switch her service if you shop around, back when she realyou can save money ized she was actually with them — but as paying more than she Rep. Matthew Lesser with all things, you had been with CL&P. have to be careful. As for the scamLast August I had a mer who knocked on knock on my door my door, I filed a from a man who idencomplaint about him tified himself as a Connecticut Light and Power with the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control. Upon review(CL&P) employee. He said he needed to see a copy of ing my complaint and complaints my latest electrical bill, and he was from a number of other people, the just going through the area lowering department decided to revoke his electric rates. It sounded too good to company’s license in March after determining they had engaged in a patbe true, and it was. As a legislator and a member of tern of deceiving consumers. The legislature needs to do more the Energy Committee, I was suspicious. No real CL&P employee would to protect consumers. ever need to see your electric bill. AfWorking with the AARP, I am pushter asking a few questions, I discov- ing reform language in two bills, ered that this gentleman was actual- House Bill 6592 and Senate Bill 1, that ly working for one of the new com- will enact tough consumer protecpetitive suppliers. He was hoping to tions, including a code of conduct for change my supplier without me even competitive electricity sellers. knowing. Until then, you should be careful. I am a big believer in competition Read the fine print. Never give a and would certainly encourage resi- stranger your electric bill. And if dents to shop around for the best someone is trying to pressure you electric rates. into making a deal at the door or For example, if you have access to over the phone, ask them to send you the internet, you can go to something in writing. www.ctenergyinfo.com to see a listAfter all, if the deal is really as ing of some providers. good as they say it is, it should be Unfortunately, right now a num- able to sell itself. ber of these salesmen are misleading Common sense rules of the road consumers. The evidence suggests will be good for fair competition and that the victims, more often than good for consumers.
From The State Capitol
will have a return on their investment and will lead to less people needing government assistance and eventually less government spending. The extra $1,700 runs out rather quickly. A job, a skill, an education, an improved future lasts a lifetime. What is most ironic about this plan is that the governor’s own budget director, Ben Barnes, reveals that the first year this free handout program will cost the state $108 million, whereas in year two it will cost $111 million. You got it. This program will lead more people, not less, into poverty and needing government assistance.
Many try to constantly accuse all Republicans as mean-spirited and not caring about others. That is clearly not accurate. It is how we help the less fortunate where many Republicans differ from those who support free handouts. One thing from this budget is clear: Mr. Malloy never heard the old Chinese proverb, “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.” As always, please contact me at Jszewczyk@townofdurhamct.org or 860-349-0003 with any questions, comments or concerns.
Easter Hunts in Town Times
10 Easter Egg Hunt
Easter Apple Hunt
Easter Egg Hunt
The Middlefield Lions Club Easter Egg Lyman Orchards’ 27th annual Easter ApHunt will be at Peckham Park at 1 p.m. on Sat- ple Hunt will take place on the grounds of the urday, April 16. The rain date is Saturday, Apple Barrel market on Saturday, April 16. April 23 at 1 p.m. 10:30 a.m.: ages one to three; 11:15 a.m.: ages four to six; Noon: ages seven to 10. The raindate is next Saturday, April 23. For more info visit lymanorchards.com or call 860-349-1793.
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Town Times
Organic farm in Durham aims to ‘wow’ with its produce As we shed our winter jackets and throw open our windows, spring has yet another treat in store for us, as Star Light Gardens, a threeacre, USDA-certified organic farm located in Durham, offers up a plethora of healthy veggies that not only delight the palate but also serve your body well. Owned by David Zemelsky (a former public school teacher, a former operator of Powder Ridge Ski Area and a licensed family therapist) and his wife, Ty (a professional artist), Star Light Gardens came into being in 1999, born out of the couple’s interest in sustainable farming. The farm has one greenhouse and four hoop houses, all named after the grandchildren. A hoop house, also known as a high tunnel,
David Zemelsky at Star Light Gardens. Photo by Diana Carr
tuce because, back in the days of the Gold Rush, miners ate it to prevent scurvy. You’ll also find “unusual” Asian greens, several different kinds of basil, hot and
spicy mustard greens, peppers and eggplants and 40 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. “We look for diversity,” says Zemelsky. “We enjoy researching and growing for chefs,” he continues. “They have unusual and eclectic taste and will take a chance on something they think will be of interest.” On 20, a restaurant in Hartford, has asked them to grow Salad Burnet, which is a leafy green, and Oyster Leaf Plant, a leafy green that tastes like oysters. The latter grows naturally on the coast of Scotland, and Zemelsky will get the seeds from a German seed company, the only place where he could find them. Zemelsky is innovative in his farming, employing a little-used technique to get the fine flavor for which his tomatoes are known. He cuts the tops off a tomato plant
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houses the cold weather veggies, with the only heat coming from the sun shining through. Says Zemelsky, “We use season extension, which means we grow vegetables throughout the year without any supplemental heat or light. The things we grow can tolerate freezing and thawing.” He continued, “Everything is grown from seed. In the winter we sell spinach, salad greens, kale and lettuce. In the summer we sell that and much, much more, like carrots, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. We sell our produce to restaurants and at farmers’ markets. We also have a self-service stand, which is open every day from mid-April to November.” The farm boasts unusual varieties of vegetables, like Claytonia, which is a green also known as miner’s let-
By Diana Carr Special to Town Times
A TOUGH BREAK Because there are 26 bones in the foot, broken bones can be quite common. Approximately ten percent of broken bones occur in the foot. Most often, a break occurs due to a fall or something being dropped onto the foot, causing the bone to be crushed, bent, twisted, or stretched. Most toes incur a break when something hard is kicked by accident. Falling from a height and landing on the feet can result in a broken heel. When a twist or sprain occurs to the ankle, other bones in the foot can break at the same time. Should you incur an injury to your foot or ankle, have someone take you to your podiatrist. A broken foot bone is usually diagnosed by X-ray. Treatment varies depending on the location and severity of the injury, but typically requires immobilizing the foot in a cast to allow the bone to heal. Don’t live with foot and ankle pain. At AFFILIATED FOOT CARE CENTER, LLC, our caring, professional staff works together to provide our patients with the best foot care possible in a comfortable and relaxed setting. Please call us today to schedule an appointment. For our patients’ convenience we offer on-site Xrays, and diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasounds.
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Friday, April 15, 2011
Town Times
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Town Times
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Friday, April 15, 2011
Town Times
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Volume 16. Issue 6
Coginchaug Regional High School
Remembering Mr. Martel, a Coginchaug Original By Tyler Cassidy
alumnus of CRHS. “To live in the It was always a verhearts we left besion of the same hind is not to die,” question: ‘Who is wrote Thomas the best American Campbell in his female vocalist of book Hallowed all time?’ We had to Ground. If you were write Barbra fortunate enough to Streisand, and spell know Mr. Martel, her name correctly, you know he will or we would lose never be forgotten. points.” His legacy at “We were in class Coginchaug will talking about coorcontinue on for gendinate planes one erations because of day when I asked the people he helped and the Mr. Martel with his family at Mr. Martel if the coordinate plane could lives he touched. Phillip R. Martel Christmas. Photo by Nicole Martel fly well,” said junior was born on February 13, 1947 in Calvin Alderete. “Martel, without Southbridge, Massachussets. Mr. missing a beat, said ‘Like a G-6!’” Martel was valedictorian of his said Calvin. “He used to sit in our math declass at Tourlette Memorial High School. He attended Boston Col- partment meetings clicking his pen lege and studied math and chem- the whole time,” said math teacher istry, and he was the lead pianist Mr. Craig Bradanini. “It always for the Boston College Chorale. He used to make me smile. I would began his teaching his career at wonder what was going through the age of 21, teaching at West his head at the time.” Mr. Martel will also be rememRock Junior High School and then Norwalk High School. He came to bered by the faculty for his uncanny Coginchaug in 1978 where he ability to predict snow days. “He had taught until 2011, when his health a 95% accuracy rate,” said math began to decline and he took a teacher Ms. Rebecca Anderson. leave of absence. Mr. Martel “He used to call me in the mornpassed away surrounded by family ing to tell me we had no school, but and friends on March 25 at Apple he then would proceed to talk to Rehab in Middletown. me about the weather until I finally “What I’ll miss about him is his had to say ‘Phil, I have to go to sense of humor,” said math back to bed,’” said former math teacher Mrs. Diane Walsh. Often, teacher Mr. John Demeo. students would walk into school “He had a gruff side, but past and hear Martel in the back of the that, there was definitely a heart of classroom singing modern day pop gold,” said math teacher Mrs. songs. Some of his favorites were Kathleen Zygmont. “Too Late to Apologize” and “Pok“I’ll miss everything about him,” er Face.” said Latin teacher Mrs. Mary Ser“At the end of every test or quiz, santi. he would offer extra credit,” said “Coginchaug will not be the Mrs. Suzanne Churchill, a 1984 same,” said Ms. Anderson.
April 15, 2011
Coginchaug Student in Japan Earthquake By Samantha Turley When Leandra Hylton recount- the Japanese wearing in the piced her trip to Japan in March this tures, she said, were not a strange month, she mentioned how cars occurrence. People in Japan, to drove on the wrong side of the prevent disease, are accustomed road and that she got to see her to walking around with medical sister. Oh yeah, and there was an masks on their faces. earthquake. In fact, the 9.0 magniBeing 300 miles away from earthtude earthquake struck just 30 quake and tsunami zone, Leandra minutes before Leandra’s sched- did not see any broken roads or uled landing at Tokyo’s Narita Air- holes in the ground during her port on March 11. “The pilot didn’t weeklong stay in Japan. Everyone really know what was going on,” was scared about radiation, she Leandra said. “He was getting in- said. “All the news was in Japanese, structions from Atlanta and didn’t so we were getting news from my even know about the tsunami; all uncle in the USA. He texted us a we knew for the longest time was few times to stay indoors because that we were being detoured to an radiation might be nearby. My sister airport on Hokkaido, a northern is- didn’t go to work that day, but luckiland.” After a 12-hour flight, Lean- ly the radiation zone was still about dra and her family spent nine gru- 150 miles away. (Another Air Force eling hours on the tarmac waiting Base had tested radiation-positive.) to disembark. My whole family is still really scared Two aftershocks struck once she for my sister and her family, now got to her sister’s Air Force base in that radiation is in the food and cell Fussa. “I thought I was shaking the service is sporadic. I salute the bed, but I got freaked out when I workers who are going into the nusaw the mirror start shaking.” Al- clear plants to cool them down. though she was in the middle of the They are heroes.” The 9.0 magnitude quake, which worst disaster Japan had seen hit at two in the afternoon on the since the dropping of the atomic bomb in 1945, the average Japan- 11th of March, is the most massive ese seemed “regular.” She earthquake ever recorded in Japan. seemed surprised when asked if Tsunami surges were felt by civilthere were fundraisers for the vic- ians in Chile, Mexico, Hawaii and tims on the streets; there weren’t. See Japan, next page Even the medical masks you see
The Earthquake that tore up Japan. Photo from shashinki.com/blog.
16
Devil’s Advocate
Friday, April 15, 2011
Student Opinion
Pessimism Needs Company Editor-in-Chief: Mackenzie Hurlbert Contributors: Amanda Boyle, Kevin Onofreo, James Malcolm, Erin Holden, Mike McShane, Mackenzie Hurlbert, Tyler Cassidy, Melissa Ober, Henry Willis, Alex Kovacs, Richard Chi, Kaitlin McKernan, Emily Tuttle, Carli Wallace, Sean Rogers, Christine French and Wolfgang Wallach. Production: Mackenzie Hurlbert and Kaitlin McKernan. Advisors: Mr. Nate Fisher and Ms. Stephanie Wilcox The Devil’s Advocate is the Coginchaug High School newspaper. These pages are the creation and expression of the students.
Stressed Senior? I get you. By Mackenzie Hurlbert We all thought that once college to be easy!” Even guidance has said applications were done and we got that junior year is the hump year, accepted, senior year would be a and after that, it’s all smooth sailing. piece of cake; at least those were But now every wave I encounter the vibes I was getting. But instead, seems harder to ride. I regret makafter acceptance notices have ar- ing the assumption that senior year rived, we are still hit with wave after could possibly be lenient to some wave of tests and papers, all ac- “slacking-off,” and now, after three companied with the brooding saying quarters of successful struggling, of, “Next year (in college) you won’t have it so easy.” Is it true that my I’m starting to snap back into reality. high hopes of a laid-back spring and If I can give any underclassmen easy As have caused me disap- some advice about senior year and pointment? Yes. Is it possible that graduating, it would be: expect and my original idea of a senior year prepare for the worst. Yeah, I know seems naïve and dreamlike com- parents and former seniors may dispared to this steadily increasing pile agree and say, “Senior year is the of work to do? Double yes. Could it last year of school, so have fun!” be that my predisposed notion of What they aren’t saying is, “If you senior year has caused me to magfail all of your classes due to slacknify the smaller troubles, those which I used to handle so well be- er-induced procrastination, your colfore I assumed that school would be lege scholarships could be taken away, your acceptance could be easy? Well, I guess so. My theory is that this common as- withdrawn, and we’d be really disapsumption of teenagers is the source pointed in you.” So all in all, have of many cases of senioritis. While fun, but be prepared for the worst. walking through the hallways, I’ve Then any light homework days and heard many times by fellow seniors, free weekends will seem all the “I thought senior year was supposed more sweet and deserved.
Japan other places around the Pacific Rim. As of April 6, the situation at power plants like the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains “very serious,” as scientists frantically try to cool the reactors down. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, radiation has leaked into the food supply and the ocean. When I asked about the supposedly ghastly airport conditions in Japan, Leandra winced and said it was really that bad, if not worse. “People were camping in whatever they had; some people had tents. And, since this is Japan, they were all futilely trying to charge their iPhones and laptops in the outlets.” The Wi-Fi, apparently, was down
(Continued from page 15)
completely; Leandra’s Facebook page was flooded with unanswered posts from upset friends and family who were desperate to know if she was okay. After a few days, when she managed to obtain a phone that could text internationally, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Because of the earthquake, Leandra did not go on a daytrip to Tokyo as planned, watched a nuclear radiation zone creep closer to her and her family, didn’t go outside for days, and weathered aftershocks. A debatably “ruined” vacation seems a minor sacrifice for an earthquake that killed thousands of Japanese. Leandra says she is happy to simply have seen her sister.
By Alex Kovacs Pessimism is the tendency to fo- personally am sick of the way gays cus on negative aspects of out- are treated and their lack of rights comes, conditions, problems, etc. and equality. Therefore I am a gayIn this day and age, people are rights activist and write articles to generally more pessimistic be- lobby for equality. cause of all the war, hunger, hate, I understand that people would disparity, natural disasters and a generally rather have others fight long list of other aspects of our world. Being a pessimist isn’t a their battles when it comes to politbad thing in any sense. I, person- ical, social or economic issues. It is ally, am a pessimist and find it dif- much easier to sit back and let othficult not to be when looking at the ers fight for you, but everyone has world. As I look around, there are their own distinct opinion in some way. There won’t be anyone who so many things I want to change. The key difference that sepa- matches what another believes rates me from a lot of (but not all) completely. While people may other pessimists is my desire to have a very similar opinion, no one change things. America’s general has your opinion except yourself. “love-to-hate” attitude has resulted Get your opinion out in the open. in a multitude of people who find Don’t let others control America. It faults in the world. This is very jus- is your duty as a citizen to be intified because it’s very easy to find formed and get involved. So take a faults in America. This is not a per- stand and lobby for change. It may fect country in any sense and al- not come fast or even at all. I’m most every, person can find some- pretty confident that the religious thing he doesn’t like about it. The tolerance, gay rights and women’s problem is, not many people want equality that I fight for won’t come to get out there and change it. in my lifetime, but I can plant the Pessimism is great if it promotes seeds of that change, and more change, but people choose not to activists in the future can expand act on their grievances. What pur- upon those roots. pose does this serve? If you see You don’t even need to be an something you don’t like, why not activist of some huge issue that try and change it? Why not become an activist? Many people will take generations to even see problems in our government, make a little headway; get inour social structure, and our for- volved in local politics or other eign affairs policies, and yet do smaller issues. The important nothing but grumble about it. How thing is to try and influence the will those problems be addressed world. Pessimism needs compaif no one presses for reforms? I ny, and its name is activism.
Baby, Don’t Hurt Me
By Kaitlin McKernan Love is Not Violent is a group of lationship. More often than not, kids from the EDGE club at Cogin- people are forced by the person chaug who learned about and dis- they’re dating into physical activicussed teen dating violence and ties, like sex. went to the middle school to eduNow that we know what dating cate them. violence is, the question remains, We all hear about dating vio- how do we recognize it? People in lence throughout our lives, but physically abusive relationships what is it really? Dating violence is will be accustomed to wearing when two people are in a relation- bruises and cuts on their bodies. It is ship and one person abuses the common that the person being other. Have you ever heard the abused will show fear of their sigphrase, “If you don’t do this, you nificant other. A person who is don’t love me?” This can be a sign emotionally unstable could be in of abuse. Many times people wit- an abusive relationship. The abuser ness name-calling and jokes. Say- is normally very controlling. They ings like these are not actually isolate the other from their friends, jokes. Many people who are in and they may use guilt trips to abusive relationships suffer from a controlling and often one-sided reSee Love page 21
Friday, April 15, 2011
Devil’s Advocate
17
The Next Walt Disney? By Henry Willis A job is a huge asset to any high Courant will decide on whether or school student. The inflow of mon- not to continue the series. ey allows a hard-working teenager The brothers are creating the to fill their gas tank with just a bit shorts with the Macromedia Flash left over for recreation. Most program, which is widely used onCoginchaug students work typical jobs in retail or food service. Fresh- line to display interactive media. man Martin Daniels and sopho- The brothers have been using the more Patrick Daniels, though, program for five years, since their have a gig at the Hartford Courant, father, who worked for the Hartford the largest Connecticut-based Courant at the time, got it for professional use. They have made nunewspaper. merous recreational works and The brothers are animating five post them online at episodes of a web feature called newgrounds.com. “It takes as “Ask Ed Page,” in which a grumpy old man answers viewer ques- much devotion as any sport,” said From left to right, senior Hannah Fowler, Mr. Kris Nystrom and senMartin of the program. “You have tions. to be ready for it to take over your ior Emily Spence at Women’s Day at the Capitol. Submitted by Erin Holden “It’s a humor thing,” said Martin. life.” The pair is being paid $500 for These animations are the works their work on the five short animations. They have nearly completed that got the brothers their job with the first animation after 12-15 the Hartford Courant. “I do really hours of work, but the paper won’t want to get into animation when I By Erin Holden publish any of the shorts until all get older, and this is probably a The Young Women’s Leader- one should have to face,” said are complete. After the episodes step in the right direction,” said ship Program of the Permanent Hannah, whose essay won first are published, the Hartford Martin. Commission on the Status of place. “She is one of the funniest, Women (PCSW) provided Con- most unique, confident, loving peonecticut students and teachers ple I have ever met.” Her essay dewith the following essay topic: “Tell scribed how her Aunt Susan influus about an inspirational female enced her own future: Freshman leader in your life. What challenges “Because of Aunt Sue, I will beMartin has she faced? Why do you look come a nurse practitioner, incorpoDaniels up to her? What makes her a rating functional and holistic medihard at leader in your eyes?” For the first cine to enhance the lives of as work on a time in the essay contest’s history, many people possible. I paddle upcomputer. two students from the same school stream slowly toward my future won the top two places. Those goal, fueled by my passion to heal, Photo submitted winners were seniors Hannah only this time, I soak up as much by Henry Willis Fowler and Emily Spence, both beauty around me as I can and students in CRHS’s UConn Eng- take nothing for granted.” lish class. We are Ironwomen “I told them to make the readers “I chose to write about Mirinda cry,” said English department head Carfrae,” said Emily, who won secMr. Kris Nystrom, who assigned ond place. “She participated in the the essay topic to his entire class Ironman, and since my dad has By Carli Wallace as a normal writing assignment. done the Ironman, I had a connecOn March 19, the Scholarship the many baskets put together by After registering the class with tion with her.” Carfrae won the Committee held its annual Schol- student committee members from PCSW, all 14 students submitted Ironman, a long-distance triathlon arship Ball at the Marriot in Rocky Coginchaug Regional High their essays. consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a Hill. About 200 people showed up, School. The band was a local After learning that they won, Emily 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile which was fewer people than last group by the name of Prelude, and Hannah, along with their families marathon, in 2010 at the Kona year. In addition, less money was which included Coginchaug music and Mr. Nystrom, attended the World Championships. Like Hanmade this year than the last. Nev- teacher Dean Coutsouridis. At the Women’s Day at the Capitol on nah’s experience, Mirinda Carertheless, as Tonya Little, a mem- end of the night, a jar of donations March 9. Legislators and other sup- frae’s story showed Emily another ber of the Scholarship Committee, was raffled off, and the winner re- porters of women’s issues spoke at side to life: commented, “Everybody always “[Mirinda] let her accomplishceived half the money inside, while the event, stressing the enormous pulls together.” the rest went toward scholarships. progress women have made in the ments define her, not the accomstate legislature as well as in eco- plishments of others. By using The evening started with the All in all, the Scholarship Ball nomic and social life. “They talked these lessons, I know now that if I silent auction, followed by dinner and entertainment. Items being raised a lot of scholarship money about how the U.S. is a beacon for do my best, I will be number one. I auctioned off included local artist for Coginchaug students. Every- other women around the world and need to stop focusing on who’s David Wenzel’s autographed one had a good time, and many how we can be an even better ex- better than me and just make the ample,” said Mr. Nystrom. painting, a trip to Block Island, and students will now benefit. best version of myself.” Hannah’s Courageous Aunt Full versions of Hannah’s and “I wrote about my aunt, Susan Emily’s essays can be found at Got a story idea? Contact Devil’s Advocate editor Fowler, because she had to over- The Devils’ Advocate website: Mackenzie Hurlbert.. come incredible challenges that no crhsnews.org.
Seniors Take Top Prizes in Statewide Essay Contest
The Scholarship Ball
Senior Wise Projects
18
Friday, April 15, 2011
What’s Your Personality Type?
Start with a dream. Finish with a future!
By Kevin Onofreo In 1962, Katharine Cook Briggs and her ing, thinking, and judging,” said Erin Holddaughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, came up en. “The learning and teaching styles are with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator the sensing/intuition and thinking/feeling (MBTI). Briggs and Myers originally creat- functions.” ed it in the hopes of helping women enterUsing the MBTI, Erin created a sample ing the industrial workforce for the first test which she gave to her AP Calculus time find a job that would be comfortable and AP Government classes. She’s hopand effective for them. Now, 49 years lat- ing to be a teacher in the future and beer, senior Erin Holden is studying the MBTI lieves that she can improve her teaching as the subject of her WISE project. skills by using the MBTI to further her There are 16 different personality types knowledge of learning styles and teaching on the MBTI and eight different combina- strategies. tions. You can be extraverted or introvert“I’m hoping that I can use the informaed, sensing or intuitive, feeling or thinking, tion so I can be the best teacher I can be,” and judging or perceiving. At the end of the said Erin. “I’ve wanted to be a teacher test you are categorized as four letters, since I was in sixth grade.” Her grandone from each pair. mother, who was a teacher and was certi“I am an ISTJ, which means that my fied in Myers-Briggs testing, inspired Erin’s Erin Holden discussing MBTI with her classmates. dominant functions are introversion, sens- project. “I’ve been hearing about ers at Coginchaug have Myers-Briggs testing since I used it in the past. Howevwas little, so when she, my er, Ms. Bertz hasn’t had to Grammie, said that I could do a lot because of Erin’s connect the type indicators control of her project. with teaching, I immediately “She’s had her direction thought that would be the from the beginning, you perfect WISE project for know?” said Ms. Bertz. me,” said Erin. “She’s been very independHealth teacher Ms. ent. I think I’ve learned a litChristen Bertz was Erin’s tle bit as well.” WISE mentor and made Erin’s presentation took suggestions on how Erin place on April 5 where she should present and who delivered her results to a she should talk to. She also WISE board of review as gave insight on the MBTI well as friends, family and because some of the teach- fellow students.
One of the best universities in New England –
Central Connecticut State University
A WISE Statue
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!
By Kevin Onofreo
&KRVHQ E\ 3ULQFHWRQ 5HYLHZ DV RQH RI WKH Best Northeastern Colleges DQG D Best Value College 6HOHFWHG DV D “Great College for the Real World” +RQRUHG DV D “Leadership Institution” E\ WKH $VVRFLDWLRQ RI $PHULFDQ &ROOHJHV 8QLYHUVLWLHV 2YHU H[FHOOHQW DFDGHPLF SURJUDPV ([FLWLQJ 'LYLVLRQ , DWKOHWLFV )XOO RU SDUW WLPH VWXG\ “I was attracted to CCSU because of the beautiful atmosphere, perfect size of the campus, variety of majors, and convenient location. The faculty are very approachable and extremely helpful. A Central education will prepare you for the ‘real world.’” Kayla Callahan
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www.CCSU.edu 860.832.2278 www.ccsu.edu/Facebook
There are thousands of authors in America alone. Thanks to the opportunity WISE projects provide, Coginchaug might be adding one of its very own to the list. Mackenzie Hurlbert, a senior at Coginchaug and editor-in-chief of the Devil’s Advocate, has been working on a book for her WISE project. It’s actually called a novella because a novel is over 200 pages. In total, her book is 20 pages front and back. Mackenzie has been working on her novella since November of 2010. It started as a creative literature class project, and because she loves writing so much, she continued it and modified it for a WISE project. This love has been mainly inspired by author Stephen King.
“I love reading Stephen King,” said Mackenzie, “His work inspired me.” When Mackenzie leaves Coginchaug, she is hoping to use the story as her honors college thesis. English teacher Mr. Nathan Fisher has been acting as Mackenzie’s mentor and editor throughout the project. “I think her particular project demands a lot of discipline,” said Mr. Fisher. “She’s really enthusiastic, and she’s making a lot of progress.” “Revision after revision after revision,” said Mackenzie. As an English teacher, Mr. Fisher has provided resources and his linguistic expertise. The book is called The Statues, and her WISE presentation took place on Monday, April 11.
Devil’s Advocate
Friday, April 15, 2011
19
Student Produces PSA
The Transect of White’s Brook
By Amanda Boyle
By James Malcolm
Since February, senior Jessamin Cipollina has been working in partnership with the Durham and Middlefield Youth and Family Services (DMYFS) on the production aspect of the Love is Not Violent Safe Dates grant. Over the summer Jessamin was informed by her mother, Elizabth Cipollina, that she would have the opportunity, as a student, to work with the Love is Not Violent team and create a public service announcement (PSA), as well as film the community forum that was also a part of the grant. Working with her mother and Dan Nocera, Jessamin chose Robin Fox, the T.V. production teacher, as her mentor for her WISE project. “She is really helpful and very reliable,” said Jessamin. “She helped me take the next step in improving my project.” Having filmed a few Love is Not Violent meetings, made up of students from the EDGE group, Jessamin was able to get a good feel of what she believed the group of students wanted the PSA to look like. “I wrote the script, created the story board and casted for the PSA,” said Jessamin. In addition Jessamin also played a role within the PSA. Once Jessamin and her team finished editing the first draft of the PSA, she then sent the copy to Jane Moen and Betsy Dean of DMYFS, got feedback and made the changes
they felt were necessary. After repeating this process twice, everyone was pleased with the outcome of the PSA. “They were helpful with their input and very excited about the PSA,” said Jessamin. “They were pleased with the final product.” Jessamin finished the PSA, then moved on to editing her footage from the community forum held early in March. Due to her connections with the Destination Durham community access channel, Jessamin was then able to get her 80minute footage from the forum to air on upcoming weekends in April. Jessamin’s WISE presentation will then showcase her PSA and a shortened version of the community forum footage. “I feel like learning about teen violence will help me in my career path,” said Jessamin. “Film is something I grew up with and happened to be a part of this project.” “Jessamin has been extremely independent and self-motivated,” said Ms. Fox. “Her dedication to exceeding every aspect of her plan helped to make the venture run very smoothly. She was very open to suggestions and was self-confident about her project.” Jessamin presented her project to students, teachers and other friends this past Friday, April 8.
Look for the next Devil’s Advocate in May.
A Novel of Godly Proportions By Christine French Senior Sarah Oppelt is creating then she decided to work on just a novella for her WISE project. Her one. She didn’t want to give away mentor is English teacher Mrs. too much of her story, but she did Sarah Aceto, who met Sarah last say that her book is based on the year as a junior. Greek god Hephaestus. She says According to Sarah, getting that her mentor is the best. started was the hardest part. “It’s One problem Sarah might face hard to get the ambition to write,” is the amount of time she has to she said. finish her book. Sarah is doing “Sarah is very smart and creative,” vanity publishing, which is when said Mrs. Aceto. “She’s everything an author sends out her writing you would want in a student.” and it is produced without a third Mrs. Aceto loves being Sarah’s party. So when the publisher mentor. Sarah had two different sends it back, it comes out like a novels she was working on, but finished book.
When it was time for senior Aubree Keurajian to choose her WISE project, she knew she wanted to do something that would relate to her future, and she knew who exactly to choose as her mentor. Aubree chose professional expert extraordinaire and science teacher Mrs. Susan Michael. Mrs. Michael knows Aubree from running the ECO club and the Envirothon team. Aubree is doing a type of field study, known as a transect, of White’s Brook to determine the plant diversity of the area. White’s Brook is an area in Durham located off of Maple Avenue, next to the fairgrounds. Aubree chose the location because it is local and has diverse plant life. “I chose to do this because I thought it would be interesting,” said Aubree “I’m very interested in plants, but I don’t know as much as I would like.” For her transect Aubree made a 12” x 12” square and checked to see the type of plants in it. After she observed her square, she would make another square of the
Aubree Keurajian enjoying the Photo submitted by James Malcolm. wild. same size about 10 yards away from her original. She repeated this procedure until she had many squares scattered throughout the field and had an accurate account of the different types of plants in the field. When Aubree goes to college, she plans on majoring in ecology, and this field study is prepping her for future surveys.
Torn ACLs and Dogs Under the Bed By Parker Dumont Injuries inspire Senior Cassidie Cade embarked on her WISE Project with an injury. She tore her ACL while playing soccer in the fall. Her goal was to get a workout program for a person to do that was reasonable and didn’t require equipment. She had read about different programs in books, but all of them were very lengthy and unrealistic. The amount of time a person would spend on each one every day was unreasonable, especially for a student doing sports and going to high school. “I wish that I had created a program that could be applied to gym or middle school practices,” said Cassidie. Cassidie also looked through two medical journals that had very complex language that took time to just understand. She talked to her trainer, her physical therapists and the doctors that she met with when she had her own tear, getting plenty of information. Cassidie also spoke with Caroline Doty, a player
for the UConn women’s’ basketball team, about her thoughts on the topic and what she went through when she had her own ACL tear. “More awareness of proper techniques would decrease the amount of people with ACL injuries,” said Cassidie. Fear Factor Senior Lora Manley’s WISE project is why dogs are afraid of thunderstorms. Sounds simple enough until you look past the cuteness of your dog hiding under your bed. She handed out a survey to homerooms during advisory block and compiled the data from about 350 relevant surveys to find a trend. This is a huge amount of data. “Lora’s WISE project is true scientific research where data has been collected and analyzed for patterns,” said chemistry and physics teacher Mrs. Erica Anderson. Lora thought that the age or See WISE, next page
Devil’s Advocate
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Love Hungry By Melissa Ober Each day about 8,000 children die $50,000 to the cause of wiping out of hunger, and Coginchaug students hunger,” said Reverend and youth are taking action. Students in the group leader Ryan Baker. “I am very Middlefield Federated Church youth proud of all the young people who group and Christ Chapel youth have participated in this event. They group in Madison are raising money sacrifice some time and discomfort to put food into and awareness the mouths of for starving chilhungry boys dren around the and girls. The world. They are idea is that doing this by helping the participating in poor and needy the World Vibecomes a sion’s 30 Hour lifestyle and not Famine. just a yearly World Vision event.” is an organizaThe Middletion dedicated field Federated to helping starvChurch has ing children around the Coginchaug students at 30 Hour been doing the 30 Hour Famine world. They set Famine. Photo by Marilyn Keurajian for six years. “I up the 30 Hour Famine to challenge students to go have done it for five years, and it was without food so others can eat. This cool to see the 30 Hour Famine grow challenge has been going strong for throughout the years,” said junior Ben about 20 years, and with its help, the Plant. This year they started on Frinumber of kids who die each year day, March 4, at noon and ended Satsince 1992 has gone from 40,000 to urday, March 5, at 6 p.m. “At the end of the famine we had 24,000. In both youth groups, the 30 Hour rice and apples because you Famine is an annual, overnight shouldn’t eat too much after you event where the students fast for 30 fast for a long period of time,” said hours. This helps the students iden- senior Aubree Keurajian. All the tify what hunger feels like. The mon- students involved in this famine ey raised goes to World Vision, met at the church at 6 p.m. on Friwhich distributes it to children day to share the experience together. They played a game called around the world. The Christ Chapel youth group in Tribe that goes along with the Madison has been doing the Famine. “In Tribe you get assigned a perFamine for about seven or eight years. This year their Famine starts son with a disability who you have to at 12 a.m. on Friday, April 29, and act as,” said senior Henry Willis. goes to 8 a.m. Saturday. It is being “You are in a tribe and you do chalheld at the CT Sportsplex in North lenges against other tribes. You Branford. Students are encouraged have to try to do the challenges with to raise at least $360 because that the disability you are assigned, and it can be very frustrating. By the end alone will feed a child for a year. “Over the years, Christ Chapel’s of the game everyone is hungry, youth group has raised over tired and angry.”
WISE breed of the dog would affect how afraid the dog was, even if it was a learned or an innate feature of the dog. Not all dogs are afraid of thunder, but it may not be the sound that scares them. Some dogs are also afraid of fireworks, but some are afraid of neither. Nobody really knows the reason for this problem. It just varies from dog to dog. It is like their personality; some are left-pawed and some are right-pawed, just as some are afraid and some aren’t. A solution that was offered was to make the
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Mystery of Robert O. Mason Solved By Alicia Lisitano Since February break, a new brary, but this is not what the complaque has suddenly appeared out- memoration was for. In the front ofside of the Coginchaug Library. The fice, library media specialist Mrs. sign reads, “The Robert O. Mason Tracy Earnshaw discovered a docuMemorial Library,” and for the first ment titled “A Resolution for the time students are wondering who town of Middlefield” dated May 28, this man is or was. 1968. The resolution said, “His dedica“Who is that man?” said senior Tommy Holder. “I don’t know who tion to Middlefield was apparent through his able leadership in the Lihe is. I want to know.” The new sign has caused a stir ons Club and in recent years by his amongst the Coginchaug communi- thoughtful, dedicated and distinty. With the new sign, a mystery has guished chairmanship of the Board of Education.” been created. Bob’s fellow citizens were thank“I am surprised that our school library has a specific title, yet we ful for his efforts, which continuously were not aware of it,” said sopho- and efficiently benefited the interests of the town. Robert always more Caroline Whitaker. Most students think like senior fought for what he believed in and T.J. Murphy. “I assumed he donated was upfront while maintaining sensia lot of money to the library and that tivity for the feelings of others. When the sign and name were honoring he suddenly passed away at the age of 46, Middlefield held an official this,” he said. No one was sure if Mr. Mason See Mystery, page 22 was a donor to the high school li-
Diplomacy: Nations Crumble and Kingdoms Fall
By Richard J. Chi In the year of 1905, foreign in- fore making their moves, players vaders have all but destroyed the will negotiate for a period of time fierce Russian Empire, and what- that could span from minutes to ever insignificant pockets of resist- days in an effort to gain precious ance that still stand have been allies. brought to their knees. What force This all may sound strikingly on Earth could have successfully similar to Risk, but be assured that invaded the cold barren tundra of Diplomacy is much more complex. Russia? England. How complex is Diplomacy? AcThat may have been impossible cording to Mrs. Selberg, “Risk is to historically, but Coginchaug’s Mod- Diplomacy as checkers is to el U.N. has been hosting Diploma- chess” — an accurate analogy. cy, a complex game in which anyFrance and Germany, forced tothing is possible. In Diplomacy, gether under pressing circumplayers take on the role of Euro- stances to keep England at bay, (Continued from page 19) pean powers of the early 20th cen- have spent their forces to create a tury in a struggle for dominance continental barrier, barricading dog feel secluded in a bathtub, throughout Europe, Africa and England from mainland Europe, bathroom, under a blanket; there is Asia for control of “supply centers,” while the English have managed to even a product called a “thunder which represent the necessary re- capture Scandinavia, Russia, and shirt” that reportedly makes a dog sources to support an army. Each soon a foothold into Germany less nervous about the incoming player acts as the leader of one of through Kiel. Italy lies in civil disorstorm. This condition could even seven nations: England, France, der, her leaders nowhere to be be as serious as a vet having to Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary, found. As the Italian armada atTurkey or Russia. tempts to hold the fort without guidprescribe anxiety pills. Because no one country is pow- ance, the Austrian-Hungarian Em“I wish there was more interacerful enough to achieve victory pire, sacking Constantinople and tion with dogs, more hands-on over another on its own, players taking control of the Aegean Sea, tests with dogs, more research must rely on the support of allies pushes ever deeper into the once from my own conclusions than as they move simultaneously powerful Turkey, but it could all looking it all up online,” said Lora across the board, but they must change at any moment because Manley. also be wary of backstabbers. Be- Diplomacy is a fickle thing.
Devil’s Advocate
Friday, April 15, 2011
21
The Death of Dory
The District 13 Board of Education discussion at a recent meeting.
New Budget Plan By Kaitlin McKernan and Amanda Boyle Expanding Middlesex Transition Academy Increases costs Budget percentage increased due to growing transitional services from the high school. The Middlesex Transition Academy, which has been working with Wesleyan University for nine years, will be expanding its program for those who have disabilities. These transition services are both federal and state laws that obligate our school system to provide a program for those students with disabilities up until the age of 21. Wesleyan University has now given the program more space on campus, including a new house. While attending classes, working on campus, and now being able to live on campus, the students with disabilities are now able to experience college life just like those students who graduate without disabilities. “We have more space so we can expand the program. Now that we have the house and more space, we can expand the disabilities such as intellectual, emotional and kids on the autism spectrum,” said Susan Viccaro. Now there are about 18-21 students who currently participate in the program, but with more space, more students with disabilities can now enroll in the program. Mr. Hauser’s First Budget “This year was interesting,” said Coginchaug principal Mr. Andre
Love convince someone of something. If you are a person in an abusive relationship, the first step is to confront the situation. If you talk to the person abusing you and tell them to stop but they continue to abuse you, talk to someone else about it. Seeking help can sometimes be scary, but you can speak with an adult you trust like a parent, a friend, the police, a school guidance counselor or a psychiatrist where everything remains confi-
Hauser, who has been working on preparing the budget since early in the school year. He works with the team leaders of the different areas of curriculum throughout the winter months to be able to present the high school budget to Mrs. Viccaro. In years past, he has always helped out Dr. Wysowski with the budget, but this year he was in charge. “This budget is a really complex thing,” said Mr. Hauser. “I couldn’t have done it without Mrs. Sleath, my secretary.” Passions Fly During Public Comments Uproar at the meeting about the proposed 2011 budget caused the passion of the public to shine through during the public comment. Jeremy Renninghoff from Middlefield was not happy about the idea of cutting teachers throughout the district, which he made very clear at the meeting. Renninghoff’s attempt to speak his opinion led chairman of the board Tom Hennick to respond quickly. The atmosphere of the room became silent and attentive as soon as Jeremy spoke. “In years past we’ve had a .58 percent budget and a 2.1 percent increase, but these were also years when the fund balance was able to be used,” said Mrs. Viccaro.
By James Malcolm It was a sad day for Coginchaug Dory was Coginchaug’s only when oceanography teacher Mrs. Tang fish because they are very Lorrie Martin found Dory, a female turf-oriented and protective of the blue hippo Tang fish, dead in the reef. Two Tang fish would fight school’s aquarium on Sunday, each other. March 20. Dory came to the school Although Dory was found dead two years ago when the Perry on March 20, she was most likely Family and Something Fishy, an dead since Saturday, March 19, aquarium supply and livestock due to the fact that the tank was company, donated the tank and dirty from her decomposing body. fish. When her body decomposed, am“Dory had been getting very pale monia developed and harmed the recently,” said junior Andrew Cote, other fish by burning away their who helps take care of the fish and gills. The fish wouldn’t eat on Sunday, most likely in response to the the fish tank. Dory, like most Tang fishes who chemistry of the water. To reassure the safety of the live in an artificial environment, had lateral line disease, which is a fish, Mrs. Martin used protein nutritional disease. Tang fishes skimmers to remove organic are omnivores, meaning they eat matter, checked to make sure both plants and animals. To treat that the filters were in order and the disease, the fish should be fed even changed the water in the fresh vegetables. Oceanography aquarium. teacher Mrs. Lorrie Martin had fed Dory was laid to rest in Mrs. Dory vegetables from her garden. Martin’s garden. The fish tank at Coginchaug. Submitted by James Malcolm
Not Only Semi-Fun By Emily Tuttle
Coginchaug students enjoyed the semi-formal dance held at Memorial Middle School on Saturday, March 26. The colorful lights and sparkling decorations provided a great atmosphere. Everyone seemed to enjoy the music, and it was a relief that the DJ did not play “Friday” by Rebecca Black. (Continued from page 16) Of course, the most important song of the night was one of Lady dential and also you remain safe. In Durham, there is the Durham Middlefield Youth Family Services don’t believe you, tell an adult that program with a 24-hour National you trust to get them help as soon as possible. A good way to prevent Dating Helpline (1-866-331-9474) dating violence is to keep an eye that you can call if you need help. out for your friends. Just because So here’s the story: a friend of a person is in a relationship does yours has been dating someone not mean they don’t need their for quite some time. Eventually you friends as well. Educating people start to notice that they become at a young age can help to teach distant and they also appear to be them about what is not right in a rephysically hurt. What can you do to lationship so they know for the fuhelp? First, confront them. If they ture. If you find out a person is in
Gaga’s, which was dedicated to Mr. Martel, who passed away only days before. For those who needed an energy boost, the cafeteria supplied water and a variety of yummy snacks. The music room was filled with basketball fans who didn’t want to miss the game. Semi 2011 was a complete success for Coginchaug.
an abusive relationship, stop it before it gets worse.
Being in a relationship does not by any means make it okay to hit, make fun of or simply just be mean to another person. It is okay to ask someone for help. Someone will always be there for you. You don’t ever need to feel alone in this world. Remember, love is not violent.
Devil’s Advocate
22
Friday, April 15, 2011
Review: A Long Way Gone By Carli Wallace Sierra Leone, the 1990s. A civil war has broken out, and countless families have been torn apart. This is where Ishmael Beah, the author of the autobiography A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier (2007), sets his stunning story. The book starts when Ishmael is 12, and his village has just been attacked by rebels. The boy, separated from the people he loves, must survive in a harsh world filled with conflict and hatred. Ishmael eventually finds brotherhood in a squadron of children just like himself who fight against the Revolutionary United Front, or RUF. On countless drugs, he kills hundreds of rebels to avenge his family’s deaths, until UNICEF finds and saves him from certain, imminent death. A Long Way Gone tells a tale of violence, love and hope. Never in a thousand years did I think that I would read a nonfiction book, much less an autobiography. And never in a billion years did I think that I would enjoy one. A Long Way Gone, written in simple, clear-
cut language, has broken those boundaries. I could completely feel Ishmael’s sorrow after his village’s destruction and understand his decision to become a soldier. He also gives every person such depth, especially the other soldiers, that it becomes apparent that each and every one of them is a multifaceted, complex individual. Absolutely nothing, not even the gory details of his squadron’s attacks, are left out. While this may be troublesome for the faint of heart, the ultimate purpose of this book is so that the reader can understand what has happened to children during a violent civil war, and no detail can be left out to accomplish that. While it may seem at first that there was no chance that Ishmael would ever be saved, he makes it clear that there is always hope, no matter what has happened or who you are. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah was an amazing book that I encourage everyone to read.
Review: The Adjustment Bureau By Sean Rogers George Nolfi does a good job of fiction film, this movie does little to making an amusing story for his first actually boggle the mind, and the time writing and directing. The lack of complication makes this movie is a romantic science fiction movie seemingly forgettable. While film following a politician, David Nor- watching it, I felt more connected ris (Matt Damon), as he tries to during the love scenes then any of rewrite his predetermined destiny. the action sequences. The AdjustNorris has to evade a group of men ment Bureau works better as a love who have the ability to adjust reality story than a science fiction movie, in order to make sure that nobody escapes their destiny. Norris at- but it is still entertaining. A good tempts to adjust his own destiny in cast makes this movie worth watchorder to fall in love with a woman he ing, but the lack of depth and complexity makes it somewhat forgetwas not destined to be with. The movie does a good job of table. If you go into this movie thinkmixing romance with science fiction ing it is something similar to Incepaction, and it makes for an enter- tion, you will be thoroughly disaptaining story. Unfortunately, the pointed, but the romantic aspects movie lacks a sense of complica- make this a good love story with scition. For a psychological science ence fiction on the side.
Mystery town meeting to pay respect to Robert O. Mason and his family. At the meeting, the BOE endorsed and declared the library of the new regional high school, “The Robert O. Mason Library.” So why would this sign appear now? After all, this library has had this name since 1968. “Before the renovations, the same sign hung sideways in front of the library,” said Mrs. Earnshaw. “The sign was lost for a long time and was
(Continued from page 20)
recently found by our janitor Mr. Kaminski. There were no more hooks, so he mounted it on a piece of wood.” “I found it misplaced in a junk pile in the custodial office. I talked to Mrs. Allen, who is the superintendent’s secretary, and she told me where it belonged,” said head custodian and coach Mr. Wayne Kaminski. CRHS was renovated in 2005. After six years, the Robert O. Mason sign has been rediscovered and returned to its rightful place.
Senior Alex Morin leading the pack in the 1,000-meter race at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, MA.
CRHS’s Running Sensation By Mike McShane When it comes to track and field, senior Alex Morin has shown excellence in the sport, breaking school records across the board. The fivefoot nine-inch, 135-pound young man poses a huge threat at track meets every time he competes. In Alex’s freshman year he dominated in various running events. In his sophomore and junior years he was dealing with an injury and couldn’t compete in some of the meets. In his final indoor season at Coginchaug he went through a clean season with no significant injury to hold him back. According to Alex, his talents come from the basics. He works on his running stride, being mentally prepared for the race, and having a healthy diet. In the beginning of the season, he runs between 60 and 70 miles per week. As he develops into the mid-season, he settles down to about 40 to 50 miles each week. “I train with the legendary Jack McShane,” said senior Alex Morin. “I also train with Jeremy Brown.” “Alex pushed me to work harder,” said sophomore Jeremy Brown. “He trains like a champion. I’m always tired after the workouts.” The night before the race, Alex will think about anything but the actual race itself. “I don’t think about the race itself until minutes before,” said Alex. “During the race, I’m thinking of how I can get into first.” Junior Yuri Morin, the brother of Alex, finds it interesting to be on the same team as his brother. Yuri was a high jumper, long jumper and ran short distance races for the indoor season. “Toward the end of the year, it was cool to be a Morin duo,” said junior Yuri Morin. “We got a lot of comments about it.” Alex set three personal records
during the course of his senior year. These three records broke Coginchaug’s previous records as well. At Wesleyan University, Alex set a stunning 4:28 time in the mile. At the New England meet, Alex qualified to run with the best runners in the entire New England region. The New England meet was located at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, and Alex ran in the 1,000-meter with a time of 2:34. Finally, at Hillhouse High School, he ran the 600-meter in 1:25. Although Alex impressed many people with his 2:34 in the 1,000-meter, there is more behind the New England meet than the final result. With his performance at the state open, he earned the sixth seed for this meet. When Alex was checking into the New England meet, he was mis-seeded and received the very last seed in the slowest heat. He hung tough and dominated his heat with a winning time of 2:34. Alex believes the competition in the faster heat could have provided him a faster time. He noted that the competition would have dictated a better result. The only advantage Alex received from running in the slower heat was avoiding a possible mix-up in the faster heat. Around three or four runners in the fast heat tripped and tangled their feet. The result was bodies hitting the track hard. Alex has the outdoor season to finish off his running career at Coginchaug and to attempt breaking a few different school records. He already has five colleges in mind and wants to carry his love of running to the collegian level. Editor’s note: Devil’s Advocate reporter Michael McShane is the son of assistant track coach Jack McShane.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Town Times
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Middlefield Town Briefs
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Middlefield Government Calendar (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Community Center.) Tuesday, April 19 7 p.m. —Conservation Commission 7 p.m. —Board of Selectmen Wednesday, April 20 7-10 p.m. — Inland Wetlands Commission 7 p.m. —Metacomet Regional Windfarm Committee Thursday, April 21 7 p.m. — DMIAAB Tuesday, April 26 7 p.m. —Zoning Board of Appeals
Middlefield office closed The Administration Building ONLY at 393 Jackson Hill Rd. in Middlefield will close at noon on Friday, April 15, due to CL&P fixing an electrical situation. The power to the building must be shut down for a couple of hours.
Senior Center driving course An AARP Safe Driving course will be offered on Thursday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The course is new this year and is only four
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Revaluation The Appraisal Firm of Vision Appraisal Technology has been hired by the town of Middlefield to begin a townwide revaluation project. Vision Appraisal will be working with the assessor over the next few months to make the process a successful one. State law requires that towns complete a revaluation of Real Property every five years but that all properties should be inspected every 10 years. Therefore the first phase of the process will be to start the inspections. Starting immediately, Vision representatives will be collecting current information on each property.
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The data collectors will visit all properties and physically inspect the interior and exterior of each buildings’. They will note the building’s, size, age, quality of construction, outbuilding improvements, topography, utilities and numerous other characteristics both inside and out. Questions regarding the terms of any recent sale and any changes made to the house since it was purchased will also be asked. To ensure that a home was inspected, the homeowner is asked to sign the data collection form to verify that the inspection took place. The entire process takes approximately 15 minutes. All Vision representatives will be wearing an identification badge and will have written documentation from the town stating their affiliation with the project, and their vehicles will be registered with the police department. Homeowners are encouraged to ask for this identification prior to admitting anyone into their homes. If a homeowner has a question as to the identity of a data collector, they may call the police at 860-349-7120 or the assessor’s office at 860-3497111 for further confirmation. Data collectors generally work between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Homeowners are reminded that specific questions regarding their current assessment should be directed to the assessor’s office. Vision Appraisal Technology’s data collectors are not town employees and therefore are not prepared to answer questions concerning current values or town laws.
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We are currently in need of the following items: canned meats (spam, corned beef hash, chicken etc.), canned fruit and tuna. These are the only items needed right now. The Food Bank is located at the Middlefield Community Center, 405 Main Street. Donations may be left there during weekday business hours. We do not accept dented, rusted or out-of-date food. Contact Antoinette, Social Services director, at 860349-7121 with any questions.
Friday, April 15, 2011
25
Town Times
Birdwatchers on duty Susie Leining, of Durham, snapped a picture of this bluebird (right) in her front yard. A small flock of bluebirds arrived Christmas morning and have been visiting the feeders every day since then. Also of interest to birdwatchers: about two weeks ago, Susie spotted an immature (no signature white head) bald eagle at White’s Farm being harassed by a flock of crows. Dan Wilcox, of Middlefield, watched this bald eagle (left) on the frozen Lake Beseck the day before the ice melted last month. Several neighbors have seen the bird circling around in recent weeks. This amazing bird was also being harassed by crows.
TAG SALE CONNECTICUT’S LARGEST! Saturday, April 23, 2011 Under the Festival Tent Hubbard Park, West Main Street, Meriden, CT 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Photos submitted by Susie Leining and Dan Wilcox
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 ...
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Durham Town Briefs
26
Durham Government Calendar Agricultural Commission (All meetings will be held at the Durham Library unless otherwise noted. Check the town website at discussion www.townofdurhamct.org for updates.) Tuesday, April 19 7 p.m. — Board of Finance at Town Hall 7 p.m. — Agriculture Commission, third floor of Town Hall Wednesday, April 20 7:30 p.m. — Planning and Zoning Thursday, April 21 7 p.m. — DMIAAB at Middlefield Community Center
The Durham Agricultural Commission is holding a meeting April 19 at 7 p.m. on the third floor meeting room in the Town Hall to exchange thoughts and ideas with the town’s agricultural land owners, operators and the public. The purpose is to solicit their input in terms of what they’d like to see the commission do for them, as well as the residents of Durham. The commission’s duties include providing information to educate town government about agriculture laws, to assist in conflict resolution and to promote economic opportunities. The discussion is open to all local residents.
Board positions for DBA The Durham Basketball Association is searching for new members to fill board positions. The organization seeks to appoint an Execu-
Friday, April 15, 2011
tive Board secretary as soon as possible. Contact contactdba1@dbact.org by April 30 to express your interest.
Brush pick-up The town of Durham Public Works Department began the annual spring curbside brush pick up this week. Brush should be less than 4” in diameter and not longer than 6 feet in length. Brush should be stacked at roadside in an open area, away from mailboxes, trees, telephone poles and other structures. Brush should be stacked perpendicular to the roadway, butt end toward the road. No leaves, stumps, wood or foreign matter will be picked up. Each household will be strictly limited to one truck load during this collection. In an effort to be more efficient, it is recommended that neighbors combine piles on property lines. Loads shall not measure any larger than 4’ high, 6’ wide and 8’ long, unless combined with a neighbor. If your load does not follow these guidelines it will not be removed. We will make one pass only so be sure to
check. Call the Public Works Office at 860-349-1816 for info. Week of April 18: All areas north of Maiden Lane to the Middletown town line.
Rec summer programs Registration for summer recreation programs will be held on the third floor of the Durham Town Hall on Tuesday, April 26, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, May 3, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 7, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Programs include Summer Playground, Little People Program, Youth Night Recreation, Boys Blue Hoop Clinic, Girls Blue Hoop Clinic, Offensive Basketball Clinic, Women’s Fun Softball League, Cooking with Youth Camp, Summer Evening Tennis Lessons, Junior Couselor Program and Cheerleading Spirit Clinic. Check the Durham website, www.townofdurhamct.org, for more new programs or registration forms, or call 860-343-6724 or email shill@townofdurhamct.org.
Aunt Clara’s Coming for a visit... If you would like your business to participate, contact your account representative or Joy Boone at 860-349-8026
Tow n Times
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In our Libraries
Friday, April 15, 2011
Levi Coe Library
Durham Library Hours: Library hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Visit www.durhamlibrary.org to search the catalog, review your account, register for a program or renew your materials online, or call 860-349-9544. Pinkalicious: On Saturday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to noon, the library will celebrate everything pink for children ages 3 through 7. Enjoy listening to Pinkalicious books by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann and other pink books. Create pink crafts and enjoy pink refreshments. Come dressed in pink from your head to your toes! Please call or stop by the library to register.
Art Display: Durham artist Gwen Clark will dis-
play her artwork during April in the Activity Room. The CRHS art classes will feature an art exhibit during the month of May.
tant Fundamentalist by Moshin Hamid will be discussed. All are welcome. Copies of the book are available at the library.
Book Lovers’ Circle: The Book Lovers’ Circle will meet on Wednesday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m., when The Reluc-
Plant Sale: The annual Plant Exchange/Sale will be held on Saturday, May 14. Plants can be dropped off at
the library on Thursday and Friday or before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 14. Exchange/Sale begins at 10 a.m. Plants must be in pots and labeled. We will be delighted to accept houseplants, perennials, herbs, annuals and shrubs.
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Hours: The library is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Visit www.leviecoe.com or call 860-349-3857 for info, to register for any program, renew, reserve and check your library record. New Museum Passes: These passes offer either free or reduced admission: Beardsley Zoo, CT State Parks and Forests Day Pass, Mystic Aquarium, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art and CT’s Old State House. Please call the library for more info. April Vacation Programs: Stop by or call the Children’s Dept. to register and for more info, at 860-3493857 ext.2. ~We Scrap: Come to the Lucia K. Ginter Children’s Room with your favorite photos on Tuesday, April 19 at 2 p.m. The library has scrapbook supplies or bring your own. Each participant can fill out an entry to win a new scrapbook. ~“Washi” Wooden Egg Decorating: In Japan, rice tape is used to decorate eggs. Come to the Lucia K. Ginter Children’s Room to create a washi effect wooden egg on Wednesday, April 20, at 2 p.m. Space is limited. Please call 860-349-3857 x2 to register. ~Movie Matinee: Watch Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, on Thursday, April 21 at 2 p.m.
Mystery Book Discussion: The Mystery Book Club will meet on Tuesday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m., when Rabbit Factory by Marshall Karp will be discussed. Copies of the book are available.
27
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OPTICIAN Seeking a qualified optician with experience producing exceptional high precision spherical lenses and flats to 10/5 scratch/dig .05 wavelengths P to V @ .63um and 1 (one) arc second parallel specifications using excellent maintained Zygo interferometers for testing these parameters. Bond Optics, LLC is a world leader of producing extreme Precision Optics having state of the art optical manufacturing equipment. We are what our employees make us. We are so fortunate. Yes, we are picky; however, you can be part of this team. We, Bond Optics, LLC, have designed and built most of our own lens manufacturing equipment using state of the art construction being single and multi spindle polishing/grinding machines and our own continuous polishing machines of various sizes. We train almost all our lens department personnel from within. Our turnover is near zero, if not zero, in the last 40 years or so. Bond Optics, LLC Lebanon, NH is not an urban area, being about 100 miles from Burlington, VT or Manchester, NH neither of these being a metropolis. Our area does have many social and educational amenities, including Dartmouth College up the hill.
We offer excellent benefits, including 401(k). This is an excellent opportunity for the selected individual. Salary is commensurate with experience and will be determined after a personal interview. If interested, please send resume to me personally or e-mail me. No phone calls, please.
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28
Kids on Stage in Town Times
Friday, April 15, 2011
Fun with masks at Brewster
Blather, Blarney and Balderdash at IDS
Brewster second graders made face-to-face body masks from a favorite story that they recently read. The students presented the character study to the class, speaking as if they were the character. Pictured are Kelly Boothroyd, Bryce Lipka and Tyler Wheeler. Kelly chose the character Annie from the book Dolphins at Daybreak, Bryce pictured Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean and Tyler was King Arthur from King Submitted by Patti Checko Arthur.
The fourth graders at IDS, under the direction of their teachers Jen Bahre and Tiffany Rasmussin, performed Blather, Blarney and Balderdash, a humorous play. Using three hilarious, action-packed Irish folk tales, a trio of wild and crazy leprechauns teach Fin to tell stories enabling him to win the hand of his beloved. The Irish-based play complemented the fourth grade’s World Tour theme. From left to right, Emily Dell’Orfano of Middlefield, Menelik Nesmith of Middletown, Avery Schmitz of Portland, and Emma Willis of Middletown. Submitted by JoAnn Rider
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More Kids on Stage in Town Times
Friday, April 15, 2011
29
Family heritage celebrated at Lyman
Mrs. Sibiskie’s first and second graders shared their family histories with the whole school at a recent John Lyman School assembly. Each child portrayed an ancestor and told an interesting fact about his or her immigration story. In photo at left, Emma Anderson, Grace Hinsch, Joshua Jerrell, Jacob Fazzino waving the flags of their heritage. Pictured at right, Colin Murphy (1954), Jessica Parkinson (1915), Christopher Gulino (1965), Jacob Fazzino (1966) and Joshua Jerrell (1966), were all dressed up portraying their Italian relatives coming to America and displaying their family’s year of immigration. Submitted by Elizabeth Hadlock
Durham Co-op Family movie night
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The Durham Co-op Nursery School will hold the second annual Family Movie Night at the Durham Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 21. The rain date June 11. This year’s film is Kung Fu Panda on a two-story inflatable screen under the stars. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the movie beginning at sunset. Free entertainment will be provided by The Karma Brothers band, and a concession will be open. For ticket information or to learn how you can help sponsor the event, call the co-op at 860-349-9885. Current families and alumni of the co-op, please call if you are interested in showing a message or photo on the screen for a very small donation.
Town Times Service Directory
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Friday, April 15, 2011
Town Times
Durham selectman John Szewczyk leads charge to improve domestic violence laws in Connecticut
Former Durham resident speaks out about sexual assault By Cheri Kelley Town Times Living in small towns like Middlefield and Durham may lead people to believe that certain things couldn’t happen here — not in our town — but sexual assault can and does happen to people in all walks of life. The best way to prevent it is to be aware of it, and that is why President Obama issued a proclamation that made April 2011 Sexual Assault Awareness Month. A former Durham resident shared her story with Town Times as part of a healing process, as well as to educate and prevent sexual assault from happening to others in her home community. The most important thing is to get it out there, for victims of sexual abuse to go to someone they trust and tell what happened. “You don’t have to suf-
fer in silence; there are groups and people out there to help and release the burden,” she said. There is a lot of shame and mistrust in the reality of a victim’s life; for this former resident, it was no different. She says it is so important for parents to believe what their children are saying to them and to be aware of signs and changes in your children’s behavior. Let your kids know that it is not okay to keep “harmful secrets.” School counselors are a wonderful source of support for victims of sexual abuse. There are also resources online that can provide more info on how to get help, one is www.connsacs.org. A statewide 24-hour toll free hotline number is 1-888-9995545. New Horizons, in Middletown has support groups available: call 860-344-9599.
On March 30, John Szewczyk, chairman and founder of the Connecticut Coalition of Police Officers to Prevent Domestic Violence, was asked to speak before the Connecticut General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee in regard to House Bill 6629, an Act Concerning Domestic Violence. The coalition has been a major driving force this past year behind the proposed changes to improve domestic violence laws in the state of Connecticut. During his testimony, Szewczyk called for improvements to the Connecticut Bail Bond system due to current loopholes that allow an individual to be released from jail without properly posting a bond. Szewczyk also called for increased training for law enforcement officers in how to recognize and act upon teen dating vio-
lence and for increased awareness of teen dating violence in schools. The coalition has been extremely supportive of allowing teens to obtain restraining orders in domestic violence cases. “John Szewczyk should be
Szewczyk testifying on a bill concerning domestic violence.
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commended for his dedication to improving domestic violence laws in Connecticut. He has quickly become recognized as a leader throughout the state as an advocate for these much needed reforms. Through the Connecticut Coalition of Police Officers to Prevent Domestic Violence, Szewczyk has been able to bring issues to the forefront that will ensure additional safeguards for victims of domestic violence,” said Jeffrey Herget, a veteran Meriden Police Sergeant and member of the coalition. Szewczyk, who is currently a Hartford police officer and selectman in the town of Durham, remarked, “It has been extremely rewarding working to improve domestic violence laws in Connecticut. Domestic violence knows no boundaries; it affects individuals from all walks of life throughout the entire state. The coalition will continue to work tirelessly to do our part to prevent as many instances of domestic violence as possible.” Szewczyk explained that the coalition was formed after he spoke with fellow officers from throughout Connecticut, who all felt that the perspective from the first responders who come upon a domestic scene would be beneficial to improving the domestic violence laws. “Accordingly, we formed the Connecticut Coalition of Police Officers to Prevent Domestic Violence from different departments and sent what we felt to be important recommendations to the Speakers Task Force and then the Judiciary Committee," he said. State Representative Matt Lesser (D-Durham, Middlefield, and Middletown), who co-sponsored the bill, cited Department of Public Health statistics that show 10 percent of Connecticut teens were involved in a physically abusive relationship this past year, and 17 percent reported being in an emotionally or verbally abusive relationship.
Friday, April 15, 2011 (From page 1)
Other parents also spoke about the risks of not having a nurse in each building, recalling severe asthma attacks and traumatic accidents. Parents spoke about the “peace of mind” a nurse brings and called them “irreplaceable.” One speaker also claimed that more students get sent home when there is not a nurse in the building. Superintendent of Schools Sue Viccaro said several times during the meeting that it was not an easy or ideal decision and added, “The board charged myself and
the administrative team to reduce the budget below 4 percent.” To achieve such a reduction, Viccaro said, she needed to cut staff because that’s where the larger expenses are. One and one-half teaching positions at the elementary level — one half a kindergarten teacher at Lyman and one second grade teacher at Brewster — are already cut in the budget due to declining enrollment. The motion to reinstate the nurse was made almost immediately and passed unanimously when the board reconvened after the public hearing. Expenses in the proposed budget now stand at a 0.93 percent increase, held under one percent due largely to the lack of salary increases in next year’s teachers’ contracts. However, declining revenue makes the net increase of the budget 4.16 percent. Board member Dr. Joseph
Ochterski, who along with the rest of the board voted to reinstate the nurse position, stated that if the budget was to fail, the board would have to “take another long, hard look at it.” The next BOE meeting is scheduled for April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Korn. There will be another public hearing on May 2 at 8 p.m. at CRHS, and the public will vote on May 3.
Mfld. BOF
(From 5)
tion reduced from $2,000 to $0; 8550 Inlands Wetlands reduced from $18,500 to $12,000; 8590 Charter Revision reduced from $5000 to $0; 9400 Powder Ridge Interest Pay Down reduced from $285,000 to $182,000; 9704 Durham Middlefield Youth & Family Services reduced from $11,050 to $10,838. The board approved two percent non-union raises: 6000 First Selectman 6001 Selectmen
6004 Finance Director 6600 Town Clerk 6700 Tax Collector 6800 Treasurer 6900 Registrar 7700 Park and Rec Director 7800 Animal Control Officer 8050 Fire Marshal The board discussed the fund balance at length, including effects on bonding. Chairman Rebecca Adams concluded that the board had few options as costs keep going up, but revenues do not. In an effort to give taxpayers some relief, and because the surplus is taxpayers’ money, $75,000 was brought over to reduce their tax burden. Although a final figure will be provided by finance director Joe Geruch due to changes in FICA and other payroll taxes, the result of the board’s cuts and reallocations is a reduction in mill rate from 28.41 to 28.24. The budget was approved and will have been presented at a public hearing on April 14. Look for article on the hearing at www.towntimes.com.
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than an hour. Three school nurses who spoke expressed surprise at the plan. Anne Juncadella of Strong School reviewed the extent of a school nurse’s responsibilities. In addition to first aid, Juncadella said school nurses provide continuity of care, conduct screenings, ensure safe environments, follow state mandates and conduct sports physicals. “When the board needs to reduce the budget, they do a cost/benefit analysis. What is the cost of a student’s health?” she asked. Joanne Nytch, school nurse at Memorial, drew some laughter when she told the board, “I’ve had most of your kids.” She also noted that the board supported the move years ago to have a nurse in each building. Nytch added immunizations, medication plan monitoring and maintaining health care records to the discussion of school nurse responsibilities. Nytch spoke of a nurse’s medical judgment and ability to differentiate routine from emergency needs. “Can an assistant or principal or secretary do our jobs? No,” she said. Nytch said that the student population has increasing numbers of allergies, chronic asthma and other medical needs. After invoking Murphy’s Law of everything going wrong at once, Nytch asked, “What happens if the nurse is not in the building?” She called the plan for two nurses on the three-building campus “fragmented and inefficient at best.” Fran Ciarleglio, a substitute nurse for the district, told the board, “Even our cruise ships and casinos have in-house nurses” and suggested that potential liability might outweigh any savings. Other school nurses were in attendance, and one woman handed out a CNN.com article about the dangers of districts cutting nurses to the audience. Parents also spoke out in favor of having a nurse at each school. Rhonda Riggott Stevens spoke of the com-
plexities of managing potentially life-threatening allergies in school settings. Stevens added that teachers and others are not trained to recognize different severities of allergic reactions and also cannot administer a nebulizer for asthma attacks. “The health care professionals are very specifically trained and have a very special skill set,” Stevens said.
N
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Town Times
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Friday, April 15, 2011
Town Times
Garden (From page 11) er, and puts them in the “nursery,” where they bask in lots of warmth and moisture. They then fuse together, producing a more vigorous plant that is resistant to soil-borne diseases, and which yields more tomatoes. Like most of us, the Zemelskys felt the ravages of this past winter. They had to remove the plastic from the top of four of the hoop houses/greenhouse, in order to save the structures. This
meant that the snow — all two feet of it — fell onto the crop below. A fifth hoop house caved in. The good news is the plants didn’t die. Says Zemelsky, “This slowed the growing process, a lot. We’re still playing catch-up. But we’re back on track.” They remain undaunted, however, and are looking forward to a good year. And part of that good year means hosting a farm dinner, like the one they hosted last year. Put on by the Max Restaurant Group, which is the largest independent restau-
rant group in the state, the group chooses the menu and cooks the food, which is all based on Connecticut-grown produce, featuring, of course, vegetables grown by Star Light Gardens. Last year 100 people attended. And those wonderful vegetables come from lovingly tending the soil. “We believe in feeding the soil so that the soil can feed the plant,” said Zemelsky. “We use compost and organic fertilizer, and we add trace minerals, like magnesium. Everything is based on the soil test. You
can’t just add things blindly. You’ve got to pay attention to things like acidity and alkalinity.” His advice for aspiring gardeners? Test the soil in order to make sure you have the essential nutrients, and consult with an extension service in order to learn how to rectify any problems. “A successful garden is based on healthy soil, which will grow healthy plants and will eliminate many of the diseases and pests. Compost is an essential part of the soil’s diet. Keep scouting. Keep watch-
Town Times Service Directory
ing and observing. Everything is right under your nose. It’s up to you to see what’s going on. “I love doing this because I love growing plants, and I love dealing with the people who eat our produce. It’s gratifying that people are so appreciative of the work we do...for being a year-round farm that grows unusual and delicious heirloom variety plants,” said Zemelsky. “We like to ‘wow’ people with how things taste and look. If people aren’t jumping up in the air, we haven’t done our job.” For more info, visit www.starlightgardensct.com.
Landscaping Paula Sanzaro Pietruszka Senior Report Developer
(Continued from page 13)
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(25+ yrs. Exp.) CT REG.# 580903
CT License #559832 HIC Locally owned and operated
Call today for a FREE estimate. 860.349.1758 Ask for Tray CELL 860.790.6290
deeply and slowly to eliminate run-off and ensure that roots are thoroughly moistened. Use mulch when possible to conserve water by reducing moisture evaporation from the soil and heading off weed populations. By rethinking the role that grass plays in the design of your property, you may decide to use it only where it provides functional benefits. You already know how much you value your weekends, so how much time do you want to spend mowing? Instead of grass, substitute groundcovers, perennial gardens, decks, patios and naturalized areas to save time and money on maintenance. As always, here are some facts to get you thinking. Gaspowered lawn maintenance equipment emits an astounding five percent of the nation’s air pollution. Mowing for one hour pollutes as much as driving a car 350 miles. And not only are we polluting the air together, each of us spends 40 hours a year mowing our lawns. Before you invest in your yard, it’s a great idea to analyze and adjust your soil quality to help guarantee the success of the landscape mix you plant. You can also hire an environmental landscape professional to create a custom plan for your property. To learn more about the potential for environmental landscaping, visit www.ct.nrcs.usda.gov/eln.html.
Town Times Obituaries
Friday, April 15, 2011
Milton W. Bush Leodore P. Jr. Chabot Leodore Peter Chabot, 92, of Durham, husband of the late Vivian Rosemary (Libby) Chabot, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, at Middlesex Hospital. Leodore was born in Putnam and lived in Durham for more than 60 years in a home he built with his father-in-law. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Army. He worked as a fireman on a coalfired tugboat, as a barber and
He is survived by his son, Ronald J. Chabot of Durham; his daughter, Janice C. Picard of Durham; and two grandchildren, John and Debra Picard. Graveside services will be private in the State Veterans’ Cemetery in Middletown. There will be no calling hours and in lieu of flowers, friends may make donations to Middlesex Hospital Hos-
pice Unit, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at doolittlefuneralservice.com. The Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church St. in Middletown is handling the arrangements.
Service for Esther (Korn) Kerschner A graveside service for Esther (Korn) Kerschner, who passed away in January, will
be held on Saturday, April 16, at 10 a.m. in Mica Hill Cemetery, Mica Hill Road in Durham. The Rev. Dr. Elven W. Riggles Jr. will officiate. Mrs. Kerschner’s obituary can be viewed at towntimes.com issue #41 (on page 19) or www.doolittlefuneralservice.com. Doolittle Funeral Home in Middletown is handling the arrangements.
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Town Times Service Directory Computer Repair - Virus Removal - Data Recovery - PC Tune up
Bruce Binge
Rockfall PC MEDIC
Custom Building & Remodeling Contractor
• New Homes • Additions • Kitchens • Garages • Decks
1194753
HIC #0606486
Call after 5 pm (860)
347-1445
(860) 638-7717
WHITEHOUSE CONSTRUCTION, INC.
349-1314 • 349-3297
• Paving • Gravel Driveway Restoration • Top Soil • Retaining Walls • Drainage • Septic Systems • Excavator, Backhoe, & Dozer Work • Light & Heavy Hauling • Commercial & Residential
Decorative Walkways, Patios and Retaining Walls Backhoe and Loader Work • Planting Trimming • Harley Raking • Pruning Insured • Free Estimates
Randy Whitehouse Durham, CT
CT Lic. # 579167
e Lawn Ca e r t n ai Lawn Mowing re
(860) 349-1904 CT Lic. #554559
Fully Insured
KDM KITCHENS
860-663-3107
Ernie Laudano • STONE & MULCH DELIVERED • Hedge Trimming
860-349-1774
1198644
1197796
FREE ESTIMATES • FULLY INSURED Serving Durham and Middlefield since 1985
Free Estimates
1194309
Addy & Sons Landscaping
R
1198645
In house service / Pick-up & Return Pricing available at www.rockfallmedic.com
All Types of Remodeling & Renovations
1194861
HIC 0629388
860-349-0467
Specializing in Service & Repairs of Plumbing Systems • Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels • Toilets, Faucets & Piping Repairs • Water Heater Replacements • Submersible Well Pumps, Jet Pumps • Pressure Tanks • Water Main Repairs • Well Repairs Licensed & Insured Lic #PL204680
1198675
1194755
Milton W. Bush Jr., 67, of Durham, Connecticut, passed away from cardiovascular disease on April 4, 2011 at his home. Milton was born in Saginaw, Michigan, on June 22, 1943, to the late Milton W. Bush Sr., and Eunice Westbrook Bush. He was a graduate of the Port Huron High School, class of 1961. He received a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Michigan in 1965, and then studied law, receiving a J.D. from Michigan State in 1969. He met his future wife, Virginia Louise Olsen, in a Chaucer class at the University of Michigan, where, as Milton was fond of recalling, the professor announced his reputation for match-making on the first day. Milton and Virginia married in 1966, and they moved to Port Huron, Michigan in 1969, where he practiced law and they raised their family. In 1983 they moved to Durham, Connecticut, and he practiced law in nearby Wallingford. He is survived by his loving family: his wife of 44 years, Virginia Bush; his son Adam Bush and his wife Verna and daughter Natalie of Alpharetta, Georgia; his son Ryan Bush and his husband Steven of Los Gatos, California; his sister Diana Cahill and her husband Dennis of Oakdale, New York; his stepmother Lois Bush; and numerous nieces and nephews. An enthusiastic genealogist, Milton enjoyed researching his family tree, going back almost 450 years. He spent many happy hours building his model train set. He was also an avid sports fan and loved the Yankees, University of Michigan football and UConn Huskies women’s basketball. Contributing to charities was very important to him. His favorite charities were Project Hope, OxFam, Care, Heifer International, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. A private funeral service is planned for the immediate family.
for Wallingford Steel from which he retired in 1984. Leodore enjoyed his vegetable garden, baseball, UConn basketball and boating.
33
Town Times Sports
34
Friday, April 15, 2011
Torrison Stone crushes Snowservices 60-36 to win championship
CRHS boys’ tennis
By Scott Strang Special to Town Times
The Coginchaug High School boys’ tennis team has three returning sophomores and 13 players completely new to tennis. Coach Karen Kean said, “I have no expectations for this season other than for the boys to have fun and learn the game of tennis. Next year will be a different story.” Submitted by Karen Kean
Torrison Stone used a big second half to run away from Snowservices and take home the 2011 Durham Men’s League championship trophy. From the start it looked like it might not be much of a contest, as Torrison (11-2) opened the game scoring the first 11 points. Snowservices (7-7) could not get off an open shot, and Pete Lynch and Adam Poturnicki blocked four shots in the first seven minutes. Ryan Cove scored the first basket for Snowservices five minutes into the game to end the shutout, but Torrison would run the lead up to 222 with just four minutes left in the first half. Charlie
Bielfield began a comeback run for Snowservices with a three-pointer, and Frank DeFlippo followed with six of the next 12 points as they cut the lead to a more respectable 26-17 score by halftime. DeFlippo hit a threepointer to open second half scoring, and Danny Haynes followed with another three-pointer. Two minutes into the half, the lead was down to four points. Pete Lynch and Jeremy Lobo would then score the next three baskets to open up an 11-point lead and begin a 235 run over the next 11 minutes to end any chances of a Snowservices comeback. Ryan Cove finished with the final eight Snowservices points and led them for the game with 11 total.
Tyler Gerry had a season high six points for Torrison, all in the second half. Poturnicki, Lobo and Dave DeSanti shared the top scoring honors for Torrison, each with 13, while Lynch finished with 11. Bielfield and DeFlippo ended with 10 and nine points respectively for Snowservices. The win gives Torrison their third straight league championship. They finished with a 9-0 league regular season record, with their only losses coming in non-league games against Southington.
Something going on? Send your info to news@towntimes.com
Town Times Service Directory
DAVID M. FUGGE Antique & Fine Furniture Refinishing & Restoration “Saving Marriages Since 1983”
Professional Service
❋ Kitchen/Bath Remodeling ❋ Painting ❋ Sheetrock & Taping ❋ Basement Finish
Since 1976
Durham, CT (860) 349-1131 Pick-up & Delivery
1191818
1191817
❋ Carpentry ❋ Repairs ❋ Skimcoating ❋ Windows & Doors
Lic. #574850
Phone: (860) 349-8384
Movado Farm Inc. 1194749
Riding Lessons NEW Spring & Summer Programs
349-8728 Route 17, Durham, CT www.movadofarm.com
1194747
Adults and children
Residential Roof ing Specialist
Dan Jacobs Owner Dependable & Reasonable
Insured & Licensed
CT Lic. #00558904
860-349-6597
Free Estimates
Allan’s Tree Service
Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Licensed • Insured
APEC ELECTRIC
~ professional care at its best ~
All 1194757
• Pruning • Cabling • Tree & Stump Removal • Spraying & Disease Control • Bucket Truck Ct.LIC#61798 1194754
Allan Poole, Licensed Arborist Phone 349-8029 Established 1976 • Fully Insured • Work Guaranteed in Writing
Above, Tommy Ryan and Erikson Wasyl at the AllState Banquet at the Aqua Turf. Tommy was All-Academic All-State. Erikson was All-State. These are very nice honors for Coginchaug boys’ basketball.
Purpose Electrical Contractor "Electrical Construction Built on Quality" “ N o J o b To o S m a l l ”
Joseph W. Fontanella
Lic.# E1123497
860-349-0303
Above, Audrey Biesak, a CRHS junior, was named to the CIAC All-State girls basketball team. Photos by Karen Kean
Friday, April 15, 2011
35
Town Times
When speeding cars become predators Behind the Wheel backwards toward a sound you don’t hear. Sure enough, a couple of seconds later you hear a car roaring from behind. Your heart drops as you hope you’re only going for a real fast ride instead of meeting your shadow on the asphalt. At this exact moment, riders realize that thousands of years of instinct has more control over their horse than they themselves have. It’s a scary saddle to sit in. However, horses are trained to look to their rider for direction, so riders do have some control over dangerous situations. Seasoned riders know what has potential to spook their horses and know, oddly enough, to look away and ignore it. The human head weighs around 10 pounds, so horses can feel which way their rider is looking. If a rider looks toward a spook stimulus, the horse is more likely to spook, since by looking at the object, their rider is verifying the object’s existence. If the rider keeps looking ahead and urges the
The Coginchaug U-10 girls travel team ended a great indoor season at the CFC arena as the Champions for their league. In the picture of the championship team are from left: Jessie King, Bailey Zettergren, Maddie DeFlippo, Jada Avery, Alessandra Fronc, Coach Raffaela Fronc, Coach Bill Morris, Hannah Huddleston, Bridey Morris, Ashley Schuetz, Kaitlin Gossart, Aubrey Figoras and Coach Mathew Huddleston. Photo submitted by Mary Beth Gossart
Experience makes the difference.
360 Main Street Durham, CT 06455 Phone: (860) 349-5300 Pamela Sawicki-Beaudoin
Lisa Golebiewski, ABR, GRI
Broker, Owner
Broker, Owner
Cell: (203) 623-9959
CROSSWORD ANSWER
1198610
SUDOKU ANSWER
1190702
Not many people like to ride alone on the road, so remember that horses and riders are like deer; where there’s one, there’s more. Also, most horse people are more concerned about their horse’s safety than their own safety, or even your car’s safety. Hurt one of our horses and you’ll have to deal with us afterwards, and we’re an admittedly fiery bunch often armed with spurs and crops. Ultimately, the best thing to do when you see people riding on roads is stop and wait for the riders to move over or give you a signal. When it’s safe to pass, drive as slowly as your patience allows, and once you’re past, accelerate imperceptibly slowly, and you’ll have every horse rider’s eternal gratitude.
1185116
In a nutshell, people would likely be better off domesticating and riding tigers than horses. Unlike tigers and people, horses are not predators, but prey. They are flight animals who are mentally programmed to constantly look and listen for predator attack. Any sound, touch or sight out of the ordinary could be a predator and has potential to spook a horse. A tiger, a fastmoving car or a stiff breeze through a hayfield can have the same effect. Equipped with two ears capable of independent 180 degree rotation, horses’ hearing is much keener than humans, so they often spook at stimuli their rider doesn’t sense at all. Also, horses don’t interpret their sensations; they follow their instinct to run away from danger. With lungs capable of processing 20 gallons of air per minute and legs capable of over 20-foot strides, horses can gallop at over 35mph for more than a mile, which is faster than the speed limit on most back roads! With that litany of information, imagine this; you’re sitting about five feet above the asphalt on a thousand pound flight animal walking down a road. Your horse stops dead and turns his head to the side, angling one ear
horse forward, then the big scary car, dog, or in my horse’s case, apple tree, must not be that dangerous. Therefore, when a driver comes up behind horses, often the rider will ignore the car to reassure their horse. Though it is understandably frustrating for a driver who’s waiting to pass horses and being ignored, the riders are trying to calm their horses.
Joel Camassar
DURHAM
Now that the winter weather has broken, many of us with horses and spring fever will be hitting the trails once again. Unfortunately, connecting to some of the larger trail networks requires riding horses down back roads, which can be a scary proposition considering the speed at which some drive. Though most drivers know to slow down around horses, few nonhorsey folk know why it’s so nerve-wracking dealing with traffic on horseback.
Coginchaug U-10 girls’ soccer
Cell: (203) 631-7912 EN pm OP. 12-2 N SU
40 Main St., Durham
349-0344
www.berardino.com
109 Meeting House Hill Rd
Immaculate 3 bedroom Cape w/almost 2000 sq.ft. of completely remodeled living space. Features a new eat-in kitchen, 2 full baths, huge living r m & 1 car garage. Large backyard w/fenced patio & beautiful countr y s i d e v i ews. O n l y $ 2 6 9 , 9 0 0 ! C a l l Berardino Realtors today 860-349-0344 for more information or come Sunday! Dir : Rte 17 or Rt 77 to Meeting House Hill Rd.
INDUSTRIAL SPACE FOR LEASE Tax and Moving Incentives! security camera on site. Centrally located in downtown Meriden, CT. Convenient access to major highways and railroad/bus terminal. (Rt. 5, I-91, Rt. 15, Rt. 66 are within a mile of location.)
Total Space Available: 7,500 SF Rental Rate: $5.50 /SF/Year Min. Divisible: 3,600 SF Property Type: Industrial Property Sub-type: Warehouse Zoning Description: Enterprise zone
Call: 203-317-2330 for more information or search our listing on LoopNet.com (11 Crown Street, Meriden, CT)
1187720
Located in Meriden, CT on property zoned c-1, Enterprise Zone with potential tax incentives & moving expense incentives. This 3,600 sq. ft space is expandable into adjacent space for a total of 7,500 sq ft of space. Some of the features are covered loading docks, 24 hour tractor trailer access, up to 20’ ceilings, high voltage available, office / bathroom /
36
Friday, April 15, 2011
Town Times
863556 1198618
EXECUTIVE OFFICES
Professionals
860-349-7000
6 Way Road in Middlefield www.execoff.com
David E. Rosenberg, Esq. 1194965
1194969
6 Way Road, Middlefield, CT 06455 Tel: (203) 404-7287 • Fax: (203) 413-5777 david@rosenbergattorneys.com www.rosenbergattorneys.com
VISITING ANGELS
Lyman Insurance Agency, LLC
Personable & Compassionate Live-in and Hourly Caregivers are needed for in-home non-medical care for elderly in the area.
Home• Auto • Life • Disability Business • Farm • Contractors Special Needs Trusts 1194968
Our caregivers are as valuable to us as our clients. Call us at 860-349-7016
Phone: 860-349-7064 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Great Rates, Personal Service
Orchard Guitar School
William J. Lema, D.M.D.
Guitar, Bass and Drum Instruction All ages and levels Performance opportunities
General Family Dentistry • Children & Adults State of the Art Dentistry in a Caring, Small Office Atmosphere Saturday & Evening Appointments Available Cosmetic Bonding • Gum Therapy • Crowns & Bridges Dentures & Repairs • Emergencies • Fillings • Root Canals
1194952
6 Way Road, Middlefield, CT
1194957
860-349-7038 orchardguitarschool@gmail.com
1194971
Flexible schedules, supportive staff, one-on-one care
(860) 349-7006
Regular Hours: Tues.-Fri. 9 am-6 pm
www.OrchardGuitarSchool.com
6 Way Road, Middlefield (Near Powder Ridge Ski Area)
William J. Lema, D.M.D.
NANCY C. FERRERO, LMFT, LLC • • • • • •
P: (860) 349-7003 FAX: (860) 349-7032 CT LICENSE #000932
Hourly Fee-Only Advice Financial Check Ups/Second Opinions Investment Planning Social Security Planning Learn more at www.JimSeagrave.com Saturday & Evening Appointments Available
Jim Seagrave, ChFC, CFP®, AIF® • 860-349-7036
CLINICAL MEMBER OF AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY
PAUL T. MALAVENDA
Carl Marable
Principal
CORE INSURANCE SERVICES For All Your Insurance Needs
Guarantee lower rates for: Auto, Home, Life, Disability and Business
Sr. Mortgage Consultant
1194959
1194963
Phone: 860-349-7071 Fax: 860-499-5034 e-mail: paulm_core@sbcglobal.net
Representing: Travelers, The Hartford, Tower, Ace, Progressive, One Beacon, Arrowhead, Main Street, Safeco, Zurich, Lexington, Liberty Mutual, CNA, Foremost, Farmers, Markel, General Casualty, USLI, Penn Millers, RLI, Fireman’s Fund, Selective, Great American, Peerless, Hanover, Utica National, Infinity, Dairyland, Met Life, and many more ...
1194950
6 WAY ROAD MIDDLEFIELD, CT 06455 nferrero.lmft@gmail.com
1194962
INDIVIDUAL MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY
Northeast Financial 6 Way Road Suite 133 Middlefield, CT 06455 Phone / (860) 349-7025 Fax / (203) 413-6240 Cell / (860) 857-0186 marable@commercialct.com