4-2-2010 Town Times Newspaper

Volume 16, Issue 51

Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall

Here they come, ready or not ...

Middlefield Board of Finance tries again

By Sue VanDerzee Town Times

The golden wooden egg seen at the bottom of the middle photo was the most coveted item at Peckham Park on March 27 as the Middlefield Lions staged their annual Easter egg hunt. Jen Schulten took this fabulous series of photos of Justin Faiella a n d Samantha Kinnell in a dead heat for that egg.

More photos next week and on the web at

Friday, April 2, 2010

After holding a public hearing on First Selectman Jon Brayshaw’s proposed town budget last week on very short notice, the Middlefield Board of Finance tried again on Monday, March 29. This time they had a much bigger audience of residents, but they learned that the Middletown Press had not published the required legal notice. That made, according to BOF chair Rebecca Adams, this second public hearing inadequate as well, for which she took full responsibility.

The board set three meeting dates over the next two weeks.

The first will be another, hopefully properly noticed, public hearing on Brayshaw’s proposed budget at 6 p.m. in the Community Center, followed by a special meeting of the BOF to discuss the budget themselves, though the public

In this issue ...

Calendar............................4 Devil’s Advocate ........21-27 Durham Briefs................14 Middlefield Briefs ......16-17 Obituary..........................30 Scouts ..............................31 Sports & Rec ...............32-34

is welcome to stay and hear that discussion. They will also meet on Tuesday, April 13, and Thursday, April 15 (their regular meeting date) with the aim of finalizing their version of the proposed town budget, which will then be taken to another public hearing.

Finance director Joe Geruch explained that revenues in the proposed budget were falling, with eight percent less expected from the state in the PILOT (Payments In Lieu Of Taxes) program and 24 percent less in telephone access line taxes.

Resident Al Smith rose to ask that the Coginchaug Soccer Club, which he regards as a private, money-making group, be asked to pay more towards the maintenance of Peckham Park. Resident Seb Aresco urged the BOF to take advantage of the low bond rates now to finance the Powder Ridge purchase.

Several questioned the overages in the current budget for professional fees, mostly attorneys, engineering and planning.

Brayshaw explained that these are due to the necessity for expert advice in handling Powder Ridge, the Nerden Camp, and the town-owned industrial land between Brookside Dri-

ve and Hubbard Street. “Most of the professinal work should be done during this fiscal year,” Brayshaw said.

At 8:30, the BOF ended the public hearing and started their meeting. They approved several sets of minutes and ultimately, after some discussion, approved three transfer requests. These requests had been made at the last meeting, but BOF members felt that they would rather, as a matter of principle, transfer only the amount of money actually needed rather than forecasting out how much might be needed by the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Thus the transfers were each less than requested by Geruch but in all cases covered what was owed now, and all amounts were transferred from the Contingency account in the budget, leaving about $10,000 left in that line item.

First, $7,000 was transferred to the town attorney’s account, $5,000 to the town planner’s account and $14,300 to the town engineer account.

The next discussion concerned whether to sell the cell phone tower in the center of town to the current renters of the tower. The town has been offered $425,000 to sell the tow-

See Mfld. BOF, page 12

www.towntimes.com.

Local ‘storm stories’ from March 29-30

Sue Gaudreau, District 13: “We got everyone home from school okay. Some parents had to pick up kids in different spots because some roads were closed, but we did okay.”

Laura Francis: “In Durham, Haddam Quarter, Higganum, Parmelee Hill, Meeting House Hill and Guire roads were closed due to water over the roads, but they are now back open by Wednesday. Public works will be touring the town to determine where the damage was. There was an arrest of a driver who was off-roading in a truck at White’s Farm.”

Jon Brayshaw: “It was a very significant event for Middlefield.” It points out certain vulnerabilities, like how would we have gotten fire apparatuses by because Route 147, Strickland and Miller roads were all closed. The entire park at Wadsworth was underwater and a lot of basements were pumped.

By Stephanie Wilcox

Photo by Jen Schulten

Photo by Stephanie Wilcox

Miller Road is covered in Middlefield, left; Parmelee Hill Road in Durham, right.

Town Times Community Briefs

2

Corrections We strive to bring you the most accurate information available each week, but if you see something in Town Times that isn’t quite right, give our news department a call at 860349-8000 and we’ll try to fix it.

Parker Elena Carroll, right, of Middlefield, was actually born on Aug. 19, 2010, not Aug. 8.

Doug Stender, president of the Wallingford Rod and Gun Club, has alerted us to an alleged inaccuracy in the Blue Train Range safety study that was reported in last issue.

According to Stender, the study is incorrect when it says stray bullets are coming from the property supposedly owned

by Wallingford Rod and Gun. It is actually owned by Lyman and leased to another shooting club. Wallingford Rod and Gun Club is facing in the opposite direction from where the bullets have been found, according to Stender.

Lucy Meigs, organizer of Frog Fridays, doesn’t want to encourage using a net to “catch” frog eggs. The trio with a net on the front page of last issue were searching for frogs only.

See page 8 for the end of Betsy Booz’s Easter food article and page 33 for the girls’ basketball honorees from the winter sports banquet. Both were left out of last issue.

To advertise, call Joy Boone at 860-349-8000.

A & S Electrical Service ............29 Ace Oil.......................................17 Adams Home Improvement ......12 Addy & Sons..............................30 Allan’s Tree Service ..................30 Anderson Lawn Care ................30 APEC Electric............................34 Baci Grill ......................................5 Batter’s Box ...............................17 Binge, Bruce..............................32 Bond Dinettes............................17 Bonterra Italian Bistro................12 Boylin, Dr. William .....................12 Brick Construction .....................32 Brockett Paving .........................34 Bye Bye Pest...............................6 Cahill & Sons.............................30 Carlton Interiors.........................14 Carmine’s Restaurant ...............11 Central Ct. State Univ. ..............25 Centurion Exterminating............32 Conroy, John, D.M.D.................15 CRHS Scholarship Committee ...3 Ct. Home Additions ...................30 Dad’s Restaurant ......................14 Daricek Landscaping.................34 Dean Autoworks........................11 Durham Dental ..........................15 Durham Middlefield Falcons .....13 Durham Wine & Spirits................7 Family Tree Care ......................33 Five Star Performance Horse ...32 Fuel & Service .............................6 Glazer Dental Associates............7 Golschneider Painting...............34 Home Works..............................34 Huscher, Debbie, realtor ...........29 Ianniello Plumbing.....................31 Independent Day School...........11 J. Randolph Kitchens ................35 Jay Landscaping .......................35

J.C. Farm & Greenhouse ..........11 Ken Marino Sales & Service .......7 Kim’s Cottage Confections..........6 Lema, William J., D.M.D............10 Lino’s Market ...............................7 MHS Primary Care....................15 Micheli Unisex Styling Salon.....10 Middletown Plate Glass.............35 Mims Oil.....................................14 Mountain Spring Water .............30 Movado Farm ............................33 Neil Jones Home Imp................35 Orthodontic Specialist ...............14 Pet Stop.....................................33 Petruzelo Agency Ins. ...............35 Prete Chiropractic Center............6 Realty Associates......................29 Ridgeland Farm.........................15 Rivendell Farm ............................6 RLI Electric ............................5, 35 Roblee Plumbing.......................33 Rockfall Co. ...............................31 Rockfall Northeast.....................35 RSDL Home Improvements......31 Sea Breeze Hauling ..................32 Sharon McCormick Design .......33 Shemeth, Todd............................7 Singles Alternative.....................15 Sisters Cleaning Service...........31 Split Enz ....................................34 Stafford Motor S ........................17 Stone Insurance ........................17 T-N-T Home & Lawncare..........33 Tony’s Masonry.........................31 Torrison Stone & Garden ......2, 35 Uncle Bob’s Flower & Garden.....5 VMB Custom Builders...............34 Whitehouse Construction..........34 Whitney Ridge Stables..............31 Wildwood Lawn Care ................32

It is that time of year again when residents look for the Coginchaug National Honor Society’s annual spring cleanup fundraiser. In the past, they have cleared gardens of leaves and twigs, spread mulch, even painted barns. Usually a team of three or four NHS students is sent to help residents beautify their yards, and the donation of $50 an hour goes to help support school activities and charities such as the Malawi student from Save the Children.

If you are interested in hiring an NHS team, call Coginchaug High School at 860-349-

7215 during the week of school vacation, April 12 to 16.

You will need to provide the following information: name, phone number, and a brief description of the kind of work you need done. The NHS students will begin returning phone messages April 21.

Levi Coe Library phone-a-thon Phones will be ringing as the Levi Coe Library begins its 12th annual Phone-a-thon.

Volunteers from the community will be calling friends of the library to raise funds for programming and activities that are held throughout the year. The phone-a-thon raises over $5,000 annually to support the library. If you would

like to volunteer or are a student in need of service hours and would like to help, call Sue D’Orvilliers at 860-349-2454.

Shad museum opening

The Haddam Shad Museum will be open every Sunday beginning April 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closes Sunday, June 13. The museum, the only one of its kind in the USA, portrays the history of the American shad, Connecticut’s state fish.

The museum is located at 212 Saybrook Road behind the gas station. Admission is free. Special appointments can be made for groups on other days by calling 860-2670388.

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Index of Advertisers

Spring into the season

Friday, April 2, 2010

Town Times

Friday, April 2, 2010

3

Board of Education approves $34.8 million budget for school year 2010-2011

By Chris Coughlin Special to the Town Times

“After the meeting I received over 40 e-mails from parents and community members in support of not raising class sizes and not cutting staff,” said Viccaro. “The amount of response to the topic was surprising to me as it’s the largest amount of e-mails that I have received on the topic.”

Board member William Currlin said the way that the BOE opened up this year with meetings at Perk on Main and other town meetings should be the standard that is held from now on. Other board members agreed with this sentiment with one member suggesting that the board hold informal

meetings in Middlefield at the Apple Barrel as weather permits.

Next on the agenda was discussion of the senior class trip to Washington DC in November of 2010, which was unanimously approved.

See BOE, page 15

THE CRHS SCHOLARSHIP FUND IS PROUD TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS FOR THE 38TH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BALL: JUNIOR LEVEL SPONSORS BASREP ebenefits Group Farrell, Guarino & Boccalatte, P.C. GKN Aerospace Services Structures Corp.

In Loving Memory of Howard Kelley FRESHMAN SPONSORS Jack & Karen Castiglione Aquatic Pools & Spas Long Wharf Pediatric & Adult Medicine Colony Ford of Meriden Middlesex Dental Assoc.

Cooper Atkins Corporation Roblee Plumbing Durham Dental United Concrete Durham Family Eye Care SOPHOMORE SPONSORS Durham Pharmacy Coca-Cola Feldman Orthodontics Corporate Benefit Consultants Giacco Electric Durham in Bloom Meriden Police Union Paul C Higgins Micheli Salon & Middlefield Barber Servpro of New Haven TJ Mar Inc Twin Maples Health Care Facility Torrison Stone & Garden Wave Crest SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES & INDIVIDUALS FOR THE GENEROUS DONATIONS TO OUR SILENT AUCTION!!!

• Agway • Amici Restaurant • AT&T • Blackbird Tavern • Black Dog Grooming • Block Island Vacation donated by Laurie Martin • Blue Trails Chapter of DU • Boppers Entertainment • Carmine’s Pizza • Carolyn Adams • Charming Teapot • Chef’s Emporium • Coginchaug High School • Cold Stone Creamery • Colony Ford • Computer by J.Kotlarz • Constant Creation • Cozy Corner • Creative Solution by Cheryl • CT Beverage Mart • Dance Outfitters • DaVinci Pizza • Destinta Theater • Dog Wizard • Dried Flower Designs • Durham Market • Durham/Middlefield Youth Football & Cheerleading

• Essex Steam Train • Fiore Restaurant • Firehouse Steakhouse • First & Last Tavern • Five Guys Burger • Hans Pederson • Hitchin’ Post Tavern • Humphrey’s Bar & Grill • Illiano’s Pizza & Restaurant • Innovative Inflatable’s • JC Farm & Greenhouses • J. Randolph Kitchens • Jafra by Paula Murphy • Jennifer’s House of Hair & Stormy Mt Candle • Joe Davenport, General Contractor • Joe Riff’s Music • Kim’s Cottage Confections • LA Styles • Larkin’s Run • Liberty Limousine • Lombardi’s Restaurant • Lori’s Main Street Grooming • Lyman Golf • Lisa Davenport’s Home Gallery • Malloves Jewlers • Marriott of Rocky Hill • Meriden Feed & Supply • Michael John’s Pizza Restaurant

• Miller Tree Farm • Middlefield Pizza • Middletown Framing • Muddy Paws • New England Field & Stream • New World Laser Tag • Nikita’s Bar & Bistro • Osaka Japanese Restaurant • Peaceful Healing & Massage • Pedal Power • Perma Treat Corporation • PJ Jewlers • Puerta Viarta Mexican Restaurant • Ramani’s Clothiers • Red Sox Tickets donated by Theresa Holder • Silky by Lucia • Sunset Cruise by Salle • Thomson Family • Tina’s Fine Lingerie • Trendz • Trombetta Family • Tschudin Chocolates • Tuscany Grill • Uncle Bob’s Garden Center • Valencia Liquors • Valentina’s Home Design

Thanks again for another successful Event! See you next year!

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The Board of Education (BOE) finalized the 2010-11 school budget at their most recent meeting on Wednesday, March 24 and approved $34,826,872 for the 2010-11 year, an increase in the current budget of 3.16.

The meeting began with an opportunity for the public to address their questions and concerns about the budget before a final vote. Jeremy Renninghoff, member of the Middlefield Board of Finance, spoke in his individual capacity as he commented on the success of having the BOE sit in on a Board of Finance meeting.

Renninghoff commented on the capital reserve fund, noting that the proposed budget was originally projected to have a surplus of $600,000 but now the surplus is projected to be as high as $750,000. “The anticipated surplus needs to be carried over (as income) into the proposed budget and the number needs to be adjusted closer to $700,000,” said Renninghoff.

Laura Francis, Durham first selectman, echoed Renninghoff’s positive comments but was also concerned about the fund balance, saying that it should be more transparent and there should be a better understanding of how it is used to offset the operating budget.

Francis also thanked the board for including a discussion of a facilities study on the agenda, stating that we may have to prepare for the day when we consolidate schools, as that may be the biggest area to find savings. Francis also spoke about activity fees, saying that she personally supports increasing the fees and would gladly pay extra for kids to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities, though she is mindful that the cost of athletics will never be completely offset by activity fees. Francis also asked if there is an “umbrella” available for student’s whose families can’t afford these athletic fees.

Durham resident Donia Viola proposed an idea for a new source of revenue for the school district. Viola read in a recent USA Today report that a number of school districts facing a budget crisis have begun selling ad space on their web sites; one district in Virginia expects to make as much

as $76,000 in one year. Viola also shared her concern that the district is continuing a trend of increased spending despite the fact that our schools are clearly seeing a decrease in enrollments, especially in grades K-4.

Susan Michael, a science teacher at Coginchaug, spoke up about activity fees. As advisor for the Ecology Club, Michael noted that a lot of the clubs at Coginchaug are service organizations. “The Ecology Club does two clean-ups a year, maintains a garden and raises money for hunger relief,” explained Michael. “And kids pay $40 to do that!”

Michael has seen a couple of kids drop out of the club because they didn’t want to pay the fee, and those are the kids that the school usually wants to reach out to. “I’d hate to see the fee go up for clubs,” said Michael.

Michael said she doesn’t feel that other clubs that provide a service to the community should have to bear the brunt of costs for bigger sports (i.e. football). Instead, Michael suggested that the BOE look at a tiered cost schedule related to the cost of each program.

Rick Hanley, Durham resident, rose in support of the budget, saying that the board has done a decent job in keeping costs to a minimum while maintaining a good education system.

Hanley also asked when the athletic fields are going in.

Bonds have never been at a lower rate, and Hanley saw now as the perfect time to secure bonds for construction of the fields. Business manager Ron Melnik addressed this last question, saying that the bonds were secured last July in a bidding process and that he wasn’t sure of their rate.

Superintendent’s report The process has begun for a football coach, and the high school principal search committee is being formed. “I have received well over 50 requests from parents, community members, board members and school staff (to serve),” said Superintendent Susan Viccaro.

“A response ,will be sent to every inquiry and anyone not selected will have a chance to be involved and to participate in the process.”

Viccaro noted the positive interaction she had at both the Middlefield and Durham Board of Finance meetings.

Town Times & Places

4 FRIDAY

April 2

Flower Sale Middlefield Fire Department flower sale wil be today and tomorrow 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ecumenical Cross Walk Members from Notre Dame, Church of the Epiphany, United Churches of Durham and Federated Church of Middlefield will meet at Notre Dame at noon and proceed to United Churches and end at Epiphany with the planting of the cross.

SATURDAY

April 3

Winter Farmers Market The Dudley Farm winter farmers’ market will be held from 9 a.m. to noon in the yellow barn at 2351 Durham Rd. in Guilford. There will be local organic produce, artisan breads, baked goods, honey, jam, eggs, cheeses, soaps, baskets, knitted items, jewelry, photography, and more. For info, call 860-349-3917.

Women’s Hike Women of the Woods will meet at 10 a.m. at the Timberland Woods in North Guilford for a three to four mile hike.

Visit www.womenofthewoods.org, call 860-395-7771 or e-mail lucy@womenofthewoods.org for information.

Harvey Wallingford Public Library, 200 N. Main St., will screen the film Harvey at 2 p.m. All are invited to see James Stewart star as the mild-mannered Elwood P. Dowd whose best friend is a six-foot rabbit that only he can see. Originally released in 1950, this film is not rated.

This event is free and no registration is necessary.

SUNDAY

April 4 Happy Easter!

MONDAY

April 5

Stroke Club Middletown Stroke Club will meet at 1 p.m. in the community room at Sugarloaf Terrace in Middlefield. The Stroke Club meets the first Monday of every month. For

information call Ida at 860344-9984, Ray at 860-349-9226 or Ann at 203-235-4275.

Free Movie Every Monday the Middletown Senior Center, 150 William St., offers a free movie at 12:30 p.m. Today’s movie is Up in the Air with George Clooney and Anna Kendrick. Call 860-344-3513 for more information.

Strong School PTO The Strong School parent organization meets at 7:15 p.m.

TUESDAY

April 6 Job Search Help Orville Pierson will present a career program from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. at Russell Library, 123 Broad St. in Middletown. He will teach professional, managerial and salaried job hunters a performance-based approach to job searching. For information, call 860-347-2528.

B/KPTA The Brewster/Korn parent organization meets at Brewster at 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

April 7 Public Hearing The public hearing for the school budget will be held at Coginchaug at 8 p.m.

Boxing Wallingford Public Library, 200 N. Main St., presents Binnie Klein, author of Blows to the Head: How Boxing Changed My Mind at 7 p.m. in the Community Room. Klein’s memoir is the tale of a woman in her midfifties whose fascination with boxing takes her beyond the ring and back to her roots.

For info, call 203-265-6754.

Falcons Registration Register for the 2010 Durham-Middlefield Falcons football and cheerleading program today, Thursday and Saturday, April 8 and 10, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Middlefield Community Center.

TOPS Durham TOPS Club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Durham Town Hall. For info, call Naomi Klotsko at 860-349-9558 or Bonnie Olesen at 860-349-9433.

Marlon Brando Burn with Marlon Brando will be shown and discussed at noon in the Russell Li-

brary, 123 Broad St. in Middletown. Attendees are invited to bring a sandwich, dessert and beverages will be provided. For info, call 860347-2528.

THURSDAY

April 8 Book Discussion Hedda Kopf will lead a discussion of Lark and Termite

by Jayne Anne Philips at 7 p.m. in the Russell Library, 123 Broad St. in Middletown.

This lyrical novel set in the 1950s explores the power of secrets and ghosts in the lives of a teenaged girl. For information, call 860-347-2528.

High School Musical Coginchaug Regional High School will present the madcap musical Forum opening tonight, with performances on Friday and Saturday at CRHS at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at door or at showtix4u.com.

Crop Circles The Wallingford Public Library will present images of crop circles, the effects of the formations on electronic equipment, soils, animals and humans, and various interpretations of the designs.

Call 203-265-6754 or visit www.wallingford.lioninc.org for more information.

Art Art by French playwright Yasmina Reza will be read by local actors at 7 p.m. at Russell Library, 123 Broad St. in Middletown. This work is suitable for high school-aged children and older. For information, call 860-347-2528.

Shakespeare Sonnet Slam ARTFARM will stage a Shakespeare Sonnet Slam and Elizabethan Bash with WNPR’s Colin McEnroe as host, at 7 p.m. at Kidcity Children’s Museum in Middletown. The public is invited to enjoy a 16th century party, including period music, food, drink, Elizabethan celebrities and performances based on Shakespeare’s sonnets.

Tickets are $14 and include two drinks. For information, visit www.art-farm.org, call 860-346-4390 or email info@art-farm.org.

Health and Wellness The Chamber of Commerce will hold a Health and Wellness summit from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Cromwell Hotel, featuring workshops, lunch and networking, and

Friday, April 2, 2010

presentations. Tickets are $30 per person. For information contact Johanna Bond at 860347-6924 or Johanna@middlesexchamber.com.

FRIDAY

April 9 Business Networking The local chapter of Business Networking International will meet in the United Methodist Church, 24 Old Church St. in Middletown, at 7:30 a.m. Contact Kirk Hagert at 860-349-5626 for info.

Cogin-Chuggers The Durham Cogin-Chuggers will have a pie night dance at Brewster School in Durham from 8 to 10:30 p.m.

Ken Ritucci will be the caller and Sue Lucibello the cuer.

Donation is $6 per person.

For info, call 860-349-8084 or 203-235-1604.

Matt Lesser State Rep. Matt Lesser, a member of the Energy Committee, will speak on electricity rates at the Middlefield Senior Center, following a noon lunch. Lesser will answer questions about utility rates or any other matters. This event is free and all seniors are invited to attend. Call 860349-7121 for information.

SATURDAY

April 10 Adopt-a-Road Adopt-a-Road! Pick up bags and ties from 8 to 9 a.m. at Allyn Brook Park. Enjoy coffee, juice and donuts. Call 860-3490798 for more information.

Rep. Lesser State Representative Matt Lesser will hold office hours at the Durham Library, 7 Maple St., from 10 a.m. to noon.

Polish Dinner The K-Club Polish Dinner will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the K-Club, 168 Main St. in Rockfall. Tickets are $8 and reservations are required by calling 860-346-9521.

Free Health Program Dr. Thomas Ullman will speak about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis at the Marriot, 100 Capitol Boulevard in Rocky Hill. Registration at 8:30 a.m. and the program concludes at 12:30 p.m.

For more inforomation, send e-mail to mgrande@ccfa.org or call 203-208-3130.

Poetry Writing Wallingford Public Li-

brary, 200 N. Main St. in Wallingford, will present a poetry writing workshop with Eileen Albrizio from 10 a.m. to noon as part of the Saturday mornings with poetry program that meets the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Class size is limited and registrations required by calling 203-265-6754 or online at www.wallingford.lioninc.org.

Balloon Art

Children ages 8-12 are invited to the Russell Library, 123 Broad St. in Middletown, for a balloon art workshop from 2 to 3 p.m. Christina LaVaughn will demonstrate how to twist balloons into all sorts of shapes. Registration is required by calling 860-3448479 starting Monday, April 5.

CT Walk for Haiti

Walk for Haiti, beginning at 11 a.m. at Saint Peter Claver Church Parish, 47 Pleasant St. in West Hartford.

For info, visit www.ctwalksforHaiti.org.

Bird Walk

Ranger Russ Miller will lead a bird walk at 6 a.m. starting at the Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset Beach State Park. Expert birders will be on hand to identify unusual or common birds. Reservations required by calling 203-245-8743 or 860462-9643.

Theatre

Connecticut Heritage Productions performs staged readings of three winning Connecticut plays in the first annual Connecticut Stories on Stage playwriting competition at 7 p.m. at the Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington St. in Middletown. Performance $10. Reception to follow. For reservations or information, call CHP 860-347-7771.

SUNDAY

April 11 Train show

A train show will be heldfrom 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sheehan High School, 142 Hope Hill Rd. in Wallingford. It is sponsored by the Sheehan High School Music Parents Association. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $1 for children aged five to 17.

Children under five free. For info, call 203-265-0223.

Town Times

Friday, April 2, 2010

5

Projects and people honored by Coginchaug Valley Education Foundation

By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times

Attendees enjoy a dessert and appetizer buffet, good conversation and lovely spring blooms. program is to get more people outside enjoying the natural world to promote healthy living and environmental stewardship. This will be done through posting information about the publicly-accessible trails in Durham and Middlefield on the Connecticut Forest and Park Association’s new WalkCT website and providing at least 10 hikes in both towns. Other outdoor activities will be initiated. The Frog Fridays program is part of this initiative.

Strong School for IRespond-Differentiated Instruction, which allows teachers to gain real-time data on student comprehen-

sion of instructional material to enhance stud e n t learning.

Korn School for Maura Broggi of Lights, Camera, Strong School Action! Through this program, all Korn students will create innovative learning experiences using digital cameras and Flip Videos since being a successful, productive member of 21st century society requires the incorporation of technology.

Heidi Emack and Lorrie

by a mentoring adult and are given small prizes for miles logged.

“This started with my son who would say ‘I get so tired in school,’” explained Schulten. “The program has been very successful so far and is active in four schools – Lyman, Memorial, Brewster and Korn.”

Levi E. Coe Library for Summer of Science. This program will provide opportunities for elementary students to explore and enjoy different areas of science to create interest and excitement.

Presenters from different science disciplines will come in to share their knowledge.

“We’re excited to get kids to see science as fun,” said librarian Vicki Berry.

The winner of the CVEF annual Achievement Award See CVEF, page 10

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The third annual Coginchaug Valley Education Foundation (CVEF) grant awards reception was held last Friday, March 26, at Country Flower Farms in Middlefield.

Surrounded by fresh, sweet-smelling blooms, a large crowd — proponents of excellence, innovation, and creativity for our community — gathered in the greenhouse for the announcement of grant recipients and the annual Achievement Award winner.

CVEF president Merrill Adams talked briefly about the foundation and its goals and gave a heartwarming tribute to Howard Kelly, a past superintendent of Regional District 13 and friend of education who recently passed away.

Following introductions, the individual grant recipients were announced by past Superintendent Bill Breck.

The recipients are: John Lyman Parents Association for the 2011 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Presentation.

This project will celebrate the national holiday by hosting Victoria Christgau for a community performance in January 2011. The presentation will review the historic roles that freedom songs played in the American Civil Rights Movement through music, stories and film clips. This event will be open to the whole community.

Durham Recreation for Everyone Outside for Health and Environmental Stewardship. The goal of this

Martin for Bringing the Sea to Seniors. The project would involve the set-up of a 30-gallon saltwater fish tank in the Senior Center in Middlefield.

This will be followed by an informational and educational seminar for the seniors on how to maintain the tank.

J e n Schulten for Go Far, a noncompeti t i v e daily fitn e s s a n d w e l l n e s s Jen Schulten program that encourages healthy habits through repetition and consistency. During recess, students run or walk laps and have their mileage recorded

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Open Easter Sunday 9 AM-Noon

EASTER Plants

Presents 5 Course Chef Inspired Easter Feast $28.00 per person

Landscaping • Lawn Care

• Antipasti • Soup • Ensalada • Entree • Dessert

Low prices, great quality and service... What else is there?

View the entire menu: www.tuscany-grill.com Full menu also available 12:00-5:00

191 Meriden Road (Rte 66) Middlefield 704-8414

Reservations: 860-346-7096

Funerals, Special Occasions or Just Because...

120 College Street Middletown, CT

1151520

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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.

Town Times Tax Time

6

Friday, April 2, 2010

Tax deadline looms, but help is at hand ... on-line and in Middlefield

By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times The number one tip from the IRS to avoid tax time stress is don’t procrastinate. Well, if you’re reading this, it’s likely you’re among the 25 percent of poll respondents who have already procrastinated and could use a few tax pointers as the April 15 deadline approaches. With the time you have left, follow these suggestions from the IRS. Before getting started, visit IRS.gov to hear latest news and find answers to your questions. Consider filing your return electronically;. Use e-file and direct deposit to get your refund in as few as 10 days. Efiled returns have a much lower error rate and taxpayers receive a fast acknowledgment that the IRS has received the

return, a service not available to paper filers. You can do this through your tax preparer or commercial software, or you can use Free File, a service offered by the IRS and private sector partners. First time filers are encouraged to use IRS Free File as it is much easier to prepare and file taxes with tax software.

Don’t panic if you cannot pay the full amount of taxes you owe by the April 15 deadline. You should still file your return by the deadline and pay as much as you can to avoid penalties and interest (read more on penalties below). Then you should contact the IRS to discuss your payment options at 1-800-829-1040.

The IRS will let you request an extension of time to file, but you should still pay on time if you can. If the April 1150582

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15 deadline passes, you can get an automatic six-month extension until Oct. 15. This extension does not give you more time to pay any taxes due so a payment by April 15 would be in your favor.

Common errors As April 15 gets closer and closer, you’re more likely to make silly errors, which can delay the processing of your tax return. According to the IRS website, there are nine all-too common errors, including incorrect or missing Social Security numbers, incorrect or misspelling of dependent’s last name, filing status errors, computation and math errors (when you file electronically the software takes care of the math for you!), incorrect bank account numbers for direct deposit, forgetting to sign and date the return (it is invalid if unsigned), incorrect adjusted gross income information and claiming the Making Work Pay Tax Credit. Double check these areas!

Penalties It’s simple. If you miss the

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Centers (on IRS.gov, under individuals, click on the link for Contact My Local Office under IRS Resources). Use Community Resources through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs in many communities by calling 800-906-9887.

Seniors and low-income and middle-income individuals can get free help on their taxes right here in Middlefield.

TCE (Tax Counseling for Elderly) Tax Aid program, a free program sponsored by AARP, is run by trained volunteers at the Community Center. These tax counselors help with simple returns and itemized deductions, and they file state and federal taxes electronically. However, they do not give financial advice.

The service opened in February and continues until taxes are due. TCE is available by appointment on Tuesdays between 9 a.m. and noon, or will make house calls if individuals are unable to come to the center. Call 860349-7121 to set up an appointment.

“People come in so overwhelmed by tax filing and just want to get them done and out of the way,” said Nancy Glenn, of Middletown, who started the Middlefield TCE site years ago. “Afterward people are very appreciative and happy to have their taxes done. It’s a great service because it costs no money; We wish more people would come to us.”

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due date to file your return and pay your tax, you’ll end up paying a penalty. Here are things to know about the two types of penalties.

There is a failure-to-file penalty if you don’t file by the deadline and failure-topay penalty if you don’t pay by the deadline. The failureto-file penalty is generally more than the failure-to-pay penalty. That means, if you cannot pay all the taxes you owe, you should still file your tax return and explore other payment options in the meantime.

The penalty for filing late is usually 5 percent of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month that a return is late. It will not exceed 25 percent of your unpaid taxes.

More information on penalties can be found at www.irs.gov/rewsroom/article/0,,id=205326,00.html.

Where to find more help and information There are many options out there to help meet your tax obligations, and those listed below won’t cost you a dime. Visit IRS.gov or call the IRS Tax Help Line for Individuals at 800-829-1040, for federal tax questions, 800-8293676 for free forms, instructions and publications and 800-829-4477 to hear prerecorded messages offering various tax topics or to check on the status of your refund.

TTY/TDD users may call 800829-4059 to ask tax questions or to order forms and publications. You can find help at local IRS Taxpayer Assistance

Town Times

Friday, April 2, 2010

7

Exchange recognizes Golden Deed do-ers the boards of directors first at BASREP and later at Durham Middlefield Youth and Family Services.

MFC’s Pastor Dale Azevedo said, “Elisabeth’s tremendous love for children is a moving force in her life.”

Since 2004, Elisabeth has been involved in Haiti, currently serving as the medical coordinator of Mountains of Hope for Haiti, a mission of the United Methodist Church.

With Pastor Jean Beaucejour, she co-founded HELO in Haiti, which provides Home, Education, Love and Opportunity to children through an orphanage. Since 2007 the orphanage has provided a home and education to 15 children, a parcel of land was purchased and a small school completed in December 2009. after the tragic earthquake in Jan. 2010, a second home was established, welcoming 13

By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times

The level of spirit in this community is so impressive, said Peter Cascini during the presentation of the Book of Golden Deed awards.

Though he confirmed that there are people out there every day doing something for the community, only one resident from Durham and one from Middlefield annually receives Book of Golden Deed recognition.

This year’s Middlefield recipient is Elisabeth Kennedy, a Glastonbury native who has lived in Middlefield for 15 years with Richard, her husband of 25 years, and daughter Sara. Elisabeth began working in public service in the Sunday School program at Middlefield Federated Church (MFC). She continued her devotion to children on

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See Golden, page 30

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Elisabeth Kennedy, left, with Peter Cascini of the Exchange Club.

new children and loving houseparents. A third home is nearly complete and will improve the lives of an additional 12 children currently on a waiting list.

“Many of the lives she touches she doesn’t even know,” commented Pastor Dale, who said Elisabeth would rather be in a room full of children than standing at a podium in front of adults. She later confirmed this, saying, “I don’t like to be the center of attention, and you don’t need to hear about me, you need to hear about them (the children of Haiti).” For the remainder of her acceptance speech, she narrated a slideshow on Haiti/HELO and proudly said she has watched kids grow self-confident and happy.

Kennedy was surprised by the recognition. “Perhaps because I feel honored and blessed to have my dream come true and to work in Haiti,” she explained with tears in her eyes. “My family deserves the honor.”

Elisabeth’s daughter Sara said she is proud of her mom.

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Town Times Opinion

8

Friday, April 2, 2010

A healthy Passover and Easter to you ...

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Sue VanDerzee, Editor Stephanie Wilcox, Reporter Brian Monroe, Advertising Director Joy Boone, Advertising Sales Wendy Parker, Office Manager Contributors: Betsy White Booz, Chuck Corley, Chris Coughlin, Trish Dynia, Kathy Meyering, Judy Moeckel.

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tus quo. He advocated for the I think it significant that Kathy Meyering poor and downtrodden and Congress passed a new napreached a gospel of inclutional health care bill the sion to a society that marginweek before the celebrations alized women and those of of Passover and Easter. lower social class. The pasThere is an interesting consion stories in the New Testanection between the alarming public reaction to this bill and the power ment point to a mob of citizens calling for his execution, a mob riled up by propaganda of the stories behind the two holidays. fed to them by the powers-that-be. Two milIn the Passover story, Moses’ faithfulness lenia later, the fact that millions honor Jeto his mission empowers him to defy sus and his message speaks for itself and Pharaoh. We might say he kept his eye on justifies the claim that those crazed crowds the prize. Again and again, Moses goes back calling for his death were, well, listening to to the haughty ruler to give him another the wrong voices. chance to avoid further tragedy in his kingWhatever level of confidence or concern dom. The Passover story illustrates the folly we have about this health care bill, it beof Pharaoh’s pride and the utter ruin that hooves us to make sure we are listening to came to him as a result of not paying attenthe right voices. It is folly to take a stand tion to the obvious. He was blinded by his without getting the facts straight and putown sense of importance and refused to listing our own biases and self-interest to the ten to the voice of reason. side. Exercising the democratic process Now consider the central figure of Good doesn’t give us license to become an abusive Friday and Easter Sunday, Jesus of mob of unthinking and uninformed protesNazareth. Why was he crucified? He stood tors. We can do better than that. for unpopular ideas. He challenged the sta-

Guest Editorial

Letters to the Editor

Lisa Davenport forms committee to explore run for 12th District Senate seat

Republican Lisa Davenport has formally announced formation of her exploratory committee to examine a run this November, for a seat in the 12th District of the Connecticut’s General Assembly, which covers Branford, North Branford, Madison, Guilford, Durham, and Killingworth.

As a small business owner of Lisa Davenport’s Home Gallery, she identifies with the ever-changing and difficult times in which we live and feels that the actions of the current State legislature do not reflect the needs of the average

taxpaying citizen or small business owner. Over the next several months Lisa will meet her prospective constituents of the 12th District to hear their concerns and issues.

Forming this committee allows Lisa to test the waters for a campaign. Lisa Davenport is active in her community in a variety of positions. She is a member of the Durham Planning and Zoning Board, and she is an active volunteer in her church, teaching Sunday school, and coordinating the church’s annual mission trip to Kentucky. She is a director of the Coginchaug Regional High School Scholarship committee in District 13. Lisa also volunteers for the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts organizations and is a member of the Republican Town committee.

In November, she and her business partner sponsored

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.

an Operation Home for the Holidays event that raised funds to help bring home 700 Connecticut National Guard troops.

A native and resident of Durham, she has been married to Joe, a firefighter-paramedic, for over 20 years. She has two children, Ashley and Joey.

Press release approved by Lisa Davenport

Drivers beware!

The perils of potholes are upon us Dear Editor, As the ravages of winter subside and temperatures rise, there is probably a pothole out there with your name on it. Record cold temperatures, snow and rainfall in many parts of the country have created the perfect storm for motorists’ dreaded “perils of potholes period.”

Drivers know immediately when they hit a pothole. The heart-stopping, teeth-jarring noise is hard to mistake. However, it’s not always immediately clear if hitting the pothole caused damage to the vehicle, and to what extent.

Hitting a pothole can damage tires, wheels, steering and suspension, wheel alignment and more. The Car Care

Council recommends that motorists who experience any of the following warning signs after hitting a pothole should have a professional technician at their local repair shop inspect the vehicle.

1) Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming-out on city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads. These are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are key safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Key components are shocks and/or struts, the steering knuckle, ball joints, the steering rack/box, bearings, seals and hub units and tie rod ends.

2) Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear. These symptoms mean there’s an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is important for the lifespan of tires and helps ensure safe handling.

3) Low tire pressure, bulges or blisters on the sidewalls, or dents in the rim. These problems will be visible and should be checked out as soon as possible as tires are the critical connection between your car and the road in all sorts of driving conditions.

If you’ve hit a pothole, the Car Care Council can help

you find a repair shop in your area. The council’s Web site features a “Find a Shop” locator at http://www.carcare. org/carcare_location.

Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council

End of Easter food article

(Editor’s note: We inadvertently left off a few paragraphs of Betsy Booz’s interesting article on Easter food last issue. Below is what we left off with a small bit repeated to make it sensible.)

One of the best-sounding Easter dessert recipes was on a BBC website, which explained that in the late 17th century, girls in service brought a rich fruit cake called simnel cake home to their mothers on the fourth Sunday of Lent. The cake was enriched with marzipan and decorated with 11 marzipan balls representing the 12 apostles minus Judas, who betrayed Christ. Oh, and if fruit cake isn’t your thing, you can also make this as a chocolate cake – yum!

The same web site explained the history behind another more typical Easter treat, hot cross buns. Similar to many other traditions linked to Easter, they actually See Food, next page

Town Times Columns

Friday, April 2, 2010

9

Cultural arts bring curriculum to life

What is a responsible budget?

In this residency DenAs you know DisKevin Brough, principal nis will demonstrate trict 13 has very specifMemorial Middle School the many properties ic grade level curricuof sound and will lum objectives in each work with students to academic and related enable them to directarts area. These objecly experience these tives are divided into properties. Each fifth specific units of study grade student will creand together compose a scope and sequence which identifies ate their own string instrument from inexpensive materials. Participants learning goals in grades K – 12.

The challenge of each teacher is to will use these instruments along with bring that curriculum to life. Taking others they construct to investigate these rote curriculum objectives and sound and the structure and function making them relevant, engaging and of the ear. This residency will take meaningful to students is a daily chal- place with the support and participalenge that all teachers face. One of the tion of a number of parent volunteers.

In late April author Michael Caduto greatest means of support available to teachers at our school is our cultural will provide a program to sixth arts program. Each school year ap- graders relating to conservation of proximately four to five cultural arts natural resources and ecology. programs are scheduled to bring vari- Michael is the author of bestselling, books including ous programs and residencies to our award-winning school. These programs align directly Keepers of the Earth and has written with curriculum objectives and bring more than 100 articles for magazines a variety of content areas to life. such as Cricket, Nature Study, and Our cultural arts events will begin Green Teacher. In his residency in April as we welcome ethnomusicol- Michael will explore opportunities to ogist and renowned instrument mak- maintain a balanced, sustainable exer Dennis Waring to Memorial istence with the Earth. Participants School. Dennis’ extensive teaching ex- will gain an understanding of the imperience and worldwide travel make portance of wise environmental stewhim uniquely qualified to provide ardship and the ever increasing dehands-on experiential learning oppor- mands placed upon our fragile planet. tunities to our students in the area of Later in the school year, sixth grade sound and world cultures. students will participate in a performThe fifth graders at Memorial ance by the Sankofa Kuumba PerforSchool will have the opportunity to mance Ensemble. This program fosconstruct their own instruments and ters a greater understanding and apto apply knowledge from their science preciation of African culture. The eninvestigations about properties of semble’s show, “Sowing Seeds” is a sound including those relating to trip through African cultures loudness, frequency and pitch. The study of sound is a major component See Culture, page 29 of our grade five science curriculum.

The Board of Finance has seen a significant is almost ready to disincrease in utilization; tribute the FY 10-11 continued funding for budget for consideramajor road projects to tion at the budget heardeal with drainage and ing to be held on Monother issues. Road projday, April 12, at 8 p.m. at ects were restored two CRHS. years ago and have Because nothing is fihelped entire neighbornal until our vote at the hoods all over town; a annual budget meeting budget for a Durham acon May 10, we continue tivity center is includto sharpen our pencil Laura Francis, Durham ed. For many years, and review and edit, all both our senior citizen in an effort to make and recreation commitsure the budget we prestees have been extremeent is responsible. How ly limited with prodo I define responsible? gramming due to lack of I believe a municipal space. We now have a budget should reflect the priorities of rental opportunity that would not rethe town residents, meet our legal ob- quire a long-term capital expense. You ligations as defined in our Town Char- have communicated with us that more ter, state Statutes and federal regula- programming is desired even if a user tions and consider the state of the fee was required. Therefore, we have economy. Here are a few highlights included a budget for the space but from the proposed FY 10-11 budget will not need to add additional staffing that further these goals. or programming expense. All new proOur budget includes expenditures grams will be budget neutral; also into comply with many statutory and cluded is seed money to obtain techniregulatory mandates; most of course, cal assistance to address the ponding are unfunded. I just printed out the re- issues at White’s Farm, another conport of all CT mandates on municipal- cern we heard loud and clear. ities, a report compiled by the ConI can attest that the economy has necticut Advisory Commission on In- played a big role in budget preparatergovernmental Relations. It took al- tion for several years now. Not only most a ream of paper, printed on both have many budgets been decreased or sides. This budget includes new fund- remained flat, but many town employing for improvements at our public ees have agreed to voluntary furlough works site on Cream Pot Road as part days. Unfortunately, despite our efof our storm water discharge permit forts, we may see a small increase in requirements. Also, we will fund over our mil rate this year after being the next five budgets a road sign re- frozen for the past three years. placement program to comply with You have elected the members of new retro reflectivity regulations. the Board of Selectmen to administer Several budgets have been funded, town functions and the Board of Fiincreased or added because we have nance to adequately manage the fiidentified them as local priorities; ar- nancing of those functions; a responeas that many residents consider im- sibility we take very seriously. Howportant to quality of life in Durham. ever, you play a major role in helping These include: increased books and both boards set direction. Please atmedia budget for the library which tend the budget hearing and meeting.

A View from District 13

What Hartford needs ... executive leadership

State Comptroller Tom Gaffey, Nancy Wyman and Governor Jodi Rell’s budget office peg the current fiscal year’s deficit at approximately one-half billion dollars. Both offices also agree that the deficit tidal wave that will crash down on us over the next two years will approach four billion dollars. The Executive Branch and the General Assembly must act now to avoid a colossal financial nightmare.

Governor Rell proposed a deficit mitigation plan in March with which many legislators from both parties took issue. The Senate Democrats primarily opposed it because it contained a $45 million cut to cities and towns which shifts the burden to local property taxpayers. Legislators from both parties have been loath to make the very difficult votes that are necessary to confront the deficit. Consequently, nothing has been done to re-

duce it. Understanding the need to move off of the dime, Senate Leadership scheduled a session last Friday to take up both the governor’s plan and one that we wrote.

Just after 3 a.m. last Saturday, the governor’s plan to address the currentyear budget deficit was soundly rejected by members of the state Senate.

What is perhaps most telling about the lopsided 28-8 vote is this: fully onethird of the Republican caucus voted against her combination of tax increases, tax shifts, spending cuts and fund transfers.

About two hours later, about the time Saturday morning newspapers were delivered, the Senate voted again, this time on a revised version of her plan written by Senate Democrats. Our package was approved 21-15, despite

12th District

A View from the Senate

From The Desk Of The First Selectman

Food

pre-date Christianity when the Greeks and Egyptians ate small cakes or buns in honor of the respective goddesses that they worshipped. Buns marked with a cross were eaten by the Saxons to honor their goddess Eostre; it is thought the bun represented the moon and the cross the moon’s quarters. To Christians, however, the cross symbolizes the crucifixion.

Not surprisingly, other countries have their own versions of hot cross buns and other Easter pastries. For example, the Czechs make babobka, the Polish baba and the Italians pinza.

The Greeks and Portugese serve round, flat loaves marked with a cross and decorated with Easter eggs. SyriSee Gaffey, page 35 an and Jordanian Christians have

(Continued from page 8)

honey pastries.

Perhaps you have noticed that Easter foods are varied – similar, perhaps, but also with cultural nuances and differences in the way they are prepared.

However, to end this article where it began – with the truly American tradition of serving ham, there’s a history behind that, too! In the early days, meat was slaughtered in the fall. Because there was no refrigeration, the fresh pork that wasn’t consumed during the winter months before Lent was cured for spring, and the first hams were ready around the time Easter rolled around. Thus, ham was a natural choice for the celebratory Easter dinner. The pineapple?

Hmmm, not sure about that one.

Town Times

10

Friday, April 2, 2010

Willy invites friends to second annual pet fair

By Stephanie Wilcox Boy, do we love our animals!

Last year’s first annual Durham Pet Fair was hugely successful (imagine — over 500 dogs attended), and it drew so much support that the location for the second annual Durham Pet Fair on Sunday, May 16, was moved from Durham Veterinary Hospital grounds to Coginchaug High School.

This year, vendors who want to be involved are calling Mark and Sharon Paturzo, founders of Help Willy’s Friends, a non-profit animal welfare organization that began in 2006. “We received such outstanding support so this year is going to be even stronger,” said Mark Paturzo.

Volunteers are needed to help the shelters and vendors unload/load their vehicles and help set-up and breakdown their booths. Volunteers are also needed to help park vehicles and maintain the grounds.

“The Pet Fair is our biggest fundraiser to help these shel-

ters/rescues, pet pantries and other related organizations with a monetary donation,” explained Paturzo. “Plus it’s an adoption day where shelters/rescues and fosters are able to bring their adoptable pets to one location where they can be viewed by a potential adoptive family.” In fact, new this year will be an adoptable pet parade where all sheltered animals will parade around in hopes of finding a family to love them.

“One visit to the fair can cover 40-50 shelters, which saves time and cost to meet the animals, not to mention everyone will have fun at a family event,” he said.

The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will also fea-

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ture live music, wine-tasting, silent auction, DJ, food vendors, children’s activities, State Police K-9 demonstration, pet agility course and more. Pets can come for a free nail-clipping, pet reiki, pet psychic and micro-chipping

by Durham Veterinary at a nominal fee. Demos will be bigger and there will be even more shelters and rescues than last year.

“The event is about bringing public awareness to the importance of animal welfare and adoption,” said Paturzo.

“There are hundreds of thousands of wonderful cats and dogs like Willy out there waiting to be adopted.”

Willy, an Australian Shepherd-English Springer Spaniel adopted from a shelter in 2003 by the Paturzos, is the inspiration for all of this. Help Willy’s Friends was born to provide organizations with food, supplies and monetary donations, sponsor awareness events, encourage volunteerism and promote adoption.

If you would like to be a part of the Durham Pet Fair or if you are interested in volunteering, email willy@helpwillysfriends.org. Those who are looking for community service will be provided with a certificate of hours donated.

Deadline for applications and fees to rent a 10x10 exhibition space is May 1. For more info, visit www.durhampetfair.com.

Vicki Berry, of Levi Coe Library, accepts a check from Dr. William Breck, former District 13 Superintendent of Schools.

Photos by Stephanie Wilcox

CVEF

(Continued from page 5)

is Charlene Turcotte Begley, president and CEO of GE Home and Business Solutions and a senior vice president of GE. GE is creating a new Corporate Leadership Staff program, led by Begley. She is a member of GE’s Corporate Executive Council and serves on the board of Morpho Detection, Inc. Begley also serves on the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders and the board of the National Association of Manufacturers. She is a graduate of the University of Vermont and lives with her husband and three daughters.

Begley became the company’s youngest corporate officer at the age of 32. She was the first woman to lead a major business unit (GE Transportation)

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and the first female senior vice president at GE. Begley was on the Fortune’s Most Powerful Women list 2005-2009, Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women 2009 and Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women to Watch 2008. She is part of 2007-2009 Wall Street Journal’s 50 Women to Watch and Financial Times Women to Watch 2007-2009.

Though she was unable to attend the reception because she was in surgery, a video from Begley was played for the audience in which she expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the award and talked about Durham and District 13.

“I benefited from growing up in Durham,” explained Begley. “The town is small in size but big in heart, mind, spirit and goals.” She also credited eighth grade teacher Mrs. Linda Micowski for a teaching style and connection with students that made Begley want to prove she could exceed expectations. She strongly believes “(Mrs. Micowski) is the reason I am where I am.”

CVEF recording secretary Betsy White Booz concluded the reception with what’s to come in the year ahead. Now entering its third year, Booz said there is more that CVEF can be doing, and this is the year to reach out for help, input and assistance to refocus the organization. Some of the initiatives to come are a Facebook fan page and brainstorming sessions to tap resources and pick people’s brains.

CVEF is asking the community, “What should be some new activities?”

Email coginchaugvef@comcast.net with your ideas.

Town Times

Friday, April 2, 2010

11

Farming 101 for legislators

By Sue VanDerzee Town Times

www.carminesdurham.com for our menu

tious fresh food was available to those without less financial means. Marion noted that good diets were available at reasonable cost if shoppers

See Farming, page 20

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Three dozen farmers, friends of farmers, government workers and state and national legislators gathered with the milk truck on the driveway in front of the Greenbackers’ dairy barn on Route 68 in Durham last Saturday.

The sun was bright but the breeze was chilly, and the table with coffee and cookies was quickly surrounded.

The group assembled for a tour of the dairy facility (not the first time for most in attendance), conducted by Melissa Greenbacker. The crowd trailed Melissa as she pointed out the systems in the barn for feeding and waste disposal and the different ages and stages of the herd. Folks stopped to pet a few black and white bovine heads as they strolled down the center.

Then on to the manure pit and the milking parlor with a pass for the shelter in which the smallest calves are housed.

Finally the group returned to the yard for the real purpose of the morning, to hear from national officials including Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Congressman Joe Courtney and Deputy Secretary of Agricultural Kathleen Merrigan about plans and projects that might help beleaguered New England farmers and to let the officials know of their concerns.

Not unnaturally, dairy farmers were up first with comments. Several pointed out that past legislation had not considered adequately the differences in costs for farmers in various areas of the country. Joe Greenbacker noted that while looking to create sustainability, particularly for small family farms, was a fine long-term goal, action was needed immediately to assure the survival of

some of those farms. Action would mostly consist of amended price supports and actual purchase by the government of dairy products. “The program last year really helped,� he acknowledged, “but we need more help.�

Organic farmer Dave Zemelsky, of Durham, asked Secretary Marion how the gove r n m e n t could help make sure that nutri-

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Town Times

12

New chili champ in Middlefield

On Thursday, March 18, a new champion was crowned at the Middlefield Lions Club second annual chili cook-off. David Lowry, left, took home the honor of Best Chili of 2010. The competition was close, and the three guest judges from the Middlefield Fire Department to kept the judging on the up and up. There was a fierce three-way race between last year’s champion Mark Gribko, newcomer Jay Dalo and Dave Lowry. The other three entries – from Lisa Steward, Mary Roberts and Melissa Kowal – were much more refined. Attendees also enjoyed chili with delicious home-made corn bread from Lion David Wallach. The club had a great night and thanked celebrity judges, top photo, from left, Pete Tyc, Bruce Villwock and Bob Fowler.

Photo submitted by Melissa Kowal We’re on the Web: http://www.towntimes.com

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er as opposed to almost $35,000 in annual rental (slated to go to $40,000 in June 2014). Brayshaw’s apparent inclination is to accept the offer because the town budget is so tight, and he believes the annual rental money will be made up by several projects coming online in town including a commercial development at 1 Lorraine Terrace and sale of Powder Ridge.

Several members of the board were less optimistic, casting the discussion in terms of long-term versus short-term. BOF member Bob Yamartino suggested that a cost benefit analysis was necessary to help the board make the proper decision.

Then the BOF heard Brayshaw present his capital budget for the coming fiscal year. In several line items, Brayshaw said that officials could make do with whatever balance was currently in the capital account. For example, part of the $30,684 in town hall building improvements will be used for repaving at the town hall, but Brayshaw requested $15,000 in the Community Center account to add to the $14,000 balance, which would pay for a new floor in the auditorium at the Community Center and possibly a roof on the garage at the center.

Brayshaw did not put any money in the budget for computer upgrades, and said, “We’re crossing our fingers that the accounting software will hold.” BOF member Jeremy Rettinghoff encouraged officials to get the new software they needed.

Brayshaw also noted that the town had asked for a twoyear delay to do the next revaluation of property, and said that if the delay was granted as expected, then the BOF

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There are still a few spaces available in Oddfellows Playhouse spring performing arts classes for Complete Actor II (ages 9-11) and Stage Combat (ages 12-14). Spring classes begin the week of April 5 and run for eight weeks.

“The Complete Actor” classes present a curriculum of ageappropriate basic acting, voice and movement training.. Complete Actor II (ages 6-8) helps young people develop vocal, physical and emotional skills using theater games exercises, improvisation and mime.

Youngsters also learn how to work with a script —plus have a lot of fun. The eight class sessions are held Tuesdays, 4:305:45 p.m., April 6 through May 25. Oddfellows’ generous financial aid policy assists all who qualify.

Stage Combat classes for ages 12-14 allow students to learn how to — safely — punch, kick, slap, fall, pull hair and sword fight. Stage combat is the illusion of violence, but students will learn how stage combat can be used for humor as well as drama.

Classes are Wednesdays, 5 to 6:30 p.m., April 7 through May 26. Oddfellows Playhouse is located at 128 Washington St. in Middletown.

For more info or to reserve a spot, call 860-347-6143 or go to www.oddfellows.org.

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(Continued from page 1)

could halve the $30,000 put aside to pay for the next reval since there would be more years to accumulate money.

Resident and former BOF chair Ellen Waff cautioned that a new revaluation could affect the town positively by finding new sources of tax money, and therefore a delay might not be in the town’s best interests.

A $1`05,000 state grant for chip-sealing was noted as the BOF looked at the Public Works section of the capital plan. Brayshaw pointed out that he had zeroed out more than half of the items in the public works equipment section. “I’m not embarrassed by our equipment,” he explained.

“It’s good equipment.” Discussions are ongoing in any case about whether to lease, purchase or share several of the items in the section. He noted that the fire department was in the same category: “They haven’t been cheated,” he said. “They’re well-equipped.”

Several of their capital lines for equipment replacement were similarly zeroed out.

The police cruiser replacement line was also unfunded because, said Brayshaw, “We have enough in there now to buy one ($32,150).”

Tow final items got brief mention – Brayshaw said that there is about $100,000 left in a capital fund for Peckham Park improvements that must be spent by 2012. Also, several BOF members questioned whether the capital budget was the proper place to put $20,000 to market Powder Ridge and the Industrial Park off Brookside Road. Brayshaw explained that he put marketing there because it was “a one-time expense.”

The BOF will meet again on Thursday, April 8 at 6 p.m. for a public hearing with a meeting following and on Tuesday, April 13 and Thursday, April 15 at 7 p.m. for meetings to discuss the proposed town budget. The public is always welcome, and the meetings are held in the Community Center.

Town Times Your source for local news and events

Town Times Review

Friday, April 2, 2010

13

Bohemian rhapsodies at Central Connecticut State University

By Larry Kellum Special to the Town Times

Of course, none of this magic was possible without the valiant efforts of the New Britain Symphony. For an orchestra that is not world-class and used to performing opera on a steady basis, the musicians responded well to the

conductor’s sensitive leadership and were always in sync with their artists, not drowning them out which is the temptation in this repertory.

The symphony will close its 61st season on Saturday, April 17, at CCSU with a gala

Dvorak American Legacy concert featuring works by the great Czech composer and the two American composers closely associated with him Copland and Gershwin. For tickets, visit newbritainsymphony.org or call 860-826-6344.

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On March 27, at Centralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Welte Hall, the New Britain Symphony Orchestra pulled out all the stops on that gorgeous spring night and invited Willie Anthony Waters, former impresario of the now defunct Connecticut Opera, to conduct a concert reading of Pucciniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beloved La Boheme.

In act two, one of the partygoers yells out â&#x20AC;&#x153;la commedia e stupenda!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the show is stupendous â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and that it was, starting with the spectacular gourmet hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres at the pre-curtain reception, and ending with the standing ovation awarded to the cast of young bohemians.

If ever there was an operatic composer who wrote for the stage and the acting ability of singers, it was Puccini. He completely dominated the verismo (realism) genre of operas in vogue a century ago.

Likewise, if ever there was an opera where tangible props Mimiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s candle, bonnet, housekey and hand muff; Collineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overcoat; Musettaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s earrings play an integral part of the action, it is La Boheme. Thus, to see this masterpiece in concert without all those props, or Musettaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wild antics during her saucy Waltz Song took some getting used to. Luckily, the singers emoted and moved around as much as possible to sustain interest and dramatic flow. Boheme, after all, is no static oratorio.

There has been a glut of stellar tenors coming out of Mexico lately, and Rodrigo Garciarroyo is the newest kid in the pantheon. Looking a lot like his compatriot Ramon Vargas, he was a passionate Rodolfo, really hitting his stride in act three and totally breaking our hearts in Mimiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s moving death scene. Only the insecure top note in his act one aria slightly marred an otherwise promising performance. That Mimi was Audrey Du Bois-Harris. She has that creamy, warm, opulent type of voice that only needs a true pianissimo to make her a first-rank Pucciniana. Jolie R. Brown (Musetta) launched big, glowing high Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s into the theater and argued deliciously with the handsome, vocally solid Marcello of Michael Mayes, the last baritone to

sing (as Don Giovanni) with the erstwhile Connecticut Opera. Waters brought two other veterans of that former company to round out the cast - Craig Hart (Colline) and Colin Brady, who sang no less than three minor roles.

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Durham Town Briefs

14

Durham Government Calendar Every 10 years, a new vision (All meetings will be held at the Durham Library unless otherwise noted. Check the town Web page at www.townofdurhamct.org for agendas and last-minute changes.)

Tuesday, April 6 6:30 p.m. — Public Safety Committee Wednesday, April 7 7:30 p.m. — Board of Education at CRHS 7:30 p.m. — Planning and Zoning Commission Monday, April 12 7 p.m. — Board of Selectmen at Town Hall 7:30 p.m. — Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Tuesday, April 13 7:30 p.m. — Midstate Planning, 100 DeKoven Dr., Middletown Thursday, April 15 7 p.m. — Compensation Review/Personnel Policy Commission at Town Hall 7 p.m. — DMIAAB at Middlefield Community Center 7 p.m. — Durham Animal Response Team Tuesday, April 20 7 p.m. — Board of Finance at Town Hall Wednesday, April 21 7:30 p.m. — Planning and Zoning Commission

Call to a special town meeting

A special town meeting of the electors and citizens qualified to vote at town meetings of the town of Durham will be held in the third floor meeting room in Town Hall, on Monday, April 26, at 8 p.m. for the following purpose: To approve the transfer of up to $131,400 from #9740 Revaluation Reserve Fund to Line Item #6700-487 Revaluation as recommended by the Board of Finance at their

meeting of Jan. 26.

To approve the transfer of $4,400 from Undesignated Fund Balance to Line Item #2020-449 Conservation Commission Mowing/Cleanup to cover expenses for the mowing of White’s Farm for the prior two fiscal years as recommended by the Board of Finance at their meeting of Jan. 26.

To transfer $7,833 from #9760 Skating Pond Repair Reserve Fund to #2566 Skating Pond Repairs as recommended by the Board of Finance at their meeting of Feb. 20.

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By Frank C. DeFelice Planning and Zoning Commissioner Every ten years, municipalities throughout the State of Connecticut are required by state statute to review, and if necessary, update their Plan of Conservation and Development. As your representative on Durham’s Planning and Zoning Commission, I welcome this event, and genuinely seek to hear your ideas for Durham’s future.

This is the planning part of the Planning and Zoning process. It compels us to envision Durham both as we would like it to be, and as it will need to be, 10 years from now.

Following enactment of this revision, both our zoning regulations and the decisions reached by our land-use commissions should support the goals and needs identified in the plan.

So important is this plan, that it is a prerequisite for our town to receive its full share of funding from the State of Connecticut.

The Plan of Conservation and Development encompasses more than just Main Street; it is about all of Durham’s neighborhoods. It is about the size and locations for our future schools, stores and open spaces. It is about our municipal service and transportation needs. It is about the future of our farmland and our industry. Most importantly, it is about preserving Durham’s rural charm, for us and our

Friday, April 2, 2010

future generations to enjoy.

It is both a plan of conservation and of development; as these two elements must be in good balance for our town to thrive. In addition to addressing the conservation of resources and ridgelines, the plan should promote a coordinated development scheme, taking into account Durham’s present and future social, economic and governmental requirements. Equally important, the plan should endeavor to protect our resident’s property values and their property rights.

Reviewing the Plan of Conservation and Development compels us to look at where we have been, and where we are heading, as a town. Consider these questions: Would municipal water or sewers from Middletown benefit our town, or would these ignite higher-density development?

Is two-acres the right size for a building lot, or should we encourage more moderately sized homes on smaller lots?

Should we encourage alternate energy sources such as wind and hydro-power; and if so, where should these facilities be located?

What would you like Durham to look like in ten years? Perhaps you would like to see our decaying buildings along Main Street improved, by encouraging the use of more energy-efficient and maintenance-free building materials. Perhaps you feel that the protection and preservation of our agricultural heritage deserves renewed emphasis. Maybe you envision a combined senior and community center. Or perhaps you would simply

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like to see the town streamline its operating costs, by combining its public safety services at a centralized location.

With so many important choices, I’d like to hear your thoughts! Call me at 860-3499688 or send an e-mail to fcdefelice@aol.com.

Brush pick up

The Public Works Department will begin the annual spring curbside brush pick up the week of April 5.

Be sure to take note of the very strict guidelines to be followed in order for your brush to be picked up.

Brush should be less than four inches in diameter and no more than six 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 truckload during this collection. In an effort to be more efficient, it is recommended that neighbors combine piles on property lines. Loads shall not measure more than four-feet high, sixfeet wide and eight-feet long. If your load does not follow these guidelines, it will not be removed.

The town will publish in the Town Times, and also on the website (www.townofdurhamct.org) each street and area to be collected each week. They will make one pass only so be sure to check. Call 860-349-1816 with questions.

Week of April 5 will include Stagecoach Road, Coe Road and Old Farms Road.

Week of April 12 will include Barbara Lane, Camera Road, Howd Road, Mauro Drive and Tri Mountain area.

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Town Times

Friday, April 2, 2010

BOE

(From page 3)

SATURDAY DANCE

Flanagan replied that many parents have said that they would help support sports and other activities both financially and in other ways, but then they don’t follow through. She suggested that the board look at booster and service clubs and organize a way so that each club has a goal for the amount they can raise. Flanagan also wants to mitigate the cost of athletics through activity fees so that the sports program can be maintained and expanded. Plus, with decreases being made in school supplies and textbooks, those savings should help offset the costs of athletics.

these fees.”

Currlin disagreed with Flanagan’s idea to ask service clubs to commit a certain monetary amount, saying that clubs shouldn’t be viewed as a revenue source. Currlin’s experience is that parents do mind if activity fees are increased and “if we raise them a lot, then it will hurt a lot of people and will send a wrong message.”

One board member suggested that the district looks into buying all of the sports program supplies from one supplier in the future to reduce costs.

Board member Dr. Joseph Ochterski said that philosophically not in favor of fees, but practically speaking they are a necessity.

Dr. Ochterski looked at a town of similar size to Middlefield that implemented a fee of $150 per year, which extends over three seasons.

Somehow, they’ve found that participation has actually increased, though Ochterski said that he was not implying participation increase was the re-

sult of higher fees.

Merrill Adams is also opposed to the idea of activity fees. Although she has voted in support of them in the past and did so with reservations, she is a realist and recognizes their importance. Adams would like to find other ways of economizing on the cost of athletics before asking families and students to pay more to participate. One suggestion was to charge students a higher fee for their parking spots at Coginchaug.

“There are enough spots on busses for each student and parking is a privilege that should be paid for,” said Adams.

At the same time, a board member stated that this year there were 388 students who paid the $40 activity fee. With the cost of athletics and activities being so high, there is no way the activity fee would ever make a significant dent in the cost of athletics. Additionally out of those 388 students, some

See BOE, page 20

1150611

SINGLES

Hennick questioned where this analysis leads and wondered whether fees should be raised because of budget costs.

Board member Elizabeth Gara thought that it would be fair to raise the athletic fees to a maximum of $200 per sport.

Nancy Boyle thought that that study was helpful putting the cost of athletics in perspective, but that there’s no price that can be put on the connectivity aspect of sports. One speaker has been doing her own polling, and has found that parents don’t mind raising athletic fees though most parents thought anything over $150 would be high per child per year. Most parents felt comfortable paying $75-$100, and that if families have more than two children paying fees then there should a price cap.

One last suggestion was to raise fees in small steps.

Mary Jane Parsons questioned the projected $600 cost of cheerleading and the idea that uniforms could actually last seven years. She also stressed the difference between service clubs and sports, saying that we need to be sensitive to fees that service clubs pay when considering increasing activity fees. Parsons did see some room for stepping up the activity fees a little bit.

Melnik was opposed to activity fees, saying “It’s part of our responsibility to handle

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Viccaro then spoke about the long term facilities study.

After the budget process is finalized the district will begin looking at enrollment, the school budget and the various facilities to determine how the district wants to proceed.

There are a number of options, and she encouraged people to make their ideas known. Although this is a long term project, Viccaro believes it is important to keep the facilities study on the radar and to begin formal planning over the summer and through the fall.

Board chairman Thomas Hennick agreed that the process should begin after the budget is finalized, and that a committee should be formed to take on the task. Currlin said that his experience with facilities planning is that it’s a very long term process, recalling that it took years to complete a previous study of Coginchaug.

The board next heard Norm Hicks talk about a proposed change to the district’s pension plan for those employees not in the TSA. For several reasons the district wants to change contributions from being taxable to being tax-deferred. The board unanimously approved the change, which will be effective July 1.

Back to the Budget Kerrie Flanagan and Ron Melnik took an in-depth look at the cost of athletics in order to better understand why they are so expensive. Students currently pay $40 a year to participate in clubs and sports at Coginchaug. “We wanted to compare each sport to get a cost per student figure to determine if it makes sense to raise fees,” said Flanagan. She stated that there were some variables, such as the fact that the district needs to buy all of the football equipment this year.

The study had several surprising facts, such as basket-

ball has the highest cost per student, coming in at around $1,200. This is mostly due to the fact that the basketball program has three coaches (freshman, junior varsity and varsity) and there are only 20 players on each team, as opposed to over 100 students who participate in track. Sports such as basketball necessitate that many coaches, and no easy cuts can be in the sports program without effecting the overall quality and experience.

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P&Z continues Lorraine Terrace hearing, approves Merriam subdivision

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on March 24 to discuss an application from Tradewinds, LLC. The appli-

Middlefield Town Briefs cant wants to build a 5,000square-foot retail building at 1 Lorraine Terrace, along with a 2,000-sq.-ft. building. A 1,220sq.-ft. building on the site was also proposed for renovation.

The proposed buildings would house five tenants, with three in one building and two in the other. At the moment, a laundromat is planned for one building, while a day spa will likely go into the renovated structure. Engineer John Schlosky expects that a restau-

1144284

rant, coffee shop or bank will go into the smaller new building. There is a drive-thru window planned for the structure.

The applicants’ representatives stressed that a Dunkin Donuts will not go into the building.

Customers will come into the retail complex via Lorraine Terrace and have access to 48 parking spaces. A number of native plants and features, such as 14-16’ heritage birches and a stone wall, are planned to help the retail site harmonize with nearby residences. Property manager Matthew Crescimano explained that no 24 hour businesses are planned for the site, though the laundromat may run from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.

One of the major issues residents had with the proposal was the fact that the driveway will come in from Lorraine Terrace rather than through Route 66. Dennis Bishop was among those opposed to the proposed entrance, and he brought in a petition against the application. In addition to suggesting an entrance from Route 66, Bishop pointed out that the applicant owns another business abutting Lorraine Terrace, and he felt a bridge from the adjoining property was one solution to avoiding an entrance and exit onto Lorraine Terrace. Parents such as Laurie Lewis also voiced concern about the danger additional traffic may pose to children who ride their bikes on the road. According to Crescimano, putting an entrance in from Route 66 was a “nonstarter” based on his discussions with the DOT due to the proximity of Lorraine Terrace to a potential Route 66 entrance. He also stated there were issues with putting a bridge between the neighboring properties because of the wetlands in the way. He added that because there’s a separate deed for the two lots, building a bridge between them could be problematic if one of the properties is sold.

Because of the additional traffic generated on Lorraine Terrace if approved, the proposal included curbing that will force exiting vehicles to take a right toward Route 66 when departing.

Residents also questioned the worth of a traffic study performed for the applicant by Bruce Hilson. The study counted cars during the midday traffic peak for Lorraine

Terrace, as well as the amount of traffic generated on a Saturday at noon. According to Hilson, Lorraince Terrace only has light traffic going through it and the retail complex shouldn’t have more than 1020 cars coming through at its busiest. Hilson doesn’t anticipate more than a 30-second wait for cars to be able to get onto Lorraine Terrace and then onto Route 66 after leaving. Hilson also felt that a traffic light shouldn’t be necessary.

Bishop questioned Hilson’s findings, in part due to an incident with a traffic counter.

Bishop claimed that he approached one of the people counting cars along Lorraine Terrace, only to find the man talking on a cell phone. In light of this, Bishop doubted the validity of Hilson’s car count. He also questioned the utility of the study if it only accounted for certain days and times. Residents felt that the study should have taken place for a full week to get a better idea of the traffic. Bishop also disagreed with Hilson’s assessment that cars won’t have more than a 30-second wait to get onto Route 66 after the complex is developed. According to Bishop, he already has to wait upwards of a minute some days to turn onto 66. Although the point regarding the wait wasn’t addressed, Crescimano noted that Hilson’s wasn’t the only study performed. The DOT performed their own, lengthier study that was also factored into the proposal.

In addition to the traffic issues, Bishop also wanted to call attention to the possible disturbance that the proposal might cause to the neighborhood. Due to the presence of a drive-thru on one of the buildings, Bishop pointed out that bad mufflers or other sounds might create a noise problem.

Other residents stated that the headlights of cars parked at the drive-thru are another potential problem. While Bishop called attention to this issue, he also offered up a solution.

He suggested that the applicant may want to put in bigger trees as a buffer to help block off some of the light and sound coming off the property.

Crescimano replied that he has no issue with additional screening on the site.

There were also a few concerns about the types of businesses that may go into the

Friday, April 2, 2010 complex once completed. Individuals such as Tom Rogers were concerned about the types of chemicals that may be stored on site and the restrictions on fast food restaurants near the residential zone.

However, Crescimano noted that those issues would be taken care of when a business owner actually comes before the zoning commission, and, as of now, the only known business for the site is the laundromat.

Property maintenance also came up, with Bishop pointing out that the neighboring property owned by the applicant “looks like a junkyard” due to trees growing out of the engines of cars on the site. He was concerned that 1 Lorraine Terrace might run into similar maintenance issues.

Rogers went on to list various regulations that the applicant should be following, such as the sort of building materials that can be used, that the proper paperwork be filled out, and a number of related matters. Zoning chairman Michael Turner reminded Rogers that the commission doesn’t need its regulations read to them and that they will go through the regulations to insure that the applicant has followed all the necessary steps and restrictions, adding that people should come to the commission with specific issues they want addressed.

Town planner Geoff Colegrove also stated that many of the paperwork-related items that Rogers brought up were, in fact, completed by the applicant.

Another matter that Crescimano wanted to remind people of during the proposal is that a miniature golf course used to exist on 1 Lorraine Terrace. He noted that at the time, there were 76 parking spaces with two curb cuts onto Lorraine Terrace and a considerable amount of traffic.

Furthermore, despite Middletown’s belief that the golf course would be a burden to the city, Middlefield approved the project all the same.

The commission is still waiting on the Inland Wetlands Commission to vote on a related application for the site and chose to continue the hearing to their April 14 meeting. They also requested that the applicant return with samples of building materials that are planned for the project.

See P&Z, next page

Middlefield Town Briefs

Friday, April 2, 2010

P&Z

(From page 17)

The only other matter that came before the commission was for a three-lot subdivision of the Merriam property on Ross Road. Although attorney Michael Dowley claimed that all the regulations for a subdivision had been followed, the commission still wanted the town engineer to look over the plans. They then granted the application unanimous approval with the condition that the town engineer finds no issue with the plans. (In attendance/Chuck Corley)

Brush pick up

Middlefield highway department will conduct its annual brush pickup for all residents of Middlefield and Rockfall beginning on Monday, April 5.

Residents should pile clean brush at the curb, butt end toward the street. No branches should exceed eight feet in length or three inches in diameter. Leaves, stumps, garbage or building materials will not be accepted.

This service is for residents doing normal spring clean up, not lot clearing. Each household will be limited to one truckload of brush removed.

One problem Corona had with the plan was the fact that the buildings are closer than 50 feet to wetlands. While the site previously had a miniature golf course on it, she noted that this was a less intense use than the shopping complex being proposed. She stressed the need to keep any buildings at least 50 feet from the wetlands area, with fellow member Jim Brown adding

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Monday, April 5 7 p.m. — Board of Selectmen Wednesday, April 7 8 p.m. — Board of Education budget hearing at CRHS (regular meeting at 7:30 and following hearing in library) Thursday, April 8 6 p.m. — Board of Finance public hearing on proposed town budget followed by BOF meeting Tuesday, April 13 7 p.m. — Levi E. Coe Library Association at the library 7:30 p.m. — Midstate Planning, at 100 DeKoven Dr., Middletown 7 p.m.— Board of Finance meeting to discuss budget Wednesday, April 14 6:30 p.m. — Planning and Zoning 7 p.m. — Water Pollution Control Authority Thursday, April 15 7 p.m. — Board of Finance budget meeting that it would help protect the Coginchaug River system.

Property manager Matthew Crescimano replied that the most important way to protect the system is by addressing the pollutants coming in from outside of town. He added that if the buildings are set back 50 feet from the wetlands, then there will also be a smaller retention basin for dealing with runoff.

There were also worries

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Another issue brought up by resident Tom Rogers was

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The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency held a public hearing on Feb. 17 and again on March 17 to discuss an application from Tradewinds Property Management LLC. Tradewinds wants to build a 5,000-square-foot retail building on 1 Lorraine Terrace, as well as renovate a 1,220-square-foot building already on the 1.62-acre site.

Both buildings are within 30 feet of a wetlands area, while 60 percent of the proposed parking area is within 100 feet.

These buildings will contain a small shopping complex with a laundromat, day-spa and potentially a restaurant or a bank.

Engineer John Schlosky said that among the various improvements proposed for the site, there will be a new storm water drainage system with an on-site separator system and a retention pond. An Environment 21 pretreatment system will be used to separate sediment, oil and other materials from storm water before

lot of water going out to the street or back into the property. He was concerned that the property might currently absorb most of the water that hits it, which might make it difficult for the catch basins to deal with all the water once blacktop is put in. John Phillips addressed this for the applicant, using the maps for the site to point out where runoff would go and that additional flooding shouldn’t be an issue. Resident Michelle Berry noted that her property already suffers a flooding problem thanks to a drain pipe that comes out into her yard. It was explained that the project shouldn’t heighten the flooding problem, but that the matter is something either the Public Works Department of Middlefield or Middletown should address.

1152118

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it goes into the retention basin. Two catch basins, gravity piping, silt fencing along an embankment, wood chips along the existing water course, and a number of other improvements were also among those listed by Schlosky. Furthermore, the site will connect to the Middletown water system, forgoing the need for a well.

A yearly storm water maintenance plan was also proposed as part of the project.

This will involve an annual inspection and cleaning of the catch basins, swale and detention ponds in order to eliminate any sediment. While the applicants agreed to maintain a yearly log and report of this cleaning, commission member Marianne Corona wanted an attorney to review the agreement before the commission votes on the proposal.

As for the impervious surface on the site, the total coverage comes out to 47 percent out of a possible 75 percent coverage. Commission chairman Darin Overton wanted to know how the runoff was going to be treated, as coverage over 25 percent can make it problematic. Wetlands scientist Erik Davis explained that the runoff will be dealt with by primary treatment and system redundancy, which will be accomplished through the various basins, swales and vortechnics that are planned for the site. Davis also noted that runoff issues with sites over 10 percent coverage are due to older developments without primary treatment.

Flooding was another concern for residents, with Middletown resident Dennis Bishop pointing out that there’s a

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Town Times — Friday, April 2, 2010

2010 Round One Kansas/Meriden Hyundai Lehigh/KT Baxter’s Rest.

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Round Two Kansas/Meriden Hyundai

Round Two

Round Three

Round Three

Northern Iowa/Bella Luna UNLV/Quality Time

19

Friday, April 2, 2010 — Town Times

Northern Iowa/Bella Luna

Maryland/Wallingford YMCA

Michigan State/Danby’s

Wake Forest/No. Haven Bike

Kentucky/Tuxis-Ohr’s Fuel Cornell/95 Gathering Place

Michigan State/Danby’s Michigan State/Danby’s Maryland/Wallingford YMCA

Cornell/95 Gathering Place

Round Five

Houston/Cruz Auto Sales

Michigan State/Danby’s Tennessee/Suzio Insurance

Wisconsin/Jacoby’s Restaurant

Round Five

Oklahoma St./Meriden Travel

Tennessee/Suzio Insurance

Ohio St./Oriental Express UC Santa Barbara/Waste Material

Round One Syracuse/Paint Emporium Vermont/Dairy Queen

New Mexico/Josie’s Hair Design Tennessee/Suzio Insurance

Missouri/Quality Garden

Florida State/Zandri’s Stillwood Butler/The UPS Store

Championship Game

Ohio St./Oriental Express

Championship Game

West Virginia/G.T. Tire

Round Two

Round Three

Round Three

Vanderbilt/Moran’s TV & Appliance

Duke/Silver City Sports Bar

California/Dino’s Restaurant

Duke/Silver City Sports Bar Texas A&M/Amore Pizza

Butler/The UPS Store Murray State/Lino’s Mkt.

Round Five

Purdue/Berlin Bicycle

Round Five

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North Texas/Darrell’s Auto

Louisville/Durable Sealcoat

Utah State/Aresco’s Superette Purdue/Berlin Bicycle Siena/Butler Paint & Decorating Notre Dame/SAF-T Auto (Wlfd.)

Old Dominion/Robert’s Chrysler

Xavier/Primo Pizza

Baylor/Marianna’s Bakery Kansas State/Foucault’s Furniture

Kansas State/Foucault’s Furniture

Baylor/Marianna’s Bakery Sam Houston St./Midas of Wlfd.

Baylor/Marianna’s Bakery Saint Mary’s/Avanti Restaurant

BYU/Ted’s Restaurant Kansas State/Foucault’s Furniture

Old Dominion/Robert’s Chrysler

Baylor/Marianna’s Bakery

Pittsburgh/601 Deli

Oakland/Colony Ford

Kansas State/Foucault’s Furniture

Ark.-PB/Winthrop/Case Handyman

Duke/Silver City Sports Bar

Xavier/Primo Pizza

Florida/E. Center Mkt.

Round One Duke/Silver City Sports Bar

Purdue/Berlin Bicycle

Xavier/Primo Pizza

BYU/Ted’s Restaurant

West Virginia/G.T. Tire

Texas A&M/Amore Pizza

Butler/The UPS Store

Butler/The UPS Store

Pittsburgh/601 Deli

Clemson/Sal’s Pizza

California/Dino’s Restaurant

Round Four

Butler/The UPS Store

Murray State/Lino’s Mkt.

Minnesota/Vine’s Distinctive Liq.

New Mexico/Josie’s Hair Design

Duke/Silver City Sports Bar

Round Four

Gonzaga/W. Center Mkt.

Washington/Academy DiCapelli

Morgan State/Durham Pharmacy

Round Two

UTEP/Hunter’s Pool

Wofford/School Side Realtors

Missouri/Quality Garden

West Virginia/G.T. Tire

Ohio St./Oriental Express

Syracuse/Paint Emporium Gonzaga/W. Center Mkt.

Wisconsin/Jacoby’s Restaurant

Montana/White Way Laundry

West Virginia/G.T. Tire

Georgia Tech/Catherine & Co.

Syracuse/Paint Emporium

Cornell/95 Gathering Place

Washington/Academy DiCapelli

Ohio/Duchess Restaurant

Georgia Tech/Catherine & Co.

Temple/Vinny’s Garden Center

Marquette/Dad’s Restaurant Washington/Academy DiCapelli

Georgetown/Valencia Liquors Ohio/Duchess Restaurant

Wake Forest/No. Haven Bike

West Virginia/G.T. Tire

Tennessee/Suzio Insurance

San Diego St./Liberty Limousine

E. Tennessee St./Meriden Pawn Texas/Country Flower Farms

Round Four

Michigan State/Danby’s New Mexico St./Gionfriddo’s Tailoring

Kentucky/Tuxis-Ohr’s Fuel

Kentucky/Tuxis-Ohr’s Fuel

Round Four

Northern Iowa/Bella Luna

Kentucky/Tuxis-Ohr’s Fuel

Round One

Richmond/Billings Sports Saint Mary’s/Avanti Restaurant

Saint Mary’s/Avanti Restaurant

Villanova/Carlton Interiors Villanova/Carlton Interiors

Robert Morris/Cassidy’s Diner

Town Times

20 From left, Kirsten Kruger and Dave Zemelski, both local farmers, and Durham First Selectman Laura Francis.

Photos by Sue VanDerzee

Farming

(From page 11)

products are mostly placed.

Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner F. Philip Prelli pointed to the success of the WIC (Women Infants Children) vouchers for farm markets and the astounding success of sen-

ior vouchers. “There is a 90 percent return on the senior vouchers, which is good for the farmer and good for the shopper. We need more resources to expand the program,” he said.

Other speakers urged the officials to seriously bring to the table the notions that first, there are farms in New Eng-

Friday, April 2, 2010

land, and second that those farms face costs not borne by farmers in other areas, especially for energy.

Steve Rivitsky of the Ct. Farm Bureau spoke about the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative which is designed to educate the public about where their food comes from and to encourage purchase of locally-produced food.

This prompted a speaker with a farm in Southington to caution the legislators about being swayed too much by aggressive animal rights groups.

“We want our animals to be healthy,” he said, “but some of the rules treat animals like human beings and what will happen is that local farmers can’t comply. We’ll be forced to get more of our food overseas where there are less rules and less guarantee of safety.”

Coming April 23rd The Town Times Annual

Women in Business Section Toni-Lynn Miles Middlesex Dance Center 500 Main St., Middlefield

858141

(860) 345-7586

Miss Toni-Lynn has studied dance continuously since the age of five and minored in Dance at Hofstra University while earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Mathematics. She continues to study all dance forms, participating in master classes and dance conventions throughout CT, NY, NJ, MA, NH, and NYC. Toni-Lynn was “Certified by Test to Teach” by Dance Masters of America in 1995 and became “A Qualified Member” of Dance Educators of America through examination in 1999. Toni-Lynn choreographed the Coginchaug Regional High School productions of Once Upon A Mattress (2008), Beauty and the Beast (2006), The Wiz (2003), Grease (2002), 42nd Street (1999), Crazy for You (1998), Good News (1997), and Oklahoma! (1995). Ms. Miles also choreographed the Hartford Children’s Theater productions of BIG: The Musical (2005) and Oliver! (2002).

In 1992, Toni-Lynn established the Middlesex Dance Center and has always been the sole Owner, Director, and Instructor. Her three-phase dance program insures a solid foundation of dance technique that compliments the physical, mental, and emotional development of their students. The curriculums are continually analyzed and updated to incorporate new technique and styles. Her award-winning students are encouraged to develop self140 West St., Middlefield confidence, creativity, friendships, responsibility, teamwork, leadership, a sense of accomplishment, and an appreciation for the dance arts. Each season with MDC, dancers will be challenged to learn and grow. MDC is proud to be entering its 18th exciting season of excellence and fun! justforyouweddings@msn.com The Middlesex Dance Center offers weekly dance classes throughout the Summer, and the Fall season includes www.justforyouweddings.com classes in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, and Pointe as well as a 10-week Hip Hop session. Registration is currently Jane Brayshaw Rynaski has been designing arrangements sinceand sheFall gotprograms! her firstLook for the MDC Dancers performance at the 2009 Old beingfloral accepted for both the Summer job at the age of 16 at Keser's Florists in Middletown.

After graduation from Coginchaug Home Days celebration.

High School, Jane attended The Rittner School of Floral Design in Boston where she received her certificate. She then returned to Connecticut where she began her career working in the floral industry, eventually deciding she would like to concentrate her efforts on weddings and special events. Her business, Just For You Floral Design Studio, located at 140 West Street in the old Lyman Gun Sight building in Middlefield, evolved at that point. Without the day to day operations of a full service florist shop, Jane is able to focus her creativity on each individual event, thereby making each wedding or event uniquely GREEN, personalized: "Just For You". Jane keeps current on new trends by attendingRealtor, industry workshops and conferences on a regular basis. She has studied underAccredited many nationally and Staging Professional internationally known designers. Just For You also carries invitations, rental items, bridal accessories and services are available for custom floral design. To be able to devote her time to each individual event, Just For You is by appointment only. Jane would be pleased to hear from you if you have an event coming up. You can reach her at 860-349-0575.

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A gentleman who runs one of the few slaughterhouses left in Connecticut talked about the need for ancillary facilities to make farming viable, such as slaughterhouses, processors, feed suppliers and the like. The all-too-common “not in my backyard” syndrome often works against siting these necessary farming services.

Secretary Merrigan responded affirmatively to these comments, noting that mobile slaughter facilities are being used and encouraged for some

BOE of them participate in multiple sports and other activities, so you can’t calculate the potential revenue from activity fees by simply looking at the total number of students participating in each activity, and multiplying that by a standard fee.

The board left discussion of activity fees for the time being to look at other budgetary concerns. Based on the recent meetings with the Board of Finance, it is clear that the consensus is that the BOE should look at ways of lowering their budget so as to avoid having such a large surplus each year.

Melnik said that they have found several places to cut costs, but most of these cuts would be marginal. The district is switching their health insurance provider to Cigna, which will require $50,000 in the budget this year. This is a one time expense so that can be cut out of next year’s budget. Other savings were found in the dental plan, special needs program legal fees, custodial overtime and the substitute budget. Together, these savings represent a cut of $91,000 from the budget.

These cuts would represent a gross budget increase of 3.22 percent and a net budget increase of 2.59 percent. The spending forecast on March 3 for the months of March–June might leave between $650,000 and $750,000 in surplus, but the board is trying to get a more accurate number.

Melnik and Viccaro addressed questions on computer and software updates and yearly repairs. They responded that systems are important to maintain since the students depend on computers and there is sensitive information stored on servers. They also explained that no one can foresee what type of repairs will be necessary each year, so the cost is based on repairs in the past.

smaller farms. The tension between citizens who want to live in the country without the country smells, the slaughterhouses and other real-world aspects of real farms was acknowledged by all, with several people mentioning that such initiatives as “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” might help.

State Rep. Matt Lesser was also present and introduced by Joe Greenbacker as “a real friend of dairy farmers.”

(Continued from page 15)

Similar problems were found when trying to cut costs associated with substitute teachers and custodial services. This year the district will be over-budget on substitute teachers. This is largely due to the fact that many teachers are taking time off for personal issues such as pregnancy or other things covered under the Family & Medical Leave Act. These types of things are very hard to predict, making the amount spent on substitute teaching variable.

The school district has so many facilities to maintain that there is no way to cut the amount of hours that the custodial staff works. There are also other factors such as finding people to cover the custodial staff when they take time off for vacation or other personal time, and when there are snow storms that require someone to clear the grounds.

After reviewing all of the different information the board decided not to factor the activity fees into this budget because there isn’t an increased amount that had been thoroughly reviewed. The BOE agreed to cut the $91,000 proposed by Melnik and Viccaro plus an additional $20,000 from the building and grounds supplies budget. The BOE unanimously voted to approve $34,826,872 for the 2010-11 year, an increase of 3.16. The proposed budget includes $600,000 of current surplus as revenue.

The next meeting will be held on April 7 at 7:30 in the Coginchaug library. The meeting will adjourn at 8 p.m. to hold a public hearing on the budget in the Coginchaug auditorium, after which the Board will reconvene in the library. There will also be a district meeting on May 3 and a referendum held on May 4 on the proposed budget.

Volume 16, Issue 6

Coginchaug Regional High School

April 2, 2010

Coginchaug wishes Mr. Martel a speedy recovery

By Kaitlin McKernan

There’s always that one teacher in a school who makes everyone laugh. Mr. Phil Martel is definitely that teacher you are always hearing stories about, whether from his students or from other teachers. Mr. Martel is a disco-dancing, singing, weather-predicting math teacher. A great teacher and great friend, he has inspired many to follow their dreams, and his personality brings this school alive. He is out for medical reasons and we look forward to his return.

“He was one of the most unique teachers I had. I was definitely not a math star, but Mr. Martel and his disco dancing music, brutal honesty and to-thepoint instruction provided a memorable experience. I definitely learned math too!” said Mrs. Vigue, who had Mr. Martel as a teacher when she attended Coginchaug Regional High School.

Mr. Martel brightens many people’s days with his many talents.

The mood of things has changed without him in our hallways. Many in his homeroom class miss him a lot; they say that homeroom will never be the same.

Another math teacher, Mr. Phil Travisano, had kind words about Mr. Martel. “Mr. Martel is a gentleman and a scholar, and it has been my good fortune to work with him.

The math department wishes him the best of luck.”

Calvin Alderete said of Mr. Martel: “Phil Martel is the greatest math teacher and the coolest guy ever. I think his class is the only one I’d ever actually pay to attend.”

Alderete started a Facebook group wishing Mr. Martel a speedy recovery and giving an opportunity

for students like Erica Tetrealt to comment. “I had Mr. Martel as a teacher for geometry. I suck at math. I guess with his joking ways and intelligence, I just understood everything. It was like magic! He’s the best; I miss him and his class. I can hear him now walking down the hall singing,’“Take a look at my girlfriend, she’s the only one I got!

Da da da.’” It’s very clear that he was in with the students and made everyone, whether From left, rehearsing for Forum, Ben Morganti (partially hidden), they were good at Caitlin Rogers, Joe Oblon and Bobby Ober. math or not, do well in his class.

Mrs. Brickley, a dear friend of Mr. Martel’s, had a smile from ear to ear when she

By Erin Holden tried to sum up years Coginchaug, which performs a online method because “it would of a fantastic friendship musical every two years, is putting be more convenient. People would in just a few words, which was diffi- on A Funny Thing Happened on be able to buy the tickets in their cult. Her feelings shone through the Way to the Forum this spring. own homes instead of driving to when she said this: “Even though The play follows typical Cogin- the school. They can also go onhe may seem a little rough and gruff chaug traditions: performance at line at anytime, instead of certain sometimes, he’s really a big teddy the beginning of April and hysteri- slots during the school day.” bear, and he cares a lot for the kids cal improv, but unlike previous Unlike many other ticket-purand staff. He’s a really good guy years, the tickets will not be sold in chasing websites, which generally and we wish him the best.” person at the high school. This let buyers only choose a section Even the students struggled to year, for something fresh and orig- for their seat, the Coginchaug webfind words for Mr. Martel. Junior inal, the tickets will be available for site allows purchasers to pick the Cote DeRota said that Mr. Martel purchase online. section and specific seat that they always made him laugh while junMs. Larsen, CRHS choral direc- want to sit in for the show. If you ior Amber Ganaros looked at the tor, said that she and producer Mr. want to purchase tickets, go to obvious, “He’s a good singer,” she De Meo decided to switch to the www.showtix4u.com, select “Consaid with a giggle in her voice. necticut,” “CoginMany students said that he is a chaug Regional High School” and follow the mad ‘chill’ guy. Junior Alana Carle instructions at the top and senior Callan Pollitt both of the screen. The touched on the idea that his pertickets went on sale to sonality will be missed and that the public on Friday, students and staff will miss him inMarch 26. A Funny credibly as he works on making a Thing Happened on speedy recovery. the Way to the Forum We wish him the best and hope he will be performed at can come back to continue to teach Coginchaug on April at Coginchaug next year. The school The Forum chorus rehearsing.

8, 9 and 10. just won’t be the same till then.

A funny thing happened on the way to buying tickets.

22

Devil’s Advocate

Friday, April 2, 2010

Student Opinion Second Chances for Thoroughbreds Editor-in-Chief: Mackenzie Hurlbert Contributors: Jack Bascom, Christine French, Mackenzie Hurlbert, Zach LaVigne, Taylor Maus, Kaitlin McKernan, Jennie Ochterski, Michelle Palma, Ben Plant, Emily Romanoff, Adam Twombly and Wolfgang Wallach.

Production: Mackenzie Hurlbert, Jennie Ochterski and Michelle Palma and Adam Twombly 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.

Replacing the Irreplaceable

By Jennie Ochterski By now most students and parents know that our beloved principal Dr. Steve Wysowski is taking another job. However, many do not know the procedure for getting another principal. To begin with, this is not a decision to be made lightly. The candidates will go through all the proper channels and the end result will be someone who is best for the position of principal at

Coginchaug.

A principal search committee is formed by Superintendent Viccaro.

It is made up of administration, teachers and a few students. The candidates must undergo a rigorous interview process and once the search is whittled down, the remaining few will meet with key members of the school system for further interviewing. “It’s important that the person has the right fit for Coginchaug. He or she could be a great leader but not feel right for this community,” says Board of Education member Joseph Ochterski.

How are the students feeling about the search for a principal?

“It’s strange. I expected to graduate with Dr. W, but I’m sure the new person will be just as good,” says junior T.J Murphy.

There are many rumors flying around about possible new principals and people who have applied for the position, but the search committee will be sure to make the best decision for the school. “Although we will miss Dr. W, we will welsomeone CRHS principal Dr. Steve Wysowski and wife come Anne at the recent Scholarship Ball. For more new,” says Aubree Keurajian, junior.

Ball photos, see page 26.

By Taylor Maus Springtime. It’s a time when our when asked if she would get anothworld transforms from the desolate er one she replied, “Definitely” withgray winter to the warm life-filled out a hint of hesitation. In fact, all of summer. Flowers are blooming, the OTTB owners I talked to said leaves are growing, and we begin to they would get another one. wake up to singing birds rather than So what makes these horses so the still silence of winter. But spring popular? It is a mix between their is also a time when another impor- athletic abilities and their personalitant transformation takes place. ties. “The thing about the OTTB is With the upcoming Triple Crown, that they will always give you their many people, for a month, become heart, and once you gain their trust fans of horse racing. They make they will give you 110% every time bets, hold parties, and even begin to you ask for it,” states Katie Anderact like they know the horses per- son, who has had much experience sonally. The winners of these three with these horses. “They are enjoyprestigious races — the Kentucky able to work with and it feels like they Derby, Preakness, and Belmont really do try,” agrees Kim Sevigny of Stakes — show up in Sports Illus- Durham’s Horseshoe Hill Stables. trated headlines and are plastered Tami Scotto backs them up: across the front page of the sports “They are athletic animals that are section in the news. In a matter of willing and want to please.” I truly two minutes, America’s fastest ath- believe every word of this because I letes become everyone’s heroes. too am the proud owner of two OTBut what happens to the ones who TBs, 29-year-old Teddy and sixdon’t win, or who never make it to year-old Pride and Soul. They have these races at all, those who are a the best work ethic of any breed of bit too slow, or a little too small? horse that I have ever owned. Pride Where do they end up? Unfortu- has only been off the track for about nately many have bitter endings, a year so I had to retrain him (I’m getting sold at auctions or suffering training him to be a jumper) bein slaughterhouses. “These horses cause all track horses know how to are basically just thrown away once do is run. Whether or not he underthey can no longer run,” explains lo- stood what I was asking him to do, cal trainer Katie Anderson of Cas- he tried his hardest to do it. Many cade Equestrian Center. But new other horse breeds don’t really try zero tolerance for horse slaughter is for their owners as hard. being adopted at some tracks, as Unfortunately many OTTBs come well as non-profit organizations with problems. The problems don’t such as Canter USA. They are helpreflect the breed but rather the ing remove the horses from the harsh life they were bred for. Kim slaughterhouses and place them Sevigny was quick to explain that into caring homes. In fact, many of “Most are not sound, and you are these lucky horses can be found lucky if you find one that is. They are within our own town. raced too hard, too young.” Many Living in Durham and Middlefield, race horses begin training, which ineveryone knows someone with volves running at high speeds for horses, whether they keep them at long distances while carrying a ridone of the many big show stables in er, at before two years of age. Horsthe area or in their backyard barn. es are still growing till the age of five, Our towns are home to many differ- so at this young age, they aren’t ent breeds, including feisty Arabi- physically ready to do such workans, steady Quarter horses, fancy outs. Those only know how to run Warm bloods, hard working Draft and as Anderson says, “Not only do horses, and trouble making ponies they only know how to run, but they as well as other breeds. One of the only know how to run left, they don’t breeds that are gaining popularity is even know they have a right side.” the Off-Track Thoroughbred (OT- Also, growing up on the track TBs). I had the pleasure of talking to means that they need time to adjust several local OTTB owners in the to show/pleasure horse life. On the area and found out how their horses track they are investments, and as fit into their lives. “OTTBs are an af- Sevigny says, “It takes a certain perfordable option, but you have to be son to handle these horses [off the careful and do a lot of vet checking track].” Kylie Pirre, my trainer’s due to soundness issues (sore legs daughter, has grown up around the and joints that could affect ride-abilSee Chances, page 25 ity),” says Tami Scotto. However,

Friday, April 2, 2010

23

Devil’s Advocate

ELMO (not the fuzzy red one) works hard, helps teachers and students

By Erin Holden Of all the tools that a teacher could possess, the one that helps students is by far the most beneficial to educators also. One of these tools is the ELMO-produced Teacher’s Tool TT-02RX document camera, affectionately called the ELMO by the Coginchaug community.

These document cameras became popular in response to the limitations of the overhead projectors; it takes an extra step to create transparencies, and the projectors can’t show three-dimensional objects.

According to wisegeek.com, the purpose of the document camera is “to display documents and other objects that are not translucent,” a direct solution to the problems of the overhead projector. These features allow teachers to project students’ homework or class work without writing on the white board, an aspect that math teacher Mrs. Kathy Zygmont thoroughly enjoys. She also uses her math textbooks with the ELMO, saying, “It’s very practical when I need to show a specific diagram in the book that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to draw on the board.”

On the other hand, the teacher’s tool must be connected to some sort of projection device, therefore requiring another piece of technology,

such as a computer, projector or television, in order to work. Mrs. Lavina Vigue, a science teacher at Coginchaug, does not currently own or use an ELMO, though she does utilize another version of a document camera.

She said that she was happy with her current tool, and would only switch to the teacher’s tool if it required less technology than what she already had to deal with.

The ELMO, complete with a 42.4X zoom with auto focus and a microscope viewing mode, is a fantastic teaching aid according to Social Studies teacher Mrs. Catherine Munson. She believes that every teacher in Coginchaug should own a teacher’s tool since it is “perfect for analyzing students’ work in front of the class.” Mrs. Munson pointed out that almost all higher-education institutions use them, and that it really helps the students who learn best by visual presentation.

At the moment, only a handful of teachers in the high school have the money in their budget to buy and use an ELMO. Perhaps as the success of the teacher’s tool becomes more widespread, all teachers in District 13 will be able to buy the document camera and enhance their tech-whiz students’ education in this new and innovative way.

Mr. Fraiser helps Sarah DiSilvestro with some math problems.

A new addition to the math wing

By Mackenzie Hurlbert Mr. Doug Fraiser, the substitute for Mr. Martel, has been in Coginchaug a week or so, yet he has already made an impact with students and fellow faculty. He’s been teaching for about a year and a half, and after graduating from Southern with majors in secondary education and math, Mr. Fraiser’s prepared to teach at Coginchaug for the rest of the school year.

Compared to past teaching experiences, Mr. Fraiser says he likes Coginchaug quite a bit. “Everybody here is just much more receptive and nice. Students here are more

well-behaved,” said Mr. Fraiser. “I like the small school.”

Sophomore Sarah DiSilvestro is in Mr. Fraiser’s geometry class and says, “He lets us have our own freedom in the classroom.”

When asked what his pet peeve as a teacher was, Mr. Fraiser said that he doesn’t like it when students are disruptive or consistently talking in class. He doesn’t like the formal lecturing style of teaching and instead prefers to have the students actively interacting in the discussion, a hard thing to do when teaching math.

Bombs away!

Students Helping Students

By Adam Twombly Peer Mentoring is a group made up mostly of upperclassmen, who mentor either freshmen, new students to Coginchaug, or students with disabilities. One mentor is paired with a mentee, and they may eat lunch with each other, but as a group several other activities will be undertaken, including having parties, visiting the mall, and even going bowling. Also, mentors will give tours of the school for upcoming eighth graders, or they will have an eighth grader shadow them so he or she can get to know the school. At CRHS, about 15 upperclassmen are involved.

This year, Peer Mentoring has been combined with Best Buds, a very similar club at Strong School.

Ms. Dellacamera and Mrs. Bottini mainly help with the club at Coginchaug. For any student interested in joining, Ms. Dellacamera is often available at Coginchaug. “My office is located in the guidance department. I’m at CRHS Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons, and Fridays,” she says.

Special thanks to Ms. Dellacamera and sophomore Emily Romanoff for their help in writing this article.

Devil’s Advocate Your source for Coginchaug news and events

Teams “23” and “The Screwdrivers” face each other at Coginchaug’s dodgeball tournament on Friday, March 26.

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Devil’s Advocate

Friday, April 2, 2010

Diversity shows its colors

Alex Kovacs, Mark Kelly, Zach LaVigne, Jesse Siegel, Adam Twombly and Wolfgang Wallach dressed to impress for a recent Quiz Bowl match. Advisor to the group is Quizmaster Klimas.

Stop! It’s Quiz Bowl time!

By Zachary LaVigne It’s here. The smell is in the air.

The button-downs are being ironed. The colorful tights are here again. That’s right, the Quiz Bowl season has officially started, and boy, is it exciting!

Your very own Coginchaug team is at it again, and we have definitely represented. With a record of 52 after a saddening loss to our friendly rivals in Old Saybrook, a championship may be appearing on the horizon (knock on wood).

As one of the top ranks, we enter tournament play with our hackles up, ready for anything and everything that comes our way.

Unfortunately, most of you are probably confused. What is this quiz bowl nonsense? Why is it great? Well, my friends, that’s why I am here. Quiz Bowl (also known as High School Bowl, but that’s not as exciting) is composed of teams from around the shoreline region of Connecticut who compete monthly in 16-minute matches. In the beginning of the season, each team compiles a record by playing every other team once. Four players from each team (call them the varsity starters) start and play an eight-minute half. Toss-up questions are fired off by the reader, and the first to buzz in gets to answer. If the player is right, that team gets to answer a multiple-response bonus question that increases their point count. If they are wrong, the next person to buzz in gets to answer. After two people

have buzzed in, the question is discarded and another one is brought out. Questions can range from anything like “Which president said this?” to the much detested “What is the melting point of chocolate?”

At the end of the half, necessary substitutions are made and play resumes for another half. At the end of that half, points are counted and the team with the most wins.

I’m sure to most of you that sounds like the most exciting 16 minutes in the world, but for those select few who are still not captivated, understand that it is not just the rush of answering a question right or the thrill of dominating North Branford. No, it is also the fun of arguing about spirits, joking about anything and everything, and of course, hoisting J Maddy (the official mascot) on your shoulders after a successful win. The thrill of the game is just icing on the cake of friendship and fun that defines the Coginchaug Quiz Bowl team. Plus, its lack of required athleticism makes it accessible to anyone.

Hopefully I have enlightened you to the great mystery that is Quiz Bowl, but I must now take my leave. I have a puzzle on the Presidents of the United States that I have to finish before the next match to prepare for tournament play. Have no fear, we will be sure to keep you posted on the exciting news that is sure to come. So hold your breath, it’s going to be a doozy of a ride.

By Ben Plant It has been a while since Diversity opening ceremony with performancClub has been in the limelight, but es by a teen dance crew and a gay now it’s busier then ever. Diversity comedian. Also, True Colors set up Club is at its prime with conferences booths for all the students to check and upcoming school-wide events. out. Not only were they interesting, We encourage anyone to participate. but they gave out free merchandise Most people don’t really know as well. The staff of True Colors what Diversity Club is all about, but knows how to connect to teens and the group was created to help stu- make them understand that you dents understand themselves and need to accept the best in yourself support other students in the school, and everyone else. students they might have never Diversity Club is currently in the thought they had anything in com- process of planning this year’s Day mon with. Also, Diversity Club can of Silence. The Day of Silence is a be a place to help support exchange national day where students can students as well. There are many sign up and try to spend the whole possibilities, and it is much more day without speaking. The point of than it seems. this exercise is to raise awareness On Friday, March 12, Cogin- of anti-LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual chaug’s Diversity Club went on a trip Transgender) name-calling, bullying to a True Colors – Sexual Minority and harassment in their schools, in Youth and Family Services conferhopes that they will gain the courage ence. Students from across the state gathered at UConn to partici- to speak up. Last year the Day of Sipate in a cutting-edge focus group lence was a huge success at CRHS, and casual discussions. “When we with over 120 students participating. first got there, I found it refreshing, This year there have been fun new everyone was so happy,” reflected ideas proposed, such as a raffle for senior Jaci Adams. Some students students who are involved and attended meetings that addressed bracelets available for purchase. sexuality while others simply took a More information about this year’s Day of Silence will be announced ballroom dancing lesson.

It was a great experience for all as soon.

Diversity Club always welcomes they met new friends and reconnected with old ones. Some felt comfort in new members or anyone who just the safe-zone atmosphere the True wants to see what it’s all about. RegColors staff had worked hard to es- ular meetings are Fridays during Xtablish. Erica Jones thought that the Block. If any students have any trip was a great experience because questions about Diversity Club or she enjoyed the “new and diverse just feel like talking, they are enenvironment.” couraged to attend. Diversity Club is Other events that took place dur- one of the most accepting and ing the day included an exciting friendly places in the school.

The MUNchkins conference commences

By Michelle Palma It’s been a good year for the mem- Strong Middle School. The event will bers of the Coginchaug High School be held on Thursday, May 13, at Model United Nations Club. So far Coginchaug, where students will disthe students have experienced suc- cuss and try to resolve one of three cess at the one-day Fairfield Univer- issues in mock committee meetings sity conference and four-day confer- followed by a pizza party with their ence at Yale University. At Fairfield, fellow delegates. Each delegate will Sydney Altschuler was honored with also have to write a short and conthe second best delegate award for her impressive debating and negoti- cise position paper which states their ating skills within her committee. country’s stance on the death penalWhile no attendees received awards ty, Somalian piracy or censorship from the much larger conference at and how they plan to resolve the isYale, it was still a fun and education- sue. Although the research can seem like a daunting task, it beal weekend for all present.

Sadly there aren’t any more con- comes clearly worth it as soon as ferences that club members could committee goes into session, and make it to this year; instead, we’ve the spirited moderated and unmodbegun to plan a conference of our erated caucuses spark new and inown for which the delegates are any teresting ways to resolve world isinterested eighth graders from sues today.

Friday, April 2, 2010

25

Devil’s Advocate

Alice has returned to Wonderland

By Wolfgang Wallach

Chances

parts, when the film would definitely put the less diligent viewers to rest, she manages to snatch the focus of the viewers away.

With a great supporting cast, this film will not leave viewers disappointed. From Anne Hathaway’s jocular portrayal of the White Queen to Christopher Lee’s cameo as the Jabberwocky, the film is a fun way to spend the night.

We’re on the web at: www.CRHSNews.org

(Continued from page 22)

zations as well.) The organization is non-profit and needs donations from people like you to help keep these horses out of slaughterhouses. They are far too loving and dedicated to end up there. Or if you support racing, support those tracks that have adopted zero tolerance for horse slaughter.

Start a campaign to have them start racing a year later; giving them one more year can make a big difference in their physical health.

There are so many ways to help these athletes. They can’t advocate for themselves, but they sure have earned having someone advocate for them. “Given another chance, they can be more than just racehorses!” exclaims Anderson. “I have taken a step to give them a better life, and you can, too!”

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many OTTBs her mother has worked with and remarks that, “They are surprised by all the attention they get. They aren’t used to affection.”

Now I am not denouncing horseracing. I realize that the multi-billion dollar industry is necessary for our economy, and yes, it is exciting to watch them go thundering down the track. But I also believe that it is important for people to see the darker side of the business, as well as the potential that these horses have for other things. They deserve a second chance, and you don’t have to be a horse person to make this possible. Anyone can log onto CanterUSA.org and check out all the horses up for sale or adoption on the site. (There are many other OTTB rescue organi-

bipolar, pulling the viewer in and throwing them out without a moment’s notice, which can be fairly off-putting. There were more ups than downs, but the downs had great potential to be horribly dull. Burton countered this with the casting of Mia Wasikowska, who portrays Alice. At

Wonderland at age 19 to find she is the subject of a rather astounding prophecy.

She goes through most of the film in a state of denial, until she has a sudden change of heart at the climax of the film.

Although many have said this film is a grab for attention prompted by the lure of a large paycheck, Burton manages to pull the pieces together. The film itself is

Start with a dream. Finish with a future!

In 1865, a man named Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, published the novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

The Walt Disney Company made this title into a movie in 1951, and it is now recognized by almost everyone in the United States.

On March 5, 2010, Tim Burton attempted to bring the story forward into the limelight.

Mistaken by many moviegoers as a simple remake of the original 1951 classic, Alice (Mia Wasikowska) is returned to

26

Devil’s Advocate

Friday, April 2, 2010

Scholarship ball a success

By Emily Romanoff Recently at the Rocky Hill Mar- items, including specialty merchanriot, over 300 partygoers attended dise, gift certificates, and more! the annual scholarship ball, and Nancy Alberico, a Spanish thereby contributed to increasing teacher at Coginchaug and a scholarship funds for our senior member of the CRHS Scholarship class. It was a grand event as par- Committee, pointed out that the ents, teachers and other support- committee itself does not buy ers enjoyed a night of dancing and these gifts; rather, local companies delicious cuisine. and organizations graciously doRepresenting the Coginchaug nate them. “This year, companies student community, an integration were very generous in their donaof students from each grade at- tions. We went from store to store tended the ball as well. As stated asking if they would like to particiby junior T.J. Murphy, “The Schol- pate, and a number of them arship Ball has lots of music and agreed,” said Alberico. dancing. Everyone lets go and has Overall, the Scholarship Ball has a good time!” been very successful in raising The Scholarship Ball is also money for senior class scholarknown for its silent auction during ships. If you weren’t able to make it which attendees are able to bid this time, be sure to look out for throughout the night on various posters next year!

Student senior project leads to Mockingbird mural

By Christina French Senior Alex Wetteman has worked on a To Kill A Mockingbird mural for his graduation project.

This mural shows Jem and Scout, two main characters in Harper Lee’s book, and a beautiful background, including the beat-up Radley house.

The mural is in Ms. Lauren Fernandez’s room in the English department. Ms. Fernandez worked in Providence about two years ago.

She was in a school that had murals all over the walls, so at Coginchaug, she wanted to have a mural in her room. There originally was an unfinished painting behind it, but Alex Wetteman painted over it.

Ms.Fernandez said she was excited for the painting to be finished, and it was lucky for Alex to come along and create the painting. She thought it was a good idea because it leaves a mark in the school room.

Alex created this painting for the community and his senior project, which you need to dedicate at least six hours to. The painter Alex got his inspiration from the cover of the

movie and lots of pictures from the internet. He also has created his own personal connection. The little girl painted is his cousin Sofia, and he picked her because she had the look he was going for. She’s also experiencing a lot and at the right age.

Alex goes to the Hartford Academy of the Arts, but says this mural is out of his element or what he prefers to do. He prefers to do the messy, abstract, throwing paint type of thing. I asked him what he thought of his painting so far, and Alex thought that it is not what it Fun at the Scholarship Ball: Above left, Mrs. Susan (CRHS science could be. The tree needs work, teacher) and Stefan Michael; right, junior T.J. Murphy and his mother he said, but his favorite part to Paula Murphy. Below, a table of party-goers. paint was the house.

He also said, “There’s a pressure of painting over someone else’s painting, so if you’re going to do it, you have to bring it!” By that he means you have to step up your game, making sure it’s your best work. Alex also learned that it is time consuming and “the night janitor is a lovely guy.”

Mackenzie Hurlbert also contributed to this story.

Friday, April 2, 2010

27

Devil’s Advocate

Blue Devils’ baseball winds up for opening pitch

By Jack Bascom The Coginchaug baseball team has won the Shoreline Conference title eight times: 1965, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980 and 2009.

With the majority of last year’s team returning, that number may very well become nine. With a group of a veteran seniors, head coach Ted Lombardo certainly has high expectations. “I want us to be competitive every time we take the field and make a run at another Shoreline title,” he says.

When asked about his team’s chances for repeating as Shoreline champs and possibly making a run at a state title, which has been done once, back in ‘72, Lombardo had this to say: “I have a veteran team who won a championship in a tough league. I would hope that we would be a favorite to repeat. But, you know, baseball’s a funny game. You have to be good but also have a little luck.”

Historically speaking, Coginchaug has had its fair share of bad luck when it comes to the state tournament. Back in 2008, Lombardo fielded a very talented team that lost in the quarterfinals to Sacred Heart, the 17th seed, while Coginchaug was the ninth seed. In 2009, Coginchaug was the fifth seed and received a first round bye after winning Shorelines. However, they lost the next round to Career Magnet, the 12th seed. “We had a bad day in states last year in the first round,” said Lombardo. “If things break our way, we certainly have a chance.”

Coginchaug will play the same regular season schedule as last year except reversed, which means whoever the Devils played at home last year, they will play away and vice versa. This year’s schedule also brings the addition of Fitch of Groton, a team that went 16-6 last year and made it to the quarterfinals of the LL state tournament. “We play a two-year schedule that just gets reversed. It’ll bring some challenges because we’re not going to sneak up on anyone this year. We’re going to see a team’s best pitching day in and day out along with their highest level of play,” commented Lombardo. However, Lombardo’s team is more than up to the challenge.

The Devils return their entire pitching staff from last year. The group is led by senior captain Jeff Tiedemann (6-2), in addition to junior Tommy Ryan (6-2), and supported by seniors Jeremy Newell and Andrew Porter. Lombardo isn’t too worried. “We won 16 games last year, and Tiedemann and Ryan accounted for 12 of those wins combined. Tiedemann was our team leader in SOs (strikeouts) and ERA (earned run average), and Newell and Porter also provided very solid starts, but I have a bunch of guys who can step up and play a role,” Lombardo explained.

As well as a solid pitching staff, the Devils return an extremely talented infield. Seniors Jeff Tiedemann and Joe Ianniello, along with junior Bobby Lane and junior Ryan Siros, are four guys who Lombardo says “have the ability to play three out of the four infield positions.” Eric Hewitt, added Lombardo, can play all four.

In addition to the skilled infield, Coginchaug has senior Dan Fonseca returning behind the plate at catcher and returning senior starter Mike Sbona in center, which leaves left and right field. “We have the corner outfield positions up for grabs, as well as DH (designated hitter), and I have about five or six guys competing for those spots,” said Lombardo. “We should have a very productive offense as well as good defense.”

The stats support Lombardo’s statement: Jeff Tiedemann and Eric Hewitt led the team in RBIs and HRs (homeruns) as well as both batting over .400. “I keep mentioning Hewitt and Tiedemann because those are two of my key guys who bring great leadership,” said Lombardo. “But I don’t want to look ahead, I have our goals set and eight wins and qualifying for states comes first, then we’ll go from there.”

With all of Coginchaug’s varsity teams this year qualifying for states and having a combined winning percentage of .750 to date, CRHS’s athletic success seems like it will continue with help from the baseball team.

Watch for the next Devil’s Advocate

Spring sports preview

By Mackenzie Hurlbert Bring out the tennis racquets, greaves, a junior tennis player. baseball bats, softball gloves, golf The track team has many new clubs and javelins! Spring sports recruits, including sophomore are here! Students flood in every Luke Bogdanski. When asked how morning with duffel bags brimming the first couple of practices have with all types of sports equipment, been, Bogdanski said, “They’re and as we take our seats in first pretty fun. I didn’t really like the block classes, the groans and running.” The events he plans to “oomphs!” of sore athletes echo compete in are sprinting, jumping around the room as does the talk and javelin. “I just wanted to get in of what today’s practices will bring. shape for football,” Bogdanski For the tennis team, the start of said. the season brings try-outs and No matter what the purpose for cuts, a different agenda than last participating in a spring sport is, year when all 30 girls who tried out students are eager for the possibilmade the team. “We’re having ities a new season brings. Alcuts this year, and now we are do- though it may start with aches and ing try-outs. There are about 30 pains from conditioning, Coginpeople trying out and coach is only chaug athletes are ready to give taking 18, I think,” said Laura Har- this season their all.

The Historian

By Zhining Fang We all know about vampires, especially after the popularity of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight. With this vampire legend, Elizabeth Kostova sends us into the deep past, in search for the man who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Before you say ”Not another book about Vampires!” realize that The Historian is a book about vampires, but on a much deeper and historic level. A girl discovers a sheaf of mysterious letters that begin with: “My dear and unfortunate successor…” hidden on a high, dusty shelf in her father’s study. After reading a part of the first of many letters to come, she begins to wonder about her father’s many trips to Europe and his mysterious past. She questions her father, Paul, who tells her his story of the search for Drakyula, or Vlad Tepes, the Impaler, whom he believe has been alive since the Ages. He begins this search after a sinister looking vellum covered journal falls in his hands with only Vlad’s name written in thr front cover along with a print of a dragon. Paul had abruptly ended his search after the disappearance of her mother, Helen.

After finding that her father had

once again begun his search, the girl discovers that her father had gone missing. She goes on a search for her father, following his footsteps as she learns the rest of his story and those who search with him for Drakyula himself.

Set through out Europe, this story is told both through the letters and through Paul’s daughter. It is set in two different times and three different narrators: Paul’s mentor, Paul and his daughter. The Historian has an intricate plot full of mystery, suspense and, of course, romance (although it doesn’t really play that large of a part in the plot). This book is perfect for those who love a long, challenging read and have quite some time on their hands. The only thing I suggest is not to read it too late into the night, it gets you quite paranoid… other wise, The Historian is a book that leaves you very satisfied after the end. I haven’t read a book this good in years. And that’s saying something considering the amount of books I have read.

Out of a scale of one to five, this book is off the charts.

Town Times

28

Friday, April 2, 2010

Summer theater camp comes to town

By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times

CRHS art students chose to exhibit their work in Future Choices 2010. From left, Stevie Thompson, Ashley Davenport, Mackenzie Hurlbert, Emily Brown, Alex Wettemann and Tyler Berry.

Photo submitted by Jan Wenzel

Coginchaug art students exhibit in Future Choices

By Jan Wenzel Special to the Town Times

Several students from CRHS had their artwork featured in the 27th annual Future Choices juried high school art exhibition at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Art. The exhibition is presented by the Shoreline Arts Alliance to honor the most talented and dedicated

Teen photo editing contest The Wallingford Public Library, 200 N. Main St., is inviting teens in grades 6-12 to participate in a photo editing contest. The winner will receive a new Kodak camera from Wal-Mart. The contest runs till April 9.

To be eligible, teens may select any one photo and alter it using Picnik, free, easyto-use photo editing software. Picnik is available online at www.picnik.com.

Teens are welcome to use the library’s computers to complete the task.

Contestants will be judged on creativity and originality.

All entries must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, April 9. The original and altered photo must be e-mailed to Jennifer Nash at jnash@lioninc.org.

For help, call 203-265-6754 or visit www.wallingford.lioninc.org.

high school art students in the 18 schools of the Shoreline region. Future Choices 2010 featured the dynamic and diverse work of 92 student artists chosen from over 300 submissions. Additionally, Alex Wettemann was awarded second place in drawing for his selfportrait and the Breakwater Book Award for his mixed media painting. Ashley Davenport was awarded the Wall Street Gallery Award for her etching, “Heidi.”

CRHS students also exhibited in the Women’s Clubs of Connecticut annual juried show in Southington. Students exhibiting were Paul Benjunas (photography), Shaina Bradley (clay sculpture), Emily Brown (painting), Ashley Davenport (etching), Kim Hayes (painting), Sarah Oppelt (drawing), Carley St. Amand (design) and Alex Wettemann (etching). Alex received second place.

Their artwork and many others by our talented students will be on display at the annual District 13 art exhibit in May at the Durham Library.

A week full of theater, music, dance and fun is coming to Durham this summer for students in grades six through 12.

The Young People’s Center for Creative Arts (YPCCA) is starting a new theater camp which will be held at Coginchaug Regional High School during the week of August 2-6.

If YPCCA sounds familiar to you, that’s because they have been running a fourweek summer theater camp in East Hampton for over 27 years, and Region 13 students have been participating all along, catching a bus on Main Street in Durham just to participate. Due to the interest from Durham and Middlefield students, YPCCA has decided to try a second camp here.

“We are very excited to get started in Durham, as it’s been a longtime goal of YPCCA to branch out to other areas in central Connecticut, and Durham is the perfect place for us to do so,” said camp director Rachel Mansfield. “The administration has been so supportive of the camp, and we can’t wait to grow a program with the students of Region 13. There is such a phenomenal talent base in the area that it just seems like a natural fit.”

This year’s camp in Durham will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily the first week of August. Camp mornings will be spent in workshops of each student’s choosing, including Broadway Chorus, Show Choir, Scenes & Monologues, Stage Combat, Comedy Improvisation and Vocal Coaching. Every workshop class will rehearse a presentation for the final performances.

Afternoons will be spent rehearsing select scenes and songs from the hit Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors. There will be a short audition session on the first day

A past YPCCA performance. of camp to decide on roles and solos for these pieces. Everyone in camp is welcome to audition.

Another feature of the camp is “Morning Watch,” a time at the start of each camp day where the entire camp participates in an activity planned by one of the counselors. It could be a game, improvisation, skits or dance, and the idea is to get campers and staff to ease into the day together.

There will also be breaks for lunch and games so students can get outside and enjoy the summer weather.

“YPCCA is a great program that introduced me to more opportunities in such a small state like Connecticut,” said Middlefield resident and YPCAA camper Kelly Dorsey.

“The shows we put on over the summer look like a quality show you’d pay money to see at places like Goodspeed, but they’re done in under a month, with volunteers building the sets and devoted kids who love what they’re doing.

YPCCA’s coming to Durham will create a good opportunity for people who don’t want to go far away for a theater experience.”

This year’s play, Little Shop of Horrors, is one of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows. It is the story of a down-and out skid-row floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh

blood.

“Our staff have worked at many professional venues, including The Public Theater, Hartford Stage, Long Wharf Theater, Goodspeed Opera House and several regional theaters throughout New England,” said Mansfield.

“Because of this, students will get a terrific base of knowledge in theater, auditioning, voice, dance and comedy improvisation.”

This knowledge will be showcased during two “Parents’ Night” performances on Friday, August 6, at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The general public is also welcome to attend. The performances will feature many scenes and songs from the show, but not the entire production.

YPCCA’s four-week camp in East Hampton will take place July 5-Aug. 1 and will be producing the musical Miss Saigon.

For more information, visit www.ypcca.org. YPCAA will also give a short performance and hold a Q&A session about the camp at Coginchaug High School on Wed., April 21, at 6 p.m. This is open to the public and will last about 15 minutes.

The performance will be a short piece from the show YPCCA is currently working on, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This is a fundraiser for a scholarship YPCCA awards every year to a graduating senior who is pursuing a degree in the arts or education.

Northern Middlesex YMCA summer camp programs Summer camp plays an important role in positive youth development. Youth build a variety of academic and social skills while also maintaining greater fitness levels. The YMCA offers two great licensed summer camp options:

Camp Ingersoll and the summer enrichment program.

The summer enrichment program serves children entering grades one through six and runs from June 28 to Aug. 20. Each week children explore an exciting theme

through art, literature, handson activities, fitness games, group projects and field trips.

This summer’s themes include mad science, food and fitness, I-spy detectives, inspired by art and much more. Camp hours are 8 a.m.

to 5:30 p.m. with extended care and swim lessons available. The YMCA offers financial assistance to families who qualify. For more information visit midymca.org or contact Amy at 860-343-6239 or Beth at 860-343-6211.

Town Times

Friday, April 2, 2010

Mfld. IWA (From page 17)

regarding the storage of chemicals on the site. The commission informed him that it’s not something that Inland Wetlands addresses. However, it was noted that any waste water will go through the Middle-

Culture

(From page 9)

mano replied that there are no plans for such a fence to go in.

Rather, the site will make use of a professional contractor to deal with the snow.

Although the commission closed the public hearing, they did not vote.

Another hearing was held in February and again in March regarding the construction of 22 multi-family units for 55 and older residents on Calvanese and Kastner’s 14.17-acre property abutting Powder Hill Road, King Road and Lake Beseck. This project will include the construction of two detention/drainage basins, ground water recharge units, grass swales and a rain garden in the upland review area and the replacement of a 15inch pipe under King Road.

The proposal also includes the construction of an anchored, floating dock, a gazebo, canoe rack, beach, a paved pedestrian walkway and a walking trail, all of which count as significant activity in the wetlands area on the site. As the new buildings will replace older buildings al-

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agreed to this, though he asked that the decision not be left solely up to Gibson.

In order to give the applicant time to come up with a tree removal and replacement plan, the commission continued the hearing to April.

First Selectmen Jon Brayshaw was in attendance to propose putting in a 50’x375’ road at the end of Brookside Drive to gain access to the town property that Brayshaw hopes to sell over the next six months. Putting in the road will involve removing trees and stumps while adding gravel. A bulldozer will also be used to clear out the area. The commission agreed to put it on the agenda as part of their special meeting on March 31 and also to individually visit the site in the intervening time.

At for the February meeting, Overton reported on resident Jim Malcolm’s filling violation at 369 Baileyville Rd. According to the sanitarian, silt fencing had been installed, but the material hasd not been removed. (From minutes/Chuck Corley)

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ready on the lot, the site coverage should remain mostly unchanged.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, attorney John Corona informed the commission that the applicant is willing to provide a weekly report of soil testing of the erosion controls on the site. Logs for storm water management will also be maintained if the commission desires it. Furthermore, an anti-tracking pad will be put in to help with debris from trucks entering the site, while the building contractor will take care of any necessary sweeping.

Tree removal was one issue the commission had with the proposal, as they were concerned it might cause issues with soil stability or otherwise effect endangered species. Though the applicant’s representatives assured the commission that there shouldn’t be any problems due to removing trees, the commission felt that Roger Gibson should inspect the proposed beach area to ensure no complications will arise from the work. Corona

1148147

throughout West Africa, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Caribbean and the United States featuring traditional music, songs, dance, and textile arts. The story of Africa and its cultures is an essential component of the social studies curriculum in sixth grade.

Rounding out our cultural arts presentations is a visit to Memorial Middle School by the Pioneer Living program.

In fifth grade our students study the life of pioneers and the westward expansion of our country in the mid-nineteenth century. Utilizing the assistance of parent volunteers fifth grade students pan for gold, grind corn into meal, wash clothes using a washboard and engage in games children played over one hundred and fifty years ago. As they involve themselves in these activities interpreters provide specific information relating to the life of these intrepid pioneers.

These programs are the result of a collaborative effort between the Memorial School Parents Organization and our school. Through this collaborative effort students experience a diverse, meaningful cultural arts program that clearly provides enriching experiences that broaden their understanding of history and the world around them. I would like to thank parent volunteer Lucy Meigs for her assistance in coordinating these activities and for her work in the grant application process that allows these programs into our school. Through cultural arts, the curriculum is truly brought to life!

town sewer system and shouldn’t have an effect on nearby groundwater. The applicants also pointed out that there are no tenants for the site and any issues with stored chemicalswill be addressed once businesses start occupying the location.

One other issue not related to Inland Wetlands was also brought before the commission. Dennis Bishop informed them that the residents of Lorraine Terrace signed a petition in opposition to the proposal. Although the petition dealt mostly with the entrance to the location rather than the wetlands, Bishop wanted it noted in the record.

There was also discussion about the filling of a drainage ditch in years prior. Tom Rogers wanted the commission to know that he was not responsible for filling in the ditch, which he was accused of in a previous meeting reported in Town Times. He noted that he didn’t own the property at the time it was filled in.

While Rogers suggested putting in a solid fence to help with snow removal, Cresci-

29

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Town Times

30

It Happened in Connecticut – again!

Obituary Edward J. Gibbons

Edward J. Gibbons, 71, of Clifford St. in Hamden, died Monday, March 15, 2010. Loving brother of James Gibbons, of Middlefield, John (Rosemarie) Gibbons, of West Haven, and Ann Marie Nancy (Allen) Rose, of Hamden. Also survived by several nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Kevin Gibbons.

Edward was born in New Haven on March 28, 1938, son of the late Edward and Catherine (Anglin) Gibbons.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Edward graduated from St. Mary’s Grammar School on Ashmun Street and Boardman Trade School. He was in the U.S. Army and served with the 102nd Infantry and the 1st Cavalry. Gibbons worked at Cavanaugh’s, Sports Haven, Leeway, Inc. and for the Hamden Housing Authority.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. Rita Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Clelian Adult Day Care Center, 261 Benham St., Hamden, 06514. Sisk Brothers Funeral Home took care of arrangements.www.siskbrothers.com.

Some things never change about a Connecticut winter.

A snowstorm forced the postponement of Diana Ross McCain’s talk about her book, It Happened In Connecticut: From Witchcraft Trials to the Invention of Modern Football, Twenty-Five Events That Shaped the Nutmeg State. Although the storm did not rival the Blizzard of 1888, it was enough to keep modern day transportation at home, unlike the oxen pictured on the cover of McCain’s book. The program has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 13, at 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room of Russell Library, 123 Broad

Current obituary policy In order to make sure that residents and funeral homes can be sure we will publish those obituaries that they want published, Town Times has begun to charge a $25 fee for any obituary. Previously, office staff would search for obituaries that seemed to be local or occasionally someone would bring in an obituary, but working through the funeral homes, as do most other newspapers, allows us to print those obituaries that residents wish us to print.

Street in Middletown.

From discussing the origins of the name “Nutmeg State” to relating the story of real-life serial poisonings in early 20th century Windsor, McCain will keep the audience entertained and amused with her many tales.

At the conclusion of her re-

Golden “My mom inspired me to be a completely different person.

This is her biggest passion in life besides me.”

Elisabeth agreed. “My hope is that change comes to Haiti through the children with a loving environment, and they’ll spread that hope and create more change to rebuild their nation.”

Ralph Chase is this year’s Book of Golden Deeds recipient for Durham. Brought up on a farm in Middlefield,

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marks, McCain will have copies of the book to sell and autograph. The program, sponsored by the Middlesex County Historical Society, is free and open to the public.

For further information, contact the Historical Society at 860-346-0746.

(Continued from page 7) Ralph is a Korean War veteran, a graduate of Babson College and a retiree from 40 years in sales, marketing, training and as director of human resources.

During retirement, Ralph has been active on the Conservation Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, Clean Energy Task Force and the Town Hall Site Committee. He is a past president of the Durham Middlefield Exchange Club and is currently serving on the state level as a division director. He also serves as church historian and on the church council.

Cascini described Ralph as “Mr. Yes” because “he’s always there if you need help.”

Cascini also believes Ralph is more busy in retirement than ever before.

Ralph’s family and friends spoke, including his youngest daughter Cindy, son-in-law Jay Conroy, First Selectman Laura Francis and Durham resident Warren Herzig.

Herzig shared a memory with everyone of Ralph’s generosity and wisdom. He once asked Ralph to help him figure out what he should do about retiring. “Ralph said, ‘in retirement you need to be physically active, mentally active and socially active,’” explained Herzig. “And if you balance it all in retirement, you’ll be fine.’ I think that’s the key to life, too, and that’s how Ralph has been. So thanks Ralph, I’m enjoying retirement.”

Like Elisabeth, Ralph was surprised by the award.

“I’m in a state of shock,” he said. “I really didn’t know until tonight that I was chosen.”

He thanked everyone, including his children, his wife of 54 years and the town.

“The town of Durham is now my home, I love it and its people,” he concluded.

Scouts in Town Times

Friday, April 2, 2010

Help send a boy or two into the wild

By Summer Lerch-Spencer Special to the Town Times

Winners from Troop 33

like more info, contact cub master Heather Baker at 860349-0531 or email her at winterlynx@msn.com, with cub scouting in the subject line.

The Troop designation is for boys in the second half of fifth grade up until age 18.

Boys can join at any time and need not go through Cub Scouts first. Boys move up in rank, from Tenderfoot to Eagle Scout. Each successive rank requires more involvement, more skill development, more leadership in the troop and more merit badge work.

Middlefield Troop 33 leaders meet the first Wednesday of every month downstairs at the Middlefield Community Center with full troop meetings every other Wednesday night at 7-8:30 p.m. For more info, contact scoutmaster Robin Heath at 860-349-1154 or by email at smrheath@comcast.net.

Above, the first and second place winners in the Troop 33 pinewood derby held on Feb. 6. Right, David Fraulino from Troop 33 Wolf came in first place overall for the pinewood derby.

Submitted photo

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Saturday, April 10, is a big fundraiser/open house for Boy Scout Troop 33. Bring all your five cent cans and bottles to the Middlefield Community Center between noon and 2 p.m. or to the collection booth at the transfer station and support adventure through Scouting and Philmont!

Scouting is a program designed to challenge boys at every stage of their development, all the way from first grade as Tiger Cubs up through earning their Eagle Scout Awards as high schoolers. This year nine Boy Scouts of Troop 33 will be attending Philmont, the premier high adventure camp in scouting.

They will be led by scoutmaster Robin Heath and scout leader Marc D’Orvilliers.

Philmont challenges scouts on 214 square miles of rugged mountainous terrain in northern New Mexico. The young men will hike for 10 days, carrying all they need in 30-pound backpacks. The boys will be purifying all their water; transporting and cooking all their food; staying dry through daily afternoon rainstorms; raising all food and smelly clothes high above camp each night to keep bears away and leaving all electronics at the base camp. (Yes, it is true!)

To support them, and help offset the costs associated with this big undertaking, Troop 33 is sponsoring an open house/bottle and can collection drive on Saturday, April 10, at the Middlefield Community Center from noon to 2 p.m.

The open house is for all boys and families interested in scouting.

Representatives from Pack 33 and Troop 33 will be there to answer questions.

Come enjoy a campfire scoutstyle, roast your own hot dog and make your own ice cream!

Also bring all your five cent cans and bottles to help the leaders and scouts buy the special equipment needed for the trip. All money raised goes toward the Philmont adventure.

Look for other fundraisers, like buying Scout popcorn (for sale on April 10). Enjoy a spaghetti dinner in May. Tell your friends to bring their bottles and cans to the Community Center or the transfer station on April 10. Philmont is

an incredible adventure, and everyone is encouraged to support these young men.

A few other facts about Middlefield scouting: The Pack designation is for younger boys, ages 6-11, first through fifth grade. Boys can join Pack or Troop 33 at any time. Pack 33 meets the first two Tuesdays of the month for den meetings at St. Colman’s Church in Middlefield at 6:30 p.m. The leaders and any interested parents meet the next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the pack master’s home in Durham. Kids are welcome to come; activities and movies are provided while the parent leaders are meeting. Full Pack meetings are on the fourth Tuesday of the month at St. Colman’s at 6:30 p.m. with a different focus each month. Pack 33 has many events planned for the next couple of months. Come on out to a meeting, or if you’d

31

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Town Times Summer Fun

32

Friday, April 2, 2010

Durham Recreation Commission summer programs

Registration for Durham Recreation summer programs and sports clinics will be held at the Durham Town Hall, Thursday, April 8, Tuesday, April 20, and on Tuesday, May 4, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Summer Playground: Opens Monday June 28 and will end Aug. 13. For children entering first through seventh grade living in Durham.

Playground meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon at Allyn Brook Park.

There will be arts and crafts, sports and special events. Fee $35 per child for the summer.

Family max $70.

Little people Program: Opens Monday, June 28, and will end Aug. 13. For children ages four and five living in Durham. Program meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. The Little people program will have two sessions. Session one will meet from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and session two from 10:30 a.m. to

noon. Register for this program in person, limited enrollment. Fee $35 per child for the summer. Family max $70.

Youth Nights: Opens June 29, July 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29, Aug. 3 and 5, at Strong School. For students entering grades five to eight. Open to Durham and Middlefield residents. Activities include table games, music, volleyball, basketball and special events.

Youth night meets from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Fee 25 per student.

Boys’ Blue Hoop Clinic: Session one is June 21-25 for kids entering grades four to six from 9 to 11:30 a.m.; for kids entering grades one to three from noon to 2:30 p.m.

Session two is June 28 to July 2, for kids entering grades seven to nine, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Students will be taught shooting, ball handling, passing and rebounding skills, as well as the basic concepts to team offense and defense. The clinic is held at Coginchaug

able: 9 to 11:30 a.m. for boys only and from noon to 2:30 p.m. for girls only. Director Russell Hill 860-349-2097. Held at Coginchaug High School.

Fee: $95. Open to all residents.

Individual basketball lesson sessions: June 28 – July 1, at Strong School. Session 1 is from 9 to 11 a.m.; session two from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Open to boys and girls in grades five through 12. Fee is $150. Open to all residents.

Summer Fun Runs: start June 29. Open to high school and adults only.

Women’s Fun Softball League: Games will start July 7. Registration fee is $30.

Games are played on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

Open to all Durham and Middlefield residents.

Cooking with Youth Camp: July 19-23. Open to grades five through eight, from 9 a.m. to noon at Strong School. Students will bake, frost, cook and enjoy great tasting food.

Class is limited. Instructor

Christine Firth. Open to all Durham and Middlefield residents.

Summer Evening Tennis Lessons: July 19 to 23. Fee is $45. Instructor Karen Kean.

For sixth to eighth grade students from 5 to 6 p.m. High school students and adults from 6 to 7 p.m. at Durham town tennis courts. Open to all Durham and Middlefield residents.

Junior Counselor Program: For students going into grade eight to age 15, living in Durham. Students will volunteer and participate in all summer programs. No fee, but registration is required.

Shoshin Ryu: Starts July 5.

Classes will be held at Allyn Brook Park Monday and Thursday evenings for grades two through eight, and for adults. Call Toby Bates for information on class instruction. Fee is $25. Open to all residents.

Cheerleading Spirit Clinic: Aug. 2 through 6. For grades entering three through nine, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Strong School. Kids will learn cheers, chants, stunts and a dance.

Last day will be a performSPRING SPECIALS: ance. Director Diana Dellaroc• $100 OFF First Month’s Board with co and the Coginchaug cheer3 Month Agreement leaders. Fee $50. Open to all • Buy a Lesson Package of 4 and residents.

Get a 5th Lesson FREE Teen Nite Under the Stars at Camp Farnam, from 6 to 9 p.m.

280 Old Pent Road, Guilford, CT 06437 on Fridays in the summer. For 4 minutes from Durham Center youth entering grades 8-11, Five Star Performance Horses LLC erincecchini@yahoo.com camp fires, swimming, food, Boarding, Training, Lessons, Showing 860-638-7421 basketball, volleyball, music English & Western www.fivestarperformancehorsesllc.com Adults & Children and special events. Fee is $10.

Staff is the Durham Recreation Committee, summer PROPERTY Michael Haglund 860-759-2432 Michael Haglund PROPERTY 860-759-2432MAINTENANCE staff and Middlefield RecreMAINTENANCE ation. A great time! Open to all Mowing Durham and Middlefield resiMowing dents.

Weeding Weeding Co-Ed Adult Volleyball will Edging Edging take place at the outdoor volMulch Mulch leyball court at Coginchaug LAWN CARE Spring Clean-Up High School on Mondays Spring Clean-Up CT Lic. # 606458 CT Lic. #606458 starting July 5, from 6:30 to 9 Providing Quality Lawn Care & Landscaping Services p.m. Open to all Durham and Creating & Maintaining Beautiful Landscapes Middlefield residents.

Summer Concerts at Allyn Brook Park will begin on Wednesday, June 23, with The Aquatudes from 7 to 8:30 p.m. complete site work More bands to be scheduled. including septic systems Concerts are open to all residents.

Call the Durham Recreation office at 860-343-6724 or Tel. 203-245-2684 send e-mail to shill@townofMartin T Rochette Tel. 860.349.8486 Haddam - Durham - Madison durhamct.org for additional Lic. #005694 information on any of these Cell. 860-662-0728 programs.

High School and is open to all Durham and Middlefield residents. Director Todd Salva Coginchaug boys’ varsity coach. Fee is $75.

Girls’ Blue Hoop Clinic: July 5-9. Session one for girls entering grades one to three, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Session two for girls entering grades four through six from 12:30 to 3 p.m. This clinic focuses on offensive development, ball handling, shooting, footwork.

The object is to have fun and learn the skills necessary for future success. Players will be grouped by age and skill level. Director John Forline Coginchaug basketball coach.

Fee is $75. At Coginchaug High School. Open to all Durham and Middlefield Residents.

Offensive Basketball Clinic July 26-30. For boys and girls entering grades four through 11. There will be 2½ hours of instruction. Shooting will be filmed and evaluated. There will be one coach per six players. Two sessions are avail-

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Town Times Sports

Friday, April 2, 2010

33

Middlefield Rec CRHS Winter Sports Banquet honors players summer Girls’ basketball MVPs A belated ‘thank you’ Sam Mancinelli & programs In last issue of Town Times, we highlighted Most Valuable Players and Most Improved Players in all winter sports except girls’ varsity basketball. This was an oversight thankfully noticed by a sharp-eyed reader. However, it also gives us an opportunity to highlight Alan Pease, our volunteer basketball reporter extraordinaire.

Alan was singled out for sustained applause at the banquet for his continuing coverage of boys’ basketball and his new-this-year coverage of girls’ basketball. While parents and players are indeed grateful for his skill and dedication, so are we at Town Times. Thanks, Alan!

Basketball Monday and Tuesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. at Memorial School. Men meet on Monday, women on Tuesday.

This free program is open to Durham residents also.

If you want to be notified of upcoming programs and events, sign up for the MadNews e-mail newsletter by sending an e-mail to madenews@aol.com.

Visit www.middlefieldparkandrecreation.com for more information.

Taylor Edinger

Samantha was a key ingredient in our success this season.

Playing a pivotal position in a highly competitive environment is not easy. Samantha was counted on and came through with flying colors in directing our offense and being a big player in defense. With Samantha a sophomore, the point guard position at Coginchaug is in great hands. See MVP, next page

Girls’ basketball Coaches’ Awards Liz Meiman & Erica Jones

I cannot separate the role each of these athletes contributed to the great season we enjoyed. The only thing these young women are about is spelled TEAM. They have, for the past four seasons, defended each other in practice, pushed each other physically, and finally were able to enjoy the great success of our team together.

Along with tri-captain Taylor Edinger, Elizabeth and Erica were tremendous leaders and captains. Our team looked to them for maturity and guidance daily. Their work ethic was outstanding and constantly served as a bar by which others could be measured. I am sure this work ethic will serve them well in their future endeavors. I know the team will miss these fine young women, but not half as much as I will.

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CIT Camp: For more information contact Middlefield Park and Recreation at Middlefieldpr@aol.com or call 860349-7122. Registration forms can be found at the Town Hall, the Community Center and online. Please be sure to provide a valid e-mail address as all confirmations will be via e-mail.

Summer Camp 2010: Camp runs from July 6 to Aug. 13 at Memorial School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for kids entering kindergarten through eighth grade. This program meets rain or shine and is open to Durham residents as well.

There is an option for early drop off at 8 a.m. Program fees are six weeks for $395; two weeks for $225 and one week for $150. Early drop off is an extra $7.50 per day. CITs will assist with the running of the camp, but will also do things on their own. Special CIT only trips will be planned. CITs will attend regular camp trips. The CIT program is open to children who will be entering high school as freshman or sophomores in the fall.

Soccer Camps with Geoffrey Wheeler, Wesleyan coach, for ages five and up take place July 26-30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Peckham Park. Fee is $110.

April Vacation Soccer Camp for kids five and up will be held April 12 through 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Wesleyan field house in Middletown. Fee is $110.

Boot Camp will be held Monday through Friday mornings from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. with instructor Kevin Lacz at the Middlefield Community Center. This is a mixture of cardio and strength training. Bring a water bottle and a smile. Fee is $5 per session.

Tennis Camp with Alex Edwards session one July 12 through 16 and session two from Aug. 9 to 13 at Memorial school. Kids ages five through nine from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and kids ages 10 and up from 10:30 to noon. Fees are $50 for each session.

Sportime with Alex Edwards: Session one July 5-9 and session two Aug. 16-20 at Peckham Park. Kids from five to seven from 9 to 10:20 a.m. and kids eight to 10 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Fees are $50 each session.

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Town Times Sports

34

Durham men’s league week nine

By Scott Stang Special to the Town Times The Young Gunz suffered through a rough shooting night and Tim Schuler’s Orange team clinched the third seed in the upcoming playoffs, with a 63-51 upset victory. Orange (3-6) opened up an eight-point lead early, but threes by Alex Schade and Mike Baranosky got the Gunz back in the game. Rick Ryan, Dave Blair and Carl Schlicker hit on a series of mid-range jumpers and layups for an 11point halftime lead, which

grew to 15 points with 10 minutes left in the game. The Gunz (5-4) closed back to eight points on four threes by Schade and another by Kevin Walsh, but were unable to keep up the pace, and shots in the final four minutes fell off the mark. Orange played a balanced inside-outside game. Ryan Donecker led Orange with 13, while Schlicker and Scott Marks each added 11 and Dave Blair finished with 10 points. Schade led the Gunz with 21 and Greg Bereski finished with 14.

Torrison Stone defeated

Friday, April 2, 2010

Strong School baseball/softball

Frank DeFlippo’s Red team 70-42 Thursday. Jeremy Lobo dominated the game finishing with 26 points, including four-for-four from the foul line. Red shot miserably in the first half, and Torrison (90) led 33-10 at the break.

Matthew Sullivan got his stroke going late, finishing with 19 for Red (1-8) in the loss. Adam Poturnicki ended the night with 18 and Pete Lynch picked up 10 for Torrison. The teams finished the season, with Torrison aiming for a perfect record.

Athletic coordinator is Kevin Larson, softball coach Mike Cheney, baseball coach Eric Kallberg April 27 Portland home April 29 RHAM home All games generMay 3 Rocky Hill home ally start by 3:30 May 5 at East Hampton p.m.; home field May 6 at Cromwell sites to be May 10 at Middletown Pat Kidney Field determined.

May 12 at Berlin Mary 14 at Portland May 15 at Hale-Ray Tournament (softball only) May 17 East Hampton at home May 18 at Rocky Hill May 20 Ice cream social at Strong School at 6:30 p.m.

May 21 Hale-Ray (baseball only) at home May 25 at RHAM May 27 Berlin at home June 1 Cromwell at home

The hockey story

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I went to hockey practice.

We played hockey. It was 10 against 12. We scored 20 goals.

The other team scored 15 goals.

We won. Yes! Wow! I slid under someone. I smashed into my friend Cole.

Cole was skating towards me. I fell. He fell on me. I went under him. Our heads smashed together. It was a big bang.

We played a new game.

What? A new game?? It was a relay race. Two people go at a time. You put the stick left and right and keep the puck moving forward. That is called stick handling. Our team won.

I like playing hockey because next year we will win trophies.

I also have met new friends. I cannot wait to go again.

MVP

(From page 33)

for the next two seasons.

In Taylor’s freshmen season, at half time of a highly contested and difficult game, we needed some help in the rebounding department. I asked the upper classmen, “who is the toughest person on the court,” hoping they would raise their hands and step up.

Rather, they all pointed to Taylor, and the rest is history.

Taylor has been a fixture for the past four seasons. We could count on her to do the tough rebounding and also to defend the opponent’s toughest player, and she responded admirably. Taylor supplied great defense, and that was as much a key to our success as a break-away layup.

While Sam has a few more years left, I would be remiss not to thank Taylor for her efforts and say how much the team and I will miss her.

Town Times

Friday, April 2, 2010 (From page 9)

In other comparisons, our version of a deficit mitigation plan again seems to favor the middle class majority of Connecticut residents more than the governor’s does. For instance, our plan reduces onerous increases for sportsmen’s fees, hunting and fishing licenses,; Contrary to assisting middle income families and senior citizens, the governor’s deputy budget director testified just last week in favor of a plan to borrow against future revenue – revenue to be generated through a hidden and higher tax on consumer electricity bills that will cost ratepayers an

extra $4 to $11 a month.

Last Friday night’s promised gubernatorial veto prompted the House to cancel its scheduled Saturday session at which it was to act on our plan. Instead, ugly rhetoric and the shadow of doomsday cast by the governor’s office once again denied meaningful action on the deficit. I would remind readers: the governor vetoed an earlier deficit mitigation plan approved by both chambers in December.

Gov. Rell has seemingly checked out and her administration’s governance by obstructionism is too much to

ignore. Many of us in the General Assembly are growing more and more exasperated by it. We need leadership; now more than ever.

Local news Local events Local issues Every Friday in the

Town Times Every day on the web at: www.towntimes.com

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the governor’s ominous proclamation she would veto it.

The manner in which this transpired leads me to believe this administration’s penchant for disengaged governance has reached a new height. Not only did the governor once again exercise her “take-it-or-leave-it” prerogative, she did so from Colorado.

Rather than stay at the Capitol and engage leaders of the coequal legislative branch to work toward a compromise, the very essence of our system of government, she offered a terse, written statement condemning what is, in truth, a package with many similarities to her own.

Consider a few comparisons. The governor’s plan proposed to ‘sweep’ a number of special funds to save about $48 million; we ‘swept’ them too for more than $38.5 million. The governor proposed cutting $15 from UConn and our plan did, too. The governor suggested deferring a $100 million deposit into the State Employee Retirement System and our plan took the suggestion at face value.

The Senate plan also eliminated all politically appointed deputy commissioners from state agencies and consolidated four economic development agencies into one.

But differences in the two packages and the governor’s unrelenting defense of her version reveal what’s really at stake in Connecticut at this critical crossroads. The governor’s plan cuts $45 million from municipal aid to cities and towns (without revealing what exactly is getting cut) and more than $54 million for Medicaid reimbursement to hospitals and dental care for Medicaid clients. However, the governor’s plan maintains a $76 million tax reduction for the state’s wealthiest residents.

Our plan leaves intact each of those vital investments in local government and maintains the safety net for our most vulnerable residents.

Our plan postpones changes in the estate tax because we should not benefit the wealthy at a time we can least afford to.

Most importantly, our plan erases this year’s deficit and lays the groundwork to deal with next year’s.

We believe municipal aid cuts would unfairly burden local property taxpayers, Medic-

aid cuts would disproportionately affect the disadvantaged, and tax cuts for the wealthy would only make them more so.

These are the governor’s priorities and these are the proposals she refuses to negotiate. The governor’s plan targets the middle class and the poor while it benefits the rich, and the governor makes no apologies for it. Instead, she disingenuously denigrates our hospital tax plan – to generate revenue to be returned to hospitals anyway through President Obama’s successful healthcare reform – which was her idea in the first place.

N

Gaffey

35

Town Times

36

Friday, April 2, 2010

NO ONE SAYS IT BETTER

PUBLIC NOTICES MUST REMAIN PUBLIC KEEP PUBLIC NOTICES IN YOUR NEWSPAPER! Pending legislation may remove your right to read public notices in newspapers, moving them from the public domain to the internet. We’re concerned. And you should be, too.

Public notices are an important tool in assuring an informed citizenry. They have helped develop America into a participatory democracy for hundreds of years and where it counts the most: how your tax dollars are spent, how policy is made and how our futures are charted.

They are located in easy-to-find sections of your newspaper. And they are fully accessible to everyone - unlike the internet, which is not accessible to everyone.

Less than 10% of the U.S. population views a local, state or federal government website daily, according to the May 2009 release of U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Estimates of Resident Population.

This means more than nine out of ten people may never see a given notice.

This compares dramatically to the fact that 83% of adults read a community newspaper every week, according to the

Connecticut daily newspaper, is National Newspaper Association.

Furthermore, a public notice printed in automatically uploaded to that newspaper’s the newspaper produces a permanent web site and CTPublicNotices.org.

Newspapers are your watchdogs. Don’t record. The internet does not, nor does it assure timeliness. And a newspaper is let that role be changed now. Voice your archived for years; not subject to opinion.

To keep your notices in the computer crashes and hackers.

Newspapers are easily verifiable, fully newspaper, contact your local elected transparent and represent a secure third officials or: party who has nothing to gain from any Governor Jodi Rell - 860.566.4840 notice. Connecticut’s recent ethical lapses shed a glaring light on the full meaning of Senate Democrats - 860.240.8600 Please call for corrections at 203-317-2308 - after 5 pm call 203-317-2282 Democrats - 860.240.8500 Ad#:TOWN TIMES LOGO Pub:PERM Date:07/21/07 Day:SAT Size:6X2 Cust:TOWN TIMES Last Edited this problem. It’s like putting the fox in House By:EALLISON on 7/20/07 12:20 PM. Salesperson: Tag Line: Color Info: TOWN TIMES LOGO - Composite charge of the hen house.

Senate Republicans - 860.240.8800 Every public notice, which runs in a House Republicans - 860.240.8700

Tow n Times Visit www.ctdailynews.com to contact your legislator today

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