5-6-2011TownTimes

Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall

Volume 18, Issue 4

Friday, May 6, 2011

Little League Opening Day — “Play Ball!”

Teams came out in colorful packs for the Opening Day of Little League, Saturday, April 30. See more photos page 21.

Education budget fails; BOE goes back to the drawing board

By Cheri Kelley Town Times The Regional School District 13 (RSD13) education budget will have to go to referendum again. The gross district budget was for $35,011,224, which is a 0.92 percent increase over last year; the net district budget is $33,237,935, which is a 4.16 percent increase. Combined, Durham and Middlefield had 1,067 Yes votes and 1,147 No votes, 80 votes short of passing.

Durham voters passed the budget 747 to 669, while Middlefield voted it down 478 to 320.

The next Board of Education (BOE) meeting will be on Wednesday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Lyman School, where budget discussions are bound to occur. There will be a BOE

Photos by Cheri Kelley

Exchange Club honors Golden Deed recipients

district meeting on Monday, May 23, and it will go to vote again on May 24. Susan Viccaro, Superintendant of RSD13 stated, “Obviously I am disappointed, and we will go back to the drawing board.”

Web update Our online poll question this week asked, “How will you vote on the Board of Ed budget at the May 3 referendum?” There were 65 responders: “Yes” and No” were tied at 42 percent and 17 percent said “I won’t vote.”

In this issue ...

Calendar ...........................4 Town Briefs................12-13 Obituaries.......................23 Sports..............................27

Photo by Cheri Kelley Exchange Club presentation of the 2011 Book of Golden Deeds Award dinner was held on April 28 at the Durham Firehouse. Every year, two members of the community are honored for their contribution to the community, and this year two fabulous ladies were recognized.

Carol Banack was nominated by the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church in Durham.

Exchange Club member Peter Cascini introduced her and her family who spoke kind words about their wife, mother and Grammy. Memories were shared about her love of nursing, her extra time spent with her children and grandchildren and her care for animals.

Exchange Club member Norm Jason introduced the second honoree, Susan VanDerzee, past editor of the Town Times. See Honorees, page 18

2

40th anniversary of CoginChuggers The CoginChuggers Square Dance Club will celebrate their 40th anniversary of dancing on Friday, May 13, at Brewster School, Tuttle Road in Durham, from 8 to 10:30 p.m. National caller

Town Times Community Briefs Dayle Hodge of Maryland will be the caller and Sue Lucibello will cue the rounds.

The CoginChuggers started in 1971 with 16 couples from Durham and was initially inspired by the late Harold and Gert Griswold.

Tony DeCarlo of Meriden was the first teacher, followed by several others and

Index of Advertisers

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

The correct name of the facility that Vic Galanto, of Middlefield, visits every day is the Middlesex Health Care Center. It was incorrectly named in the last issue.

The Strong School honor roll list was corrected/updated by the school.

To see the new list, go to the school’s website or www.towntimes.com.

Your

ing our nation’s servicemen and servicewomen.

Any organizations wishing to participate in the parade or for questions, contact parade chairman Bob Francis at 860349-0881.

Durham Fair and many retirement/nursing homes.

Officers are: Evie Dean, president; John Sherman and Alicia Morse, treasurers; June Barton, secretary; Betty and Armand Catelli, hospitality; and Joan Gumkowski, CASDC representative.

The club will welcome all square dancers and present and former club members to the May 13 party.

Coaches needed for DBA The Durham Basketball Association is seeking new coaches for the 2011-12 season. Coaches are needed for one fifth grade girls’ team and one fifth grade boys’ team.

Please send an email to contactdba1@dbact.org by May 25 to express your interest.

Visit www.dbact.org for info.

Lions Club yard sale Middlefield Lions Club annual giant flee market/yard sale will be held at 205 Main St. in Rockfall, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14 (rain date: May 15). For info or donations, call 860-349-8557.

Durham Middlefield Youth & Family Services

Memorial Day Parade The 2011 Durham Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 30. The parade will step off at 9:15 a.m. at the corner of Haddam Quarter Road and Main Street, and then continue down Main Street to the Town Green. Parade participants should assemble at the corner between 8:15 and 8:30. The parade will take place rain or shine.

Immediately following the parade there will be a ceremony at the Town Green honor-

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Wii for Fun and Fitness For youth in seventh through tenth grade.

Mondays 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Durham Library.

This free program is ongoing while school is in session.

Participants need a registration form on file.

Go to www.dmyfs.org for registration form.

Call 860-349-0258.

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To advertise in the Town Times, call Joy Boone at 860-349-8026 Addy & Sons.............................25 Holy Trinity.................................15 Aetna/Harmelin.........................10 Huscher, Debbie .......................26 Affordable Excavation...............19 Ianniello Plumbing.....................24 Allan’s Tree Service..................23 Jay Landscaping .......................20 APEC Electric ...........................25 JC Farm & Greenhouse ..............7 Appraisal One Associates..........26 Joe Riff’s Music .........................11 APS Consulting Services .........22 Kleeman, Carol..........................26 Assisted Living Of Meriden.......16 Lino’s Market ...............................3 Awning Place............................13 Masonicare..........................14, 16 Baci Grill....................................17 Meetinghouse Hill Property.......24 Be Free Solar............................20 Michalowski Ins. Agency...........11 Berardino Company Realtors...27 Micheli Unisex Styling Salon.....10 Berlin Bicycle Shop...................15 Middlefield Lions Club .................3 Binge, Bruce .............................24 Middlesex Community College ....12 Bonterra Italian Bistro ...............17 Middlesex Hosp. Vocal Chords....14 Brenda’s Main Street Feed...5, 11 Mlt Painting................................25 Brick Construction ....................20 Mountain Spring Water .............24 Brockett Paving & Construction ....22 Movado Farm ............................21 Brother’s Pool Enterprises..........6 Natureworks ................................5 Cahill & Sons ............................23 Neil Jones Home Improvements...11, 23 Carlton Interiors ........................13 New England Dental Health......15 Carmela Marie Catering ...........14 Northford Preschool Academy.....13 Carmine’s Restaurant.................3 Orthodontic Specialist ...............10 Catamount Construction...........22 Palmieri Construction ..................5 Centurion Exterminating...........19 Perrotti’s Country Barn................7 Classic Wood Flooring .............24 Petruzelo Agency Insurance.....19 Combs, Dan, Real Estate.........27 Conroy, John, DMD..................15 Phillips, Marilyn .........................26 Core Club....................................3 Planeta Electric .........................21 Country Landscaping ...............19 Prete Chiropractic Center..........13 Currlin, Nancy...........................26 Raintree Landscaping ...............23 CV Enterprises .........................22 Raney, Jason, DMD..................12 Daricek Landscaping................20 Realty Associates......................26 Desjarlais, Marsha....................27 RLI Electric ................................24 Durham Auto Center...................2 Roblee Plumbing.......................25 Durham Dental ...........................3 Rockfall Co ................................21 Durham Family Eyecare...........11 Rockfall PC Medic.....................21 Durham Fitness ..........................7 Rockwell Excavation & Paving.....25 Durham Healthmart Pharmacy ....28 RSDL Home Improvements......20 Edward Zavaski Agency ...........13 Rudolph’s Landscaping.............12 ERBA Landscaping...................23 Sharon McCormick Design .........5 Fairchild, Chris ............................7 Solutions By Hypnosis ..............12 Family Tree Care ......................25 Split Enz ....................................21 Fine Work Home Improvement ....23 T-N-T Home & Lawncare..........19 Fuel & Service...........................13 Torrison Stone & Garden ..........22 Glazer Dental Associates............7 Total Maintenance.....................14 Golschneider Painting...............20 Uncle Bob’s Flower & Garden.......5 Grace Lutheran Preschool ..........5 VMB Custom Builders...............22 Grant Groundscapes.................24 Wallingford Auto........................18 Griswold Plumbing Services .....19 Whitehouse Construction..........24 Guodace, Frank ........................26 Wildwood Lawn Care ................21 Handy Man................................14 Window Man..............................18 Hansen Contracting ..................25 Windows Plus............................15 Healing Hands Massage...........25

presently by Ed Rutty of Portland. In the early years, dances were held in various District 13 schools but for the past 20+ years at Brewster School. The CoginChuggers belong to the Connecticut Association of Square Dance Clubs (CASDC), the Eastern District of Square and Round Dance Association (EDSARDA), and they support the Square Dance Foundation of New England (SDFNE). Over the years, the club has participated in many demonstrations, including the Big “E” in Springfield, MA, the

Friday, May 6, 2011

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Town Times

New Lyman Golf Center looking at spring 2012 tee-off

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P O S T M A S T E R: Send address changes to Town Times, P.O. Box 265, Middlefield, CT 06455.

Photo by Cheri Kelley

See Lyman, page 24

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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.

The MidLea Garden Club is at it again; they’re out beautifying our town, welcoming the spring. In photo at right, MidLea Garden Club members filled the barrels outside the Middlefield Plaza with a variety of cheerful pansies last week.

1201245

For anyone who saw the sign while driving by Lyman Orchard that announces a 2012 opening of a new golf center, here’s the scoop. The center will offer folks an option to learn golf the fun way and to learn to enjoy the game and not be intimidated by packed courses filled with experienced golfers.

The project has been on the drawing board as a concept since 1999. Lyman Orchards acquired all the permits needed from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and all local agencies as well in 2002, but due to the economic downturn after 9/11/01, they decided to sit back a bit. People didn’t have discretionary income, and

the game of golf was hit hard.

Steve Ciskowski, president and CEO of Lyman Orchards, said, “At that time there was more supply than demand, and golf as an industry wasn’t in a good place due to cost of entry.” For those wanting to try golf, purchasing a decent bag of clubs is an expense, and playing a couple of rounds can add up as well.

Another thing preventing new golfers from getting out there and trying it is that the

71

By Cheri Kelley Town Times

MidLea Garden Club brings May flowers

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Town Times & Places

4 FRIDAY

May 6 Kindergarten Visits The incoming kindergarteners visit Lyman and Brewster Schools this afternoon.

Social The Strong School Social event begins at 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

May 7 Farmers’ Market Indoor Farmers’ Market at the Dudley Farm will be held on the first Saturday of the month through May. Market hours are 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Produce, baked goods, maple syrup, honey, jam, farm fresh eggs, handcrafted soaps, jewelry, greeting cards and more!

The Dudley Farm is located in North Guilford at the corner of routes 77 & 80. We can be found indoors in the yellow Munger Barn. For further info, please call 860-349-3917.

Mother-Daughter Hike Women of the Woods and Everyone Outside is hosting a Mother-Daughter walk at Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown. Bring your mother, daughter or someone like a mother or daughter to you and explore the beautiful woods and grounds of Wadsworth Mansion. We will walk ~2 miles on trails, visit the vernal pool and perhaps even find a letterbox. Bring a picnic and join us for a picnic lunch on the mansion grounds after the walk. Celebrate mothers, daughters, and the outdoors together. Registration appreciated. To register or if you have questions, please contact Lucy at lucy@everyoneoutside.org or 860-395-7771.

Wesleyan Potters’ Wesleyan Potters’ will host an annual Spring Festival and Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 350 South Main St. in Middletown. Browse the work of 35 guild members and students in the handcrafts of ceramics, basketry and jewelry/metalsmithing and watch demonstrations. Find gifts for graduation, weddings, showers and anniversaries or any special event in your life. Free admission. Rain or shine!

Greater Middletown Special Olympics The GMSO will hold the Special Olympics Connecticut Eastern Regional Games to-

day at the University of Hartford and Hartford Public High School. The Special Olympics Connecticut State Summer Games will then be held June 10-12, hosted by Southern Connecticut State University, Yale University and the Hamden Hall School. Interested athletes ages eight and up and volunteers are needed. This event serves athletes with intellectual disabilities in a variety of well-coached Olympic type sports who reside in Cromwell, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Haddam, Middlefield, Middletown and Portland. For more info, call 1800-443-6105 or visit at www.soct.org.

Mother’s Day Plant Sale Project Graduation will host a Mother’s Day plant sale today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Strong School parking lot. They will also be hosting another event to raise money next Saturday, May 14: a car wash at Carolyn Adams Country Barn from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

4-H Auction The Middlesex County 4-H Advisory Committee is counting on its 4-H friends to help raise funds at the annual Middlesex County 4-H Auction.

The auction will be held at the Haddam Cooperative Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Rd., Route 154 in Haddam. The preview and food booth open at 4 p.m., and auction starts at 5. Offered will be new and very gently used items, gift certificates and many beautiful plants. Help raise funds for the youth of Middlesex County. For more info, call the Haddam Cooperative Extension Center at 860-345-4511.

SUNDAY

May 8 How to Grow Giant Pumpkins Part 2 The Durham Fair Foundation is hosting the second part of their “How to Grow Giant Pumpkins” seminar at 1 p.m.

It will be held at the United Churches Hall, corner of Routes 17 and 68 in Durham.

Mother’s Day Brunch Moms deserve the very best, so on Mother’s Day treat her to a special day that she will long remember – a delicious family brunch in the historic Lyman homestead. Pre-paid reservations are required. Multiple seating times are available. Call

860-349-6042 for more info. Also, Breakfast on the Deck is starting up May 28 through Oct. 10 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Enjoy Breakfast on the Deck of the Apple Barrel Market, located on the grounds of Lyman’s historic farm. Menu items such as omelets, pancakes and waffles and much more will be served hot off the grill. For more info, call 860-349-1793 or visit lymanorchards.com.

MONDAY

May 9 Durham 60+ Durham 60+ will meet at the United Churches Fellowship Hall at the corner of Main and Rt. 68. The hall will open at noon for the blood pressure clinic, and at 1 p.m. the regular meeting will be held. This month, multi-talented Bruce Hazard will entertain the members and guests with his fiddle, guitar and harmonica.

A social hour will follow. The public is welcome.

A Professor’s Perspective on Recent Events in Japan Mary Alice Haddad, Assistant Professor of Government at Wesleyan University, will speak on civil society in Japan at 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad St. in Middletown. She and her family were in Japan during the recent earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant explosion while she was carrying out research.

TUESDAY

May 10 Teacher of the Year The RSD13 Teacher of the Year Reception, this year honoring Lyman teacher Phil Moriarty, will be at Lyman School from 3 to 5 p.m.

Conversations with Local Talents CPA Jeremy Lobo will present an Investor’s Survival Guide for the over 50 generation, offering advice on protecting and growing your assets at 6:30 p.m. at the Durham Activity Center. The event is sponsored by the Senior Citizens Board and is open to the community.

Spring Concert The CRHS instrumental concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

Durham Co-op’s Kindergarten Enrichment Program Registration will be held

Friday, May 6, 2011

from 12 to 1 p.m. This programs is for any child entering kindergarten in the fall.

The program meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 to 3 p.m. For questions, contact Pam Quinley at 860-349-9885.

WEDNESDAY

May 11 Healing Eucharist Come to the Church of the Epiphany, Main Street in Durham, at 9 a.m. for the weekly Holy Eucharist with healing.

Women’s Hike Join the Women of the Woods at 10 a.m. at the Rockland Preserve in North Madison to look for wildflowers and other signs of spring in this nice and little-known preserve. Call Lucy for more info at 860-395-7771.

Knit Club Come knit or crochet at the Durham Activity Center every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

TOPS Join the TOPS meetings every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Durham Town Hall third floor meeting room. For more info, call Naomi at 860-349-9558 or Bonnie at 860-349-9433.

Civil War Ancestors Local historian Dione Longley and Civil War collector Buck Zaidel will provide information on researching Civil War soldiers at 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad St. in Middletown. Almost three million men took part in the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865. Participants will learn about local, state, federal and online sources available to research the lives of soldiers and their military careers. This presentation will include examples of historical and genealogical documents that can reveal an ancestor’s past. Participants are welcome to bring photographs and documents, but no firearms please.

THURSDAY

May 12 Farmers’ Market The Durham Farmers’ Market is every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. on the town green from May through September 8. This week’s special program is “Tonic” as a musical guest.

Visit www.durhamfarmersmarket.org for more info.

Show Choir Musical The CRHS Show Choir will perform their annual musical tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Coginchaug auditorium.

FRIDAY

May 13 Blood Drive The CRHS blood drive is today. Call the school for more info at 860-349-7215.

Tot Time The MOMS Club of Durham and Middlefield sponsors a weekly Tot Time at the Middlefield Community Center. It is held every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to noon. This open-age playgroup is available for all residents and their children of Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall. No RSVP is required. For more info on the MOMS Club, please contact Ann at momsdurhammiddlefield@yahoo.com.

Women’s Conferences The Cross Street Zion Church, 440 West St. in Middletown, will host two women’s confrences: today from 6 to 9 p.m. and tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The conference is called “Sisters Affirming Sisters In Such A Time As This.” The keynote speaker is Bishop Mildred “Bonnie” Hines, who is the first female Bishop elected to serve in the AME Zion Church. Meet other women and allow yourself to have a heartfelt experience in the love and unity we share through Christ. Call 860-3449527 for pricing and more info.

Frog Friday Everyone Outside invites people of all ages to join in observing the amazing transformations that occur in the vernal pools in Field Forest in Durham or Wadsworth Falls State Park in Rockfall. Over several outings we will see frogs, frog and salamander eggs, tadpoles, salamander and insect larvae, etc. Registration required. For more info or to register, contact Lucy at info@EveryoneOutside.org or 860-395-7771.

CoginChuggers The CoginChuggers Square Dance Club will celebrate their 40th anniversary of dancing at Brewster School on Tuttle Road in Durham, from 8 to 10:30 p.m. National caller Dayle Hodge of Maryland will be the caller and Sue Lucibello will cue the rounds.

More on next page

Friday, May 6, 2011 From previous page

SATURDAY

May 14

games and raffles. All proceeds benefit our non-profit co-op preschool. For more info, contact the school at 860-349-0202 or beckykali@hotmail.com.

SUNDAY

May 15 Pet Fair Help Willy’s Friends is having the third annual Durham Pet Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at CRHS. The rain date is Saturday, May 22.

Free Community Barbeque Members of the Durham Lions Club will fire up the grill for a free community supper at the Church of the Epiphany. The barbecue will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the church hall, 196 Main St. in Durham. Parishioners from Epiphany and Notre Dame Church will provide desserts. All are invited; all are welcome. Information is available by calling 860-349-9644.

Calling all Fowlers!

The 110th Fowler Family Reunion will be held Sunday, May 15, at the Fellowship Hall of the United Churches of Durham, corner of Routes 68 and 17. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. A potluck dinner will be served at 1 p.m. Please bring a hot dish, salad or dessert.

Activities are planned for the children. Awards will be given to the oldest and youngest, the one who travels the farthest to get to the dinner, etc.

The folks hosting the reunion are an organization known as the “Descendants of James Fowler.” James was one of 10 children of William Fowler, who came from England in 1637 and settled in Milford, Connecticut. For the past 110 years the Fowler family has met annually for a reunion. We get together for dinner, get caught up on each other’s lives, share family history and go home. If you are descended from the Fowlers, please join us on May 15. If you are interested in learning about your heritage, we have a wealth of genealogy information and are always eager to share. We know there are lots of relatives in the southern Connecticut area: Guilford, Branford, North Guilford, etc., and we’d love to hear from you!

If you will be attending, please RSVP by May 6 to the email address below or if you have questions, please contact us at FowlerReunion@cox.net.

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Lions Club Annual Sale Middlefield Lions Club annual giant flee market/yard sale, 205 Main St. in Rockfall, will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The rain date is May 15.

For info or donations, call 860-349-8557.

American Legion The American Legion will hold a meeting in the Durham Library at 10:30 a.m.

For questions please call Bob Francis at 860-349-0881.

Car Wash Project Graduation will host a car wash today at Carolyn Adams Country Barn from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Family BBQ Fundraiser Middlefield Children’s Center will be hosting a family BBQ fundraiser at Peckham Park from 4 to 7 p.m. Come for food, live music, moon bounce,

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Town Times

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Friday, May 6, 2011

Town Times

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The Royal Wedding in Town Times

Friday, May 6, 2011

Durham Fitness members work hard and play hard

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Royal festivities at Middlefield Senior Center Right, the Royal Wedding day was celebrated at the Middlefield Senior Center.

Everyone enjoyed mini-wedding cakes, Royal Wedding commemorative donuts and mock champagne. Serving some of the royal sweets are Jim Dowling and his bride Joyce Dowling.

Submitted by Antoinette S. Astle

Above, Durham Fitness members worked out at 5 a.m. on Friday, April 29, with a goal of joining in on the royal wedding festivities post-workout. After treadmills and weights, everyone enjoyed chocolates, scones and champagne and celebrated with hats and mimosas while viewing the live wedding coverage.

Royal Wedding Fun Fact: The bride (er, newly-crowned princess) didn’t throw her bouquet to the single ladies. Instead, she placed it at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, which the Queen Mum did back in 1923.

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Town Times Opinion

8

Friday, May 6, 2011

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! I’ve written countless cards, delivered breakfast in bed, wrapped homemade crafts in colorful wrappings, put on many songs and dances and created “help around the house” coupons. And still, I feel I can never fully express how deeply grateful I am for my mom’s love, friendship, support and positive attitude.

She has the biggest heart I’ll never forget the time Mom tossed one of my projects, years after she had been hanging onto it. It was a Dracula made out of styrofoam lying dead in a shoebox, blood dripping down his face and all. What kind of mother hangs onto that for years and puts it on display every Halloween? Mine! But in a moment of wanting

Mom and her girls baking years ago.

to declutter the house, she chucked my vampire at the dump. She felt bad for weeks after realizing what she had done. Now, she saves all her daughters’ items, including every issue of this newspaper.

She is so supportive My mom went to everything (and still does): field trips, dance and gymnastics class, parades, fairs, concerts, etc., never skipping a beat. Wherever we needed to be, she got us there. She put on the most elaborate birthday parties — any theme we wanted. She made teddy bears and costumes. I can only imagine now how much of her own life she put on hold while we were growing up. One year for Christmas I made her a beautiful butt pad so she would be comfortable during all those hours of sitting through gymnastics meets on hard benches. It said “Mom, thanks for supporting me.” And she sat on it, proudly.

She is everything I want to be I’m a terrible cook, but she hasn’t stopped encouraging me. I’m a pathetic sewer, but she’s showing me the ropes. I don’t have a green thumb, but she’s by my side in the garden. I am often too hard on myself, but she’s taught me how to be my own best friend.

Town Times 488 Main St., P.O. Box 265, Middlefield, CT 06455 http://www.towntimes.com News Advertising Fax Marketplace

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Town Times is published every Friday by the Record-Journal Publishing Co. and delivered to all homes and businesses in Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall.

Stephanie Wilcox, Editor Cheri Kelley, Reporter Kimberley E. Boath, Advertising Director Joy Boone, Advertising Sales Dee Wilcox, Office Manager Contributors: Chuck Corley, Diana Carr, Elisabeth Kennedy, Judy Moeckel, Michelle P. Carter and Sue VanDerzee.

So Mom, here’s one thing I have the power to do that I haven’t done yet — you’ve made the headline of the paper! It’s the loudest way I can share how much you mean to me!

Your daughter, Stephanie Wilcox

Letters to the Editor Please slow down for animals When you are speeding down Maple Avenue, please just think for a few minutes — what if it was your street?

This street is not I-91. Last Monday afternoon, one of you ran over one of my special brown squirrels! What if it was your cat, dog or child? This reminder goes for the bus drivers also.

Thank you for taking this into consideration.

Thomas Francis, Durham

Heal the world, heal your life As another Earth Day has passed, I am reminded of the very first Earth Day. I was living in Boston and went to

the celebration on the Cambridge Common.What a day that was; we were so happy thinking of what this meant and the positive changes that would be for the Earth and all of its inhabitants. For those of us who protested against nuclear energy, Japan is such a tragic way to be proven right. We have come a long way, but there is still a lot to be done. For our towns, I am very surprised that the Board of Education has not considered geothermal for heating and cooling.

Our forests need to be managed, dead wood removed and trees replanted. We need to engage our youth and our government in this.

I am very proud of Matt Lesser for being co-sponsor of a bill helping to protect people from domestic violence. As a nurse I have seen the tragedy of domestic vio-

Letters policy 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. Finally, the opinions expressed by our letter writers are not necessarily those of this newspaper. Deadline: Tuesday noon for Friday publication.

lence; it destroys people including the perpetrator. I am so happy about the showing of The Race to Nowhere. Our youth are very sensitive and can easily fall into depression and anxiety, which are two major causes of substance abuse. Depression and anxiety have risen to an all-time high due to the economy. Ways to heal would be seeing a health care professional, prayer, meditation, yoga, Reiki, exercise, creative hobbies, pets and more.

We can heal the world. You can heal your life.

Susan K. Heuberger R.N., Middlefield, Conservation Commissioner, Reiki Master

Thank you to Boy Scout Troop 270 I would like to thank the Boy Scouts of Troop 270 for all of their hard work at our house this weekend. When other children might have been outside enjoying the beautiful weather, these fine young gentlemen were picking up sticks, raking, and hauling items around our yard preparing it for the long season ahead.

What a great service to

provide and a wonderful, nocalorie fundraising idea at that! For those who have not taken advantage of this service, I would highly recommend getting in touch with the troop. They were quick to finish, yet conscientious and, of course, as well-mannered as any Boy Scout should be. Kudos to the leaders who came to oversee the activity. You should be very proud.

Jason and Debbie Sokol, Durham

Fajita Fiesta, gracias!

The 10th annual Fajita Fiesta at Coginchaug Regional High School was an example of the wonderful volunteer spirit and support that is such an integral part of the Durham-Middlefield community. Thanks to the efforts of several parents, the students from the Spanish Honor Society at CRHS and my colleagues Marilyn Horn, Kate Martino and Jeannie Rodriquez, we had a very successful and thoroughly enjoyable Fajita Fiesta. The many area businesses who donated items for our silent auction made it a huge success. Your generosity is

greatly appreciated! A big “gracias” goes out to the custodial staff for their valuable assistance and for putting in so much time and effort to help make this event a fun evening for all.

The Spanish Honor Society at CRHS raises funds to sponsor two students in Oaxaca, Mexico, who, with our help, will succeed in fulfilling their educational dreams. We also sponsor three students every year in the summer program at the Hekab Be Library in Akumal, Mexico. Our funds are also used for various charities and to offset travel costs for student members who attend school-sponsored trips. Thanks to all of our volunteers for making this happen.

Nancy Alberico, CRHS Spanish Honor Society advisor

A question of values?

In her editorial of April 29, 2011, Sue VanDerzee asks what it says about our values if we decide to keep a few dollars to spend as we wish instead of providing an activity center for residents and, See Values, page 26

Town Times Columns

Friday, May 6, 2011

April police stats for Durham Calls for Service: 474 cell phones, wallets, Pete DiGioia, Durham Criminal InvestigaGPS) with them or at Resident State Trooper tions: 18 least hidden so it is not Motor Vehicle Acciseen. There is an indents: five crease in thefts from Criminal Arrests: two motor vehicles this Motor Vehicle Intime of year, and with fractions: 168 the price of gas rising, credit card Motor Vehicle Warnings: 25 thefts are also increasing.

On Site DWI Arrest: one The armed robbery that occurred The Durham troopers’ office would at the Quick Stop Convenience Store also like to remind residents of is being investigated by the Troop F Durham to please lock their cars; Major Crime Unit, and a suspect has keep all personal items (pocketbooks, been developed.

Trooper Talk

Thanks for everything Here I was, listenfolks who contributed ing to folks say really their gifts and talents Sue VanDerzee nice things about me to bring a project to — family members, fruition – Town including a daughter, Times, Durham-Midson, husband and sisdlefield Youth and ter, and the community, through Ex- Family Services, Local Prevention change member Norm Jason and Pas- (now Wellness) Council, Mt. Tremper tor Dale Azevedo. Along with fellow Outdoor Ministries (the “family” honoree Carol Banack, I listened to camp my dad started) and my work stories about my life – the terrific mo- for the Middlefield Federated Church. ments and the funny moments, as told There is no way to mention all of those by those near and dear. All this oc- team members so I won’t try and curred at last week’s Exchange Club therefore hurt someone’s feelings, but presentation of the 2011 Book of Gold- it is especially gratifying to see these en Deeds Award dinner, where myself efforts go on into the future, much like and Carol were honored to receive beloved children. this tribute.

I believe that many small towns, inIt was humbling, humorous, almost cluding most definitely ours, have an surreal; I felt bathed in love. atmosphere that encourages involveThen I got the chance to thank ment. This is a gift to be treasured and those who voiced such lovely and up- encouraged. There is no shortage lifting sentiments. This was an oppor- here of residents always seeking new tunity during which the spoken word ways to contribute. I think of Jen proved totally inadequate. What I Schulten and her GoFar program at meant to say when I got up was how our elementary schools, of Lucy blessed I have been – by parents who Meigs and Frog Fridays and Women modeled faith and hard work and of the Woods, of Michael Doyle and service, but always joyful service. My his involvement with Camp Farnum, mom sang in the church choir, led the of the Coginchaug Valley Education church youth group, opened her Foundation, the Farmers Market and home to everyone who stopped by; Destination Durham local television my dad started civic organizations, show. All of these are new projects a Little League, a camp for inner that we should cherish and support, city children, camped with Boy begun by friends and neighbors.

Though we may learn our values Scouts, ran for Congress. They did all this with joy, never begrudging a in small towns or strong families, as the world itself becomes smaller moment or an effort.

My husband Bob has never and smaller, those values have resoblinked an eye when the dining nance everywhere. They are abroom table was covered with kids’ solutely necessary to face the probcrafts projects for days on end or lems of the 21st century. As a memwhen I would come home regularly ber of the committee in District 13 later than midnight after working that originally formulated the Core on one of the early issues of Town Ethical Values for the school disTimes. To feel that your spouse fully trict close to a decade ago, I truly besupports all that you do all the time lieve that kindness, courage, honesty, respect and responsibility can is a rare gift indeed.

And by our kids… and grandkids… change the world.

And as we go about our life-changthey are all such wonderful blessings in my life, worth every minute of wor- ing lives, I hope we remember to do ry and playing pirates, and I am so for each other what was done for Carol and I last week. I hope we celebrate very proud of them.

And finally, there’s the communi- each other while there is still time to ty. Nothing that I was honored for did hear and bask in the love.

Thanks for everything.

I do alone. It was always with other

Guest Column

9

“The right place at the right time” prances right on him, I have always eaand the music beJudy Moeckel gerly awaited the comes tragic in tone. coming of the violets, At the end, though, whether in the woods the tempo and mood or the garden. While pick up; as the violet the violets in my gardies, he proclaims den (and lawn) are on the large side, the ones that grow in how sweet it was to have died by her the filtered light of the woods are lovely foot.

We are all familiar with the biblismall and elusive. I know that, if I don’t search them out right now, I’ll cal phrase (from Corinthians, I behave to wait until next May to lieve), “To everything there is a seaglimpse them again.

Just a week ago, I searched for the first sign of the violets and was rewarded with an occasional glimpse of a tiny set of heart-shaped leaves, peeking out from among the pebbles or the moss. This week, I found an explosion of the little charmers along my path in the woods. (Note how I call it “my” path, as if I own it, which I don’t!)

What amazes me is that these violets always pop up in the same places, and at the same time, each year.

Mother Nature has her rules for each plant — temperature, sunlight, moisture, etc. — and they will grow where their needs are met. Also, you can’t hurry Mother Nature (even if the spring has been warm).

Plants have internal clocks, it seems.

As I celebrate the return of the vi- son.” Those of us of a certain age reolets, I am reminded of a song by member when it was popularized in Mozart called “Das Veilchen” (“The a folk song in the 1960s. How true it Violet”), which is based on a text by is. We wish that our azaleas and the poet Goethe. The song tells the bleeding hearts would last into the story of a little violet that stands all summer, that those daffodils and alone until a young “shepherdess” tulips wouldn’t so quickly collapse comes skipping along (the music into little heaps of browning leaves.

For all our regrets, I will bet that skips along, too). The violet hopes against hope that the maiden will it’s better this way. If those gorgeous pick him and press him to her blooms, large and small, were breast; what a way to go, he thinks. around from May through August, But the shepherdess, oblivious, we’d get used to them, even sick of them. They would lose their impact. Mother Nature seems to know this. She is practical, giving perennials time to regroup and feed themselves, in preparation for next year’s extravaganza of color.

The fleeting moment of bloom — the violets peeking out briefly along my woodsy path and, later, daisies, cardinal flower and other delights — is what makes them so special.

Walk in the Woods

10

Friday, May 6, 2011

Town Times

State legislators address Board of Education at April 27 meeting

By Elisabeth Kennedy Special to the Town Times

made by school personnel to reduce the burden on taxpayers.

Two of our three legislators were present to address the board and answer questions about the state budget.

Chairman Tom Hennick asked Matt Lesser and Len Suzio what the district could expect from the state, indicating that the burden on taxpayers is not because of an increase in expenditures but rather a decrease in funding. Lesser indicated that the legislature will vote on a budget package in a week or two and that the budget represents a $3.3 million deficit requiring tough choices. The governor is ask-

The April 27 Board of Education meeting opened with public comments concerning the proposed budget. One resident expressed concern that the public is not provided with enough information to understand the school budget, questioning how many people are aware that taxpayers are paying for the student newspaper, or how much administrators are paid, demanding that salaries be presented at the public hearing. Another resident opined that the budget is once again too high and asked that more concessions be

Smarter is healthy.

SM

ing state workers for concessions, looking to limit middle managers and consolidating agencies to meet that budget gap. Lesser further indicated that aid to municipalities will not be touched, and in fact Durham and Middlefield may receive more funding than in past years.

Lesser opined that it is the loss of jobs that has caused the budget deficit, and property taxes are the cause of the job loss or reduction in job creation, so the goal must be to reduce property taxes to promote job growth.

Lesser, who sits on the Education Committee, shared his goal to protect K-12 education without increasing property taxes. He also spoke about creating a model or state standard for teacher evaluations, performance pay for teachers and other is-

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Len Suzio shared the good news that ECS (Education Cost Sharing) will not be touched; funding will remain level. The governor will not take funding from municipalities to balance the budget; he is focused on getting $100 million in union concessions and may have to lay people off. Cost-saving measures include cutting middle managers; Suzio estimated that 800 middle managers could be cut without affecting services and saving $172 million.

Discussion turned to unfunded mandates, including a lengthy discussion on carbon monoxide detectors. Hennick remarked that he finds it staggering the things the state or-

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ders districts to do without providing funding to do them.

Lesser replied that his approach is to come up with models, not mandates, tools for school districts should they choose to use them, but not requiring districts do them. Kerrie Flanagan asked if the legislature could streamline mandates as they are so onerous. Lesser indicated that he is committed to developing online submission of information to save districts time and money, and recently went to Washington to request changes and more flexibility in the No Child Left Behind mandate. Suzio discussed the Race to the Top mandate proposed to equalize distribution of teachers, which he feels will be very costly to school districts and will fight for municipalities to maintain autonomy over their schools. Lesser urged both the board and the public to contact him on mandates or any other issue, saying he is here to listen and to help. Suzio asked the board to forward their ideas to him and asked to be invited to address the board more frequently.

Computer labs at CRHS have been revamped, servers updated (data is stored in two locations, providing additional security as well as functionality). WI-FI access was brought to Strong and Memorial, and the lab at Korn School was redesigned to accommodate 24 students.

Power School has consolidated three systems into one and will allow access to a student’s grades, attendance, report cards, health records, power lunch, bulletins and soon a parent portal. Power School will begin at CRHS and Strong and work down to the other schools. Coming in 2011 is a webcast of graduation, implementation of the Parent Portal on Power School, continued expansion of WI-FI access, tech centers at Lyman and Brewster, expanded web presence and additional technology support to roll out new technology.

Other discussion included a CRHS field trip request to Quebec in February 2012 (unanimously approved), budget survey results and progress of the track and tennis courts.

Mother’s Day in Town Times

Friday, May 6, 2011

11

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Middlefield Town Briefs

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Middlefield Government Calendar Homeowner’s tax relief (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Community Center.) program Wednesday, May 11 6:30 p.m. —Planning and Zoning 7 p.m. — Water Pollution Control Authority 7:30 p.m. — Board of Education at Lyman School Tuesday, May 17 7 p.m. —Conservation Commission 7 p.m. —Board of Selectmen Wednesday, May 18 7-10 p.m. — Inland Wetlands Commission 7 p.m. —Metacomet Regional Windfarm Committee

Connecticut offers tax relief to elderly and disabled homeowners through a program administered locally by the assessor. Eligible applicants receive a reduction to their real estate property tax bill, based upon their level of income.

In addition, the town of Middlefield offers a matching program. In order to qualify: 1: You must be over 65 as of Dec. 31, 2010 or eligible to collect permanent social security disability benefits (proof of disability is required).

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2: You must reside in the house for which you are applying.

3: Your overall income for 2010 must be less than: $32,300 for a single person and $39,500 for a married couple. All income is counted, including wages, pensions, interest, social security and any other taxable and non-taxable income.

4: You must apply on or before May 13, 2011. Bring proof of your 2010 income, including a copy of your 1040, if you file with the IRS, and your SSA-1099. Applications may be made at the assessor’s office, Town Hall, 393 Jackson Hill Rd., Middlefield, each workday from 9 a.m. until noon and from 2 to 4 p.m. (Fridays until 3 p.m.).

If you are housebound because of disability or ill health, a representative can apply for you, or the assessor can arrange to meet with you at your house. For questions or to arrange a house visit, call assessor Steven Hodgetts at 860-349-7111.

5: If you were approved last year, you do not need to re-apply until 2012 unless your income has changed significantly.

Middlefield now also has a Tax Freeze program. The same income limits apply, and you must be 70 or over as of Dec 31, 2010. Full details are available at the assessor’s office, 860-349-7111.

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Town Briefs

Friday, May 6, 2011 shop with Jan Blencowe — May 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Offerings at Middlefield Senior Center

Art Demo with Jacqueline White — May 12, 7 p.m.

Applications for this Durham program must be returned to the town assessor’s office no later than May 15. For assistance, visit the assessor’s office mornings (except Tuesday) between 9 a.m. and noon.

Call 860-343-6709 or visit www.townofdurhamct.org.

DMIAAB & BOE election Members up for re-election on DMIAAB from Durham are Robert Czarnecki and Chris Flanagan, who are both rerunning; Middlefield candidates are Alexander Raczka, who is not rerunning, and James

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(All meetings will be held at the Durham Library unless otherwise noted. Check the town website at www.townofdurhamct.org for updates.)

Monday, May 9 7 p.m. — Board of Selectmen on third floor of Town Hall 7:30 p.m. — Inland Wetlands 8 p.m. — Annual Budget Meeting at CRHS Tuesday, May 10 7:30 p.m. — Conservation Commission 8 p.m. — Durham Volunteer Fire Co. at Firehouse Wednesday, May 11 7:30 p.m. — Board of Education at Lyman School Thursday, May 12 7:30 p.m. — Zoning Board of Appeals at the Town Hall

16 Main St. Unit 302 Durham, CT 06422 • Office 860-349-0639 Fax 860-349-0519 pretechiropractic@sbcglobal.net

Two Middletown Art Guild workshops will be held at the Middlefield Federated Church, 390 Main St. One-Day Marketing Work-

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Jacqueline White is an award-winning artist whose oil paintings evoke ephemeral moments and emotions that are often put aside in the rush of our everyday lives.

She works primarily from direct observation and “en plein air” and then transforms those studies into larger scale paintings in her stu-

dio. Free to members, $5 for non members.

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Middlesex Health Care Center in Middletown will be sponsoring a breakfast at the Middlefield Senior Center on Tuesday, May 24 (Reservation deadline May 16). If you would like to come to the free breakfast, please “lug a mug” to help us go green so we can cut down on paper waste. Call Antoinette at 860-349-7121.

Another complimentary event is T’ai Chi for Seniors with Tom Cushing. These classes will be held on May 25 and June 1, from 1 to 2 p.m.

T’ai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art which improves balance, disposition and overall health. This class is free to seniors and is presented by Green Street Arts Center through the generosity of the Middlesex County Community Foundation and the George A. and Grace L. Long Foundation. Register with Antoinette by May 20.

An instructor at the Tracy Art Center in Old Saybrook since 2005, Jan Blencowe teaches a variety of classes, including plein air landscape painting, drawing and color theory. She lectures throughout the state on internet marketing trends for artists, as well as being a popular painting demonstrator for art societies and associations. Fee for members is $75; non-member fee is $85.

13

In Our Libraries

14

Levi Coe Library Hours: The library is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Visit www.leviecoe.com or call the library at 860-349-3857 for information, to register for any program, or renew, reserve and check your record.

Closing: The library will be closed Saturday, May 28, and Monday, May 30, for Memorial Day weekend. The

library will be closed on Saturdays starting May 28 through Labor Day. Spring Clean-Up: Volunteers needed to help clean the library grounds on Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(Rain date May 14).

We Scrap: A scrapbooking event will be held on Saturday, May 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Knitting: Brought to you

by Country Yarns of Wallingford. Two consecutive sessions, on Wednesdays, May 25

and June 1, from 5 to 6:45 p.m.

Bring your own knitting needles and yarn if you prefer; or they will be provided for you for a nominal materials charge of $10. You’ll be creating a “neck accent” to enjoy forever. Good for ages 14 and up. Space is limited.

Healing Arts Program: Brought to you by Middlefield’s own Kim Blankenburg and Holly Marek. Join them in learning more about massage, Reiki, meditation and hypnotherapy on Thursday, May 26, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

The instructors will also include demonstrations and a chance to take home a gift certificate for a massage. Relax and enjoy this special program at the library. Light refreshments provided.

Wish List Books: Donate one or both of the following “Wish List Books” to our library: Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich or Sixkill by Robert B. Parker. If you

Friday, May 6, 2011 choose to donate a book, you can be the first one to check it out! We will also add a bookplate to acknowledge your kind donation.

Durham Library Hours: Regular library hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Visit www.durhamlibrary.org to search the catalog, review your account, register for a program or renew your materials online, or call 860-3499544 for info or to register for a program.

Saturday Storytime with Stasia and Emily: Join Stasia and Emily at the library for these upcoming storytimes: May 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 10:30 a.m. in the children’s room. It is a drop-in program for kids ages four to six.

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Regular sale hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations of gently used books in good condition will be accepted until May 19.

Teen Hemp Jewelry Program: Young adults ages 1018 are welcome attend a program to learn how to make knotted hemp jewelry on Saturday, May 14, from 2-4 p.m.

Registration required.

Plant Sale: The annual Plant Exchange/Sale will be held on Saturday, May 14. Plants can be dropped off at the library on Thursday and Friday or before 9:30 a.m. on May 14. The Exchange/Sale begins at 10 a.m.

Plants must be in pots and labeled. We will accept houseplants, perennials, herbs, annuals and shrubs.

Mystery Book Discussion: The Mystery Book Club will meet on Tuesday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m., when Plum Island by Nelson DeMille will be discussed. All are welcome.

Town Times Spotlight

Friday, May 6, 2011

Coginchaug’s Jennie Ochterski receives Good Citizen Award

By Judy Moeckel Special to the Town Times

Photos submitted by Judy Moeckel

Above, Jennie Ochterski, right, from Coginchaug recently received the Good Citizen Award from the Wadsworth Chapter DAR. She was one of the winners from six greater Middletown high schools.

Boy Scout Merit Badge College The Boy Scout Merit Badge College is a traditional joint learning experience for Durham Troop 27 and Middlefield Troop 33. Badge counselors from both troops offer their expertise to the boys who come for four Saturdays. Traditionally some Eagle-required badges are offered as well as regular merit badges, including Environmental Science, Emergency Preparedness, Family Life and Communications among others. Some brand new merit badges were offered also, including Geocaching, Chemistry and Law. Here Steven, Leonid, Andrew, Yuri, Steven and Erik participate in hands-on learning to earn the Electronics badge.

By Joseph Ertle, Troop 27

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Jennie Ochterski, a senior at Coginchaug Regional High School, was recently awarded the Good Citizen Award by the Wadsworth Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). This award, given as part of the DAR’s commitment to the education of our youth, the recognizes high school seniors who exemplify dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.

The recipients are chosen by their schools because they demonstrate these qualities in their homes, schools and communities.

At the ceremony, held on April 11 at the city of Middletown Council Chambers, Jacqueline Lejoly Hendricks, who teaches French at Coginchaug, said Ochterski is one of the shining stars at the school. “Wherever she is, Jennie inspires,” Hendricks said, “in the classroom debating and inquiring, at a Corn Maze earning funds for a Haiti orphanage, [or] on the track field throwing the discus or shot put.”

Among Ochterski’s interests are poetry and art; she writes poetry, and her WISE project combined her interest in poetry with the visual arts. She plans to study sociology and French at Mount Holyoke College in the fall.

15

Town Times Spotlight

16 Jessamin Cipollina of Durham will perform in the second mainstage performance of Oddfellows Playhouse’s Teen Rep Companys’ The Farnsworth Invention. It is directed by

M

Marcy Arlin, founder and artistic director of the OBIE Award winning Immigrants’ Theatre in New York City. Arlin is also a Fulbright Senior Specialist and member of the Lincoln

Center Theatre.

Written by Aaron Sorkin, whose credits include The Social Network, The West Wing and A Few Good Men, The Farnsworth Invention enjoyed a suc-

cessful run on Broadway.

It is the story of two men and their race for the rights to one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century: the television.

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Friday, May 6, 2011 Thursday, April 28, with additional performances on April 29 and 30 and May 6 and 7. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at (860) 347-6143 or at www.oddfellows.org.

Amanda Lohmann, of Durham, was one of more than 100 Suffolk University students who dedicated their spring break to helping others. Lohmann traveled to Delaplane, VA., to work on trail maintenance and other improvements at Sky Meadows State Park.

Suffolk University’s Alternative Spring Break program sent eight teams of students to work sites across the country.

Sister Mary A. McCarthy, principal of Mercy High School, has announced the following names as honor roll students for the third marking period: Sarah Bower, a junior with High Honors, Molly Breen, a freshwoman with First Honors, Kerry Egan, a sophomore with High Honors, Julia Kannam, a senior with High Honors, Catherine Kannam, a sophomore with High Honors, Flannery Keenan, a freshwoman with First Honors, Jennifer Kennedy, a sophomore with High Honors, Jane Landy, a sophomore with High Honors, Alexa Marks, a junior with High Honors, Melissa Marks, a senior with First Honors, Sarah Marran, a junior with First Honors, Shannon McAuliffe, a senior with First Honors, Caitlin McAuliffe, a freshwoman with High Honors, Morgan McNulty, a junior with First Honors, Gabrielle Pakech, a freshwoman with First Honors, Allison Pearson, a senior with First Honors, Kelsey Pietruska, a sophomore with First Honors, Sara Richardson, a sophomore with High Honors, Sara Rosborough, a junior with First Honors, Cassandra Santoro, a sophomore with First Honors, all from Durham; Morgan Cahill, a Continued on next page

Town Times Spotlight

Friday, May 6, 2011 Continued from page 16 freshwoman with First Honors, Jillian Chongruk, a sophomore with First Honors, Gabrielle DiDato, a junior with Second Honors, Emily Dzialo, a junior with First Honors, Delia Ernst, a sophomore with First Honors, Sara Gmyrek, a senior with First Honors, Mary Neidhardt, a sophomore with First Honors, Alice Ochterski, a freshwoman with High Honors, Victoria Piscatelli, a senior with First Honors, Mary Wojtowicz, a senior with First Honors, all from Middlefield; and Alexia Mazzotta, a sophomore with High Honors from Rockfall.

Wilcox and Harriger engaged Dan and Cindy Wilcox of Middlefield are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Danielle (Dee) Wilcox to Andrew (AJ) Harriger.

AJ was born and raised in Cromwell and graduated from Cromwell High School in 2002.

Dee was born and raised in Middlefield and graduated from Coginchaug High School in 2002. She earned a BA in psychology and entrepreneurship from Central Connecticut State University in 2009 and is employed as the Office Manager here at the Town Times. AJ attended Eastern Connecticut State University and is the manager of Portland Pizza in Portland. AJ’s parents, Russ and Joyce Harriger, live in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and his brother and sister-in-law, Matt and

Baci GRILL

Joselyn Harriger, reside in Concord, North Carolina. Dee’s younger sister, Stephanie Wilcox, lives in Middlefield.

Dee and AJ met through mutual friends over four years ago and have lived in New London, New Britain and currently reside in Portland with their five beloved cats and foster cats. AJ proposed to Dee on Earth Day while they were exploring Wolf Neck Woods State Park in Freeport, Maine. Dee was searching for migrating Egrets near their nesting sanctuary while AJ got down on one knee on the rocks with the ocean water splashing around them. She was in such shock she forgot to answer at first. The couple has not set a date for a wedding, but plan on enjoying each other’s friendship and love for the rest of their lives with their ever-growing family.

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The following students from Mercy High School in Middletown were inducted into the newly established Galatea Chapter of the Spanish National Honor Society on March 24, 2011.

Ninety-one new members were selected based on the criteria of scholarship, character, leadership and seriousness of purpose. La Galatea Chapter sponsors cultural events and service and learning activities to benefit Mercy High School and the greater community: Margaret Bruno, a junior, Melissa Marks, a senior, Alexa Marks, a junior, Sarah Marran, a junior, Kelsey Pietruska, a sophomore, Sara Richardson, a sophomore, Cassandra Santoro, a sophomore, all from Durham; Delia Ernst, a sophomore and Kathryn Overturf, a junior both from Middlefield.

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Bailey Bennett, a freshman at Connecticut College and Durham resident, recently performed a voice recital sponsored by the Connecticut College Department of Music.

Bennett is a 2010 graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall, and the daughter of Lyle and Bernadette Bennett of Durham.

17

18

Friday, May 6, 2011

Town Times

Middlefield BOS considers public tour of Powder Ridge property

By Chuck Corley Special to the Town Times The Middlefield Board of Selectmen met on May 2, at which time they discussed

the town meeting on Powder Ridge scheduled for May 24.

First Selectman Jon Brayshaw noted that a copy of the town’s agreement with Alpine is available on the

town website as well as at Town Hall. Brayshaw also suggested holding a tour of the Powder Ridge property for residents sometime before the town meeting. While Brayshaw has yet to set a date, the board felt they should open the property for three days to allow as many people to view the property as possible.

The budget also briefly came up, with Brayshaw stating that the budget meeting scheduled for May 9 will likely be postponed (due to needing to factor in the education budget, which has yet to be passed). The town is still obligated to hold the meeting, but

the only business Brayshaw will conduct is election of members to DMIAAB and the Board of Education (BOE).

On DMIAAB, Alexander Raczyka will not run for reelection and Jim Gibbons will run. On the BOE, both Bill Currlin and Nancy Doyle will seek re-election.

Brayshaw gave an update on Old Home Days (OHD). He informed the board that the OHD committee is seeking donations for its fireworks display. He added that they are also seeking anyone in the community willing to share their knowledge of Middlefield’s agricultural heritage.

Finally, the board wanted

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to recognize May 1 through 7 as Town Clerk’s Week in acknowledgement of the efforts of both the town clerk and assistant town clerk.

Further recognition was granted to resident Victor Galanto, with the board issuing a proclamation declaring May 5 as “Victor Galanto’s Day” in honor of Galanto’s 100th birthday.

Honorees (Continued from page 1) VanDerzee was nominated by Pastor Dale Azevedo from the Middlefield Federated Church. Funny stories were also shared about VanDerzee’s contagious optimism and her work bringing change to our community by her family.

It was a night filled with love and appreciation for those that often go on without recognition for all that they do. Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall are better places because of these amazing women and others that follow in their footsteps.

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Earth Day Celebration in Town Times

Friday, May 6, 2011

19

IDS: On a mission for a greener future

By Diana Carr Special to the Town Times

were asked what they could do to preserve our resources.

Take a look at some of their answers: clean up after yourself; if you see someone miss the trash can, pick up the trash and throw it in yourself; turn off the water when you brush your teeth; turn off the lights and electrical appliances when you leave the room; keep the shades up in the winter and down in the summer; lower the The seasonal angle adjustment of the thermostat in the two IDS solar panels. winter; turn off compassion, peace and heal- the air conditioner; use the ing around the Earth.” other side of paper; use a fireThe children also listened place in the winter to help to nature sounds, watched with heating; when you’re videos and listened to stories waiting for your shower to related to the care of our warm up, catch the water in planet and colored Earth Day a bucket and use it to water pictures. The first graders your plants; carpool.

And then it was time for the outdoor events.

The three-yearolds through the second grade walked around the perimeter of the school Students on their way to pick up trash. grounds, went back inside for a short break, escort in order to ensure then returned to clean the their safety.

The day ended with reflecgrounds.

Their parents “sponsored” the walk-a-thon tions, singing and viewing of by pledging money to Ameri- the prayer flags.

And words of wisdom Cares, an organization that is helping the relief efforts in from our youth. Said fourthAvery Schmitz, Japan. They raised almost grader $6,000 for the relief fund for “Making renewable energy Japan. The money will be for the Earth is a better way to help the Earth because sent to AmeriCares.

The third and fourth you can’t just say you want grades walked to Peckham to help and not have a good Park and fifth through solution, like renewable eneighth grades walked to ergy sources.”

Wadsworth Falls, all with Fourth-grader Menelik bags in tow for picking up Nesmith said, “It’s a good litter, and all with a police See IDS Earth, page 25

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It’s a new day. Gone are the days when our children sat at their desks all day, learning their reading, writing, and arithmetic and not much else beyond their borders. Today they are learning to become citizens of the world. They’re still learning their “three Rs,” but they have moved out into the world. They are learning to love the Earth and to save our precious resources.

They are our hope, our bright future, and they are not letting us down.

Nowhere was this more evident than on April 27, when Indep e n d e n t D a y School (located in Midd l e field) c e l e brated Earth Earth Day poster Day. made by a student. A l l the children (three-yearolds through the eighth grade) participated. The celebration started with a short video and a song that honored the Earth, followed by the seasonal angle adjustment of the two solar panels. (This is done once every season by means of a lever on the bottom of the panels in order to maximize the amount of energy to be collected from the sun.) The students then went to their classrooms to make Tibetan prayer flags.

“These are small colorful squares of cloth,” explains JoAnn Rider, publicity coordinator and third grade teacher, “traditionally printed with Buddhist prayers, mantras and symbols for happiness and good fortune, hung outside and offered to the wind to lift and spread blessings and wishes to all beings. Our students are using recycled construction paper to draw and/or write their promises to honor the Earth. The teachers will then string

them across the front porch of the main building where they will serve as reminders of the intentions that were set today. As the flags wave in the wind, they’ll lift up and carry our desire for

20

Friday, May 6, 2011

Town Times

Backyard farming 101 — an easy primer for the whole family

By Cheri Kelley Town Times Many people in Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall have enjoyed gardening for years, and with such beautiful countryside, it is the perfect place to dig in the dirt and see what deliciousness one can grow. Some are just starting to dive into the world of backyard farming; it is a tremendously important activity rich in the history of

our great state. Farming feeds our souls as well as our bodies, and while not everyone has the land or equipment for full-fledged farming, everyone has the right to home-grown produce.

It is within our abilities in these communities to have backyard farms as long as you keep in mind certain regulations, which can be found on both the Middlefield and Durham websites under Planning and Zoning (P and Z) regulations.

Want to keep chickens and have fresh eggs each morning? Did you know that egg color is directly related to the color of the earlobes of the laying hen? According to Keeping Chickens: Getting the Best from Your Chickens, by Jeremy Hobson and Celia Lewis, red lobes mean brown eggs and white lobes will mean white eggs, except in the case of the Araucana hen which lays blue or green eggs

and has red colored ear lobes.

There is nothing like collecting each beautifully created egg in various hues and tasting the difference between mass produced caged chicken’s eggs and free range eggs.

Note the difference in yolk color, from pale yellow to the brightest of oranges, depending on the season and food found by the hens.

Keeping chickens is a great activity for families to do together. Before running out and building a fantastic hen house, make sure the placement of the coop is within the regulations. In Middlefield, according to the P and Z regulations, “No outbuilding that houses livestock, including poultry, shall be constructed closer than 100 feet to any property line.” In Durham, the regulations say, “No building in which animals are to be kept shall be located closer than 30 feet to any adjoining lot line or 40 feet from

the street line.” One further point is from Geoff Colegrove, the town planner for both towns, who said, “Some subdivisions have deed restrictions on things like clothes lines and animals,” so review all this information if living in an area that may be affected.

The key to having a good harvest is to start with soil that is nutrient-rich. Compost or manure and other fertilizers are the way to do this.

Composting is something that everyone can do. A compost bin can be built or bought; some even have bins that can be cranked to rotate and turn themselves over without the use of a pitch fork, but homemade bins are just as good. As it states in Grow Vegetables: Gardens, Yards, Balconies, Roof Terraces by Alan Buckingham and Jo Whittingham as consultant, vegetable and fruit scraps and thin layers of grass clipping can be added to

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compost bins. Remember not to add dairy products or meat to the bins. Then over time the compost heats up and the materials start to decompose; every now and again the compost needs to be turned to pass air all through it. Mature manures also help get the job done. Local farms often sell organic compost and manure for those who haven’t started composting yet.

Everyone, regardless of space or fertile soil, can grow delicious fruits and vegetables through the use of containers. There are various cloth-like containers on the market but they run about $10 a pop. Using black landscaping cloth, one can sew their own planter bags. The bags easily allow air ventilation and water to pass through; just remember as with all containers, they need to be watered very regularly.

A cool idea for getting more out of potato plants is the idea of a potato condo, which the Shibaguyz posted on their blog. The idea is pretty simple: generally people build a box out of wood that starts with one layer of boards around the base. The seed potatoes are planted and covered with soil; as the plants grow up, the next layer of boards are added as is the next bit of soil, leaving the tops of the potato plant uncovered. This continues as the plant grows up; the production on tubers also continues vertically. A test of using large planter bags instead of boards is being conducted this season.

Eating fresh wholesome food is something that everyone needs, and getting back to our roots (pun intended) is something that can be done with some effort and a bit of know-how. Get more out of your lawn; start growing a backyard farm.

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Above, a bean trellis.

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Town Times at Opening Day

Friday, May 6, 2011

21

Opening Day of Little League took place on Saturday, April 30. Clockwise from top left, all the fun colors of the uniforms are on display across the outfield; Little Leaguers stand together with their teammates (above and left); the first pitch. Photos by Cheri Kelley

Malcolm (Continued from page 11)

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the university in its school of nursing. This Mother’s Day, after spending time with her own family, she will go to Storrs to watch her first group of students graduate.

She says they are like family to her.

When asked for the secret to balancing a full life, Malcolm says that, for her, the key is maintaining a strong faith in God. As one of four girls growing up in a large and close family, mothering seems to come easily to her.

But she admits that it was challenging when she and Jim, having three babies, learned there would be not one but two more children coming along.

“I said to myself, ‘How am I going to manage this?!’ My grandmother said, ‘It’ll be fine.’ She was so positive.”

Sadly, her grandmother died only a week later. But things did work out.

Millicent Malcolm strives to be a good mother as well as a good daughter, wife and daughter-in-law. Most important, she says, is to be a good person and a good role model for your children. With characteristic humility, she makes it clear that she sees herself as one of many mothers in Middlefield and Durham “who really care about their kids.”

Her message seems to have rubbed off on her children.

Caroline, the eldest, has a job awaiting her as she graduates this weekend: she will go to work for the Farm Aid organization.

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Schools in Town Times

22

Another sucessful musical at Strong School

Friday, May 6, 2011

Korn School Writers’ Jubilee Workshops Students at Korn Elementary School participated in the Writers’ Jubilee workshops on Wednesday, April 27.

Photos by Cheri Kelley

Strong School had their spring musical, Just Another Teen Musical, last Friday and Saturday in their auditorium. The performances, under the direction of Ryan Donecker, went very well, and everyone involved should be very proud. Pictured are the cast of the musical and their director, Ryan, in back center.

Students chose two areas of interest and learned about writing from various guest instructors from the community. Cheri Kelley, our reporter at the Town Times, participated as a guest instructor in a journalism workshop.

Young Authors’ Day at Brewster School

Visiting author Daryl Cobb came to Brewster School for two days last week to celebrate Young Authors’ Day with the students. Daryl Cobb promotes Photo submitted by Ryan Donecker literacy through creative arts. His performance electrified and motivated the entire student body.

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Pictured are Olivia Noll and Daryl Cobb acting out a story in order to remember to include details in their written work.

Photos submitted by Patti Checko

Town Times Obituaries

Friday, May 6, 2011

In addition to her four children, Ellen leaves her beloved daughters-in-law, Melinda, Lee and Cindy, and son-in-law, Bruce Baird. Her 11 grandchildren, Andrew and his wife, Shannon, Timothy, Luke, Bruce, Jeffrey, Ellen, Emily, Lucy, Molly, Katie and Scott, along with her great-granddaughter, Reese, also survive Ellen.

They were her brightest stars. She treasured them and they adored their Grand-

ma Ellen. She attended each of their high school and college graduations. Ellen’s sister and best friend, Alma Hinman, predeceased her in 2008. Ellen also leaves her cherished brother, Paul Mathewson, and sister-inlaw, Marta Mathewson, along with her devoted brother-in-law, Lewis Hinman and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service honoring Ellen will be held on Monday, May 9, at 11 a.m. at the United Churches of Durham, 228 Main St. in Durham, with the Rev. Dr. Elven W. Riggles, Jr. Burial will be private in Mica Hill Cemetery in Durham. There will be no calling hours and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ellen’s memory to Durham Public Library, 7 Maple Ave., Durham, CT 06422. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.doolittle-

funeralservice.com.

The Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church St. in Middletown, is handling the arrangements.

Fredrick C. Bragg Fredrick C. Bragg, 38, of Trenton, TN, died suddenly on February 19, 2011 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near his home.

He leaves his wife, Christina, a step-son, William, his father Marshall Bragg of Durham, his mother Gloria Goodwin of Oak Park, FL, his sister Karin Ziolkowski of Meriden, CT, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Fred graduated from Coral Springs High School in 1990. While living in Florida, Fred served in the Florida Civil Air Patrol. Fred worked as a department manager for Wal-Mart.

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If you would like an obituary printed in the Town Times, please either submit it yourself with check or cash for $25, or ask the funeral home to submit it to us, in which case you will be billed by them, and they will send us $25. We made this change out of respect, because we would like to be able to print only those obituaries that readers want us to print.

Ellen Patterson Scholarship is awarded annually to a female Coginchaug High School senior. As a corporator of the Middlesex Memorial Hospital, Ellen helped with many of its fundraisers.

In 2008 Ellen received the Durham Exchange Club’s Book of Golden Deeds award for her many contributions to the town of Durham. She will always be remembered for her volunteerism at the town’s public library.

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Continuing her volunteer service, Ellen co-founded the Coginchaug Regional High School’s Scholarship Fund and its Scholarship Ball. The

1194747

Ellen M. (Mathewson) Patterson died after a brief illness on April 28, 2011, in h e r home in Durham.

She was the wife of the late Herbert M. Patterson for 63 wonderful years and the devoted mother of John, David, Richard and Amy. A true matriarch, Ellen always provided an enthusiastic and joyous welcome to the young and the old in her historic home in Durham and at the family’s summer cottage in Fenwick. She adored life, her extended family, her friends, barns and Durham.

Ellen’s exuberance, style, grace and kindness were legendary and appreciated by everyone who was fortunate to have known her.

Ellen was born on January 15, 1921, in Westport, Connecticut, the daughter of Paul and Alma (Lyman) Mathewson. She graduated from Skidmore College in 1942 and married the love of her life, Herb, in 1943. After moving to Durham, Ellen became an active volunteer.

She was a Den mother for her sons’ Cub Scout packs and was a lifelong member of the Durham Garden Club where she served as president and the chairwoman of the club’s many flower shows and beautification

projects. Ellen also was on the Board of the Connecticut Child Welfare Association.

As a 35-year member of the Women’s Board of the Middlesex YMCA, Ellen served on its many committees. She also helped select houses for its annual Tour of Homes; her own home was on the Tour several times. During the United Churches of Durham Bicentennial celebration in 1976, Ellen played a key role in restoring the church’s interior. The formation of Durham’s Historic District during the 1970s was one of Ellen’s proudest accomplishments. She and a dedicated Historic District Committee helped to ensure that the unique character of Durham’s Main Street would be preserved.

N

Ellen M. (Mathewson) Patterson

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Friday, May 6, 2011

Town Times

be played in an hour and 15 (From page 3) minutes, which makes it a great activity to add onto a day courses available can be intim- out at the orchards for harvest idating for new players due to fun and throughout the growlevel of difficulty. ing season. The ticket prices And this is where the idea for the new course will be for the new golf center really about $12 to $14 for a round of began to form. The new course golf.

Lyman

is designed for novice, junior, women and senior golfers. The course will measure 1,600 yards, which is far less than other courses that are typically about 3,100 yards. Playing a typical game of golf is an activity that would take up four or five hours; the new course can

The main theme of the center is instructional golf; there will be 40 stations of driving ranges, classrooms, a pro shop and patio area. Five high schools in the area, including CRHS, use the other courses at Lyman Orchards for their golf teams; the new course will pro-

vide great opportunities for the students who are new and learning the game. There will be more opportunities for kids’ golf camps, “where the sevenand eight-year-old campers will be able to learn some skills and actually be able to go on the course,” said Dave Christenson, GM of golf courses.

As they saw the demographics for golf change, Lyman Orchards thought it was a good time to jump in with their plans; they are gearing up to make Lyman Orchards a destination for groups, with many different offerings on the farm

Lyman, Ciskowski and Christenson in front of the sign announcing the new golf center. The golf course will be in the field to their right, and the conservation easement is located behind the course.

Photo by Cheri Kelley

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for families, company outings and recreational golfers.

John Lyman III, executive vice president, and Ciskowski commend the town of Middlefield, First Selectman Jon Brayshaw and the Wetland and Zoning commissions for their support of the plans. This Saturday there will be a ground-breaking ceremony with the Lyman family, and the intense construction period will start Monday. Lyman stated, “We expect this to be a fairly fast construction and the course to be completed by the end of August.” The 3,200 square-foot facility will be completed in early spring 2012.

The Xenelis Construction Company will be the main contractor for the project, and Ciskowski and Lyman both stated that they are going to use local in-state subcontractors for as much as they can on the project; they feel that it is important to keep it local.

According to Ciskowski, “There is a mutual benefit for Lyman Farms and the town.

Just under 14 acres of the property was given to the town as a conservation easement. The project will enhance and provide open space activities for the entire state. We are really excited about it. It demonstrates the family’s commitment to open space preservation.” In the end there will be two year-round positions added and 10 to 15 seasonal jobs available, including green maintenance, instructors and pro shop and driver shop attendants.

“Our diversification is part of our strength; it allows us to maintain the property and for the farm to be able to sustain itself,” said Ciskowski. They feel that it is a benefit to the regional recreation area, and people will be excited about it at the end of the day.

Friday, May 6, 2011

25

Town Times

A resource for your business’s data needs

By Cheri Kelley Town Times

This week’s local talent

ports companies can make smarter decisions for their businesses and be more efficient. The reports can be automatically delivered through email or hard copies.

Pietruska’s specialty is SQL-Server Reporting Services (SSRS); she also works with Access and Excel regularly, and she is Microsoft Certified; take a look at the website for more information: www.got-data.org, or call 860916-4583.

Local Jeremy Lobo will be speaking at the Durham Activity Center on Tuesday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m. as part of the “Conversations with Local Talents” series sponsored by the Durham Senior Citizens’ Board. Lobo’s topic is An Investor’s Survival Guide (for 50 and over): Protecting and Growing Your Assets. All are welcome to this free program.

Photo submitted by Anne Cassady

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Did Ice damming cause you to have a nightmare?

IDS EARTH from page 19 day because everybody is trying to represent how the Earth is being destroyed and how we need to revive it.” He does his part by turning off the water when he brushes his teeth, recycling food boxes and eating leftovers in order to reduce the need to buy and cook more food.

Sixth-grader Elizabeth Weller says, “It makes us feel good to know we’re helping the environment.

Even though we’re young, we still can help with the Earth.”

And sixth-grader Pat Piscatelli sums it all up.

“Sometimes we take the Earth for granted. We don’t think about what we’re doing when we buy plastic.

We do what we’re used to doing, and what’s easy for us. I’d like to see the people who work at Stop N’ Shop advising the customers about the better choice for their groceries — like don’t use plastic bags. We can make the change.”

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Pietruszka and her team of consultants work with businesses big and small — from the neighborhood café and daycare centers to doctors’ offices to big insurance companies. A member of the team comes to the client’s site and collects all the data required.

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Friday, May 6, 2011

Town Times

Values (Continued from page 8) particularly, a senior meal program. This seems to imply that providing an activity center and meals have value and those who decide to keep a few of their dollars are selfish. But she asks the wrong question. The correct question is: What does it say about our values when we decide one person or group is entitled to another person’s money?

Let’s say I know someone who would benefit from a

place to have a meal and receive support. I don’t have the money so I steal it from my neighbor and give it to the person in need. That would be both criminal and immoral. Yet that is precisely what happens when budgets become “tangible expressions of our care for each other.” Someone else determines our values, takes our money via taxes and decides for us when, where, how and for what that money is spent.

We are no longer “willingly putting ourselves out”— we are being forced to put out.

In fact, our money has been used to pay farmers to not raise hogs, to give illegal

drug users needles for their heroin habit and to fund “art” including a crucifix in a jar of urine. What does it say about our values if we believe these expenditures are worth more than allowing people to keep a few dollars to spend as they wish, maybe even on a meal program for seniors?

To be sure, our money is expended for our national defense, fire and police protection, and highways, roads and bridges. However, to include egg hunts, summer programs and senior activities in that list implies they have equal value and are worthy of taking money

from others to pay for them.

This begs another question: Where does it stop? If we look at the above examples and at our state and federal expenditures, we find it does not stop. We keep spending and try to raise taxes to pay for it all. What we will soon find is that we have run out of other people’s money.

Then what will we value?

Gene Riotte, Durham

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Photographer Frank LoGiudice took this photo of Saint Sebast i a n ’ s Church in Middletown in Glenn Curtis’ View Camera Class at the Paier College of Art in 2005.

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Town Times Sports

Friday, May 6, 2011

27

Girls’ tennis reaches the halfway mark The home situation will be remedied soon with the completion of our new courts, but these hardworking girls will not get the chance to travel and gain invaluable experience as JV performers do on other teams.

The CRHS doubles team of Stephanie White and Nicole Jubiliere.

Photos submitted

by Jan Frank

www.dancombsre.com 215 North Main Street Wallingford, CT 06492 (203) 265-2356

Another singles tennis player, Melanie Frank.

CRHS singles tennis player, Hannah Fowler.

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Helping you make a Positive Change 1185116

April tennis in New England has brought cold temperatures, high winds and frequent showers. The nearly 30 girls from Coginchaug’s tennis team, coached by Amy Schaefer, have finished three weeks of battling Shoreline opponents and the conditions to have an above .500 record halfway through the season. The team boasts five experienced singles players, including seniors Hannah Fowler, Nicole Jubelirer, Jamie Garuti, junior Emily Romanoff and freshman Melanie Frank.

Playing the number one position, Frank boasts a 4-3 record that includes a couple of two-hour plus marathon matches. Number two Hannah Fowler has faced extremely tough competition this year and brought home a number of individual victories with a .500 record. At number three, Emily Romanoff leads the team with five singles victories. Jamie Garuti and Nicole Jubelirer have split the number four position and provided strong performances in other positions as needed.

Leading the team at number one doubles are seniors Jen Roth and Maura Fehon. With a 6-1 record, they are showing themselves to be one of the top teams in the Shoreline Conference. Juniors Melissa Conway and Amanda Presutti and sophomores Jessica Solomon and Kylie Pascarelli have the majority of matches at number two and three doubles.

Due to the delay in com-

to play at away matches either because no full-sized bus is provided for the team. These up-and-coming players received the double whammy of not being able to play at home and not being provided with transportation to away matches.

pletion of the new courts on the Coginchaug campus, there are a number of JV players who have not gotten much playing time. The home matches are played at Memorial School where only four courts are available. These girls will not get

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28

Friday, May 6, 2011

Town Times

Health Mart

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DURHAM HEALTH MART PHARMACY