7-22-2011TownTimes by Town Times Newspaper

Volume 18, Issue 15

Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall

Friday, July 22, 2011

Ordinances head to town meeting; Powder Ridge closing looms

Magic in Durham ...

By Cheri Kelley Town Times A brief public hearing was held in Middlefield on Tuesday, July 19 to review three ordinances, which will be voted on during a town meeting that will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 16. The first ordinance discussed was about the regulation of illicit discharges and connections to the town’s storm drainage system; in layman’s terms, that means don’t throw used oil, a bit of extra fertilizer, etc. into a storm drain anywhere in town or into something that connects with a Photo by Mark Dionne

Harry Potter-style at the Durham Library: above, two Hermiones (Bridget Fehon and Jessica Stanwood) enjoy a snack with Dumbledore (Hannah Amirault) at a costume party celebrating the release of the movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2, the last of the popular series. Story and more photos on page 13.

Durham’s Democratic Town Committee unveiled its slate of candidates for the upcoming November elections at their July 19 meeting, with Roger Kleeman and Dr. Steve Levy set to run for the positions of First Selectman and Selectman. While neither were able to attend the meeting, committee member Laurie Stevens noted they had

In this issue

Submitted by Julie Annecchino

See Powder Ridge, page 12

Roger Kleeman to take on Laura Francis in Durham First Selectman’s race By Chuck Corley Special to the Town Times

At the sewing machine: above, Carlie, left, and Kate Annecchino looking over some of the fanciful material they will use to sew pillowcases to brighten the lives of children in the hospital. See page 18 for more about the ConnKerr Cancer program.

sewer system along Route 66 or around Lake Beseck. The second item was an ordinance that would establish a citation hearing procedure having to do with citations for violations of the town’s ordinances, including the first ordinance discussed. Lastly there was discussion about the proposed addendum to the town’s existing ordinance that regulates the use of sanitary sewers within the town, which would entail the need to pretreat fats, oils and grease be-

Calendar............................4 Durham Briefs................10 Honor Rolls................ 22-24 Libraries..................13 & 19 Middlefield Briefs...........11 Obituaries....................... 18 Scouts..........................20-21 Sports..........................26-27 Summer Memories.........15

other obligations that night and that “They’re the kind of committed people that if they’ve made a commitment, they’ll stick with it.” She also detailed Kleeman’s qualifications for the candidacy, explaining that Kleeman has spent 25 years in service to Durham on various boards and committees, as well as negotiated multimillion dollar contracts during his professional career. As for Levy, he’s a former chief of the fire company and the town’s first Director of Emergency Management. As for the party’s Planning and Zoning candidates, the committee nominated Gene Riotte, Dave Foley, Frederic Searle and James McLaughlin. McLaughlin is a former First Selectman and current member of the Board of Se-

See Kleeman, page 10

Town Times Community Briefs

Spaghetti fundraiser

Honduras Children’s Project will be hosting a spaghetti dinner from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the United Churches Fellowship Hall located at 228 Main Street in Durham. All are welcome. Donations at the door will directly benefit the goal of hiring a teacher for the children of Copprome Orphanage in El Progreso, Honduras.

AAA in Cromwell can help drivers Due to the many cuts in

services across the state, residents of Middlesex County will need to find other avenues to meet their needs. If there is no agreement made with state unions, the Middletown photo licensing center and the Old Saybrook DMV office will be shutdown to cut costs. AAA in Cromwell, located on Shunpike Road, is available to renew licenses for those who might have used the services in Middletown and Old Saybrook. The Cromwell AAA said, “Right now there is an influx of people now and again, but it is busier on Saturdays. There is usually never more than a 15-minute wait.” The Cromwell AAA office hours are M-F 8:30 a.m.

Index of Advertisers To advertise in the Town Times, call Joy Boone at 860-349-8026. MIDDLEFIELD REMODELING ..24 MIDDLEFIELD WPCA ..............10 MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE .................................11 MIDDLESEX DANCE CENTER10 MIDDLESEX HEALTH CARE.....6 MOUNTAIN SPRING WATER..22 MOVADO FARM.......................22 NATUREWORKS......................11 NEIL JONES HOME IMPROVEMENTS.....................21 NEW ENGLAND DENTAL HEALTH ....................................19 PET SITTING BY SAMANTHA.21 PETRUZELO AGENCY INSURANCE .............................26 PIZZA KING ................................5 RAINTREE LANDSCAPING.....26 RANEY, JASON, DMD .............10 REALTY ASSOCIATES............27 REMODELING DURHAM STYLE25 RLI ELECTRIC..........................25 ROBLEE PLUMBING................26 ROCKFALL CO.........................24 ROCKWELL EXCAVATION & PAVING.....................................23 ROMAN OIL CO........................22 RSDL HOME IMPROVEMENTS23 RUDOLPH’S LANDSCAPING ..13 SILVER MILL TOURS...............17 SNOW SERVICES....................12 T-N-T HOME & LAWNCARE....25 THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE & BODYWORK.............................23 TILE RENOVATORS ................25 TORRISON STONE & GARDEN.5, 24 VMB CUSTOM BUILDERS ......26 WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY/GLSP7 WHITEHOUSE CONSTRUCTION26 WILD WISTERIA.........................3 WINDOW MAN .........................20 WINDOWS PLUS .....................18

Region 13 theater camp The Young People’s Center for Creative Arts (YPCCA) has begun enrollment for its one-week summer theater camp to take place at Coginchaug Regional High School. The camp will meet daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 1 through 5. Students in grades six through 12 are eligible. Students enrolled at the Young People’s Center for Creative Arts — Durham will choose from a variety of workshops including show choir, acting, Broadway chorus and voice. Mornings at the camp will be spent in these workshops, and afternoons will be devoted to rehearsing selected scenes and songs from the musical, Grease!. The performance on Friday evening will feature

Corrections We strive to bring you the most accurate information available, but if you see something that isn’t quite right, give us a call at 860-349-8000, and we’ll do our best to correct it. The waterfall Judy Moeckel was standing in front of in the New Hampshire Summer Memories article in the July 1 issue was not The Flume but Glen Ellis Falls in Gorham, New Hampshire.

all of our campers performing pieces from both the workshops and Grease!. The staff of YPCCA is made up of professional actors and teachers from throughout Connecticut. Students and staff of the program have gone on to work and perform at such venues as Long Wharf Theater, Goodspeed Opera House, Hartford Stage and the Eugene O’Neil Theater. YPCCA has over 25 years of experience with youth theater and is thrilled to bring their knowledge and expertise to Region 13. More information and online registration available at www.ypcca.org or by calling 860-267-2911.

MCC is enrolling Middlefield Children’s Center is a hidden gem in our community, a wonderful local preschool and daycare option for our children. Now in its third decade, MCC offers our kids the opportunity to make friends at an early age with others in our school district in a safe, nurturing setting. MCC offers various programs for three-year-olds up to grade 4 including preschool, pre-k, and afterschool care. The programs are geared toward helping children develop habits of observation, questioning and listening, hence the emphasis on active play rather than passive learning. The curriculum at MCC is planned on a weekly basis for each class and is age appropriate.

VE A E H ED W OV M

MCC is currently enrolling for the 2011-12 school year. Registration is taking place at MCC, located across the street from the Middlefield Community Center, 390 Main Street. There are several programs to choose from. The three-year-old, pre-k and kindergarten programs are offered daily M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Twoday, three-day or five-day per week programs are available to suit a more specific schedule, as are early drop-off and extended day options. In addition, MCC offers after school programs on a daily basis up to grade 4. For further information or to schedule a visit, please contact Lisa Fritz at (860) 349-0202, or e-mail at Middlefieldkids@sbcglobal.net

Loans available to help grow businesses If you are a business located in Middlesex County, the Middlesex County Revitalzation Commission can make a loan of up to $150,000 at four percent for up to 10 years for economic development projects (buildings, equipment and working capital that creates jobs). To find out if you qualify and to receive a CD with all of MCRC’s application forms, please call Paul M. Hughes at the Middlesex Chamber (860-347-6924) or send Paul an e-mail (phughes@middlesexchamber.com). MCRC participates with banks and other lenders to encourage economic development in Middlesex County.

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to 5:30 p.m. and Sat 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 860-236-3261 for more information.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Dr. Philip M. Perrino, O.D.

Eyecare • Glasses • Contacts

860-349-2323

Friday, July 22, 2011

Town Times

New principal at Strong School By Mark Dionne Special to Town Times When Scott Sadinski, the newly-hired principal of Strong School, begins work, it will be a homecoming of sorts. Sadinski grew up in Middletown, near the Durham border. “I was closer to Strong than the school I actually attended,” he said. During a phone interview, Sadinski estimated that he has attended the Durham Fair in 30 different years. Sadinski, who now lives in West Hartford, comes to District 13 after serving four years as assistant principal at Captain Nathan Hale Middle School in Coventry, which is similar in size to Strong. “I’m coming from a school with 450-460 kids,” he said.

Before that, he spent two years as the assistant principal at Wamogo Regional High School, which includes seventh and eight grades for the towns of Warren, Morris and Goshen. Sadinski also brings teaching experience to District 13. He taught 8th grade language arts for seven years in Newington, including one year as a math teacher. Having grown up in the area made Strong School appealing to Sadinski, who also cited the size and the community as reasons for pursuing the job. “It’s a terrific place,” he stated. As the new principal, Sadinski said he has no immediate changes in mind. He plans to “begin building good relationships with the staff” and learning the “cli-

LEGAL NOTICE

Liberty Bank honors volunteer L i b e r t y Bank employee Jeff Drenzek (left) presents a check for $1,000 to Middlefield Fire Chief Peter Tyc. Drenzek, a longtime volunteer firefighter, received the right to direct the donation from the Liberty Bank Foundation to a nonprofit of his choice when he was named the 2010 inductee into the Liberty Bank Volunteer Hall of Fame. Submitted Sue Murphy

mate and culture.” He also hopes to be “as visible as possible” with the students and available to the parents. “I’m very excited to get started and to get to know everyone,” he said. Sadinski, who graduated from Middletown High School and the University of Connecticut, will start as principal on July 25. He replaces Scott Nicol, who left at the end of the last school year for a position with the Hartford Public Schools.

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Town Times & Places

4 FRIDAY

July 22 Shakespeare in the Grove ARTFARM is celebrating its tenth birthday and the sixth season of Shakespeare in the Grove with the original piece Shakespeare's Argument. The piece will be staged today through July 24 at 7 p.m. in the beautiful grove overlooking the Connecticut River valley on the campus of Middlesex Community College. Each performance of Shakespeare's Argument will be preceded by live music at 6 p.m. Donations at the door are appreciated. For more info, call 860346-4390, e-mail info@artfarm.org or go to www.artfarm.org. ARTFARM Live Music Live music with Nancy Tucker begins at 6 p.m. at Middlesex Community College. Summer Reading Film Festival The Disney comedy Jungle 2 Jungle (PG) will be shown at 2 p.m. in the Hubbard Room at the Russell Library. In this movie, a Wall Street trader returns to his estranged wife, an anthropologist in Brazil. While there, he discovers he has a 13-year-old son who has been raised by the jungle tribe his wife has been studying. Hilarity ensues as the boy accompanies his dad back to New York City where a clash of cultures follows. Baked Bean Supper Take a break from the hot kitchen. Enjoy an old-fashioned, home-cooked meal without the cooking. Come to the baked bean supper at the United Churches at 6 p.m. in the air-conditioned Fellowship Hall, located at 228R Main St. in Durham. The baked bean supper is a local tradition, featuring dishes such as baked beans, scalloped corn, macaroni dishes, salads and homemade breads and pies. All are welcome; call 860-349-3683 for prices and more info.

SATURDAY

July 23 History of Middlefield Dick Boynton presents

History of Middlefield today at dark on Lake Beseck. Refreshments include popcorn and snacks. For more info, contact Amy Poturnicki at 860-638-8830 or rahr25@comcast.net. ARTFARM Live Music Live music with The BC3 (Bill Carbone Trio) begins at 6 p.m. at Middlesex Community College. Golf Tournament St. Paul Lutheran Church in Middletown will host their annual golf tournament today at Banner Lodge Golf Club in Moodus. Registration for the two-person scramble format begins at 8 a.m. For more info and pricing, call the church office at 860-346-9107, Tom Kugeman at 860-346-3013 or Rich Lee at 860-346-5775. Farmers’ & Flea Markets Farmers’ and flea markets are Saturday mornings in July at Peckham Park from 8 a.m. to noon. Visit local vendors and see the best in farm-fresh produce, baked goods, arts and crafts and tag sale items. For vendor info, contact middlefieldpr@aol.com. Dudley Farmers’ Market The Farmers’ Market at the Dudley Farm, corner of routes 77 and 80 in North Guilford, is held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Oct. 29. Local and organic produce, herbs, eggs, flowers, baked goods, honey, maple syrup, soaps, jewelry, knitted things, gift items and more homemade and homegrown items are sold.

MONDAY

July 25 Durham Senior Lunches Every Monday and Wednesday hot lunches are available for seniors over 60 and their spouses at the Durham Activity Center located at 350 Main St. Following the lunches on Mondays is game time which includes billiards, Wii and cards. Bingo starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. For pricing info and to make a reservation, call Amanda Astarita, senior café manager, at 860-349-3153. Middlefield Senior Lunches The Middlefield Senior Café is serving lunch three times a week, on Mondays,

Wednesdays and Fridays. Reservations are required 24 hours prior, and our monthly menu can be picked up at the center, Town Hall, or at www.middlefieldct.org. Vacation Bible School Third Congregational Church, 94 Miner Street in Middletown, will hold its annual Vacation Bible School July 25-29 from 6 to 8 p.m. The theme is “Pandamania.” You can register at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs /ez/thirdchurchkids or call 860-632-0733.

TUESDAY

July 26 Scary, Funny & Boo! Join us as we listen to scary and funny ghost stories from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Activity Room at the Russell Library. We’ll celebrate Nutmeg nominated books that are also ghost stories. Be prepared for Storyteller Richard Alleva to spin a scary tale or two. This program is for grades 3 and up. No registration is required. Destination Durham Every Tuesday at 1 and 7 p.m. on Comcast Channel 19, Destination Durham will be aired for those living in Durham. DVDs are also available at the Levi Coe and Durham libraries. Senior Center Bocce Come to the Middlefield Community Center every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. for bocce. This is a great way to enjoy summer with neighbors and friends. For more information, call the center at 860-349-7121. Summer Stories All children ages 3-6 are invited to this program at 10 a.m. in the Hubbard Room of the Russell Library. Join the crowd and listen to new stories and old favorites. A bit of music and a small craft will complete your morning. No registration required. Otakus Unite If you like anime and manga, join the newly formed Anime/Manga Club for teens at 7 p.m. in Meeting Room 3 at the Russell Library today and Aug. 9 and 23. Drop by and join the fun. This group isfor ages 12 and up.

Friday, July 22, 2011 WEDNESDAY

July 27 Music at the Mansion The Friends of Long Hill present their annual summer concert series on the south lawn of the Wadsworth Mansion. The Glamour Girls will perform today with a show highlighted by costume changes, eyecatching choreography, and a song selection ranging from the ‘40s to the ‘90s. Guests can bring a picnic dinner and enjoy an evening with family, friends and great musicians. Grounds open at 5:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 6:30 p.m. The event is free, and you can find free parking at the Mansion, at the Wilbert Snow School and at Mercy High School. Concerts will be held in the event of light rain or the threat of showers. Concerts will be canceled in electrical storms or threat to the well-being of the musicians or their instruments. Durham Senior Lunches Every Monday and Wednesday hot lunches are available for seniors over 60 and their spouses at the Durham Activity Center located at 350 Main St. Following the lunches on Mondays is game time which includes billiards, Wii and cards. Bingo starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. For pricing info and to make a reservation, call Amanda Astarita, senior café manager, at 860-349-3153. 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. Youth Football The Coginchaug Blue Devils football staff and players will be conducting a three-night football clinic camp for ages 7 to 14 on July 27, 28 and 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Coginchaug athletic field. The clinic will concentrate on teaching football skills and having fun. There is a small fee to register, and all participants will receive a clinic t-shirt. Registration forms can be picked up at Durham Market and Lino’s

Market or at www.durhammiddlefieldfalcons.com and www.coginchaugfootball.co m. Applications are due July 25. Call Coach Bolin at 860349-1184 with any questions. Painting Around the World All children ages 5-8 are invited to this program at 10 a.m. in the Activity Room at the Russell Library. We’ll show you samples of several different painting techniques to get you started, and then you can create your own masterpieces to take home. We suggest that you wear old clothes to this program.

THURSDAY

July 28 Job Group Take the opportunity to network with other job seekers as well as get the advice of expert professionals. Guest speakers will focus on the job market and provide industry information. The group meets 9:30 a.m. to noon on Thursdays in the Hubbard Room at the Russell Library. Today’s speaker is Tim Rockefeller, Veteran’s Outreach Worker at the CT Department of Labor. Farmers’ Market The Durham Farmers’ Market is every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. on the town green through Sept. 8. Today’s theme is Going Green on the Green. Visit www.durhamfarmersmarket.org for more info.

FRIDAY

July 29 Tot Time The MOMS Club of Durham and Middlefield sponsors a weekly Tot Time every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Peckham Park, or, if it’s rainy, at the Middlefield Community Center. This open-age playgroup is available for all residents and their children of Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall. No RSVP is required; feel free to just come on down and join the fun. For more information on the MOMS Club, please contact Ann at momsdurhammiddlefield@yahoo.com.

Friday, July, 22, 2011

Town Times

Durham Public School Association disbands By Judy Moeckel Special to the Town Times

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Lillian Newton White did not attend one of the oneroom schoolhouses where Durhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children once were educated, but she remembers her late husband, Robert White, telling her about them. Robert, who was four years her senior, received his early education in the Center Schoolhouse, which now serves as the home of the Durham Historical Society. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I remember Bob saying that whoever got to school first built the fire in the wood stove,â&#x20AC;? she says. In 1923, education in Durham changed with the opening of the modern Durham Public School (DPS) across Main Street from the Church of the Epiphany. DPS housed the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grammar school (grades 1-8) as well as the high school. Lillian White was in the first group of students (class of 1935) who got their entire public school education in the new â&#x20AC;&#x153;Durham Consolidated School.â&#x20AC;? The principal, from the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Friday night of the opening until his fair, everything death in 1938, glowed with ribwas Frank Ward bons!â&#x20AC;? Strong, who was Dave Cornish, who much beloved by now lives in New the students. Britain with his wife Dave Cornish, who was in the of 66 years, Helen, class of 1935 with can recite the names Lillian White, reof his classmates calls that Strong without hesitation. had been injured Besides Lillian (Newplaying football ton) White and himas a young man self, the class of 1935 and used a wheelincluded 11 others: chair. According Harry Armstrong Jr., to Malcolm Barbara (Cornish) Pearce, class of Schwab, Timothy 1947, Strong was Above, from left: Mary Ann (Coe) Tinker, Diane Davis, Jennie Grybrought to school gorowicz, John Moss, in a LaSalle auto- (Wiknik) Andrews and June (Wimler) Porter William Murray Jr., mobile, and Mar- check out the name tags at the last DPS reunion. Hazel (Osborne) Coe, jorie Otte pushed the school â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including Lillian (Otte) DiSarro, Vivian him around school in his painting, moving things and (Reath) Sherman, Barbara chair. breaking up fights. Suchanek and Elizabeth â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was a great history â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was a bell with a (West) Mesick. Cornish says teacher, and the quality of rope that went through the that the reunions were â&#x20AC;&#x153;good education was high,â&#x20AC;? Cor- roof,â&#x20AC;? Pearce recalls. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The fun,â&#x20AC;? and he enjoyed seeing nish says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The classes were teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pet got to ring it for several of his 1935 classmates small.â&#x20AC;? recess!â&#x20AC;? over the years. Pearce remembers bringHe also remembers how At some point after Princiing his lunch of peanut but- every student had to make a pal Strong died, the school ter and raisins to school display for the Durham Fair, was renamed in his honor. each day as a boy during the and, before the opening of To accommodate the postDepression. He also remem- the fair, all the students and bers how the janitor, Willy teachers walked down to Goodale, â&#x20AC;&#x153;did everythingâ&#x20AC;? at Town Hall to set them up.

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war baby boom of the 1950s and 1960s, additions were made, and other schools were built in town to serve younger students. But the school remained â&#x20AC;&#x153;Durham High Schoolâ&#x20AC;? until the construction of Coginchaug Regional High School in 1970. Chuck Holder, who now lives in Meriden, remembers spending first grade at Strong School before going off to the new Brewster School. Then he returned to Strong for grades 7 through 12, graduating in 1964. Over the years, individual classes (and, upon occasion, two or three classes) would hold banquets and reunions. Helen (Korn) Pearce, class of 1948, says the first reunion of the Durham Public School was held on June 17, 1922, at

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Town Times

Making recycling part of our lives ... because we have to By Cheri Kelley Town Times Newspapers, and bottles and cans! Oh my! What can seem like trivial trash can add up to be quite frightening. During the week of April 4, 2011, just “an average week at the dump,” according to Durham Middlefield transfer station site manager Bob Matuskiewicz, the waste and recyclables were weighed. Matuskiewicz shared the astounding results with Town Times. Four containers of demolition waste were collected weighing 11,860 lbs., 10,260 lbs., 7,000 lbs. and 11,000 lbs. Municipal solid waste (or regular trash) was collected in five containers weighing 9.59 tons, 46.48 tons, 18.70 tons, 12.83 tons and 15.46 tons. That is a boatload of garbage, for only one

week! As far as recyclable materials, two metal waste containers were collected weighing 7,680 lbs. and 6,000 lbs. Three containers of bottles and cans weighed 4,080 lbs., 4,460 lbs. and 4,280 lbs. Finally, paper was collected and measured in three containers weighing 7,260 lbs., 9,120 lbs. and 8,100 lbs. This is a huge amount of material being recycled, but maybe we can go one step further and reduce the amount of waste that goes into the regular trash bins. One way is to compost food scraps and lawn clippings, which would

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reduce the amount of waste at the transfer station and create the most fantastic soil for next year’s garden. Folks

call it black gold due to its deep dark rich color and how effective it is in helping to produce amazing edibles. Recycling has come a long way in the last 20 years. What was once a somewhat annoying concept to some has become second nature to today’s little ones. To the new generation, sorting cans from paper and regular trash is just the normal way things are done, and this trend should continue. Young kids have the benefit of learning from child-

Photos by Cheri Kelley

Above, plastic food containers in front of a pristine woodland view can be jarring until you realize that these containers can be recycled at the local transfer station, right, and turned into new products, thus helping to ease human stress on the environment.

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hood how best to deal with waste, but we all need to take a moment out of our busy lives and learn from those who have gone before us. Prior to 1940, if one was to take a peek inside the average American home, normal daily processes would be much different. In the kitchen, folks would enjoy milk that was delivered fresh to their doors in reusable glass bottles. Things like TVs and small appliances, that today are considered throw-away items, w e r e built to be used longer. Other items, l i k e clothing and bedd i n g , w e r e transformed for a new purpose w h e n they bec a m e worn. (Anyone remember scrap quilts? See next issue for some other great re-purposing ideas.) There are many options for people to consider to recycle, reuse and re-purpose household items and take the next step into taking care of our planet and becoming stewards of the land again. One simple step only takes a few minutes. You know how those big yellow page telephone books seem to keep coming to your home, whether you want them or not — and usually end up in the trash (or hopefully, recycling bin)? Yellow page telephone directories is now offering an opt-out website for those who do not use the directory and would rather not receive one in the future. Go to www.yellowpagesoptout. com to register, and as long as it is not too close to the delivery date of the next book,you can save a tree or two. Also, the Durham and See Recycle, next page

Friday, July 22, 2011

Town Times

Sign up for the Durham Fair talent show The Entertainment Committee of the Durham Fair is proud to announce the Eighth Annual Talent Shows. Imagine an opportunity to perform on the Center Stage at the Durham Fair as one of our idols! Our finalists, win or no win, have all enjoyed this opportunity to share their talent with their friends, families and several thousand fairgoers! Many of our candidates have returned a following year. We have had an overwhelming interest in these two shows and are hopeful

that this application finds you in time to jump in and tryout. We have two opportunities to participate. Our Traditional Talent Show is open to all performers up to their year of high school graduation (approximately 18 years old). Our Classic Talent Show is open to all other performers. Consideration for our contestants is not taken lightly. We respect that you will have worked hard to prepare your presentation to an audition committee. Every performance will be evaluated

Recycle Middlefield transfer station accepts more items for recycling than they did the last time Town Times reported. Plastic numbers 1 through 7 are recyclable as are clear, green and brown glass vessels. Paper type products — cardboard, egg cartons, hard and soft-covered books, and of course, paper and newspapers — are also accepted. Rinsed cans and aluminum foil can also be recycled. By the end of July, there will be a space for disposal of electronic waste (computers, cell phones, TVs etc.) as well. As far as what to do with certain items that are in gently used condition, there is an area where residents can

with your talent and hard work in mind. As an audition committee, we are first of all, looking to entertain our fair audience. We do this by selecting a variety of acts that will fit to-

gether to make one exciting event. We hope you will apply and join in the fun. Auditions are on September 10 at the United Churches of Durham. Access the application at the Durham Fair web-

site (www.durhamfair.com) and send it to wcurrlin@sbcglobal.net or mail it to Bill Currlin, 84 Jackson Hill Rd., Middlefield, CT 06455. Call 860-343-3414 with any questions.

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(Continued from page 6) drop off things near the recycling center for others to make use of in their homes. There is also a clothing collection point at the transfer station, and a Goodwill center on Washington Street in Middletown. The residents of this community are able to use the entire recycling and trash disposal center with just a one-time yearly payment of $20, a small price for the future. To get some more ideas about recycling, reusing and repurposing, look for the second installment in an upcoming issue of Town Times. See web poll results on “living green” page 28.

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Town Times Opinion

Friday, July 22, 2011

An opportunity not to be missed 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 Manager Joy Boone, Advertising Sales Michelle P. Carter, Office Manager Contributors: Chuck Corley, Diana Carr, Trish Dynia, Elisabeth Kennedy, Karen Kean, Judy Moeckel, Kathy Meyering, Tori Piscatelli and Sue VanDerzee.

If I had forgotten how much work is involved in bringing readers a newspaper, this week would have reminded me. Nevertheless, it has also been enjoyable filling in for Stephanie as she takes a well-deserved week off, and – my favorite thing – I get to write an editorial column! This week’s story list – developed by Stephanie – provided a perfect backdrop to a subject that has been more and more on my mind – our environment. Readers will notice a story about recycling starting on page 6, as well as an Earthwise column on “green partying” on page 9 and a piece about the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association, based in Middlefield, starting on page 14. Additionally, our web poll (results on page 28) asked readers what they do to be eco-conscious. Super storms, melting ice caps and mountain-top removal photos have alarmed me, as I’m sure they have alarmed many of you. A T-shirt we bought one of our grandsons recently says it succinctly – on an orange background, a delicious-looking ice cream cone is pictured, with the Earth as the ice cream. Un-

derneath, it says “Save some for me.” And that’s really where our concern should lie. Past generations – our greatgrandparents and grandparents – often endured incredible hardships, coming from faraway places, working long hours, so that their children and grandchildren would be able to enjoy a “better” life. We, the recipients of all that love and effort, need to begin to think the same way. We need to develop a longer view than the next dividend, paycheck or purchase. Ironically, that may include divesting ourselves of some of the material trappings of that “better” life in order to ensure that resources remain for those who come after us. However, those of any generation who see “better lives” in material terms only are mistaken. Better lives have always been built on things like family, friendships, education, meaningful work, opportunities to play (or take a vacation) and commitments to something bigger than our own small selves. Looked at through that lens, our “best lives” are surely ahead of us. Sue VanDerzee

Letters to the Editor Prayer for the nation Lord, I need a spiritual aspirin! I have such a headache. It’s not easy living here, and it’s getting worse. Besides the regular problems like bills and illness, we have a bunch of leaders who won’t or can’t lead. They are so caught up in the influence of special groups that they can’t even agree on whether the sky is blue or azure. We elected them to govern us honestly and fairly, but they are making a bad show of just barely getting the job done. What are we to do with these good ole boys and girls? They draw hefty salaries and benefits while unemployment runs rampant. We

have a lame duck president who’s caught between the hunters of the House and Senate. They seem to care more about the woes of poor big business and the approval of their political buddies than they do about the citizens who elected their sorry butts. Please Lord, if you have any ideas about reminding these rich, egocentric, political “do nothings” that the grassroots people are not happy, I’d appreciate hearing from you ASAP. Carol Hurlbert, Durham

Concern about bus routes I am writing this letter out of total frustration regard-

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.

ing the issue of reducing bus costs by shortening the routes and making fewer pick-ups and drop-offs. What in the world is the Board of Ed (BOE) thinking? There didn’t seem to be a problem coming up with the funds for a new athletic field or increases in teachers’ salaries, etc., but the safety and well-being of our children — by putting them at risk and in possible harm’s way — doesn’t seem to be on their minds or of top priority. Go figure! I have a grandson starting kindergarten this fall. He’s not even five years old, yet he is expected to walk to the nearest bus stop, unsupervised, and wait for the bus. This child, along with many others, attends a daycare. The daycare provider cannot be expected to “herd” all of her “daycare” children twice daily to the bus stop. Certainly the BOE can see the possible danger and repercussions of their decision. Maybe the administration would be willing to take a cut in pay to locate the needed funds to put the bus schedule back the way it was and should be. I bet not one of them would leave their positions! Now, that’s my idea of a

budget cut. The thought process behind this is zero. School business has become “big” business — too big for these small towns. Where has good, old-fashioned common sense gone? I guess out the door with our tax dollars that pay for these salaries and so-called services, or lack thereof, for our children. In closing, let’s not forget about Jaycee Dugard. She, too, was walking to her bus stop! Think about that. A worried grandmother, Bev Smith, Middlefield

Malloy’s ‘trap’ “Be careful what you wish for; you may get it.” This old saying applies to Connecticut state employee unions and Governor Malloy. These unions spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to elect a more pliable governor. Mr. Malloy had the vision of a happy union of state workers, a “progressive” administration and a Democratic Partycontrolled state House and Senate, working together to “fix” Connecticut. That was until the reality of uncontrolled spending by the state legislature reached the tipping point, and the unexpected rejection of the deal made

between the administration and union leaders failed to pass. Given the legal requirement for a balanced budget and the refusal of state employee unions to co-operate, Mr. Malloy is trapped. On one side are his militant union supporters, and on the other is a growing group of voters growing more hesitant about his budget plans. Laying off state troopers, DOT workers and prison guards while continuing to spend borrowed money to expand the UConn Health Center and a “busway” from New Britain to Hartford is not what is needed to put the state on the path to living within our means. How many political appointees have received lay-off notices? Have our part-time representatives taken a voluntary pay cut, in the spirit of “shared sacrifice?” The majority party in Hartford has just about run out of things to tax, though they keep trying. As the old country song said: “There is too much month left at the end of the money.” Governor Malloy took the easy way out, eliminating state services that citizens use every day, such as DMV See Letters, page 25

Town Times Columns

Friday, July 22, 2011

Where do you see yourself in Summer party that packs less punch Claudia O’Connell five years? By Michelle P. Carter I never understood this question. “How should I know?” was always my response. Sometimes I make plans for next week that fall through. How could I possibly know what I’ll be doing five years from now? If we had all the answers to what’s to come in life, it would be a cakewalk. As a freshman at UConn, I took a First Year Experience (FYE) class in performance poetry. We were asked to divide a sheet of paper into four sections and draw various things. In the fourth box, we were asked to draw where we saw ourselves in five years. I was majoring in English with absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with that degree. All I knew was that I loved writing, and I didn’t want to be a teacher. I expected to take the full four years at UConn to figure it out. Many of my classmates, who had come from poverty, drew themselves with lots of money. They weren’t used to thinking about big dreams or aspirations and didn’t care what job they had as long as they could support a family. I drew myself sitting behind a desk with a stack of papers to my left and a computer to my right. I didn’t know what that job was at the time, but I knew two things — I knew it had something to do with writing, and I knew I was smiling. After a few years of taking various English and creative writing classes, I finally had a word for my aspirations: editor. I loved reading other people’s essays, short stories and poetry and helping them catch mistakes they missed or telling them how they could improve the next draft and take their writing one step further. I even loved helping copy edit for the Long River Review my senior year. Everyone else found it tedious, but I found it fascinating. It took almost a full year after graduating from UConn to find a job in my field. I had volunteered my time copy editing for the Town Times for six months before I became office manager. I almost cried on my first day remembering that FYE class — here I was, exactly five years later, sitting at my desk, with a stack of papers to my left and a computer to my right, working for a company that celebrates writing, and smiling. I am so grateful to Stephanie and Carolyn for giving me the opportunity to realize a dream I saw for myself five years ago. Now I can look ahead to the next five years. And while I probably couldn’t draw it for you, I think I’ve got a better idea what it looks like.

Meet the Town Times Staff: Cheri

Cheri Kelley ready for work.

Meet Cheri Kelley — many folks probably already have. She has been a reporter for the Town Times since last September. Originally from the Glastonbury/East Hartford area, she is now a local who has lived in Rockfall since last year. As a reporter for the Town Times, Cheri’s job is to cover different stories and meetings around the towns. She covers Middlefield Board of Selectmen meetings as well as other news, features and business briefs. Cheri can be found on the weekends taking pictures and covering community events. When not working at the paper, Cheri is an artist who likes to paint, draw and create multi-media pieces. She has also written and illustrated children’s books, which she hopes to soon publish. You can find Cheri in the office every afternoon after 3:30 and all day on Wednesdays. You can also contact her at CKelley@towntimes.com. (This staff bio was written by one of our new summer interns, Alexandra Ceneviva. Check next week’s paper for the next staff bio.)

While I usually enjoy all parties, big and small, I cringe at the amount of consumables that end up in the trash in the afterglow. I’m sure my friends think I’m crazy when, mid-way through a party, I’m bending over the garbage gingerly extracting plastic flatware. I hate waste. The thought of tossing something unused brings mental anguish to roost in my head. I recently found eight partially used salsa jars, all past their prime, during a food purge session of my fridge. With several weeks of summer left, there’s plenty of time to e-vite friends and family to your house for a barbeque. I may not be the best host, but I have discovered some simple ways to minimize waste, save cash and spare the earth its usual hangover after an outdoor party. Number 1: Use and reuse standard white or clear flatware. I specify color because I know some people can go a little crazy with color coordination, especially for kids’ parties. Find the sturdy stuff, not the lesser quality given away for free with restaurant take-out orders. These withstand multiple runs through a dishwasher. Better yet, shop thrift and tag sales for bargains and set aside for parties. Number 2: For alcohol-free beverages, invest in large cold drink dispensers. These jugs are insulated, easy to use and come in different sizes. They can be purchased for a song if you wait until they go on clearance toward the end of the season. I have been lucky enough to find them at Stop & Shop for 60 to 75 percent off. Buy powdered drink mix; you will save time and money, and your short-

ened shopping list will spare your back from hauling bags of needless cans and bottles. Tip: To limit the strain on your fridge, make ice ahead of time and fill insulated coolers. Place in shady places in easy reach of thirsty guests. After the party, use the icewater to refresh plants and flowers. Number 3: Use recyclable plastic cups. Instruct guests to label their cups before filling them with liquid. Better still; invest in reusable and dishwasher-safe plastic cups in various colors, making it a breeze for guests to keep track of their cups. Also look for festive, reusable, dishwasher-safe dinner plates and serving bowls. By heading waste off in its path, everyone wins, and the environmental impact remains low. Number 4: Buy reusable felt-lined vinyl tablecloths instead of flimsy plastic. Good quality versions are inexpensive and easily cleaned with a sponge. They are durable enough to fold or roll, store and reuse for years. Number 5: This is most important as it requires thoughtful planning. Be organized and have bins and garbage cans for everything. A simple system may only consist of four receptacles: ones for trash, deposit cans and bottles, other recyclable items such as aluminum foil and wine bottles, and reusable flatware and dinnerware. Label these with signs that read clearly and are attached to bins at a height that guests will notice. When determining the placement of bins and trash cans, consider the circulation patterns of your guests and make it intuitive for folks to dispose of things where and how you would like. Happy summer!

Earthwise

Paws Place: Tucker Tucker is a neutered male chocolate lab mix, approximately four years old. Adoption fee is only $5. He is good with dogs and loves people. He was house-trained, leashtrained and knew other commands when he arrived. Though out of practice, he would re-learn everything very quickly in a new home. He is very eager to please. Tucker needs a family who will walk and hike with him. He loves to be with people and loves to be active. This is not a couch potato dog. Tucker is super friendly, alert and very responsive to his person. He is really desperate to be part of a family again. Tucker is very handsome and has the most expressive eyes. You can imagine that, in a home, he would be full of personality and laughs. He is a good dog who truly deserves another chance. Will you rescue Tucker? Come any day (311 Murdock Ave. in Meriden) from 3 to 4 p.m., or call for an appointment at 203-235-4179. You can see all the dogs available at Meriden Animal Control: www.petfinder.com/shelters/CT79.html.

Durham Town Briefs

Durham Government Calendar (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Durham Library. Check the town website at www.townofdurhamct.org for updates.) Monday, July 25 7 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Board of Selectmen, third floor meeting room at Town Hall 8 p.m.â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Republican caucus to nominate candidates for local offices for November election; third floor meeting room at Town Hall; all registered Republicans can vote. Tuesday, July 26 7 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Ethics Committee 7 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Economic Development Commission Monday, August 1 7 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Fire Department Trustees at 41 Main Street 7:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Clean Energy Task Force 8 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Historic District Commission Tuesday, August 2 6:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Public Safety Committee 7:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Midstate Planning, 100 Dekoven Dr., Middletown

Kleeman

(From page 1)

lectmen, while Riotte previously served on the zoning board. While Searle has no prior experience with a town

commission, committee member Joseph Pasquale lauded Searleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s management and administrative experience. Meanwhile, Foley currently serves on the zoning commission and has for over

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State Representative Matt Lesser, who represents Durham, Middlefield and Middletown in the General Assembly, is encouraging area residents to weigh in on the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s redistricting plan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Connecticut, redistricting is a bipartisan process,â&#x20AC;? Representative Lessersaid,â&#x20AC;&#x153;andweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;llhaveto live with these district lines for the next decade. I encourage area residents to share theirthoughtsonhowtodraw these lines so we can ensure thattheirvoicesareheard.â&#x20AC;? Every 10 years, districts for the state House of Representatives, state Senate and U.S. Congress have to be redrawn as a result of information gathered during the census to create districts of relatively equal population that will provide fair representation for all residents. The closest public hearings were in Hartford and New Haven earlier this week. Lesser added that members of the public may submit redistricting data to the committee electronically, in person, or by mail. Submissions should include the submitterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name, address, phone number, and, if applicable, email address. All submissions should be in by Aug. 31. For more info visit www.cga.ct.gov/red2011 or e-mail Kristen Miller at redistricting@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-1441. State Representative Matt Lesser is serving his second term representing the 100th Assembly District of Durham, Middlefield, Rockfall and Middletown. He is Vice Chair of the state legislatureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Government Administration and Elections Committee.

There will be a public hearing on Monday, Aug. 8, at 8 p.m. in the third floor meeting room at Town Hall. The purpose of this public hearing is to present information and discuss the proposed Public Works salt shed/storage shed construction project, to provide an

Legal Notice Town of Middlefield, CT Water Pollution Control Authority Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. Â§ 7-255 the Town of Middlefield Water Pollution Control Authority filed with the Town Clerk of Middlefield on July 14th, 2011: 1) The Route 66 Sewer Area; use charge of $374.00 per EDU payable annually in October. 2) The Lake Beseck Sewer Area; use charge of $650.00 per EDU payable at $325.00 semiannually in October and April. Any person aggrieved by these sewer use charge may appeal to the Superior Court within twenty-one days from the filing of the charges with the Town Clerk of Middlefield pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. Â§ 7-255. Town of Middlefield, Connecticut; Water Pollution Control Authority Edward P. Bailey, Chairman

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and William Joyce, with Mark Jungels nominated as an alternate. Hogarth is the current vice chairman of the ZBA, while Joyce served on the board in years past. Among the remaining nominations, Craig Bradanini was nominated for treasurer and Matthew Thompson for the Board of Assessment Appeals. Katherine Forline was also nominated to fill a two year vacancy on the Board of Assessment Appeals. Each nomination met with the committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unanimous support.

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a decade. Foley previously ran on the Republican ticket, but when they passed on him this year, Stevens was proud to include him on the Democratic ticket as he â&#x20AC;&#x153;Goes in without a set agenda and follows the regulations.â&#x20AC;? Martin French will remain as the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s candidate for tax collector; he has held the position since 2004. Stevens pointed out that he has â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of the most ridiculously high tax collecting rates in the state.â&#x20AC;? Stevens herself was nominated for the Board of Finance. She currently serves on the board and works with the library as the president of PALS (Public Association of Library Supporters). Committee member Karen Strickland also remarked on Stevens past financial experience, as Stevens was once the plant manager of a leather goods factory, where she was the vice president of operations and oversaw the factory and its purchases. For the Zoning Board of Appeals, the committee nominated John Hogarth

Friday, July 22, 2011

Public input sought for state redistricting

Middlefield Town Briefs

Friday, July 22, 2011

Planning and Zoning The Planning and Zoning Commission held a meeting on July 13 at which time they spoke with attorney John Corona about a change to the farm/agricultural zone regulations. Corona filed an application that would change section 08.14.04 of the zoning regulations, which stipulates that a farm or storage building in the AG-2 zone must be built at least 60 feet from the property line. Corona’s proposal would change this to 20 feet. Corona pointed out that, while a farm storing three tractors would have to set the building 60 feet away from the property line, a residence with a three-car garage could set the building 20 feet away from the property line. His proposal would not alter the setback restriction for farm buildings that house animals, but it would grant nonanimal farm buildings the right to be built closer to the property line. Commission member Jerry Russ questioned whom

Corona represented by bringing the application forward. Corona replied that he represents Lori VogelBrown, who owns a horse riding arena on Powder Hill Road. Town planner Geoff Colegrove informed the commission that Vogel-Brown’s facility is 15,000-square-feet and that constructing an addition to the building would require going before the Zoning Board of Appeals or changing the setback regulation. While Colegrove stated that the current regulations may be arbitrary, he thought the “size and bulk [of a building] should be a consideration to the setback.” Regardless, the proposal will require a public hearing before the commission acts on it. They will meet on July 27 for continued discussion and hold the first public hearing on Sept. 1. Corona also came before the commission seeking site plan approval for a second, interior lot at 439 Main Street. The commission granted it their unanimous approval.

In other business, the commission continued their discussion from June about adding a use table to the general industrial zone (IN) regulation, as it is currently undefined. Colegrove recommended “cherry picking” from Design District 2’s use table, thus opening the IN zone to more commercial uses, such as offices and personal services. He also felt they should leave out the various automobile and heavy traffic-related uses from the design district’s use table. A list will be assembled for the next meeting’s discussion. An update on Jimmy D’s was also presented by Colegrove, with Colegrove re-

Middlefield Government Calendar (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Community Center.) Monday, July 25 11 a.m. — Middlefield Housing Authority Tuesday, July 26 7 p.m. — Zoning Board of Appeals 8 p.m. — Middlefield Democratic Party caucus at the Community Center auditorium, 405 Main Street Wednesday, July 27 6:30 p.m. — Planning and Zoning Commission Monday, August 1 7 p.m. — Board of Selectmen porting that zoning enforcement officer Alan Johanson has paid regular visits to the site and the information found will be forwarded to the commission’s attorney. The commission began this

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Powder Ridge

(Continued from page 11) colm took issue with the investigation, calling the property owner “rational,” adding that “a little kindness will go a long way.” Chairman Bob Johnson stated, “I respectfully — but strongly — disagree with that,” noting that the commission has “a court agreement that he doesn’t follow” regarding the parking lot. However, he added that the commission has yet to take action beyond gathering information on the site and its activities, after which they will decide on what further action to take. (In attendance/Chuck Corley)

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(Continued from page 1)

fore they are discharged into the sewer systems. Powder Ridge closing looms The regularly scheduled Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting was also brief. Under Old Business on the agenda, the topic of the Powder Ridge closing was raised. There is no date set, but town officials, as well as planned buyer Dennis Abplanalp of Alpine Ridge, expect the Aug. 1 deadline to be met. According to Brayshaw, the much-coveted diversion permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection is now is his office and arrangements have been made with the surveying firm of Bascom and Benjamin for a survey of the open space field along Powder Hill Road at the entrance to the former (and hopefully future) ski area. Both Brayshaw and Abplanalp stated, “We are getting closer; we just got the two items together in the last few days to a week ago.”

Peckham Park

or potentally danderous activity happening at the park and as far as mantinence concerns to call the first selectman’s office to make them aware of it.

Ken Blake, the sole resident in attendance, was passionate about the state of Peckham Park and his feeling that it is left in a condition that is unsafe and ill-attended. He said, “There is no enforcement of rules,” when referring to the new skate park. He also mentioned that there was a rake left in the swing area, tines up, after someone had been working in the area. He stated that he has brought this type of information to the attention of the Park and Recreation Commission in the past and that nothing has been done to rectify the situation. First Selectman Jon Brayshaw said that he has taken notes about his concerns and will relay the information to the folks at Park and Rec. At the time of printing, Town Times had not received a call back from Park and Rec for comment.

Other Business Under Old Business, Brayshaw spoke about the work of the students participating in the Workforce Alliance summer employment program. Some of the kids just completed painting the DMYFS area in the lower section of the community center. Brayshaw stated, “When you get kids motivated and give them the tools, they do a great job!” He also said that some of the students have just started to do work on Peckham Park, such as adding more wood chips to the slide areas to help keep kids safe from falls. Under New Business, Brayshaw said that he received at letter from Comcast asking if the town was interested in looking into having public access broadcasting of the town meetings. “In order to do this, the town would need volunteers to film, edit and run this program. If any resident is interested in taking on this endeavor,” Selectwoman Mary Johnson said, “please contact the First Selectman’s office.”

Town officials said, they ask people to call the police if they witness any suspicous

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DiNatale will appeal Blue Trail decision By Robert Cyr Record-Journal A Durham landowner who lost a three-year court battle against the Blue Trail Range Friday said Tuesday that he’s dismayed by the legal process. Pasquale “Pat” DiNatale said he’ll appeal the decision by Hartford Superior Court Judge Grant Miller, who ruled there was not enough evidence to determine that shooters at the range were responsible for stray bullets and lead contamination in nearby soil and water. “I was flabbergasted as to how the legal system works in this country,” he said. “It’s not about truth; it’s about what you can portray as being the truth.” From Oct. 2007 to Dec. 2008, Durham residents in the TriMountain Road/Catherine Drive area complained of bullets striking their houses. DiNatale filed two lawsuits against Blue Trail and its owner, David Lyman, in the summer of 2008, seeking an injunction to close the range. The range closed voluntarily in late May 2009 following allegations that bullets were landing in Tri-Mountain State Park, but reopened its 100-yard range about three months later after making safety improvements. State police released the findings of an investigation See Blue Trail, page 24

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Town Times

Durham Library celebrates last Harry Potter movie By Mark Dionne Special to the Town Times

Above, volunteer Patrick Holden and young adult librarian Karyn Gardiner picked the winners in the costume contest — no easy feat considering the turnout! At right, there were enough Severus Snapes, Bellatrix Lestranges and dementors in attendance at the library party to keep these two Harry Potters (Jacob and Joshua Fazzino) busy! Photos by Mark Dionne

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At midnight on Thursday, July 15, movie theaters across the country unleashed the excitement and computer-generated chaos of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the last movie in Hollywood’s most successful film franchise. About five hours earlier, dozens of kids, ranging from kindergarteners to teenagers, generated their own excitement and chaos using costumes, sugar and questionable British accents. The Durham Library marked the release of the final Harry Potter film with a costume party. Children’s librarian Melissa Albin registered the Hermiones, dementors and everyone else for a costume contest and raffle. Young adult librarian Karyn Gardiner passed out butterbeer. Although J.K. Rowlings’ books never reveal the ingredients, here cream soda and whipped cream were the main components of butterbeer. Gardner’s concoction proved tasty enough to run out. Even in the noisy environment, kids showed their knowledge of the books. They could be heard quoting lines, comparinghousesandcasting “Wingardium Leviosa” and “Expecto Patronum” spells at each other. None of the spells appeared to have any effect whatsoever, which is just as well since there was at least one “Avada Kedavra” and one “Sectumsempra” cast. The party marks the end of an era, at least for a while, at the library. The Durham Library has hosted Harry Potter parties, book discussions, movie screenings and a wellattended midnight release party for the July 21, 2007 publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The last items raffled off were the banners for the four houses of Hogwarts, slightly faded from years of use and familiar to past attendees of the library’s Harry Potter events.

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Town Times

CFPA protects state parks and forests in multitude of ways By Diana Carr Special to the Town Times Tired of the maddening crowds, the hustle and bustle, the bumper-to-bumper traffic? Well, take heart, fellow Nutmeggers. Our fair state boasts 152,000 acres of state parks and forests, all lending themselves to some muchneeded R&R. We come by them, in large part, because of the tireless efforts of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), located in Rockfall, which helped develop a state forest acquisi-

tion policy that allows Connecticut to acquire lands for state forests. The first non-profit conservation organization in the state, CFPA was established in 1895, and, to quote their brochure, it “protects forests, parks, walking trails and open spaces for future generations by connecting people to the land.” Over the past century, it has been instrumental in the acquisition of more than 100 state parks and forests. Says executive director Eric Hammerling, “Forests

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covered only 20 percent of the state in 1885. When people moved to the Midwest and West for larger and cheaper territories with fewer stones and deeper topsoil, the deserted farms generally reverted to forest. Fortunately, our land and climate combination is very conducive to growing trees without much help at all. Today nearly 60 percent of the state is covered by forests — one of the most densely forested states. “The challenge now is to maintain healthy forests,” says Hammerling. “The biggest concern is forest fragmentation, which means we have roads and subdivisions in the forests, making it difficult for wildlife to move around. One of the things we talk about is healthy managed forests. Ninety percent of the state’s forests are owned by

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private landowners, and they are making critical decisions about their futures. So it’s important to have organizations that educate them and help them make good decisions. We want to keep the forests together as much as possible. “Forestry is the heart of what we do, but it is only one of many things,” Hammerling continues. “We have a forestrelated advocacy effort where we inform state and federal legislators about programs that are critical for protecting forests. Steve Broderick, the forester for CFPA and the director of the Environmental Education Center at Goodwin State Forest (in Hampton), gives workshops to private landowners on sustainable forest management. Lori Brant, the director of education at CFPA, gives workshops to teachers and other educators on the important

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Eric Hammerling in front of the striking stone fireplace at CFPA headquarters on Route 66 in Rockfall.

role of forests. We try to connect people to the land, so that they are more likely to take action to protect it.” The Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails help foster that connection. They’ve been in existence since 1929, and the 825 miles that traverse this state are maintained by staff and hundreds of volunteers. CFPA maintains the Connecticut portion of the New England Trail, which goes from Guilford to the New Hampshire/Massachusetts border. Since 1936, CFPA has published “Walk Books,” which are comprehensive guides to hiking these trails. They can be purchased at major bookstores or online (www.ctwoodlands.org). Trails Day, an annual event held throughout the country, is another way to connect people to the land. Towns throughout the state host a variety of nature-centered activities, like hiking, educational walks, kayaking and bike riding. There are concerts and educational games and scavenger hunts for kids. “It’s a way to get people outdoors,” says Hammerling. “This state has 193 events taking place in 112 towns. For the past several years, we’ve had more events than anywhere else in the country.” The events are held by CFPA, land trusts and watershed associations. “We put out the call. We gather the information and put it into brochures — 30,000 of them — which you can find in any library.” CFPA also publishes materials, Hammerling tells us, that are interesting and help people learn about what is going on outdoors in this state. Their quarterly magazine, Connecticut Woodlands, “highlights issues that cross many boundaries, with maps of the different nature centers in the state. We don’t just talk about ourselves.” And a few years ago the organization launched an initiative — called WalkCT — that identifies quality walking opportunities within 15 minutes of every Connecticut citizen. There are currently a little more than 100 walks listed, but the goal is 169 — one for every town in the state. See Forest, page 28

Friday, July 22, 2011

Town Times Freelance Summer Memories

Childhood summers — vacation traditions span generations By Elisabeth Kennedy Special to Town Times As a child, summer vacations were spent camping in Vermont so we could visit my father’s cousin who still operated the family dairy farm where my dad spent his summers. From Vermont we would drive to Maine and hop on a ferry to visit my mother’s family. At the farm, my siblings and I would escape to the barn where we would build houses with bales of hay and jump from the second floor into large piles of hay. We explored, created and enjoyed baby animals from kittens to pigs, from chicks to calves. My dad would tell stories of his childhood as he shared his love for the farm. The island in Maine has always been my favorite place. When I was little, we would stay with my great aunts, Elisabeth and Margaret. As their namesake, they doted on me. The cottage was purchased by their mother and my mother spent summers there with her grandmother. When I was little, we stayed quiet in bed until my aunt brought

us a pitcher of warm water, which she poured into a porcelain basin for us to wash up in. After breakfast, we would go down to the rocks and explore, swim and play. When we got older, we were allowed to ride bikes around the island, finding new adventures, including World War II forts and batteries. We discovered the best sea glass beaches and filled jar after jar. The best vacations were those when my grandfather joined us. We were regaled by his stories of his childhood with his sisters and my mom joining in. We fought for a place on the “Boston boat” (porch swing) and in the evening gathered around the fireplace to toast marshmallows and listen to more stories. As my aunts’ health declined, the cottage was closed for a long time. Life became busy with college, then marriage and the joy of my own daughter’s birth. After the death of my aunts, the cottage passed to my grandfather, and it was with great delight that we returned to the island for my daughter Sara’s first summer vaca-

tions. The cottage was the same as I remembered it, but with an updated bathroom which replaced pitchers of warm water and porcelain wash basins. Sara competed for that place on the Boston boat and toasted marshmallows in the fireplace. She explored those same rocks, forts and sea glass beaches. We also rejoined my parents and siblings in those Vermont camping trips, the family farm now passed to another generation, and our children now exploring the barn, jumping in hay and delighting in baby animals. Generation to generation, our family history is shared in these special places and summer vacations filled with the love of family and God’s great creation.

Top photo, the Choate Farm in West Barnet, Vermont; middle photo, Elisabeth’s dad greeting his cousin, Charles Choate; bottom photo, Elisabeth’s daughter Sara on the seawall on Peak’s Island, Maine.

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Town Times

Friday, July 22, 2011

DMYFS cleans up — outside and inside presents

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During the week of July 11, Durham Middlefield Youth and Family Services held an “extreme makeover” camp. Seven teens joined Jane Moen, program director, and staffer Jennifer St. Pierre in projects inside and outside of their Middlefield Community Center home base. Above, Jonathan Keurajian, Stacey Cutrole and Timothy Leaver in front of the cleaned out side garden.

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The extreme makeover participants: from left, Jane Moen, Scott Erskine, Ben Plant, Tyler Bjornson (front), Colin Plant, Jonathan Keurajian, Stacey Cutrole and Timothy Leaver. Check out their work at the Community Center on Thursday, July 28, from 3-4 p.m. when there will be a teen art show.

Friday, July 22, 2011

DPSA (Continued from page 5)

Baginski and Chuck Holder spearheaded the establishment of the nonprofit organization. Holder, using information from high school yearbooks at the library, assembled the first “database” of Durham Public School alumni and teachers. Malcolm Pearce often served as master of ceremonies; he and Helen remember how people would bring mementos from their school years to the reunions. “Different people would come different years. In 2002, Gary Gomez came from Singapore! Last year, Houal Soobitsky — we called him Hal Kid — came from California, and his brother, Michael, came from Florida,” Pearce said. At the DPSA reunions, Len Baginski remembers seeing people he hadn’t seen in many years and wondered if he’d ever see them again. “I saw people my father used to talk about,” Baginski explains. All-school reunions were held in 1993, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008, with the last one being held in August 2010. While they attracted a significant number of attendees (the last one drew almost 90 people), the numbers showed a steady decline over the years. Mary (Gulielmetti) DiMella, who graduated in the late 1930s, says the reunions she attended were “low-key and nice; people met and just talked.” But, like others, she noticed how the younger folks didn’t seem as inclined to attend. “Even my children, who went to Durham schools, didn’t go,” she said. Baginski says he and other DPSA leaders figured younger classes might get nostalgic, “but it didn’t happen.” In Nov. 2010, the DPSA voted to disband, and the organization’s assets were dispersed by funding two onetime scholarships of $500 each, which were given to 2011 Durham graduates of Cognichaug High School. Lillian White, who was saddened to see the association disband, says the full-school reunions were special for her because she would attend with her son, David, as a mother-son “team.” “I was in the first class to go all the way through Durham Public School, and my son David was

in the last class to graduate from the school [before CRHS opened].” She enjoyed the way reunions brought the young and old together. “The nicest thing was that anybody who went to DPS could go. I got such pleasure seeing people I knew I otherwise wouldn’t see. Many moved out of town but came back for the reunions. Without the association and the reunions, we’ve lost a link to the younger people,” White noted.

This photo was taken prior to 1910 on Maple Avenue, before Lillian White was born. The white building is a one-room schoolhouse where Lillian’s house (built by her husband Robert in 1938)isnow.ThedarkbuildinginthecenterwascalledHubbard Hall, built by Lillian’s grandfather, Oliver Hubbard.

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Dr. Francis Edwin Korn Jr., DPS class of 1933, (above with Lillian White) attended the 2010 reunion, and he is likely the oldest living graduate of the school. For Dr. Korn, Lillian White and others, the DPSA reunions offered a chance to see people with whom they shared something unique: the Durham Public School experience. Fewer people nowadays seem inclined to go to reunions. Maybe the world has changed, but our need for community hasn’t. We all still have a desire to interact with each other, and this interaction produces powerful memories that enrich our lives. When we get together with people we have not seen for a while, or maybe a very long time, old memories come out to play, and new memories are formed. When the Durham Public School Association disbanded, it made sure that its database of the names and addresses of members would be maintained. Information from this database is available to alumni who wish to get together with their classmates; send a note to Chuck Holder at 60 Sunset Avenue, Meriden, CT 06450. Holder says he hopes this information will encourage alumni to hold smaller reunions for one or several classes.

July 23............Newport “on your own” ...................................................... $45 Aug. 7.............Boston POPS & Brunch on board Cape Cod Railroad..$139 Concert only ........................................................................ $89 Aug. 14...........Saratoga Race Course-reserved seats..............................$61 Aug. 20...........Nantucket on board the “fast ferry” ................................$129 Aug. 27 & 28..Oakland vs Red Sox, Fenway Park ....................................$99 Aug. 29-31......Atlantic City at Resorts $40 bonus, $20 food, 2-buffet coupons.....$209 Sept. 10, Oct. 23 & Nov. 11.....Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (child 17 & under $49)...$59 Sept. 17..........Brooklyn & The Bridge........................................................$59 Sept. 17..........Tampa Bay vs Red Sox, Fenway Park.............................$129 Sept. 23-25.....Niagara Falls 2 Br & 1 D overlooking the Falls...............$429 Sept. 24..........Bourne Scallop Festival w/dinner......................................$85 Sept. 25..........Hudson Valley Garlic Festival & River Cruise...................$69 Oct. 1..............New Hampshire Fall Foliage, cruise & dinner on the Turkey Train.....$95 Oct. 1-2...........Baltimore Weekend at the Marriott 1-Br..........................$169 Oct. 2..............Cape Cod RR w/Brunch & Harbor Cruise..........................$99 Oct. 8 & Dec. 3..NY Food & Markets Tour.....................................................$45 Oct. 8..............Vermont Fall Foliage, steam train ride & lunch at Putney Inn .....$99 Oct. 8-10.........Montreal Columbus Day Weekend 2Br & 1D .................. $379 Oct. 8-10.........Lancaster w/ “Joseph” 2Br & 2 D .................................... $379 Oct. 14-16.......Nantucket Weekend 2-Br & 2-D........................................$457 Oct. 21............ Boston’s North End Markets Tour (includes food sampling)......$83 Oct. 22, 27 & 29..Salem “Haunted Happenings”............................................$55 Nov. 5 ............. NYC Progressive Dinner (3-restaurants) ........................ $119 Nov. 11-13......PA Holiday Shopping Extravaganza 2-Br & 2-D ............. $259 Nov. 20-21......Atlantic City at the Trop $30 bonus, $10 food & buffet!.$121 Nov. 24 ........... Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade & Dinner on Bateaux NY..$139 Parade only..........................................................................$43 Nov. 25-26......“It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas”, Lancaster 1Br & 1D . $209 Dec. 2-3..........Boston POPS in Providence & Newport Christmas.......$259 Dec. 4.............Newport Holiday at the Breakers.......................................$63 Dec. 4-5..........Coastal Christmas Prelude, Kennebunkport 1Br & 1D..$199 Dec. 4-5..........Atlantic City & Radio City Christmas Show--optional Carmine’s $39.....$223 Dec. 10-11......The Miracle of Christmas, Lancaster 1Br & 1D .............. $229 Dec. 27-28......Atlantic City Holiday at the Hilton ................................... $119 Dec. 31-Jan. 2, 2012..A Capital New Year’s Eve in Washington, DC dinner, show & dancing....$399

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the Hotel Arrigoni in Middletown. Notes taken by Lillian White on June 15, 1935, describe a banquet of Durham High School alumni held at the Durham Town Hall: “The dinner, which was prepared by the ladies of the MethodistChurch[whichlater became the Grange Hall], and the singing of old time songs, accompanied by Walt Osborne’s orchestra, was enjoyed by all,” she wrote. Mal Pearce recalls how, in 2000, the Connecticut General Assembly granted high school diplomas to four men — Burton Parmelee, Billy Stannard, Joe Romboli and Patrick Gervasi — who were unable to complete their education because they had to go off to fight in World War II. At graduation ceremonies that year at Coginchaug, Pearce says that Superintendent Bill Breck seated the four in the front row, giving them special recognition. Harriet (Stevens) Duval, who graduated in 1950, says that, because the classes were so small, reunions usually included two or three adjacent classes. This made sense because classrooms included students from several grades. “During World War II, there were only four girls in my class,” she adds. “At reunions, we had the opportunity to renew old friendships, and not just from my class.” Len Baginski (class of 1961) says that the first allschool reunion, held in July of 1991, was spurred by a 1990 reunion of the classes of 1958 through 1962. According to Diane (Wiknik) Andrews, who handled registration, more than 300 people attended the 1991 reunion, which was held at the Durham Fairgrounds. The cost was $5 a person, and there was a huge potluck, as well as much socializing and picture-taking. Following this successful reunion, the Durham Public School Association (DPSA) was organized in 1993 “to foster and promote contact among all persons and teachers who attended Durham public schools, up to and including the high school class of 1970.” Len

Town Times

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Town Times

Obituaries Richard T. Owens

Richard T. Owens, 92, of Northfield, CT, died on July 14 at home surrounded by family. He was born Sept. 26, 1918, to Harry and Frances Owens Sr., both deceased. He was in the Navy in WW II as a Machinist’s Mate Third Class. He owned and operated Arch Industries in Watertown, CT, for many years and was a member of Bristol Old Tyme Fiddlers Club and the VFW and American Legion. He loved to garden and take care of his fruit orchard. He did ceramics for over 35 years and enjoyed watching all his birds, hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Lois E. (Ewards) Owens; two stepchildren, John Despres and his wife Cathy (Kennelly) of Southbury, CT, and Jeannette Purdy and her husband

Brian of Winsted, CT; a stepson-in-law, Robert Armstrong of Bristol, CT; stepgrandchildren Matt Despres and his wife Vanessa of Middlebury, CT, Tim Prudy of Texas and Rebecca Prudy of Torrington, CT and ten stepgreat-grandchildren; his brother Harry Owens Jr. and his wife Dorothy (Butnor) of Spring Hill, FL; nieces Cindy (Owens) Behuniak and her husband John of Brownsville, ME, and Eileen (Owens) Law of Naugatuck, CT; nephews Harry Owens III and his wife Bertha (King) of Oakville, CT, William Owens and his wife Wendy (Suchower) of Riverton, CT, and Phil Owens and his wife Marge (Grinsunas) of Bethlehem, CT; and 18 greatnieces and nephews. He was predeceased by step-daughter Diane Armstrong. A memorial service was held on Monday July 18 at the Northfield

Volunteer Fire Department in Northfield, CT. Burial held at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Northfield Volunteer Fire Department, Knife Shop Rd., Northfield, CT 06778. We would like to thank the Northfield Vol. Fire Dep’t. and Ambulance Squad, VNA staff and hospice staff for all they did.

Joel Landry Joel Landry, 57, formerly of Middlefield, died on June 27 in Orlando, FL. He is survived by his wife Durga and daughter Simi; his parents Joyce and Amos Landry of Brookfield, VT; and two sisters, Kathleen Engstrom of Enosburg, VT, and Karen Scoppe of Randolph Ctr., VT. Services were held on July 1 at the Stanfill Funeral HomeinMiami,FL.Donations in his memory can be made to theAmericanHeartAssoc.

Brightening beds for children with cancer By Cheri Kelley Town Times Every day all throughout America thousands of sick children sit awaiting recovery in hospital beds. During this trying and often terrifying time in their young lives, there is much dreaming of a healthy tomorrow. As a way to brighten up the sterile and drab environment that often is the very essence of a hospital room and put a smile on the face of a child in need, Cindy Kerr of Pennsylvania, created ConKerr Cancer. The cause works to create colorful and cheery pillowcases for patients in children’s hospitals nationwide. Kerr’s son spent a lot of time in hospitals during his battle with cancer, and he was comforted by the notion. After reading about the cause in June, Julie Fox Annecchino of Durham and her two daughters Carlie, 13, and

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Kate, 11, were inspired to get involved. So far they have made four pillowcases, with plans to make many more. After a feature article was recently published, a family friend from Florida heard what they were doing and sent them $50 to buy more fabric as he loved this idea so much. Julie said, “Jim is in his 60s, but he’s a character and a kid at heart. He recently spent time in the hospital recovering from a serious heart attack and said he would have loved a fun pillowcase delivered to him. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make you smile and get you through.” The cause is always looking for more people to get sewing and create more pillowcases, and there are no requirements on how many pillowcases can be done at one time. Julie said, “You can sew one pillowcase or a dozen! There are washing instructions for the fabric and directions on how to sew the pillowcase, but all you need to know is how to operate a sewing machine. It’s basically straight stitches. If someone doesn’t have a sewing machine, maybe they could team up with someone who does and make them together.” Her kids love the whole process – shopping for fun fabric, washing it, cutting out the pattern and the fabric, ironing and learning how to sew it all together. When they are finished, they enclose the pillowcases in plastic sandwich bags and drop them off at Quilter’s Cove in Durham, which then

In Our Libraries

Friday, July 22, 2011

Levi Coe Library Hours: The library is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and closed Friday and Saturday. We will reopen on Saturdays after Labor Day. Visit www.leviecoe.com or call the library at 860-349-3857 for information or to register for any program. You can also renew, reserve and check your library record on the website. Book Donations: The library is now accepting items in good condition for our annual November book sale. We do not accept textbooks or magazines. Thank you! Museum Passes: The library now has the following museum passes, which offer either free or reduced admission: Beardsley Zoo, CT State Parks & Forests Day Pass, Mystic Aquarium, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art and CT’s Old State House. Please call the library for more info. Children’s Summer Reading Program: Don’t forget to sign up for the children’s summer reading program. The Children’s Room has many exciting programs this summer. All registrations must be done in person. Please stop by the library for more info. There are still openings in the following programs:

ConKerr

(From page 18)

contacts the ConKerr regional volunteer to pick them up and distribute them to YaleNew Haven Children’s Hospital and CT Children’s Medical Center.

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. For information or to register for a program by phone, call 860-349-9544. Facebook: Receive daily updates on library news and events by becoming a fan on Facebook. Click on the Facebook link on the library website. DPL Book Talk: Participate in the library’s new blog about all things book! Just click on the DPL Book Talk link on the library’s website. Art Display: Durham artist Emily Newton will display her artwork in the Activity Room during July. Summer Reading 2011: One World, Many Stories: The library’s annual summer reading program began Monday, June 27. Children, young adults and adults are encouraged to join — weekly prizes are included! Children’s Movies: Thursday, July 21, the library will show Tangled. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Afternoon Story Adventures: Join us for stories, songs and a craft on Fridays at 1:30 p.m. Ages two and up. Papillion: Cajun Storytelling. Tuesday, July 26 at 3 p.m. All ages. Registration required. Volunteens: Teens ages 12 and up — we need you to run the summer reading desk! Register patrons, track statistics, and prepare craft kits. Volunteer for six hours and

get a t-shirt and celebrate at a pizza party at the end of the program! Sign up at the circulation desk in the white Volunteen binder. International Movies: Thursday, July 28, at 1 p.m., Bollywood. Batik Fabric Designing: Learn to make Indonesian batik fabric with fabric, glue and dye. Saturday, July 23 at 2 p.m. Registration is required. Teen Book Club: Tuesdays, July 26 and Aug. 30, at 7

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Julie and her girls will be sewing as the summer progresses and are now thinking about starting on some winter-themed fabric for the pillowcases. “It’s strange to think about buying candy cane fabric right now in the heat of the summer, but sometimes you can great deals on off-season fabric. One of our goals is to just get the word out about ConKerr Cancer and its mission,” said Julie. They are off to a good start. For those interested in learning more about the cause, visit www.conkerrcancer.org/ab outus.html.

Butterfly Release: Tuesday, July 26 at 11:30 a.m. Talent Show and Finale Picnic: Thursday, July 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. Do you play an instrument, juggle, dance, etc.? We need children to sign up for the third annual talent show at the library’s reading program finale picnic. Children’s Story Times: Lyman Orchards and Levi E. Coe Library present a story time with a craft at the Apple Barrel (32 Reeds Gap Rd. in Middlefield). Registration is optional. Please feel free to call the Levi E. Coe Library at 860-349-3857 or join us at the Lyman Orchards Apple Barrel. July 30, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. “Berry” story time and craft. Aug. 20, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. “Sunny” story time and craft. Wish List Books: Please donate one or more of the following books: Kill Me If You Can by James Patterson and Marshall Karp and/or Flash and Bones by Kathy Reichs. If you donate a book, you can be the first one to check it out. We will also add a bookplate to acknowledge your kind donation. Call or stop by the library for further details.

19 p.m. Registration required. International Game Night: Wednesday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. Registration required. Belly Dancing with Gina Monti: Demonstration and instruction, Mondays, July 25, at 5 p.m. Registration required. T’ai Chi for seniors with Tom Cushing: Wednesday, July 27, Tuesday, Aug. 9 and Monday, Aug. 15. All classes start at noon. Registration is required.

Scouts in Town Times

Friday, July 22, 2011

Local boy scouts explore Normandy and World War II sites By Joey Davenport Special to the Town Times Last winter, a few boys from Boy Scout Troop 270 had the opportunity to visit with some veterans and hear their compelling stories. One guest — Mr. Peterson, a WWII veteran — left a lasting impression. He shared stories of digging fox holes, using his helmet for more than head protection and one particular story about a French family that made him omelets when they found him hiding in their barn. The troop’s time with Mr. Peterson was not only a chance for us to honor these heroes, but it was also great preparation for our trip to Normandy, France! In April, five boy scouts and three leaders from Troop 270 boarded a plane for the trip of a lifetime.

Filled with excitement, the boys and the leaders alike wondered if we would see the areas where Mr. Peterson had so bravely fought for our freedom. Landing safely in Belgium on April 14, the adventure began! Navigating the Belgian countryside, we set out in search of Waterloo and the battlefields where Napoleon’s army fought. After lunch we headed to Paris, which filled our heads with a new appreciation for architecture; we visited the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre and toured Notre Dame Cathedral. A visit to Paris wouldn’t be complete without a drive around the Arch de Triumph, which is exactly how the troop finished the visit to Paris. As the Arch de Triumph faded into the background, we headed for our next desti-

nation — Utah Beach. In the quaint French villages that surround Utah Beach, it was difficult to find a restaurant still open to serve dinner after 7 p.m. After much searching, we finally found a small café where we all ordered omelets in honor of Mr. Peterson — that was his first hot meal after D-Day. Utah Beach was beautiful; the quiet landscape of sand dunes and farmhouses were harshly contrasted by pill boxes (miniature forts) popping up along the coast, all a continual reminder of the battles that were once fought there. We climbed through pill boxes, walked the beach and began to connect with the events that happened over 60 years ago. The United States once had pill boxes along the East Coast similar to the ones we toured in France. It was a great experience to go into the pill boxes and see the view a German soldier saw so many years ago. St. Mère Église was our next destination after Utah Beach. St. Mère Église was rich with history, stories and great cafés full of delightful treats. The Airborne Museum shared the story of the D-Day invasion and how the paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions successfully liberated St. Mère Église. St. Mère

Église honors the American paratroopers at the church in the town’s center, with beautiful stained-glass windows filled with paratroopers and a statue of a paratrooper hanging from the steeple. The story is told that a paratrooper got hung up on the steeple, played dead, survived and returned to St. Mère Église many times after the war. We left St. Mère Église and headed to Omaha Beach where we, along with 3,000 other Boy Scouts, spelled out ‘Normandy Land of Liberty

2014’ while an aerial photo was taken. Believe it or not, Omaha Beach is not a World Heritage Site, but hopefully by the 70th anniversary of DDay it will be! While at Omaha, we flew a flag in Mr. Peterson’s honor. A trip to Normandy wouldn’t be complete without visit-

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We finished our time in France with a visit to Caen, where we toured the castle of William the Conqueror, and Rouen, where we visited another cathedral named Notre Dame! We then headed back to Brussels to fly back home. On Memorial Day weekend, the troop went back to visit Mr. Peterson. We presented him with the flag we flew and some sand from Omaha Beach. Special thanks go out to Mr. Bates for organizing this great trip, as well as to Mr. Joyce and Mr. Davenport for chaperoning. This really was a trip of a lifetime — one we will never forget. We also want to thank the many American Legion posts from across Connecticut that donated to our trip.

Scouts in Town Times

Friday, July 22, 2011

Venture Crew 169 back for more

Venture Crew 169 stand together at Camp Norse this Submitted photo past Memorial Day weekend. would like to thank Durham Boy Scout 27 for the loan of their trailer to transport our chariot and equipment. The Crew would also like to thank our Charter Organization VFW Post 10169 for their continued and active support of our venturing program. We are planning for the next scout year and have many new and exciting events on tap. If any young men or women ages 13 to 20

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Memorial Day weekend is often seen as the kick-off to summer. At Camp Norse in Kingston, MA, venture crews from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York got together for a Memorial Day weekend of competition and fun at the Annawon Council V Games. Last year, Crew 169 of Durham went, conquered and came home. This year, we not only returned the improved championship cup with our name on it, but we had a lot of fun while doing it. Our crew participated in many events, including chariot racing, two-man sawing, tomahawk throwing, paddleboat racing, blindfolded teamwork puzzles, texting competitions, team jeopardy games, road relay race, first aid relay, obstacle course and other activities. On Friday, we left right after school. We drove for about three hours, checked in and drove down to the familiar campsite; number eight has been our site for the past two years. We unloaded the trailer and set up camp. Around 5:30 p.m. we drove a few miles down the road to get dinner at Red Robin. YUM! Around 7:15 p.m. we went down to the mess hall for opening ceremonies with the blanket-covered trophy and chose the best table in the room. We were doing hand games, talking, laughing and making friends with other crews. The ceremonies ended and then the games began. Ready, set, TEXT! Venture Crew 169 had two members participate in the texting competition Friday night. The competitors went neck-and-neck in the final round. Each participant had to text a sentence with perfect spelling and grammar. (This included punctuation and actual words not “lol” or “ur.”) The Crew was in second place in the final round, but it was a very close competition. The next event was Jeopardy with a few of the categories being: U.S Wars, Romeo and Juliet, ‘90s Car-

ing water from one bucket to another using only small cups on a wobbly bridge. Our time was six minutes and 20 seconds. Later we decided to go back and try it again. Unfortunately, our second time couldn’t count, so we decided to have fun and ended up having a water fight. The rest of the afternoon we participated in the chariot race, the blindfolded teamwork puzzle, first aid relay and then we went to the venturing dance. From 8 to 11 p.m., people from every crew were either at the Ultimate Frisbee game on the field, the dance in the mess hall or outside just hanging out. Here friends exchanged names and numbers so they could keep in touch after the weekend. Bright and early Sunday morning we got up, packed up camp and ate breakfast. By 7:45 a.m. we were pulling out of camp and heading home. It was another success at the V-games this year. We

toons and The Simpsons. Even though we did not place in this event, with the addition of female crew members this year, we were able to improve our score from last year’s game by 600 points. Saturday morning we woke up at 6:30 a.m. and cooked ourselves eggs on bagels for breakfast and then went off to the flag pole. Here we learned about the history of Memorial Day and got going on the scavenger hunt. After the hunt was completed, we did a paddle boat race and then made our way to the tomahawk throwing area. We walked around going from event to event. In the morning we did the obstacle course, which consisted of scaling a rope, running through a string spider web, jumping over and diving under raised logs, going down a slide, bunny hopping tires, getting a person through a tire without touching it, and finally, mov-

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Honor Rolls in Town Times

22 Below are honor roll designations for area middle and high schools. Strong School Seventh grade High Honors students for the third trimester are: Kyle Adams, Amy Arcari, Lauren Badin, Westly Benjunas, Emma Blair, Michael Brady, Larissa Cade, Abigail Coogan, Andreana Coviello, Nicholas Cumello, Karen DeFilippo, Michelle DeFilippo, Isabelle DeFlippo, Kyle DeGennaro, Tyler DeGennaro, Jessica Drop, Samantha Drop, Linda Essery, Emily Foreman, John-Rudy Fronc, Olivia Haglund, Tyler Hall, Emma Hintz, Patrick Holden, Kyle Judson, Angela Koerber, Caitlyn Kranich, Abigail LaVigne, Sadie Leiler, Tiffany Mangiameli, Olivia Marran, Ashley Mason, Gillian Murphy, Jordan Olivieri, Melissa Parsons, Nina Peach, Charley Pietrzyk, Hannah Rea, Matthew Reed, Christina

Rizzo, Tucker Root, Brianna Sawicki, Matthew Sawicki, Zachary Schleicher, Adam Skelps, Jacob Small, Jordan Solis, Sam Temple, Emily Touch, George Trapp, Brooke Troutman, Shaun Whitaker, Nicole Woznyk, Alexander Wyskiel, Megan Yale and Lilian Zhou. Seventh grade Honors students for the third trimester are: Emma Ackerman, Ava Altschuler, Carlie Annecchino, Saige Avery, Christopher Backstrom, Brennan Bates, Alana Beckert, Alec Bogen, Kyle Borbas, Katelynn Branciforte, Jacob Brunelle, Samara Chapman, Isabella Coviello, Miranda Cronin, Michael Cross, Morgan Cunningham, Katherine D’Orvilliers, Joshua Dalo, Joseph Davenport, Krista DeFilio, Zachary Devers, Nicholas DiDato, Madeleine Dumas, Hannah Ericksen, Jamie Filiault, Kenneth Gribko, Roslyn Helmedach, Dana Hoffman, Gilia Jose,

Friday, July 22, 2011

students for the third trimester are: Janelle Berry, Alexandra Bonin, Natalie Charette, Victoria Conroy, Kayleigh Crocetto, Lauren Davis, Kyle Farrell, Alyssa Gambardella, Caroline Gervais, Ryan Gossart, Jessica Hendley, Noelle Khalil, Kendra Landy, Zoe Lerman, Aleksander Marczuk, Connor Marszalek, Tyler McDonald, Wilson Nickel, Matthew Quick, Megan Quinley, Hayley Quirk, Eliza Romeyn, Erin Smith, Joshua Smith, Meghan St.Amand, Zoe Stublarec, Bailey Thayer and Nathaniel Weir.

Paige Koba, Cassandra Kovacs, Megan Locascio, Chloe Manguilli, Chiara Manna, Taylor Marino, Scott Marks, Joshua Martowski, Isabel Mastrangelo, Mikayla Mazzotta, Spencer McCoy, Martha Meigs, Daniel Meskill, Mary Oblon, Shannon O’Malley, David Pakech, Jeremiah Palmisano, Alexander Peterson, Stephen Phenicie, Christopher Piotrowski, James Predom, Jack Riotte, Erik Rojas, Brenden Rushford, Jacob Sapia, Troy Satagaj, MacKenzie Scotto, Caitlyn Sibiskie, Evan Slawinowski, Emily Smith, Hailey Starr, Jacquelyn Stevens, Zoe Strothers, Stephanie Tang, Owen Tobin, Parker Tregoning, Brianna van Eyndhoven, Samantha Vigue, Gunther Wallach, Mirah Watson, Connor Wenchell, Cassidy White-Ryan and Walter Wyskiel.

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Continued on next page

Honor Rolls in Town Times

Friday, July 22, 2011 (From previous page)

Trombetta, Kayla Votto, Caroline Whitaker and Alicia Zanelli. Freshmen — Christian Adams, Philip Anderson, Jenna Barton, Kevin Bjarnason, Chelsea Blackwood, Sarah Brady, Katherine Chi, Olivia Corazzini, Mary D’Orvilliers, Morgan Dickson, Mikaela Dumont, Abigail Eisner, Lara Ellison, Carolyn Fetchel, Dana Foley, Matthew Fontaine, Brenna Goldberg, Morgan Kuehnle, Alison Luther, Molly MacDuff, Erin Mallinson, Morgan Manning, Alexander Markoski, Jeffrey Peracchio, Deanna Puchalski, Caryn Sibiskie, Megan Sirois, Rue Strothers, Jack Temple, Sydney Trusty and Katelyn Williams. Xavier High School Headmaster Brother Brian Davis, C.F.X. and principal Brendan Donohue announced the following students to the honor roll for the fourth marking period. High Honors — From

Durham: Anthony DeMarinis, Jacob Randazzo, Gregory D. Brown, Geoffrey M. DeVille, Victor C. Wu, Ryan J. DeVille and James R. Rosborough. Honors — From Durham: Taylor Bonin, Andrew Giacco, Matthew Verderame, Matthew J. DeKoeyer, Andrew P. Gonzalez, Michael F. Mastroianni, Ryan P. Murphy, Akshay Vig, Jake T. Whalen, Tushar Vig, Joseph A. Braun, Sean P. Doyle and Noah T. Palo. From Middlefield: Joshua Etheridge, Joel P. Williams, Emmett A. Brayton and Robert Cocchiola. From Rockfall: Nicholas S. Mazzotta. Vinal Technical High School The following students were named to the honor roll. High Honors — Lisa Bradley, Thomas D’Orvilliers, William Mazo, Samantha Misenti, Shane Phenicie, Brianna Gasior and Richard Parker.

Honors — Leah Carlson, Brittany Gervais, Steven Koerber, Mark Pavlinko, Ashleigh Schmaltz, Stephen Wyskiel, Nicholas Siwinski, Jason Snipes and Rebecca Farrall. Mercy High School Principal Sister Mary A. McCarthy has announced the following students to the honor roll for the fourth marking period. High Honors — From Durham: Sarah Bower (junior), Kerry Egan (sophomore), Catherine Kannam (sophomore), Julia Kannam (senior), Jennifer Kennedy (sophomore), Rebecca Ludecke (senior), Alexa Marks (junior), Melissa Marks (senior), Shannon McAuliffe (senior), Caitlin McAuliffe (freshwoman), Gabrielle Pakech (freshwoman), Allison Pearson (senior), Sara Richardson (sophomore) and Sara Rosborough (junior). From MidContinued on next page

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Juniors — Megan Andrulis, Emily Carria, Melissa Conway, Tyler Davis, Morgan DeBaise, Elizabeth DiVincentis, Ethan Donecker, Sarah Ertle, Kevin Gawron, Alec Giacco, Marielle Handley, Meagan Hettrick, Devin Kokoszka, Zachary LaVigne, Heather MacIntyre, Maria Manna, Natalie Perez, Benjamin Plant, Colin Plant, Justine Plourde, Marissa Puchalski, Emily Romanoff, Jesse Siegel, Carley St. Amand, Jacob Teitelbaum, Adam Twombly, Erikson Wasyl and Rebecca Weir. Sophomores — Skyla Bradley, Caitlynn Chabot, Justin Etheridge, Annalee Forline, Samuel Gossner, Elizabeth Harlow, Sean Harper, Nicole Ianniello, Mackenzie Kane, Anne Linden, Kayla Makara, Floriana Manna, Colleen McLaughlin, William Neri, Evan Rand, Katherine Scibilia, Leah Slawinowski, Natalie Spence, Korinne Stockdale, Lauren Trombetta, Ashley Vanaman, Brian Walker, Carli Wallace, Jessica Williams, Greta Wilt and Jessica Zerillo. Freshmen — Jesse Azevedo, Hayley Brant, Kristen Burtt, Richard Chi, Danielle Drop, Anna Ferrari, Melanie Frank, Ty Kartiganer, Kara Mather, Kaitlyn Mentlick, Kimberly Romanoff, Emma Roth, Jennifer Skaaning, Ian Stewart, Samantha Turley, Emily Tuttle, Luke Whalen and Kasi Whitaker. Honors: Seniors — Kelsie Annelli, Kaitlynn Chabot, Jonathan Champagne, Stacey Cummings, Carleen Doyle, Hannah Elliott, Zachary Faiella, Melanie Glen, Raymond Graham, Timothy Heller, Marissa Johnson, Silas Jungels, Elbridge Luther, Andrew Markoski, Aleksandr Morin, Sarah Oppelt, Kaylynn Sambor and David Wheeler. Juniors — Stacey Backstrom, Evan Birney, Alec Corazzini, Kasey Crompton, Nicole DeBaise, Melissa Gerardi, Emily Halligan, Derek Heer, Zev Kartiganer, Mark Kelly, Abigail Kotlarz, Emma Lerman, James Malcolm, Shelby Matus, Andrew Paxton, Tanner Pedersen, Spencer Root, Jennifer Siena,

Alyssa Tiedemann, Steven Tyc, Rachel Viccaro, Stephanie White and Carina Yorski. Sophomores — Lindsay Artkop, Connor Bates, Katie Bednarz, Jacquelyn Benson, Michelle Berry, Michael Bongiorno, Kimberly Borbas, Sean Cavanaugh, Laura Ciarlo, Kayla Dandelski, Melanie DeFilippo, Kelly Donovan, Alison Doolittle, Kyle Dupre, Molly Fehon, Christine French, Lauren Giannini, Jeffrey Giantonio, Donald Guenther, Melissa Handy, Douglas Hanley, Kelsey Jacques, Benjamin Kelly, Rachel Kowalski, Jonathan Levine, Abby Lohmann, Emory Manguilli, David Melchionne, Jacob Nickel, Victoria Orozco, Kylie Pascarelli, Christina Pen, Kaylee Powers, Sabrina Prifitera, Aleah Querns, Sean Rogers, Jessica Solomon, Margaret Stanley, Christopher Sullivan, Benjamin Szymanski, Benjamin Taber, Conner Thrall, David

Organized games, relay races and fun activities for your child’s party. Call for an estimate: Contact Jill at 860-346-1838 CT Certified PE Teacher

Town Times Spotlight

24 (From previous page) dlefield: Alice Ochterski (freshwoman), Kathryn Overturf (junior) and Victoria Piscatelli (senior). First Honors — From Durham: Molly Breen (freshwoman), Margaret Bruno (junior), Shannon Egan (junior), Jane Landy (sophomore), Kelsey Pietruska (sophomore) and Cassandra Santoro (sophomore). From Middlefield: Emily Dzialo (junior), Delia Ernst (sophomore), Sara Gmyrek (senior), Mary Neidhardt (sophomore). From Rockfall: Alexia Mazzotta (sophomore). Second Honors — From Durham: Allison Kennedy (senior), Madison Marone (sophomore), Morgan McNulty (junior) and Christina Sergi (senior). From Middlefield: Morgan Cahill (freshwoman). Kingswood-Oxford School Warren C. Hadley Jr., Ce-

line Haeberly and Abigail Mancinelli, all of Durham, made honor roll for the second semester. Warren and Celine are also on the final honor roll for the 2010-11 academic year. Cheshire Academy Karl Garvy, of Durham, received Second Honors at the Academy. He is the son of Patrick and Sheila Garvy.

Submission reminder The Town Times welcomes submissions regarding upcoming events happening in the community. We do our best to run a submission at least one time. However, due to space constraints, we cannot guarantee a submission will be published on a specific date. To ensure your submission runs exactly as you would like it to, contact our sales representative Joy Boone at 860-349-8026, or e-mail advertising@towntimes.com.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Local grad accepted to Teach for America Teach For America announced that Alexandra Kuehnle, a Durham native, has been accepted to the organization’s 2011 corps. Teach For America is the national corps of top recent college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in the pursuit of educational equity. Alex Kuehnle is a 2007 graduate of Coginchaug High School and 2011 graduate of University of Connecticut. Kuehnle will teach in Greater New Orleans. This year, Teach For America’s talent pool was the most competitive ever: Nearly 48,000 individuals applied, and 11 percent were accepted. Applicants included 12 percent of Ivy League seniors, 10 percent of seniors at Howard University, eight percent at the University of Michigan-

Ann Arbor and five percent at the University of Texas a t Austin. Kuehnle joins Teach For America’s incoming corps of 5,200 new teachers. These members earned an average undergraduate GPA of 3.6, and 100 percent held leadership positions while in college. A growing body of rigorous research demonstrates the effectiveness of Teach For America corps members in the classroom. Recent studies from Louisiana, North Carolina and Tennessee found that corps members have a positive impact on student achieve-

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ment. The Tennessee study identified Teach For America as the most effective of the state’s 42 teacher-preparation programs, with corps members demonstrating a greater impact on student achievement than the average new teacher in every evaluated subject area. Press release submitted by Sabrina Davis

Blue Trail (From page 12) into several of the bullet strikes in Nov. 2008, concluding that the bullets “more likely than not” came from Blue Trail. The 2008 reports mirrored those filed in the late 1990s, when residents began to complain of bullet strikes. The town of Durham commissioned its own study in Jan. 2009, hiring independent ballistic engineering firm Golden, Weise and Associates LLC. The study cost the town $19,756 and was released in March 2010. According to the report, the source could have been either the Blue Trail Range, on North Branford Road, or a second tract just north of the range that may have been used by the Wallingford Rod and Gun Club. DiNatale called four expert witnesses for his case: a soil scientist, two state troopers and an engineer from the firm hired by Durham. Miller wrote in his three-page decision Friday that none of those witnesses were qualified to deliver the kind of in-depth testimony required. “This is an issue on which plaintiff could not prevail without expert testimony,” he wrote. “Determining the possible paths of bullets fired from the defendant’s range is certainly beyond the ordinary knowledge of judges.” “The judge asked them if they were ballistics experts, and they said no, and that was it,” DiNatale said. Wallingford attorney Craig Fishbein, one of two lawyers who represented the range, said the judge See Blue Trail, page 28

More Letters to Town Times

Friday, July 22, 2011

Letters (Continued from page 8)

Fried dough fundraiser a success I would like to thank the community, friends and family for coming to my fried dough fundraiser on July 14 to support my Eagle Project. We had a great turn-out, and everyone enjoyed the food. A special thank you to the following for going above and beyond: Mrs. Pedersen, Mr. Pellegrino, Mr. Morro, Ametek Specialties and to Mr.

Hayes at Patch, the Town Times and Kelly at The Middletown Press for the extra publicity. Mr. and Mrs. Baker, Wendy Manemeit, Creative Hair Studio, Lino’s Market and many members of the United Churches of Durham for their generous donations. To the Scouts of Troop 270 for preparing, serving and cleaning up at the fundraiser and to the great parents of Troop 270 who donated baked goods so we could have dessert. Also, to Mrs. Pellegrino for taking everyone’s order and to Mrs. O’Malley for keeping the kitchen running smoothly. Thanks to the leaders and parents who were there the whole time — we couldn’t have done it without you, especially Mr. and Mrs. Bates. Lastly, my parents and family for helping me put this all together. I am honored by the out-

pouring of generosity in our town. Thanks again! Matt Amendola, Durham Troop 270 Sr. Patrol Leader

Reflections on Middlefield As my family and I prepare to move to Colorado, we find it hard to leave Middlefield. In six short years, we have made friends and memories to last a lifetime. To the best sledding in the world at Indian Spring Golf course — thanks, Jane, for letting everyone sled there. To golfing — we don’t golf much, but I’m note sure when we’ll next find a town with three, soon-to-be-four golf courses for such a small town. What awesome views and atmosphere. To Kickapoo — it’s the best bike training hill in the state — 18 percent grade and awesome switchbacks. To Lyman Orchards — one of my boys’ fa-

vorite activities is picking fresh fruit and getting those cider munchkins. To Go Far — thanks for promoting fitness, fun and a competitive spirit. To Middlefield Children’s Center — with private school attention, where the teachers care for students like they care for their own children. To DaVinci’s — our favorite pizza joint. Not sure what spices they use, but the pies come out great. To Lake Beseck — where it feels like your own private lake.

To Middlefield — where your neighbors are your friends and everyone is your neighbor. We will cherish the experiences we have had here always.

And to taxes and the cost of living in Connecticut — see ya later. We’re moving to Colorado. Chad Dalles, Middlefield

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offices and the ferries on the Connecticut River. The state is not “open for business,” unless that business is moving companies. He states he has cut the budget, but it is larger than the last. It appears that the governor does not realize we are competing with every other state to attract business. “Move to Connecticut — fewer state police, prison guards and snow plow drivers than last year” won’t bring companies or new businesses. This budget crisis offered the state a unique opportunity. Our leaders failed. They continue to follow the failed fiscal policies of the past. Nothing in the last budget will stop the flow of people and businesses fleeing this state. Connecticut’s long history of no income tax helped attract and retain corporations and people in this state. We are not just competing with New York and New Jersey but also with every other state. Why not try something new to attract attention from the business community and show them that Connecticut is truly “open for business?” If everything really is on the table concerning the budget, how about scrapping the present income tax and instituting a flat rate income tax? Instead of blindly raising taxes, increasing fees and closing down state services, Connecticut could once again be a trendsetter. We have to break out of this loop of increasing state spending to buy votes from special interest groups and then increasing taxes to pay for it. The big problem in Hartford isn’t raising and collecting the taxes; it is the irresponsible spending of taxpayers’ funds. As tax and dividend payments to the state increased, state spending increased at a faster rate. We must start paying down our debt and living within our means. If that means that some special pet bonding project doesn’t get funded, so be it. What has been lacking from the debate concerning the flight of businesses and capital from this state is how we will ever get any business

to move here, let alone come back. The present situation of high energy costs, high taxes and increasing state and local regulations will not cause new (or old) businesses to say, “Let’s move to Connecticut!” I only hope it is not too late to save the state of Connecticut from its elected government. Jim Rossi, Durham

Town Times Sports

Friday, July 22, 2011

Season over, with pride Coginchaug’s 9-10year-old softball team played in the District 9 finals in East Haddam on Monday, July 11. They played a great game but were unfortunately defeated by Madison 14-4. The girls pose here with their plaques in hand and proud coaches behind them. Great season, girls! Submitted by Christie Fournier

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Falcon football equipment handout Attention, 2011 Durham Middlefield Falcon football players! Equipment handout is scheduled for Saturday July 23, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Allyn Brook Park Pavilion in Durham. Please visit our website www.durhammiddlefieldfalcons.com for updates. (Submitted by Nicholas Faiella)

July 12 Fun Run results The Durham Rec Department staged its third Fun Run of the summer. Here are the results: Age 0-4 years (one lap): Ethan Kowal, 2:29; Cooper Woodward, 2:45; Aaron Wickham, 3:08; Allison Vigue, 3:17 and Chloe Lamin, 4:44. Age 5-7 years (one lap): Alyssa Woodward, 1:37; Luc Stankewich, 1:42; Mazzie Hinsdale, 1:44; Meredith Lentz, 1:47; Cordes Simon, 2:01; Eric Meliso, 2:02; Rose Hinsdale, 2:03; Allison Strang, 2:04; Allyson Woodward, 2:05; Rachel Hayward, 2:06; Colton Conway, 2:07; Natalie Hayward, 2:09; Sadie Macosz, 2:13; Katie Flanagan, 2:16; Olivia Lamin, 2:17 and Kayla Wickham, 2:20. Age 8-10 years (two laps): Mike Salley, 3:16; Alex Mach, 3:17; Logan Conway, 3:26; Tyler Woodward, 3:29; Trevor Scotto, 3:30; Ava Kowal, 3:31; Aidan Lentz, 3:32; Kyle Strang, 3:37; Jason Salley, 3:37; Will Flanagan, 3:38; Ashley Woodward, 3:55; Paten Flanagan, 3:56; Jack Flanagan, 3:59 and Liam Houchin, 4:05. Open Race (3.1 miles): Lavinia Vigue, 22:19; Yvonne Rubin, 24:16; Guy Pulino, 25:41; Karen Woodward (in sandals), 27:23; Kim Salley, 27:24 and Kim Lentz, 28:45. The Summer Fun Runs are free to all each Tuesday. Sign up when you arrive. The next Fun Run will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 2.

Town Times Sports

Friday, July 22, 2011

All Stars win

By Toni-Lynn Miles Special to the Town Times

The Coginchaug Farm League National All Stars won 11-9 against the Farm League American All Stars on June 26. Players are Chris Cara-feno, Matt Taylor, Owen Clancy, Wyatt Pederson, A.J. Defilio, Jack Roberts, Jacob Haglund, Gage Rovelli, Shane Buckheit, Cameron Neville, Ethan Kupec, Ryan Solomon and Spencer Ricci; coaches are Steve Buckheit, Bill Roberts, Cory Pederson and Anthony Defilio.

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On May 14 the Middlesex Dance Center of Middlefield concluded its 19th seas o n . T o n i L y n n Miles, owner and director, presented dance study trophies as well as other awards recognizing the special accomplishments of the dancers. Local dancers who earned 13-year dance study awards were Melanie Badin, Gina DeSimone, Sarah Graichen and Monika Malek. Receiving eight-year dance study awards were Emily Augeri, Brianna Gasior and Liz Rambhia. Rachel Arreguin and Meghan Crocetto received five-year dance study trophies. Lyndsay Crescenti, Erica Sims, Kelly Viski and Penelope Wickwire received three-year dance study awards. Receiving the 2011 Rosamund F. Lange Awards for dedication and pursuit of excellence in technique and presentation were Brianna Gasior (Durham) for Jazz, Gina DeSimone (Durham) for Ballet and Emily Dell’Orfano (Middlefield) for Tap. At the performance, the studio collected an entire car full of food, blankets, toys and supplies as well as $225 in donations for Animal Haven, a shelter in North Haven, in lieu of selling tickets. This is the 11th year the studio has taken a collection at their annual dance concert. Pictured after the perform-

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Town Times

Garden luncheon at the General Mansfield House Forest The Middlesex County Historical Society invites members, friends and the general public to gather together for a relaxing luncheon under the 120-yearold ginkgo tree that graces the back yard of the Society’s headquarters, the General Mansfield House. The herb and knot gardens have received much tender loving care this summer and are at their best. Attendees will also be

Web poll results Forty-five people answered our current poll question: What do you do to be more ecoconscious? Of those, 7% use LED lights, 2% compost, 11% recycle, 0% use solar energy, 9% unplug unused appliances, 0% use chemical alternatives, 2% use rain barrels, but an encouraging 69% do more than one of these.

able to view the Society’s exhibits. The garden luncheon features a menu of a tuna, egg and potato salad plate, with fruit and cupcakes, iced tea

Blue Trail

and lemonade. It will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 17, rain or shine. Two seatings are offered at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Reservations are required and group bookings are welcome. For additional information and pricing or to make reservations, call the Middlesex County Historical Society at 860-346-0746. Past luncheons have been well-attended, so early reservations are encouraged. (Continued from page 24)

could not base his decision in such a complex case on inexpert testimony. Robert O’Brien, a forensic examiner for the state police, and one of DiNatale’s witnesses, testified that no one at the state police academy is qualified as a long-range ballistics expert. “On a crime scene, you’re usually dealing with 20 feet — here you’re dealing with a mile,” O’Brien said. DiNatale lives on Catherine Drive in Durham and owns more than 150 acres of land, on which he raises elk and cattle. His property is separated from the range by Ulbrich Reservoir and Tri-Mountain State Park.

“This is the preeminent conservation organization in the state,” says Hammerling. “I think we are successful because we have partnered with many other organizations.” As Hammerling tells us this, he is seated at a table in their library that was made from the limb of the largest American Elm (which had fallen on a farm in Suffield) ever recorded in Connecticut. The 10-foot table, made and donated by CityBench (in Higganum) for CFPA’s use, is for sale with part of the proceeds going to CFPA. “We’ve helped acquire and protect many of the state parks and forests that we have today,” he continues. “We helped buy them and then transfer them to the state. Gillette Castle, for instance — when the castle was offered by the family to the state, the state was not interested. The board members here proposed to the state

(Continued from page 14) that we put up some money to purchase the castle, and the state put up the rest of the money needed to take care of it long-term. Essentially, the state was shamed into protecting Gillette Castle as a state park.” Hammerling, like the rest of the staff and so many volunteers, is deeply committed to conserving Connecticut. “I have an 11-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter, and I want them to enjoy a beautiful Connecticut in their future.” In order to have the funds for their staff and their environmental programs, CFPA relies on the support of their members. For more information about membership, go to www.ctwoodlands.org. For information WalkCT, go www.walkct.org.

about to

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