8-20-2010 Town Times by Town Times Newspaper

Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall

Volume 17, Issue 20

Friday, August 20, 2010

Middlefield selectmen discuss Powder Ridge and more

In the driver’s seat ...

By Sue VanDerzee Town Times The Powder Ridge ski area is the thread that has run through most Middlefield Board of Selectmen’s meetings over the last several years. That story thread has taken innumerable twists and turns, many of them surprising. According to First Selectman Jon Brayshaw, the town, now owner of the 246-acre ski area, is once again nearing the end of what may the final negotiation to sell the property to Alpine Associates, Inc. That negotiation is currently in the hands of town attorney Ken Antin and attorney John Corona, representing Alpine Associates. Brayshaw noted, “We’re getting close” to

In this issue Photo by Karen Kean

The Conways, dad and daughter, of Durham, check out an antique tractor at the Tractor Pull at the Durham Fairgrounds last week. See more on pages 18-19.

Calendar ...........................4 Durham Briefs ...........14-15 Libraries .........................22 Middlefield Briefs......12-13 Obituary .........................23 Sports..........................24-25

a contract and a deposit of $25,000 from Alpine, which would set in motion 90 days of “due diligence” by both parties. That 90 days would include public discussion of the specifics of the contract. Town officials and Alpine have agreed to four conditions that would make the deposit refundable, including on-site pollution not discovered previously, lack of clear title, or an unsuccessful referendum vote by townspeople. (According to the Middlefield Town Charter, residents must vote to sell any town-owned property such as Powder Ridge.) One item that has prolonged negotiations is the reliability of receiving a promised state grant for $540,000 announced with great fanfare by Gov. M. Jodi Rell at the ski area in the snow on Jan. 29. Since then, the potential buyer has changed and the state has fallen deeper into debt. Current negotiations do not make non-receipt of the grant money “a deal-breaker.” See Powder Ridge, page 21

Summer fun, fall fun — fair fun! Sun power in Durham By Betsy White Booz just getting started. Special to the Town Times With the leaves starting to change here and there, and back-to-school ads flooding the TV and radio, whether we like it or not, it’s time to face the upcoming end of summer. But, wait! Not so fast! There are still plenty of opportunities to get out there and have some seasonal fun. In fact, you might want to view it as getting you and your family ready for the Durham Fair, this year Sept. 24–27. How? By heading out to one of the state’s other fairs or festivals. There are plenty of them, and the fair season (unlike the summer season) is

Indeed, our small state (#29 out of the nation’s 50) is BIG on fairs. According to the Association of Connecticut Fairs, Connecticut boasts 20 “major fairs,” four “district fairs,” six 4-H fairs and 11 local fairs – add it up, and that’s over 40 fairs! And, in fact, there are more than that when you factor in other fairs and festivals not part of the organization’s official count. So, how to decide? Where to head, maybe even this weekend, to chow down on some fried dough, ride the Ferris wheel on the midway, say hello to the animals in the barns? See Fairs, page 10

Have you ever wondered what a 52 solar panels look like? Tim and Maryanne Reyher, with their dog Colby, demonstrate at their Higganum Road property. See their story and learn about the CT Solar Lease program on page 14. Photo by BeFree Solar .

Town Times Community Briefs

Notre Dame tag sale Notre Dame Church on Main Street in Durham will have their monthly tag sale and flea market, rain or shine, in the church hall, church garage, parking lot and on the lawn on Saturday, Sept. 4, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The sale features household goods, pots and pans, dishes, craft supplies, sewing supplies, furniture, clothing ($2.50 per bag), antiques, collectibles, over a thousand

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

Songwriting and book workshop Art at Murray Pond presents David Massengill’s songwriters workshop on Saturday, Aug. 28, at 2 p.m. Learn David’s song-writing tricks and create a new song, which you can play in David’s con-

The future of Middlesex County

Corrections We strive to bring you the most accurate information available each week, but if you see something in Town Times that isn’t quite right, give us a call at 860349-8000, and we’ll do our best to make things right. Country Market in Middlefield is not selling Mark Czaja’s new book as reported. Coginchaug Market next to Middlefield Pizza does have copies.

The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals’ Alliance will present “The Future of Middlesex County: A Panel Discussion Focusing On What Lies Ahead For Our Great County” on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 8 a.m. at the Inn at Middletown, 70 Main St. in Middletown. Featured guest panelists include Larry McHugh, presi-

dent, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce and chairman, UConn board of trustees; Fred Carstensen, executive director, the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis; Bill Warner, director of planning, conservation and development for the city of Middletown; and Phil Miller, first selectman of Essex. The cost for this event will be $15 and will include a continental breakfast. To register, contact Jeff Pugliese at 860-347-6924 or jpugliese@middlesexchamber.com.

New student registration Coginchaug High School registration for new students will be held on Monday, Aug. 23 and Tuesday, Aug. 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Coginchaug High School guidance office. See page 24 for news about free sports physicals for middle and high school students.

Non-stop garden Local author lecture series begins with “Creating the Nonstop Garden” with Jennifer Benner on Wednesday, Aug. 25, from 6 to 7 :30 p.m. at the CFPA headquarters, 16 Meriden Road (RT 66) in Rockfall. For information, or to RSVP call 860-346-2372 or email info@ctwoodlands.org.

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MEAT SPECIALS

Grosolar.....................................17 Hayes Equestrian Center..........28 Home Works..............................25 Hunter’s Pool And Spas..............5 Ianniello Plumbing.....................21 J. Randolph Kitchens ................24 Jay Landscaping .......................22 J.C. Farm & Greenhouse ..........11 Las Eng .....................................25 Lema, William J., D.M.D............12 Lino’s Market ...............................2 Lyman Orchards..........................7 Lyman Orchards Golf Club .......10 Masonicare..........................12, 14 Meriden Girls’ Softball .................5 Michalowski Agency Ins..............5 Micheli Unisex Styling Salon.....11 Middlefield Children’s Center ......3 Middlesex Community College .17 Middlesex Dance Center.............7 Molecular Neuroimaging ...........14 Mountain Spring Water .............26 Movado Farm ............................26 Neil Jones Home Imp................24 Pet Stop.....................................22 Petruzelo Agency Ins. ...............26 Raintree Landscaping ...............21 Realty Associates......................27 RLI Electric ................................22 Roblee Plumbing.......................25 Rockfall Co. ...............................24 RSDL Home Improvements......25 Sharon McCormick Design .......21 Split Enz ....................................21 T-N-T Home & Lawncare..........23 Tile Renovators .........................22 Torrison Stone & Garden....11, 22 Two Mikes Electric ....................25 Uncle Bob’s Flower & Garden.....3 VMB Custom Builders...............24 Whitehouse Construction..........24 Whitney Ridge Stables..............23 Windows Plus............................12

Friday, August 20, 2010

cert that evening. David Massengill is a very talented songwriter, singer, dulcimer and guitar player and raconteur, who will make you laugh and cry! Don’t miss it! Ticket are $75 and include the concert at 7 p.m. Tickets to just the concert are $20. On Sunday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m. David Massengill will present an accordion book workshop for children and adults. David will provide all materials needed and show you how to create a story, including writing, illustrating and binding the book like an accordion. The price is $45 for children and $75 for adults. Call Joan Levy Hepburn in advance to register for these events at Art at Murray Pond in Killingworth at 860-6631169 or visit www.joanlevyartist.com.

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A. O. Carroll & Agostini Co........27 Addy & Sons..............................23 Advanced Dental.......................18 Adworks.....................................12 Affordable Excavation ...............25 All Ears Hearing Aids ................19 Allan’s Tree Service ..................22 Anderson Lawn Care ................22 APEC Electric............................26 Appraisal One Associates.........24 Assisted Living of Meriden ........10 Baby’s World .............................16 Batters Box................................18 Berardino Company Realtors....3, 27 Berlin Bicycle Shop .....................7 Binge, Bruce..............................21 Black Dog ....................................7 Boylin, Dr. William .......................6 Brick Construction .....................23 Brockett Paving .........................23 Cahill & Sons.............................23 Carlton Interiors.........................14 Carmine’s Restaurant .................5 Centurion Exterminating............26 Church of the Epiphany ............20 Coginchaug Valley Ed. Foundation ................................15 Conroy, John, D.M.D.................19 Ct. Beverage Mart .....................20 Ct. Gymnastics..........................16 Ct. Home Additions ...................23 CV Enterprises ..........................22 Czaja, Mark .................................6 Dean Autoworks..........................6 Drummond’s Cleaning ..............23 Durham Dental ............................7 Durham Wine & Spirits..............13 Family Tree Care ......................21 Fine Work Home Improvement.26 Fuel & Service .............................6 Glazer Dental Associates..........13 Gossip .......................................13 Grace Lutheran Preschool ..........3

books and anything and everything you might need or want. A jewelry table and 30 tag sale tables with thousands and thousands of items are set up in the air conditioned church hall. Breakfast and lunch will be available in the church hall. New items come in continuously, and there are 40 vendors in the parking lot. Vendor space is $15, available by calling Bob Smith at 860-349-0356.

AN ITALIAN SPECIALTY MARKET!

Girls who are not currently Girl Scouts but want to learn more about being a scout are invited to Wesleyan University in Middletown on Saturday, Sept. 4. Current scout leaders will lead morning or afternoon sessions, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. or noon to 1:30 p.m.. Girls going into second through fifth grades will have a chance to learn about being a Girl Scout and explore jewelry-making in the 10 to 11:30 a.m. session. Kindergarten and first grade girls can party like a princess at either session.

Space is limited, so please call Nancy Sherman at 860347-5768, ext. 3752, to reserve your place.

2M e a i n S t r -1

Want to be a Girl Scout?

C T • (8 60) 349

(860) 349-1717 472 Main St., Durham, CT Hours: M-F 7am-7pm Sat. 7am-6pm, Closed Sunday PRODUCE SPECIALS Portobello Mushrooms........................$2.99 lb. Native Cucumbers .............................. 3/$1.00 Native Paula Red Apples, 3 lb. bag......$2.69

BONUS BUY 3 lbs. Center Cut Pork Chops 3 lbs. Ground Chuck

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USDA Choice Black Angus N.Y. Strip Steaks .................................. $6.99 lb. USDA Choice Top Round London Broil...$3.99 lb. USDA Choice Sirloin Tips......................$5.99 lb. USDA Choice Ground Chuck..................$2.99 lb. USDA Choice Veal Cutlets ..................... $6.99 lb. USDA Choice Thick Veal Loin Chops, Great for the Grill ................................. $6.99 lb. USDA Choice Filet Mignon Steaks ............ $10.99 lb. Chicken Legs........................................89¢ lb. Portobella Mushroom & Bacon Burgers .................................. $3.99 lb.

DELI SPECIALS Land O’Lakes American Cheese..............$2.69 lb. Land O’Lakes Jalapeno Cheese .............. $3.99 lb. Honey Ham...........................................$4.99 lb. Carando Hot Capicola............................$5.49 lb. Russer Cooked Salami...........................$3.69 lb. Boar’s Head Cajun Turkey Breast...........$7.49 lb. Boar’s Head Chicken Breast Oven Roasted....$6.99 lb. Cheeses of Stella Table Cheese................$5.49 lb. the Week Grotowese Table Cheese.........$5.99 lb.

SEAFOOD SPECIAL Dry Sea Scallops, 10/20 ct..................$10.99 lb. Stripped Bass ..................................... $10.99 lb. Fresh Shrimp, 21/25 ct.......................$9.99 lb. åWe reserve the right to limit quantities. We are not responsible for typographical errors. Expires 8/25/10.

Town Times

Friday, August 20, 2010

Results of 2010 CAPT and CMT standardized tests:

Arriving in style

How did District 13 do? By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times

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Uncle Bob’s

Sandy and John Wade, of Austin Road in Durham, recently hosted the first annual “thanks for being such good neighbors and friends” party. Arriving in style with Bud Fallon driving his newly restored 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass are vintage neighbors Jean Chittenden and Giles D’Orvilliers. After dinner, a lively game of trivia was played, testing memories with questions spanning over 50 years. Lots of great memories shared with wonderful neighbors and friends. Photo submitted by Sandy Wade

See Tests, page 20

NOW ENROLLING USPS 021-924 Published weekly by Record-Journal Publishing Co., d/b/a Town Times, P.O. Box 265, Middlefield, CT 06455. Periodicals Postage Paid at Middlefield, CT and at additional mailing offices.

NEW Options available for our Preschool, Pre-K & Kindergarten Programs Ages 3 & Up Welcome NEW Hours are 8:30 am-5:30 pm Monday-Friday

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

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show the percentage of students that are level four, the goal level, which is the state target for student performance. District 13: 62.9, 71.1, 66.3 (third grade math, reading, writing, respectively); 75.8, 77.4, 74.3 (fourth grade math, reading, writing); 77.2, 68.7, 76.1, 71.8 (fifth grade math, reading, writing, science); 84.3, 82.5, 77.6 (sixth grade math, reading, writing); 84.9, 87.4, 66.1 (seventh grade math, reading, writing) and finally 77.7, 80.4, 74.1, 76.5 (eighth grade math, reading, writing, science). Compared to Region 17 (Haddam-Killingworth), a comparable district, their scores are higher across all tested subjects in third grade, higher in all but reading in grade

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“Overall, I am quite disappointed in our scores,” said District 13 Superintendent Susan Viccaro about CAPT and CMT test scores that were released earlier this summer. “As a district, we should be doing much better.” Results from CMT and CAPT show the level of proficiency a student demonstrates in each of the subject areas tested. The tests are scored based on five levels of achievement, with level one being the lowest and level five the highest. Students who score at or above level three are considered to be proficient while the state’s goal is for all students to score at or above level four. The Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT), administered annually to tenth graders in public schools, covers math, reading, writing and science and helps the state assess the overall quality of secondary education and whether students are being adequately prepared for graduation. The “goal” level, or level four, is the state target for student performance. The percent at or above the state goal for District 13 was 66.4 in math, 60.6 in science, 51.1 in reading and 79.6 in writing. Compare that to the statewide results — 48.9 in math, 45.5 in science, 45.9 in reading and 59.6 in writing — and the district appears to be in good

shape. But how does it compare to other schools in District 13’s DRG (District Reference Groups), in other words, schools that are comparable as determined by socio-economic status and other factors — Region 17, Haddam-Killingworth, for example? Their CAPT scores are higher in science (67.0) and reading (53.6) but lower in math (50.3) and writing (74.5). As for District 13’s progress, Viccaro said, “We are not moving enough students from the proficient (level three) to the goal (level four and above) range. Our students consistently do better at the upper levels, although this year there was a drop in writing.” Looking at results from the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) given to public school students in grades three through eight each March to test their mastery of math, reading, writing and, in grades five and eight, science, shows, again, that District 13 scored higher than the statewide results. The results

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Town Times & Places

4 FRIDAY

August 20

New D-13 Student Orientation Memorial School will hold an orientation for incoming fifth and sixth grade students who are new to District 13, at 1 p.m. in the Memorial School Media Center. This hour-long program will consist of a brief description of academic and extracurricular opportunities and will include a tour of the building and a question and answer period. Refreshments will be served. Baked Bean Supper United Churches of Durham will have a baked bean supper beginning at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall on the corner of Main Street and Route 68. The suppers include baked beans, scalloped corn, macaroni dishes, salads and homemade breads and pies. Dinners are $7 for adults and $4 for children under 10. All are welcome.

SATURDAY

August 21

Dudley Farm Market The Dudley Farm farmers market will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the corner of Routes 77 and 80 in North Guilford. The market features produce, shell fish, beef and lamb, honey and more. For info, call 860-349-3917. Car Wash The Coginchaug Football Club will have a car wash from 9 a.m. to noon at the Carolyn Adams Country Barn, 352 Main St. in Durham. Chicken Barbeque St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ledge Hill Rd. in North Guilford, will host a chicken barbeque from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for 13. Call 203-453-5618 or visit www.stjohnsguilford.org. Clambake Enjoy an old fashioned clam bake at Lyman Orchards from 4 to 7:30 p.m. There will be lobster, steamers, mussels, corn on the cob, potatoes, salads and more. Tickets are on sale at the Apple Barrel or by calling 860349-1793 or on line at www.lymanorchards.com. Fundraiser Tag Sale A tag sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 424 Brainard Hill Rd. in Hig-

ganum to support Carrie Ness, who is fighting cancer. Pig Roast The Boy Scouts of Troop 27 in Durham will host a pig roast from 4 to 7 p.m. at the United Churches of Durham. The menu will include cole slaw, baked beans, corn, smoked turkey, pulled pork, whole roast pork, apple crisp, bread, lemonade and water. Tickets are $10 per person or $25 per family and are available from scouts, at the door, or by email to pigroast010@comcast.net. Fish Fry The K-Club, 168 Main Street in Rockfall, will host a fish fry from 4 to 7 p.m. The menu includes fish, clams casino, potato salad and fish chowder. Donation is $10. Call 860-346-9521 for reservations.

SUNDAY

August 22 Open Air Market The free Wadsworth Open Air Market will be held on the lawn of the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown. The event will include a performance by the Middletown Symphonic Band, vendors of jewelry, pottery, farm products, baked goods, fine arts and more. There will be face painting, horse drawn carriage rides and Mansion tours. Call 860-347-1064 for info. Letterboxing Learn to letterbox and make your own stamp, follow clues and find hand-carved stamps at Wadsworth Mansion from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet at the Everyone Outside Booth at the Wadsworth Mansion Open Air Market. Barefoot Hike The barefoot hikers of Connecticut will hold a barefoot hike at Millers Pond State Park in Durham at 9 a.m. The hike will be about two miles and appropriate for beginners. For info, visit www.meetup.com/ct-barefooters. Community Supper This month’s Community Supper will be hosted by Notre Dame and the Church of the Epiphany. It will be a cook-out and held at the Church of the Epiphany, 196 Main St. in Durham, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The dinner is free and open to the public. All are invited; all are welcome.

MONDAY

August 23 Free Movie The Middletown Senior Center, 150 Williams Street, offers a free movie every Monday at 12:30 p.m. Today’s movie is State of Play. New Student Registration High school registration for new students will be held today and tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Coginchaug High School guidance office.

TUESDAY

August 24 Summer Sounds Enjoy a free concert with Kitty Kathryn playing jazz standards at 7 p.m. at the South Union Park at the corner of Old Church and Main Street in Middletown. Heritage Quilters Heritage Quilters of Wallingford will meet at Masonicare, Masonic Avenue in Wallingford. Social time at 6:30 p.m., meeting at 7 p.m. The topic will be choosing a quilting design. Guests are asked for a $5 donation. For info, call 203-269-2065. Business After Work Middlesex Chamber of Commerce’s, Business After Work event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Water’s Edge Health & Rehabilitation Center, 111 Church St. in Middletown. To register, visit www.middlesexchamber.com. Novel Writing Workshop Award-winning author and former NPR journalist Eileen Albrizio will present a free novel-writing workshop from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wallingford Public Library, 200 North Main Street. Register at www.wallingford.lioninc.org or call 203-265-6754.

WEDNESDAY

August 25 TOPS Durham TOPS Club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Durham Town Hall. For info, call Naomi Klotsko at 860-349-9558 or Bonnie Olesen at 860-349-9433. Touch Tank Cedar Island Marine Research Lab will present a program about life in Long Island Sound at 4 p.m. at Russell Library, 123 Broad St. in Middle-

Friday, August 20, 2010

town. Tickets are required and are available at the children’s desk beginning 3 p.m. Durham Democrats The Durham Democratic Town Committee will hold a campaign kickoff party from 5 to 7 p.m. at Allyn Brook Park and Pavilion. Meet the candidates and enjoy free food and activities.

THURSDAY

August 26 Farmers’ Market Enjoy a traditional farmers’ market on the Durham green today and every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Free Summer Concert Enjoy the music of the Rob and Karen Show at the Village at South Farms, 645 Old Saybrook Rd. in Middletown, at 6 p.m. The free event is open to everyone, and refreshments start at 6 p.m. with the concert at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP by calling 860344-8788. Member Breakfast The monthly meeting of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce will feature Randy Edsall, UConn’s head football coach. The meeting is held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell from 7:45 to 9 a.m. Tickets are $19. To register, visit www.middlesexchamber.com. Teen Creative Writing The Russell Library, 123 Broad St. in Middletown, will have a drop-in group for teens from 4 to 5 p.m. to learn about the writing process. For info, call 860-347-2528. Free Concert Enjoy the music of Tuxedo Junction, playing jazz music 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. on the grounds of Masonicare, 22 Masonic Ave. in Wallingford. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. The grounds are available for picnickers at 5 p.m.

FRIDAY

August 27 Business Networking The local chapter of Business Networking International will meet in the United Methodist Church, 24 Old Church St. in Middletown, at 7:30 a.m. Contact Kirk Hagert at 860-349-5626 for info.

Safety Program S.I.P. Kids is a fingerprinting and photography event for children to provide statistical information quickly in the event your child is missing. There will be free digital fingerprinting and photos at Robert’s Chrysler Dodge, 120 South Broad St. in Meriden, from 2 to 6 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow. Enjoy free face painting, balloons, cookies and juice. For info, call 319-268-4111 or email to Jacki@sipkids.com. Tailgate Party Durham/Middlefield Falcons Football and Cheerleading will hold a tailgate party at the New Haven Raccoon Club, 853 New Haven Rd. in Durham, from 7 to 11 p.m. There will be a southern barbecue, music and lots of fun. BYOB. Tickets are $30 and available by calling Carrie Anderson at 860-346 8954. Letterboxing From 4 to 6 p.m. take a hike and find a couple letterboxes at Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown. To register contact Lucy at everyoneoutside@att.net or 860-3957771. For information, visit www.everyoneoutside.org.

SATURDAY

August 28 Dudley Farm Market The Dudley Farm farmers market will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the corner of Routes 77 and 80 in North Guilford. The market features produce, shell fish, beef and lamb, maple syrup, honey, baked goods, pickles and crafts. For more information, call 860-349-3917. Corvair Car Show Connecticut CORSA presents an all Corvair car show on the grounds of the Apple Barrel market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information, call Ron at 860-621-7551. Golf Show Dennis Walters will provide a demonstration of precision golf at 1 p.m. at the Lyman Orchards Golf Club with help from his super dog Bucky and some unusual clubs, such as a fishing rod, crutch and even a cell phone. Call 860-349-6031 or visit www.lymangolf.com for info.

Town Times

Friday, August 20, 2010

where she oversees the budgets of the FDA and USDA, among other agencies, and knows the importance of safe food handling.

What do you think?

Carmine's Pizza & Italian Take-Out

8/21, 8/22, 8/28 and 8/29 at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

(860) 349-5411

The tryouts will be held at our practice fields at 402 Thorpe Ave. The Dunn Sports Complex. Additional tryouts available contact information listed on line at www.eteamz.com/cthurricanes1

INSURANCE INSURANCE

INSURANCE

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INSURANCE

On Aug. 28, WTIC-FM will be broadcasting live from the Liberty Bank branches. Personalities from the radio station will be on hand to greet donors, play games and give away prizes.

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INSURANCE

For more information about what types of items the ReStore is looking for, visit the Habitat web site at www.habitatmiddlesex.org, or pick up a flyer at any of Liberty Bank’s offices in Middlesex County.

Let us find the right company for you.

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On Saturday, Aug. 21, at Liberty Bank, Main Street in Portland, from 9 a.m. to noon and on Saturday, Aug. 28, at Liberty Bank, Main Street in Old Saybrook, from 9 a.m. to noon

Liberty’s Middlesex County offices will accept monetary donations to Habitat for Humanity through the sale of “ReStore Bucks.” These will be available through Aug. 28 at Liberty Banks in Durham and Middlefield and other Middlesex county locations.

MORE COMPANIES - MORE OPTIONS

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CT HURRICANES GIRLS’ TRAVEL SOFTBALL 14U and 16U 2011 Tryouts

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www.carminesdurham.com for our menu

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro greeted 24-year employee Scott Craig during her visit to Cooper-Atkins in Middlefield last week. CEO Carol Wallace and COO Gary Sawicki are also in the photo.

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Be part of a CVEF (Coginchaug Valley Education Foundation) focus group. For just an hour of your time, you get refreshments, a chance to meet new people, and our eternal gratitude. To sign up, call 860-3493997 and leave your name, town, e-mail address, phone number and your age (we’re trying to get a mix of ages). Thanks in advance!

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To help stock the ReStore, the ReStore truck will be appearing at three Liberty Bank branches over the next few Saturdays. Anyone wishing to donate an item to the ReStore can drop it off at the ReStore truck at the following dates and locations:

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro visited Cooper-Atkins Corporation in Middlefield on August 12. After having lunch with CEO Carol Wallace, DeLauro was given a tour of the plant from Chief Operating Officer Gary Sawicki, and then she spoke to all employees about the FDA, food safety and foodborne illness. During her address to employees, DeLauro said, “I’m so pleased to be here, and it brings two important things into context. One is that this

is a woman-owned business…and I’m very excited about that. The other is that this is a business that provides tools for food companies and ensures the safety of food products.” She went on: “We must continue as a country to provide an environment of innovation. We must build here!” DeLauro was also there to help the world-wide manufacturer and provider of time, temperature and humidity instruments kick-off their 125th anniversary celebration. DeLauro is chairwoman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee in the House of Representatives

INSURANCE

Scheduled to open in Cromwell this fall, the ReStore will sell donated new or gently used building materials, appliances, furniture, cabinetry and household items at below market prices. Proceeds will help to fund the construction of affordable Habitat homes for local low-income families.

By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times

INSURANCE

Liberty Bank and Middlesex Habitat for Humanity of Connecticut have teamed up to collect donations of cash and merchandise for Habitat’s new “ReStore” during the month of August.

Congresswoman DeLauro visits Cooper-Atkins in Middlefield

INSURANCE

Liberty Bank and Habitat for Humanity teaming up

Home • Business • Life • Car

203-265-6763 821 East Center Street, Wallingford www.michalowskiagency.com

Town Times

Friday, August 20, 2010

Coming into the ‘home’ stretch

Before and after: The Habitat for Humanity house, above, on Ballfall Road in Middlefield is looking pretty good these days after much volunteer attention and renovation, including all new roof and siding.

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The Habitat for Humanity house, which is being built in Middlefield, is well on its way. The house is expected to be finished by the end of September. Along the way, the house has undergone a transformation due to rotating groups of volunteers, both first-timers and folks who have volunteered for Habitat before. Saturday, Aug. 7, was Coginchaug Football Day at the Middlefield Habitat for Humanity house. At 8:30 in the morning, 17 players, parents and coaches from the Coginchaug Regional High School football team came together and worked at houses on Ballfall Road in Middlefield and Hubbard Street in Middletown. The football volunteers, along with the Habitat construction supervisors, painted, tiled, installed molding, cleared debris, landscaped and repaired broken doors and windows. The team also donated $250 to the Middlesex Habitat chapter. Coach John Bozzi explained, “I wanted the kids to participate in this project because helping others through community service is good for the soul, and, since the football program is asking the community for help, we must be willing to offer

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the community our help in return.” The group of players who were able to attend were happy to help out. The only thing needed is more volunteers to help with the project. To register to become a volunteer for the Middlesex chapter of Habitat for Humanity or to learn more, visit their website www.habitatmiddlesex.org. Contributing to this story were Melynda Granger and Tori Piscatelli

Town Times

Friday, August 20, 2010

DMYFS has new program coordinator and new ideas By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times

Durham Middlefield Youth and Family Services (DMYFS) has a new program coordinator â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Ashley Myers, of Durham. Myers graduated from Coginchaug High School in 2006 and is finishing up her last semester at Southern Connecticut State University this fall where she is majoring in social work. She will join new director Betsy Dean in providing programs and services at DMYFS. Myers recently completed an internship at the Guilford Youth and Family Services (YFS) where she saw the positive impact of the services on children, and sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thrilled to be a part of that experience again through the part time coordinator position at DMYFS. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was very rewarding,

and I loved how intertwined we were with the police department, school system and community,â&#x20AC;? said Myers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m hoping to start more programs to let everyone know weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here for families.â&#x20AC;? Some of the enrichment and wellness programs Myers plans to introduce from the Guilford YFS, or that she has thought of in collaboration with Dean, include a Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Expo on positive self-esteem and body image, a job bank where the community can use DMYFS kids to mow lawns or clean garages, a fundraiser concert featuring a local country music artist next summer and a youth-driven advisory board with middle and high school students that would meet monthly for community service projects. Dean added that they are strengthening the website to make it more interactive, and

she is looking to make DMYFS a contact for families in need of services, such as counseling, to focus on the counseling component of family services. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not looking to duplicate anything thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on already,â&#x20AC;? said Dean, â&#x20AC;&#x153;just enhance programs. Once we see how these run and what kids grasp onto, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll branch off.â&#x20AC;? New to DMYFS this year is a Library Enrichment program that will run in collaboration with the Durham Library. This is a drop-in program for junior high and high school kids to get homework help, a healthy snack and participate in enrichment activities like art and theater projects, community service projects, healthy eating, cooking activities and fitness activities. This will run Monday through Thursday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in accordance with

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the school calendar. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The goal with the library program is to meet with the kids and hopefully bring them back here to DMYFS for some of our programs,â&#x20AC;? said Dean, who noted that many of the core activities will be back this year. For instance, babysitting courses, the fifth/sixth grade dances (first one in October), and last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father-daughter dance received a lot of positive feedback. DMYFS is looking for anyone with a talent who would like to volunteer in the enrichment program. This could be a yoga instructor, a painter, chef, detective for a CSI-type workshop, a puppet-maker,

Town Times Opinion

Friday, August 20, 2010

What’s in your inbox? Town Times 488 Main St., P.O. Box 265, Middlefield, CT 06455 http://www.towntimes.com News Advertising Fax Marketplace

(860) (860) (860) (877)

349-8000 349-8026 349-8027 238-1953

news@towntimes.com advertising@towntimes.com (toll-free)

Town Times is published every Friday by the Record-Journal Publishing Co. and is delivered to all homes and businesses in Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall. Sue VanDerzee, Editor Stephanie Wilcox, Reporter Brian Monroe, Advertising Director Joy Boone, Advertising Sales Wendy Parker, Office Manager Contributors: Betsy White Booz, Chuck Corley, Trish Dynia, Karen Kean, Karen Koba, Kathy Meyering, Judy Moeckel,

It used to be that folks would complain about junk mail in their mailboxes ... their actual physical mailboxes, that is. Now, we complain about junk mail in our “virtual mailboxes,” or online. Such opportunities to complain are magnified for those of us who are on media email lists. Not only do we get the fairly common “Dear Sir or Madam, I have heard you are a wonderful Christian and I have $7.6 million waiting for you in Nigeria...” but we get announcements of events that are oftentimes half a country away – bass fishing tournaments in Arkansas come to mind. We also get lots of commercial email masquerading as news – “MacDonald’s owners in the tri-state area support finding a cure for cancer,” for example, might qualify as this kind of “junk mail.” Who doesn’t want to find a cure for cancer after all? More often than you might suspect, however, we get absolutely fascinating information through our inbox. One subject that has kept

us entertained in the office this year is a series of “fun facts” sent out weekly celebrating the 275th anniversary of our state. This week, the fun fact had a decidedly local slant. The most recent email said: “In her ongoing statewide effort year to celebrate and raise awareness of Connecticut’s 375th anniversary, Governor M. Jodi Rell is sending you this week’s ‘Fun Ct. Fact of the Week.’ Did you know the universal clothes wringer was invented and manufactured in Middlefield in 1860? The universal clothes wringer relieved people from the arduous task of wringing clothes by hand.” Fun Ct. Facts come from “Connecticut Firsts” written by Wilson H. Faude and Joan W. Friedland – copyright 1996, 2000 – and used with permission. Faude is a member of Gov. Rell’s 375 Anniversary Commission. And then there’s recall notices, social commentary, political tirades from both left and right, and useful information that we occasionally pass on to readers through guest columns. So, what’s in your inbox these days? SV

Letters to the Editor

Szewczyk ‘in tune with our towns’

person who will care about our issues – our safety, our small town needs, our children’s education – and how they affect our district.

Now that the primaries are over, let’s turn our attention to the race that will affect the people of Middlefield and Durham the most – the race for State Representative.

This is probably the most important race all residents of Middlefield and Durham should be paying attention to! We need someone who is in tune with our towns and is willing to stand up at the State Capitol and make his voice –

Our State Rep is the one

Special election letter rules In order to allow the largest number of citizens to express their opinions on the upcoming elections, we set a few special election season letter rules. Number one, the deadline for election letters will be Monday at 5 p.m. Number two, election letters will be limited to 250 words. Also, in order to allow as many people as possible to weigh in, we will not print letters that have already been printed in another publication. For the last week before elections (deadline Oct. 22), only positive letters of support will be accepted. Of course, only signed letters with phone numbers, so we can verify authorship, will be accepted.

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.

and ours – heard. That person is John Szewczyk. John has lived in this area his whole life and believes in our values, our vision and our progress. John has already demonstrated leadership on numerous boards and commissions in town, currently serving as selectman in Durham. Please join me in voting for John Szewczyk this November. Marlene Lacz, Middlefield

Fair mission restated The primary mission of the Durham Fair Association is to promote and preserve our agricultural and rural heritage. We fulfill that mission every year during the last full weekend in September by staging the largest agricultural fair in Connecticut. Our secondary mission, albeit an unwritten one, is certainly the support of our Durham and Middlefield communities. The Durham Fair support is expressed in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to: $20,000 of scholarships awarded to local graduating students every year; $40,000+ in discounted pricing given to local non-profit organizations who rent space on the fairgrounds during fair time; $67,000+ in donations made to community organizations during fair time and also dur-

ing the off season; and $30,000+ in donated/discounted pricing for use of the fairgrounds by local organizations during the off season. During the off season, the Durham Fair maintains a moderate calendar of events on the fairgrounds. There are two reasons for this. First, to put the fair in a better financial position year round. As we all are so keenly aware, the weather during fair weekend can either make us or break us. Second, to support community events. A sampling of just some of the events that have occurred on the fairgrounds over the years are as follows: animal pulls, Brewster-Korn PTA Cow Chip Bingo, car shows, Durham Co-op movie night, Durham Emergency Management meetings and drills, flu clinics, GoFar GoFast running clinic and race, hot air balloon rides (Durham Volunteer Ambulance Corp), Little League fundraiser distributions, Middlesex County 4H Fair; PALS circus, rain barrel distribution, state police vehicle storage, truck pulls and the Washington Trail celebration. We certainly are not an organization that likes to brag about what we do. We quietly support the communities, the organizations and the people within them who give so much to us. The recent action by the Durham Planning and

Zoning Commission to “review the scope of the 1986 permit in light of recent events and activities” is a direct threat to the Durham Fair. It is also a direct threat to the numerous community organizations that rely on us during fair time for their major fundraiser of the year. During the 2009 Fair, local non-profit organizations made a total combined profit of $200,000+. These very same groups also hold events on the fairgrounds during the off season so that they can continue to build up their savings to fund their special projects, big and small. No one is looking to “throw down the gauntlet” but rather to respectfully say that we are in compliance with the guidelines of our permit. We believe ourselves to be a good neighbor and community member. We will continue to do what we do best – put on a GREAT fair and give back to our communities. Durham Fair Association

John will work hard for us I am excited to hear a candidate for our state legislature speaking about job creation and improving our economy. That candidate is John Szewczyk. See Work hard, page 21

Town Times Columns

Friday, August 20, 2010

Greening your home, one room at a time:

Start in the kitchen There are so many things homeowners Claudia can do to bring a little green into their homes, but sometimes thinking about the whole house is overwhelming. For the next few issues of Earthwise, I will make suggestions room-by-room, starting with your kitchen. And remember as you read, greening tips don’t have to be grand sweeping gestures of change to have impact. Rather let’s think about smaller changes that can have collective impact over time. To start, Energy Star appliances should be your go-to default whenever an appliance begs out of this world and needs to be replaced. It’s not just hype; the energy savings and reduced cost of electricity generation can be significant. An Energy Star refrigerator uses half the energy of a 10-year-old refrigerator, saving 600 kW annually (multiply that by .0989 cents and you’ve just saved $120). And swapping just one bulb in your kitchen with an Energy Star replacement bulb is as good for the environment as not driving your car for two weeks. But enough of the stuff we hear ad nauseam. A careful look at how we prepare food will enlighten us to greater energy efficiency opportunities in the kitchen. Let’s get cooking with glass or ceramic pans. Conducting heat with superior efficiency, glass and ceramic cookware are better choices than metal. Opting for these materials when baking and roasting in the oven requires lower oven temperature settings and uses less energy. When you have food to prepare from scratch or to reheat, think about the food quantity before you prepare it. Toaster ovens use less energy than firing up the inside of an oven based on pure volume, and they are perfect for baked potatoes for the average family. If your food fits into a toaster oven, you just saved energy. The same goes for your microwave. These mini marvels can heat or cook things more quickly and use less energy than the stove. Remember, by keeping the interior clean, your microwave will cook food more evenly. Consider cooking with some tried and true kitchen staples from decades

past. The pressure cooker and crock pot are excellent examples of how to cook with less hands-on time and energy. When using the stovetop, use the smallest pan possible and use the lid to build up steam. Keep the heat appropriate to the job at hand. A too hot element is not appropriate for many cooking jobs, wasting fuel and burning food. And while cleaning the kitchen is emerging as a theme, keep burner pans on the stovetop clean so they can reflect the most heat back to the pots and pans on the surface. Your oven uses a lot of energy to preheat. For many foods, preheating is unnecessary. For instance, it is important to begin with the correct oven temperature when baking things such as pies, cookies, breads and pastries. But heating a pizza or cooking a roast can begin before the preheating cycle has been reached. Avoid using foil to line oven shelves to avoid spills. Not only is aluminum foil something to be used sparingly, but it blocks oven heat when used this way. Another tip is to resist peeking at progress by lifting lids and opening oven doors. Escaping steam and heat equals energy loss and is counter to being green in the kitchen. When storing leftovers in the refrigerator, some of us reach for plastic lidded containers. Sometimes I find it more convenient to use a ceramic bowl and nestle a lunch plate or saucer on top to cover food. This creates a nice seal that doesn’t tear like disposable plastic and foil wrap when I want to check on the contents. Another tip I am proud to share is for recipes that call for marinating at room temperature. My three kids think we live in a barn, and the flies whip through my halls like they own the place. When my food is ready to steep and I want to keep the flies away, I open my cold oven and store the dish inside – no covering needed. Brilliant! The smallest habits in the kitchen can be tweaked to realize energy savings and a greener cooking style, and they don’t have to cost a dime to implement. Stay tuned for more Greening Your Home Strategies as Earthwise goes room-by-room.

O’Connell

Earthwise

Shred it! Protect your identity On Saturday, Sept. 18, the Lions Club of Middlefield will host a SHREDIT event with trucks provided by Connecticut Recycling Recovery Authority, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Colman’s Church in Middlefield. Bring your personal records, bank statements, financial papers, credit card information and other financial and personal assets to be shredded. This is a free community event; a donation to the Lions Club of Middlefield would be greatly appreciated. Come enjoy coffee with the Lions volunteers, protect your ID and get safe in the process.

Summer vacation? Hah!

In June, I received a It’s the appraiser’s job letter from the Conto accurately deternecticut Conference of mine the VALUE of Municipalities (CCM) your home or real-esasking for nominatate. When I hear the tions for membership word RE-VAL, my on an assortment of blood pressure goes up “policy committees.” …. because I know CCM is the “voice of lothat it’s dumb to base cal government” and much of what goes on represents many of the in CT. on the value of towns and cities at the one’s house. Why is state level. They help my friend’s home in SHAPE the legislation Hilton Head, South that is placed on each Carolina taxed at $700 year’s legislative agenper year and mine da. If you want to be Jon Brayshaw, Middlefield $7,000? Connecticut is where the action is, one of the last states to please consider this oppenalize its businesses portunity. and families for havOpportunity also ing well-kept property. waits for you to serve So, let your grass on one of our local grow, don’t paint your boards or commishouse, postpone any sions. Please call Fran (860-349-7114) improvements and leave the engine for details. block hanging from the tree in the Speaking about calls, the hot topic front yard to greet the appraiser. Don’t this month has been the removal of get me going. street lights. Several years ago, our EnOn other matters, I do want to perergy Advisory Committee outlined an sonally thank Chris Hurlbert and our assortment of ways to save energy. All Park Dept. for orchestrating our sumof their recommendations were fol- mer youth camp once again. What a lowed up except for eliminating some great program. Also, Chris has been street lights. This June, the Board of Fi- heading up the construction of the nance and town residents at the annu- mini skateboard feature at Peckham al budget meeting voted to reduce the Park. Stop and check it out. street light budget by about $20,000. I would be remiss if I didn’t address That means that at least 100 lights (out progress at Powder Ridge. Last week of 425) need to be removed. So far about we zeroed in on a few remaining issues 30-40 lights have been removed, result- that HOPEFULLY will result in a ing in 10 phone calls from citizens won- signed agreement between parties. dering what happened to their street However, I take nothing for granted light! Let me say clearly, I am all ears until I see the snow flakes. Stay tuned when it comes to your safety and quali- as the process and details continue to ty of life. It’s my job and my obligation. take shape. It is also my job to carry out the inAnd finally, two months ago I structions of the voting public and the shared with readers about our transfer BOF. So, this leaves me in a quandary. station and how a review committee For five years you have enjoyed the has been formed to look into its exisbenefit of no tax increases to pay for tence and operation. Don’t worry, Lauour Town Operations Budget. This ra (Francis, first selectman in happened by chipping away at expens- Durham) and I would find ourselves in es here and there. This Administration a dumpster if we did any serious damand our Board of Finance is running age to our beloved icon. However, we out of items to chip away at. Also, I must position the towns to handle might add that there are those who waste for years to come. And by the were happy to see the lights removed. I way, a sincere thanks to the crew and do plan to meet with the BOF this week members of DMIAAB for running such to discuss the subject. In the meantime an organized and clean operation. if you have a particular light issue, And finally, finally we do have a drop us a note or call. website. It’s there ... I saw it. Please be On the subject of taxation, revalua- patient and forgiving as we begin to tion is upon us. Every 10 years your add flesh to the bones and learn the ins property is visited by an “appraiser.” and outs of maintaining same.

From The Desk Of The First Selectman

Web update By press time Wednesday, 21 people had responded to our poll, Will you go shopping especially this week to save on state sales tax? Nineteen percent said Yes, 43 percent said No and 38 percent said they don’t believe this is a useful state strategy given our budget woes. Visit www.towntimes.com at add your answer to next week’s poll question.

Town Times

10 Fairs

(From page 1)

Here’s the rundown for Aug. 20, 21 and 22: Closest to home is the Wolcott Agricultural Fair (wolcottfair.com). A bit north of us is the Hartford County 4-H Fair (hartfordcounty4H.uconn.edu), or you can head west to Litchfield County and the Bridgewater Country Fair (bridgewaterfair.com ). All three are on today through Sunday. Running just tomorrow, Aug. 21, is the Riverton Grange Fair up along the banks of the Farmington River. Can’t get out until Sunday? Take a ride to Wilton for the Cannon Grange Agricultural Fair, one of the so-called “local fairs.”

So, now you’re thinking, what kind of fair am I looking for – big, small, fairgrounds, town green, pig racing, no pig racing? It can be overwhelming. Lucky for potential fairgoers, the Association of Connecticut Fairs divides these events into different categories (noted above), and each category has a general description. For example, “major fairs” are “the larger, outdoor type, all-day fairs. They have all exhibit categories, including livestock, fruits and vegetables, flowers, baked goods, needlework, handcrafts and hobbies. They have commercial exhibits, amusements, rides and mechanical or animal pulling events.” Moving down the list, “dis-

trict fairs” are medium size, also all-day, “with most running into the evening, and they run for at least two days.” District fairs also have exhibits (albeit in smaller numbers), and they have commercial exhibits (that means stuff to buy and stuff to eat), amusements (better known as the midway) and entertainment. 4-H Fairs have their own category – the Middlesex County and New Haven County 4-H Fair took place (as it always does) right here on the Durham Fairgrounds a couple of weekends ago. According to the state organization, these fairs “are a major event in the 4-H program and display the work of 4-H members throughout the year … Most fairs are managed and run by

Friday, August 20, 2010 4-H members …” Finally, there are the socalled “Local Fairs.” The state fair association describes them as “smaller, one-day fairs, sometimes held indoors and may have outdoor activities and events.” They, typically, have displays – fruits, vegetables, perhaps flowers and home art. Some have entertainment. ALL have food and some “a delicious dinner.” OK, so now you have some immediate ideas for where to go this weekend, and you also

have descriptions of the different categories of fairs to help you in your future “fair shopping” efforts. Don’t stop now! Connecticut’s fair season runs through the second weekend of October! There are opportunities for fair fun every single weekend. Here’s a listing by “type” and date: Major Fairs: Brooklyn Fair and Chester Fair (both August 27-29), Haddam Neck Fair and See Fairs, page 28

DMYFS

(Continued from page 7)

1170694

photographer, author, etc. The time commitment would be once a week for four weeks for a total of about four hours. DMYFS is also looking for volunteers to help with the Apple Crisp Booth at the Durham Fair and for any other program ideas. “We’re open to suggestions and always looking for ideas, and if there are ambitious peo-

ple, they can work together with us,” said Myers.

Call DMYFS at 860-349-0258 if you would like to volunteer for any program, including working at the Apple Crisp Booth at the Durham Fair, or if you have any ideas for the after-school drop-in program at the library or any other program or service.

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Town Times

Friday, August 20, 2010

Trust the dog — 50 years of Fidelco guide dogs for the blind By Judy Moeckel Special to the Town Times For a blind person, mobility — being able to move around effectively and safely in the environment — is critical to living independently. A well-trained guide dog, working as a trusted partner with his blind owner, can make this mobility a reality. The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, has given independence to more than 1,300 men and women with blindness since its creation by Charlie and Robbie Kaman in 1960. As described in Trust the Dog: Rebuilding Lives through Teamwork with Man’s Best Friend by Gerri Hirshey, this “born-and-bred in Connecticut” program, based in Bloomfield, breeds and trains a unique type of German Shepherd dog, then carefully places them with blind men or women who are seeking to expand their horizons. Through what is called “in-community placement,” Fidelco staff spend several weeks with each dog-client

pair in their home environment, wherever that may be, guiding and training them until they become an effective working team. Hirshey’s book presents stories — each compelling and distinct — of Fidelco guide dogs and their masters. Although I worked for the state Bureau of Rehabilitation Services for nearly 30 years, we served every disability but the blind, who receive services through a different agency, the Board of Education and Services for the Blind. I had some contact with blind people and their Fidelco guide dogs, but, looking back, I really didn’t understand the unique bond between them. Nor did I grasp how it is created and how it opens up the world, until I read Trust the Dog. To visit Fidelco headquarters is to enter a special world where everyone and everything aims towards the ultimate goal of creating effective dog-client partnerships. Fidelco pups are bred, whelped and weaned at the facility, located on the sprawling grounds of Kaman Corpora-

tion, a pioneer in aerospace engineering. As you walk around Fidelco’s offices, you notice that dogs are under most people’s desks. In fact, dogs are everywhere, quietly going about their business, or waiting patiently for assignments from their human masters. On a chair, you might find a few long German Shepherd dog hairs, testimony to the pervasive dog presence (as a dog lover, finding dog hair is a happy sign to me that there is a dog around somewhere). Fidelco employs 42 people in different roles, from breeders to trainers, but volunteers are, as they say, their lifeblood. More than 200 volunteers do everything from maintain the kennels (they are pristine) to raise puppies. Like many Fidelco visitors, I found out what it is like — albeit briefly — to “trust the dog.” I put on a blindfold, entering a world of complete darkness, and attempted to navigate grass, sidewalks and obstacles like mailboxes and curbs. Sawyer, my guide dog, was in the final phases of training before being placed.

Working with me was a little part of his training. I wasn’t scared, but the world did feel different; the hardest thing was to realize that, with my dog, I could walk straight forward at a good clip (I wobbled quite a bit). In effect, my dog was my eyes. After this, I moved on to the reward phase: I held two sixweek-old puppies that were about to be placed with foster families. More than 100 volunteers raise and socialize puppies to the age of 14-16 months, when they return the dogs to Fidelco for six to nine months of intensive training and evaluation before placement. Many “puppy raisers” are repeaters — they can’t get enough and keep coming back. The social experiences they provide for the puppies — riding in cars, walking city streets (even using New York’s subways), going to the grocery store or to a party, whatever — are critical to their future success as dog guides. By being exposed to a variety of smells, sights and sounds, as well as things to be investigated by curious paws

Fidelco pup trio. From Fidelco website

and noses, the puppies learn about the complex world they will have to navigate calmly and fearlessly. When the young dogs return to Fidelco, they enter another phase of their development that lasts six to nine months. While being taught the commands (such as “Forward!”) that their future blind owners will use, they are also being studied to see if they possess the character (and are able to acquire the skills) of a successful guide dog. Those that don’t fit the character profile of a guide — for example, dogs that are too “active” — may work out well as police See Fidelco, page 17

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• Walks & Patios •Bric k • Pavers • Bluestone • Outdoor Fireplaces • Chimneys & Fireplaces • New & Repair

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LANDSCAPING:

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Middlefield Town Briefs

Middlefield Government Calendar Farmers’ market (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Community Center.) Tuesday, August 24 7 p.m. — Zoning Board of Appeals Wednesday, August 25 7:30 p.m. — Board of Education atStrong Middle School Thursday, September 2 7 p.m. — Economic Development Commission Monday, September 6 7 p.m. — Board of Selectmen Tuesday, September 7 7 p.m. — Levi E. Coe Library Association at the library 7:30 p.m. — Midstate Planning, 100 DeKoven Dr., Middletown Wednesday, September 8 6:30 p.m. — Planning and Zoning 7 p.m. — Water Pollution Control Authority Wednesday, September 15 7 p.m. — Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency Thursday, September 16 7 p.m. — Board of Finance 7 p.m. — DMIAAB at Durham Library

vouchers available at Senior Center

The Middlefield Senior Center applied again this year to be a site to distribute farmers’ market vouchers to Middlefield residents who qualify. The eligibility guidelines for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is the household have a maximum household income of not more than $20,036 for a single person or $26,955 for a couple. Persons must be 62 years old or older. Fifteen dollars worth of vouchers will be given to each eligible participant. Vouchers

“ inding Masonicare’s Assisted Living F was like a happy ending in a fairy tale.

Friday, August 20, 2010

are available at the Senior Center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. If you have any questions, please contact Antoinette Astle at 349-7121.

Make a schultute for your child Come to the Middlefield Women’s Club open House on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 6:30 p.m., at the Middlefield Community Center and make a personalized schultüte for your school-aged child. A schultüte is a decorated cardboard cone filled with school supplies, candy and small toys. School cones are given to children in Germany on their first day of school.

”

An old photograph of a young girl with a large schultute.

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So while the road to The Hearth at Masonicare wasn’t easy at times, we are delighted to be here. I guess you could say it was a happy ending… and a happy beginning for my aunt and me.” Read more about Bonnie’s story at www.MasonicareHearth.org or call 800-382-2244 for more information or a personal tour.

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My aunt was actually one of Bonnie Pasqualoni, niece of Hearth resident the first residents to come here. To this day, they still treat her as if she is their only resident! And it shows: she‘s gained a much-needed 20 pounds, is happy and feels trusting again.

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“My aunt had lived alone, with no children. When her dementia became worse, we had people come in to care for her. Unfortunately, we had many negative experiences. So I decided to look at memory care communities in the area. I knew about Masonicare’ s great reputation and heard that they were opening a memory care assisted living community called The Hearth.

Saturday & Evening Appointments Available

Cosmetic Bonding Gum Therapy Crowns & Bridges Dentures & Repairs Emergencies Fillings 1167145

Cheshire Road, Wallingford ~ Masonicare is not-for-profit

Come and make one for your child and help make this first day of school full of smiles. The Middlefield Women’s Club is donating all the supplies for this craft, and the items inside, so it is free. Please RSPV if you plan to attend by emailing Maureen at mhamilton27@comcast.net, by Aug. 23.

Root Canals

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Friday, August 20, 2010

Middlefield Town Briefs

Music at Peckham Park

Remember when, and where?

The Kerry Brothers performed at the last summer concert series at Peckham Park on Thursday, Aug. 12. Photo by David Bruno

Susan Berry and Lynette Brayshaw of the Middlefield Historical Society recently went through a collection of old photographs and loaned us some for the enjoyment of our readers. The one above should be familiar to most people? Do you remember when and where?

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Durham Town Briefs

Friday, August 20, 2010

Durham residents prove benefits of CT solar lease program By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times

Do you understand what kilowatt hours are and how they’re measured on your electric bill? If you had to “translate” your electric bill, could you do it? Tim and Maryanne Reyher think it’s important for everyone to be educated about their electric bills. These days, the Durham couple is not only excited to

talk about their bill but also to receive it. That’s because their electric bill is only $200 a month and will remain that low for the next 15 years now that they’re leasing 52 solar panels for their home on Higganum Road in Durham. Solar systems are made based on how much a home uses in kilowatt hours in one year. An average home uses 8 to 10,000 kilowatt hours a year, but the Reyhers use about 20,000 (because they

have

geothermal

power,

which uses the energy). Their

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52-panel system should p r o d u c e 15,000 kilowatt hours in one year. In two months the panels have produced 4,000 kilowatt hours, and it will evenutally make enough to pay back the Reyhers for the solar energy produced. Until then, they admire the savings. Before installing the panels in April, the Reyher’s electric bill was $300 a month, and it would have kept going up by six percent each year. “Right away, seeing my bill reduced is the main reason I’m excited about the solar panels,” said Tim Reyher. “The other reason is we have geothermal power to heat and cool our home instead of fossil fuels so

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asonicare Primary Care Physicians ~ here for you. Our patient-centered team has been caring for adults from the greater Wallingford community since 1997. If you don’t have a primary care physician — or would like to make a fresh start — give us a call. We are conveniently located on the first floor of Masonicare’s new Medical Office Building at 67 Masonic Avenue, right off Route 150, in Wallingford. If you need a blood test, Clinical Lab Partners is located in our building. Should you need an x-ray, Masonicare’s Radiology Department is nearby.

Alla Bernshteyn, MD, geriatrician; Robert Elwell, MD, family practice; Ronald Schwartz, MD, internal medicine

To accommodate the busy schedules of our patients, we’re open evenings, Saturdays and through lunchtime. We are accepting new patients and can assist in transferring records.

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For additional information or an appointment, call us at 203-265-0355. We look forward to meeting you.

this was a natural next step.” In fact, the Reyhers have had geothermal power for 10 years, one of the first — if not the first home in Durham to do so. When it came time to consider solar panels for clean

Tim Reyher checking on his solar panels, pictured above left.

energy, they had the space and ability to put enough solar panels facing southward. Reyher is in the utility business and heard about the Connecticut Solar Lease program last year through work. The homeowner pays nothing upfront but has fixed payments for 15 years, at which time they can buy the panels from the lease company. The local incentive is the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (http://www.ctcleanenergy.co m/) through which the homeowner can get a state rebate that reduces the monthly cost of the lease. So far 10 states in the U.S. have solar programs, and Connecticut is number eight in terms of involvement. Enough people are taking advantage of similar programs in New Jersey to rank the Garden State number one. The Reyher’s son saw the benefits of his parents’ system and was approved for the program at his Durham home. The website for BeFree Solar, the company the Reyhers used to install the panels, reads, “What do you have to show for the years of electricity that you have paid for in your lifetime? With high government incentives, this is the time to finally BeFree.” According to BeFree owner Harsh Luthra, BeFree is the only company that provides monitoring information online for homeowners to track every individual panel in their system. Now the Reyhers check More on next page

Friday, August 20, 2010 Solar... from page 14 online every day to follow what the panels are doing. “I’ve been learning a lot,” said Maryanne Reyher. “I now know to do my laundry when the panels are making power during the day, unlike after 8 p.m. for those who don’t use solar energy. I was a little leery at first, and didn’t think the panels would be all they’re cracked up to be. But I, like most people, just wasn’t educated. I’m convinced now!” To learn more about the CT Solar Lease program or to apply, visit http://www.ctsolarlease.com/index.php.

Sponsors needed for business expo The Durham Economic Development Commission has sent letters to local businesses, farmers and artists asking for sponsorship help in staging the second annual Discover Durham Business Expo planned for Saturday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the commercial building on the Durham Fairgrounds. The Discover Durham Business Expo is open to manufacturers, retailers, contractors, professionals, artists, artisans, farmers and home occupations located in Durham. Last year’s event filled the Durham Firehouse to capacity. The event was funded entirely through sponsorships. The commission is hoping to

Durham Town Briefs repeat that success this year. Any resident who has a qualifying business but has not received the sponsorship letter may contact Brenda Eddy at 860-349-0410, Peter Cascini at 860-349-2309, or Ona McLaughlin at 860-349-8415 to be added to the list. E-mail durhamedc@townofdurham.org for more info.

BOF attends to details Meeting on Aug. 17th, the Board of Finance (BOF) handled a few remaining items from Fiscal Year 2009-2010. Among these was a number of transfers amounting to $63,886, which included $14,764 for Planning and Zoning, $8,845 for the Volunteer Fire Department, $7,588 for the Maiden Lane Project, and over a dozen other, smaller items. The board agreed to transfer $47,565 from Contingency, $10,000 from Town Counsel, and $6,321 remaining in the Town Hall Expenses line item to cover the cost of the transfers. Another $18,734 was transferred within the various Public Works line items. Money remaining for wages, fuel, chip sealing, and other items was used to cover the department’s overages in vehicle maintenance, seasonal wages, and its highway projects. The transfers were approved unanimously. Also, $81,705 was appropri-

ated for improving the Public Works facility in order to obtain a storm water permit. While the project is currently estimated at a cost of over $120,000, some of this work can be done by Public Works. With $81,705 already available for the project, the board held off on funding it any further until they know just how much can be saved on the improvements. The board also spoke with members of the Senior Citizen’s Board, who requested that the finance board carryover $2,700 from its operating budget. The finance board explained that they don’t typically carryover money from an operating budget and that carryovers are typically granted for ongoing capital projects. They added that if the Senior Citizen’s Board has any specif-

Durham Government Calendar (All meetings will be held at the Durham Library unless otherwise noted. Check the town Web page at www.townofdurhamct.org for updates.) Monday, August 23 7 p.m. — Board of Selectmen at Town Hall 8 p.m. — Special town meeting to transfer funds Wednesday, August 25 7:30 p.m. — District 13 Board of Education at Strong School Tuesday, August 31 7 p.m. — Ethics Commission Wednesday, September 1 7:30 p.m. — Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday, September 7 6:30 p.m. — Public Safety Committee 7:30 p.m. — Midstate Planning, 100 DeKoven Dr., Middletown 7 to 8:30 p.m. — Board of Assessment Appeals to hear appeals to automotive assessments ic requests, that they should put together a list of what they need and come before the finance board at a later date.

Meanwhile, the finance board approved the carryover See Durham BOF, page 27

YOU’RE INVITED To an end of the summer community picnic

Sunday, August 29 4-8 PM at Camp Farnam 285 Maiden Lane, Durham CT Rain or Shine Bring a picnic supper Beverages & ice cream provided by CVEF Swimming

Music

Games

Family Fun

Sponsored by CVEF Q

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BASREP in Town Times

Throughout the summer, there was a lot of fun as well as learning going on at BASREP (Before and After School Recreation Enrichment Program), held at Korn School year-round. Top photo, Olivia Lemieux tries on firefighter Al Kostuk’s uniform and gear. Center photo, from left, Sean McMaster, Andrew Nizen, Conrad Korzon, Joshua Stagon, Thomas Seibert and Devin Geoghegan hang out while working on a project together. Bottom, Esha Garg and Sydney Hovenstine pose for a picture while cooling off on a hot day. Submitted photos

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Friday, August 20, 2010

Town Times

Friday, August 20, 2010

Fidelco

(From page 11)

dogs. Some are adopted out (not to worry; these dogs are snatched up by loving families). One trait guide dogs must possess is a willingness to disobey a handlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s command when they sense danger. This is called â&#x20AC;&#x153;intelligent disobedience.â&#x20AC;? For example, a blind person may give a command to start across a street, but the dog, always tuned into its environment, knows that this would take him and his owner into the path of a turning car. The dog refuses to move, signaling his owner to wait until the path is clear. Upon successful completion of this training, Fidelco dogs are matched with clients and the in-community placement phase begins. During this period, clients learn to use their dog right in their homes, neighborhoods and places of work. The trainer meanwhile, besides teaching, carefully observes the new team, picking up on issues and unique aspects of the blind personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s environment

that need to be addressed. Fidelco is the only guide dog program in the United States that uses in-community placement to train the dogclient team. This approach differs from other training strategies, which train the client and dog on a campus or facility away from home and family. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We take the dogs to our clients,â&#x20AC;? says Eliot Russman, CEO of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That way, we can take changes in the personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s environment into account.â&#x20AC;? Reflecting the philosophy of Fidelcoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founders, the Kamans, he feels this approach helps clients become more productive more quickly, while building a partnership between person and dog based on trust. When I opened up Trust the Dog, I was startled (and pleased) to see that the very first story was about someone I knew back in my working days. Todd Higgins grew up in Killingworth, where I now live, but I did not meet him until long after the car accident during college that left

46/ #"#: 46/ -JGF 1PXFSFE CZ 4PMBS

him blind. When I met Todd, he had retired his first Fidelco dog, Promise (she lived out her golden years with him), and was working with his second dog, Urrick. Fidelco dogsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; names are given by the foster families, with each litter of puppies being assigned the first letter of their names; Urrick was from a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Uâ&#x20AC;? litter. Then there was Gustav, and now Todd and his wife live in California, where he works for the state Protection and Advocacy agency. According to Gerri Hirshey, Toddâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth Fidelco dog is named Zeb. He and Zeb travel the state, including to Balboa Naval Hospital, to work with severely injured soldiers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fidelco has given me a wife (he met Maureen Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor when she was managing a

17 Fidelco bike-a-thon fundraiser) and four dogs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and with them, my work,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All these gifts are priceless. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ever try to imagine the life I might have had without them.â&#x20AC;? Fidelco dogs usually have a working life of eight to ten years after being placed. Because of careful breeding â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the line traces back to a combination of working and herding dogs from Germany â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Fidelco dogs are healthy and sturdy. And they need to be, in order to serve their owners effectively. According to the Fidelco website (www.fidelco.org), 30 million Americans currently experience some form of vision loss. That number is expected to increase dramatically in the next 10 years, largely as a result of the aging Baby

Boomer population and the persistence of vision-based diseases. The need for guide dogs will only increase, and Fidelco is prepared to meet this need. As a non-profit organization, Fidelco relies on volunteers and on donations from individuals and groups as well as proceeds from fundraising events. There is no charge to the blind person for the guide dog, but raising, training and placing one costs roughly $26,000. Lions Clubs around Connecticut and across New England, as well as other charitable organizations, help raise funds for Fidelco, and special events and sponsors do their part. They also raise the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awareness and understanding of blindness and the See Fidelco, page 23

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Town Times at the Tractor Cruise-In

Clockwise from above, Gavin, age 2, with dad, Stephen, of Berlin, on a big green tractor; the race is on; a row of antique tractors featured at the event. Photos by Dee Wilcox

Start the School Year with a clean, bright smile!

Friday, August 20, 2010

There were 245 tractors, old cars and old trucks in attendance at last weekend’s Tractor Cruise-in at the Durham Fairgrounds. Names and times weren’t recorded for the slow race, but a good time was certainly had by all, according to Norm Hicks from the Durham Fair Foundation. “It is amazing that a tractor can go so slow that one cannot see it move but rather see that it has moved,” he said. The results of the big tractor pulls haven’t been posted on www.ctbraggingrights.com yet, but will be soon. The results for backseat driver: First Place: Ed and Nick; Second Place (by only two seconds): Melissa and Gabby from Durham. Kiddie Tractor Pull winners (out of the 16 participants): Age 3: James Aronson; Age 4: Travis Holder from Thomaston (Billy Wimler’s grandson); Age 5: Andrew Paridy from West Hartford; Age 6: Kevin Ryan from Durham; Age 7: Simon Brown from Killingworth.

Back to School Dental Cleaning $99 (ages 4 - 12) $149 (ages 13-18) Includes Dental Exam, Bitewing X-rays, Cleaning & Polishing, Fluoride Treatment & Dental Hygiene Instruction. Offer valid for new & existing patients ages 4-18 and may not be combined with any other offer. Dental insurance may reduce cost to $0. With this coupon. Expires 11/30/10

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For more info contact Bob Turcio at 203-248-2398 Email ctcombers@comcast.net

Friday, August 20, 2010

On the Durham Fairgrounds

Durham Fair entry deadlines for more information, online information and more.

Durham Fair volunteers needed

Photo by Dee Wilcox

If you want to be part of the largest all-volunteer fair in North America, sign up today to sell tickets, take tickets or stamp hands. Shifts are three or four hours long and for your time, you will receive a one-day general admission ticket and a parking pass. This is perfect for students needing volunteer hours, boy and girl scouts or those who just love the fair. Contact Robin Fujio at 860-344-7243.

ORTHODONTICS

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Deadlines for entry forms the items/exhibits are below: Livestock The livestock entry forms for beef and dairy cattle have to be received by Sept. 15; goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine and lamas by Sept. 1 and for fiber, by Sept. 11. The animals have to be brought to fairgrounds on Thursday, Sept. 23. Beef and dairy cattle, sheep and llamas between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.; goats and swine from 1 to 9 p.m.; poultry between 2 and 8 p.m.; rabbits from 1 to 7 p.m. and fiber noon to 6:30 p.m. Competitive exhibits In the competitive exhibits, entry forms for photography in Division 4 must be received by Sept. 4; forms for art, canning, crafts and collections and needlework by Sept. 11; fruits, vegetables and all youth classes by Sept. 13; horticulture, giant pumpkins, baking and Divisions 1-5 and 7 in photography by Sept. 15; flowers by Sept. 17; and Christmas trees by Sept. 19. Exhibits must be brought to the fairgrounds as follows: Flowers on Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 3 to 8 p.m. Fruits on Tuesday, Sept. 21, from 3 to 9 p.m. Horticulture, on Monday, Sept. 20, from 3 to 8 p.m. Christmas Trees, Tuesday, Sept. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. Vegetables, Tuesday, Sept. 21, from 3 to 9 p.m. Giant pumpkins, Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 3 to 9 p.m. Art, Saturday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Canning, Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Baking, Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 3 to 8 p.m. Crafts and collections, Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Needlework, Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Photography Divisions 1-5 and 7, Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Photography Division 6, Saturday, Sept. 4, by mail/email Youth (ages 5-17) Crafts, special interest, photography and group crafts, Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vegetables, flowers, baking and canning and group baking and canning, Tuesday, Sept. 21, from 12:30 to 7 p.m. Visit www.durhamfair.com

Below, sitting tall on a tractor during the Tractor Cruise-In last weekend.

Town Times

20 Tests

grade six, higher in all except math in grade seven and higher in all subjects in

four, higher — by 10 points or so — in all areas in grade five, higher in all but math in

(From page 3)

CT BEVERAGE MART New Britain RT. 71 615 Hartford, Rd.

Wallingford 1070 North Colony Rd.

Newington Rt. 5 & 15 3127 Berlin Turnpike

Middletown Rt. 66 955 Washington St.

(Near Westfarms Mall) 860-225-1444

(Across from Home Depot) 203-265-1474

(Across from Wal-Mart) 860-667-1339

(Next to Better Bedding) 860-347-1624

BEER BEER Coor’s Coor’s Light Light 30 30 pack pack cans cans . . . . . . . . . $19.99 19.99

Miller Miller High High Life Life Light Light 30 30 pack pack cans cans .. .. .. .. .. .. ..$$13.99 13.99 Miller Miller Lite Lite Busch Busch 30 30 pack pack cans cans . . . . . . . . . . 19.99 19.99 30 30 pack pack cans cans .. .. .. .. .. .. ..$$13.99 13.99 Miller Miller High High Life Life $$ 30 pack cans . . . . . . . . 13.99 30 pack cans . . . . . . . . 13.99 Bud Bud Busch Busch Light Light 30 30 pack pack cans cans . . . . . . . . . . 20.99 20.99 30 30 pack pack cans cans .. .. .. .. .. .. ..$$13.99 13.99 $

Bud Bud Light Light 30 30 pack pack cans cans . . . . . . . . . $20.99 20.99 $

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RUM RUM

TEQUILA TEQUILA Sauza Sauza Gold Gold

Captain Captain Morgan Morgan Spiced Spiced Rum Rum

1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . . . .$$29.99 29.99

1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . . 28.99 28.99

Pinnacle All types

1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . . . .$$34.99 34.99

Bacardi 1.75 liter . . . . . . . .$19.99 Bacardi

Lt Lt or or Dark Dark

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Dorado Dorado Gold Gold 1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . . . .$$17.99 17.99

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Chard/Pinot Merlot/Cab . . . . . . .$14.99 Absolut All types

Malibu Malibu

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GLEN ELLEN All types . . . . . . . . . . .$7.99 7.99

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Crown Crown Royal Royal Black Black

Tanqueray Tanqueray Gin Gin

P.G. Pinot Grigio . . . . . . .$10.99

Canadian Canadian Club Club

Beefeater Beefeater Gin Gin

1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . .$$36.99 36.99

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Gilby’s Gilby’s Gin Gin

Seagrams Seagrams VO VO

1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . .$$17.99 17.99

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Johnnie Johnnie Walker Walker Red Red

Seagrams Seagrams Gin Gin All All types types Black Black Velvet Velvet 1.75 1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . .$$19.99 19.99 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . . .$$14.99 14.99

1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . .$$36.99 36.99

Seagrams Seagrams Lime Lime Gin Gin

Dewars Dewars

1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . .$$35.99 35.99

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New New Amsterdam Amsterdam Gin Gin 1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . $21.99 21.99 $

Cutty Cutty Sark Sark

1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . .$$29.99 29.99

Clan Clan MacGregor MacGregor

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Black Black Prince Prince

1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . .$$21.99 21.99

Produce collections lobby on these days between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Donations from the community are welcome. The produce will be delivered to the residents of Sugarloaf Senior Housing in Middlefield and Mauro Meadows in Durham. Contact Margo Novak, Lyman School teacher, at 860349-7240 or mnovak@rsd13. org with any questions.

End-of-summer produce collections will be held at John Lyman School on Thursdays, Sept. 9 and 30. Students will be collecting homegrown vegetables and fruits in the boxes in the John Lyman School

Seagrams Seagrams 77 1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . . .$$17.99 17.99

GIN GIN 1.75 1.75 liter liter . . . . . . . .$$32.99 32.99

All types . . . . . . . . . .$12.99

WHISKEY WHISKEY

their August 25 meeting. Dept. of Education report According to the report put out by the State Department of Education, about 72 percent of Connecticut’s schools met this year’s performance standards — up from about 60 percent for the last two years, based on student performance in reading and mathematics on the 2010 CMT and CAPT. A total of 281 schools did not meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) standard — Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) this year, which is about 28 percent of schools in the sate, according to state education Commissioner Mark K. McQuillan. Under NCLB, roughly eight in 10 students are required to achieve a level at or above proficient. The standards will rise in 2011 to require that about nine in 10 students meet the proficiency standards in math and reading, and rise again to 100 percent of students by 2013-14.

grade eight. In terms of comparing scores from one year to the next, Viccaro said there is no value in that strategy because you are talking about totally different groups of kids. “There is, however, real value in looking at cohort scores — seeing how the same kids did over time,” said Viccaro. “Here there is some good news: the majority of our students improved in the same subject area from one year to the next.” She said District 13 school principals, along with their respective staffs, will be crafting school improvement plans that are directly focused on specific strategies to improve scores. Those plans will be published on the school website, www.rsd13ct.org, by early October. Viccaro will be providing the Board of Education with a full report on the CMT and CAPT scores at

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Friday, August 20, 2010

Par t-time Parish Secretar y self-star ter with good interpersonal skills who can work independently; m ust have c l e r ical and w ord processing skills. S o m e flexibility in work schedule; 12 hours a week. Send resume to: Church of the Epiphany, P.O. Box 337; Durham, 06422

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We Match Match Any Any Legal Legal Connecticut Connecticut Advertised Advertised Prices Prices on on Liquor, Liquor, Cordials, Cordials, Beer, Beer, & & Wine. Wine. We Customer must must bring bring in in the the advertisement. advertisement. Customer 1169664

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1144298

Sale Sale Starts Starts 08/18/10 08/18/10 Sale Sale Ends Ends 08/29/10 08/29/10

Town Times

Friday, August 20, 2010

Work hard (From page 8)

Ford did a great job directing the program for the six-yearolds and up. This was his first year. He was well-liked by all. Jackie Wilkinson is the arts and crafts director. Everyone loves when Jackie has tie-dye shirt day. So many of the kids have blue, green, red, purple and pink hands by the time they finish. It’s the hit of the summer. This is Amanda Thody’s first year with us. She handled a lot of the paperwork and also helped supervise kids, especially at Night Rec. Thank you for making my summer a most pleasant experience. GOOD JOB! Karen Kean, Director of Little People, Durham Recreation

Powder Ridge (From pg. 1)

Our current legislature has Brayshaw contends that continued to borrow more and while he would happily acmore money without making cept the money if offered, at the necessary tough decisions this time he’s not sure it’s available. needed to balance our budget. As a result, our state’s credit Another sticking point has rating has decreased and combeen easements for a water panies continue to move out of line to Lake Beseck to assure that the ski area has ample acConnecticut at a far greater cess to water to make snow. rate than companies are movThat access has been secured ing to our state. through a land swap executed John Szewczyk is the only with Angelo Micciulla and a candidate I have talked to who forthcoming easement agreehas given specific plans about ment with the Nerden Camp. how to close the budget deficit An easement over land without borrowing and how to known locally as the “Green make our state friendly to Forty” has not been acquired, business, and he will work but since access is assured tirelessly to get those plans apthrough other means, Alpine proved. The incumbents have is satisfied to go forward. had their chance and have Brayshaw also explained failed to act appropriately, inthe mechanism agreed upon stead running up a $3.4 billion to assure that Alpine makes dollar budget deficit. It is time improvements to the properfor some new ideas and fresh ty, and that mechanism is a $2 faces in our state legislature. It million second mortgage to be is time for a local person, a taxheld by the town. As improvepayer, and a working class citiments are made, town finance zen who is from Connecticut director Joe Geruch will and who has a vested interest Karen Kean and her staff. in our community to serve us at the State Capitol. I have known John a long time and know there is virtually no one who will work harder for us. Please support John Szewczyk Allied Member, ASID for State Rep this November. Fred Raley, Durham (860) 349-1349

record the amount spent by Alpine and deduct it from what is owed on the mortgage. This replaces the more commonly used performance bond through which developers provide a bond, guaranteeing that they will uphold their part of the bargain to safely and properly build a road for a subdivision, for example. Other Powder Ridge issues The selectmen received a letter from Jen Huddleston, chair of the Middlefield Clean Energy Task Force, asking that part of the contract with Alpine include allowing the town to place wind turbines on the ridge above the ski area if testing shows that such a location could generate sufficient electricity. According to Brayshaw, Alpine is amenable to having a test pole placed on the ridge by the town, but is not amenable to letting the town maintain the rights to use the ridge line for eventual power generation. Brayshaw explained that, at least for him,

this need not be a sticking point because the town owns other ridge line property next to Powder Ridge – the King and DiCostanza properties – which could also be potential sites for wind turbine location, and that these sites have better access. Resident Marianne Corona made known her preference for using regular rather taxexempt bonds for Powder Ridge funding since tax-exempt bonds may limit the town in the future. Thirsty dogs Eagle Scout Tyler Sibley appeared before the selectmen to request permission to dig a shallow well and install a hand pump at the dog park on Lake Shore Drive to provide water for dogs only. The selectmen unanimously approved the installation in concept, providing sanitarian Lee Vito was agreeable and all necessary permits and paper work filed. Sibley noted that a balance over $538 in the dog See Mfld. BOS, page 26

T o wn T ime s S e rvic e Di re cto ry Sharon McCormick

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With the end of summer fast approaching, and Durham Recreation now over, I wanted to thank the wonderful staff who supervised and played with all the “little people” who are four and five years old. Nathanial, Mike F., Mike S., Kelsey, Ashley M., Sara, Ashley V., Jennifer, Hunter, Jessica, Kerry, Courtney, Kristina, Jordan and Katelyn. We had a GREAT SUMMER. All the kids had a great time. We went in Allyn Brook quite often. Played Duck, Duck, Goose, sometimes our own version Duck, Duck, Splash. I can still hear the little ones squealing with delight. “What time is it, Mr. Fox?” And a variety of other games. This summer is my 16th year working for Durham Recreation. I have to say it was the BEST. There was something about all of the counselors getting along and having a good time with the kids. I mean ALL of the staff. Mike

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Kudos to summer staff

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In Our Libraries

Levi Coe Library

Hours: The library is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. 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. The library will be closed, Monday, Sept. 6, for Labor Day.

Library Passes: Summer is waning. Connecticut State

Parks and Forests Day Pass can be checked out for two days and is used to cover the cost of parking at state parks and forests where there is an established parking charge. The pass can also be used to cover the admission fee for up to two adults and four children at state historical sites and exhibit centers at Dinosaur, Fort Trumbull and Gillette Castle state parks. The pass is valid through Dec. 21. Old State House pass provides free admission for up to two adults

and two children. Pass checks out for two days. At the Old State House, expect to find historically restored rooms, guided tours, an exhibit blending U.S. history, state government, civics and citizenship, and an interactive floor dedicated to the history of Hartford. New Titles include Tough Customer by Sandra Brown, Let Our Fame Be Great by Oliver Bullough, Cure by Robin Cook, Death on the D-List by Nancy Grace and The Postcard Killers by

Friday, August 20, 2010 James Patterson. New young adult and children’s titles include The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee, Skyclan’s Destiny by Erin Hunter, New Girl in Town by Julia DeVillers, A Pirate’s Guide to First Grade by James Preller and Roberto and Me by Dan Gutman. To view anticipated arrival dates for new titles, visit www.leviecoe.com, click on Activities and Events and go to monthly calendars. New DVDs: Date Night, Death at a Funeral, Diary of

T o wn T im es S e rvic e Di re ct ory Allan’s Tree Service ~ professional care at its best ~

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Hours: Regular library hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Visit www.durhamlibrary.org to search the catalog, review your account, register for a program or renew your materials online. For information or to register for a program by phone, call 860-3499544.

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The Book Lover’s Circle will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 7:30 p.m. to discuss Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. Copies of the book are available at the library. Everyone is invited to join this informal discussion. The Mystery Book Club will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m. to discuss Blacklist by Sara Paretsky.

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a Wimpy Kid, Mother, The Ghost Writer, Kick-Ass, My Baby Can Talk: First Signs and more. Stop by and view the expanded collection. For more information, visit www.leviecoe.com.

New titles include Vigilantes, a Badge of Honor Novel by W.E.B. Griffin, Cure by Robin Cook, The Swimming Pool by Holly LeCraw, Bliss Remembered by Frank Deford, The Postcard Killers by James Patterson, Window into Jurassic Park by Nicholas G. McDonald, The Happiest Kid on Campus, Parent’s Guide to the Very Best College Experience (for you and your child) by Harlan Cohen, Exercising Your Soul, Fifteen Minutes a Day to a Spiritual Soul by Gary Jansen and Vision and Voice, Refining Your Vision in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom by David duChemin. The Postcard Killers by James Patterson is available in large print.

Town Times

Friday, August 20, 2010

Obituary

Fidelco

Joan Elizabeth (Gregory) Hughes was Joan who sold my husband and I our down-sized ranch home on Oak Terrace. She called us after several months of looking around and said, “I think I have just the house for you,” and indeed she did. For everything — the ads, the community involvement, the knowing what we wanted in a house — thanks, Joan. Sue VanDerzee

(From page 17)

role of guide dogs for people who are blind. Check out the website for information on upcoming fundraisers, including the Sixth Annual “Fall Classic” tournament at the Golf Club of Avon on Tuesday, Sept. 21, sponsored by Stanley Black & Decker. Also, on Saturday, Oct. 2, Fidelco will host “A Night of Heroes,” a gala featuring gourmet fare, auctions and live entertainment. For the past four years, Fi-

delco has received four stars from Charity Navigator, an independent auditing firm. This means it uses most of its funds for services rather than overhead; only about eight percent of organizations audited receive this highest of ratings. “Charlie and Robbie Kaman set us on our way,” says CEO Russman. And Fidelco continues moving into the future, adjusting its training to the changing realities of the world where its dogs and their owners live and work. There are many Fidelco sto-

Adult guide dog in harness. ries to be shared, and next week, I will bring you a few, two from right here in Middlefield!

T o wn T ime s S e rvic e Di re cto ry

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Joan Elizabeth (Gregory) Hughes, 73, formerly of Durham, beloved wife of 53 years to Kenneth Hughes, died Saturday (August 14, 2010) at Laurel Woods, East Haven. She was born in Bridgeport, the daughter of the late Henry and Mildred (Riley) Gregory. Prior to her retirement, she was broker-owner of Kowalski and Castle Realtors, Durham. Joan was honored in 1993 as Middlesex Board of Realtors Realtor of the Year. She also was active for many years with the Durham Democratic Town Committee. Besides her husband she is survived by her sons, Kevin Hughes of Cromwell and Keith Hughes and his fiancée Terri Koehler of Middletown; her daughters Kyle Hudak and her husband Jim of Branford, Kelly Wasilewski and her husband Bob of Middletown, and Kate Iacovelli and her husband, Joe of Bristol; four grandchildren, Emily and Meredith Hudak, Nick and Julianna Iacovelli; two step grandchildren, Bobby and David Wasilewski; also several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass was held at Notre Dame Church, Main St., Durham. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Joan Hughes Memorial Fund, c/o Laurel Woods, 451 N. High St., East Haven, CT 06512. Biega Funeral Home has care of the arrangements. To leave an online message of sympathy, please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com. (Editor’s note: At the Town Times, Joan Hughes held a special place in our hearts. She was one of our first and most loyal advertisers, right up till the time she retired from her real estate agency on Main Street in Durham. She was also a fixture at the polls, and every time I have gone to vote since Joan moved, I have thought about her kindness and her support for this newspaper. On a personal note, it

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Town Times Sports

Friday, August 20, 2010

Soccer Club scholarship winners Registration open for youth hockey program The Coginchaug Soccer Club awarded its 2010 scholarships to seniors Sarah Bugai, Elizabeth Meiman, Matthew Gueble and Michael Quirk. The winners demonstrated service to the club and completed essays on the meaning of soccer in their lives. Bugai began playing soccer at the age of five. She became a referee during her freshman year and officiated in Wallingford and Durham. She played throughout high school at CRHS and was the JV captain during her junior year. Bugai hopes to play intramural soccer at Simmons College. Meiman played soccer for seven years in the Coginchaug Soccer Club, starting in the recreational leagues and playing up through the travel and competitive leagues during the fall, winter and spring seasons. She played soccer in middle school and continued at CRHS for four years, where she was elected co-captain of

the varsity team in her senior year. She was a referee in the Coginchaug Soccer Club for four years and in the fall will be attending UConn. Gueble began playing for the Coginchaug Soccer Club when he was three years old and was involved as a player, coach and referee. He attended Xavier High School where he played all four years and started varsity for three years. He was team captain in his senior year. During the high school spring and summer seasons, he played on a premier team with the Guilford Soccer Club and this summer on a U23 team with the Coginchaug Soccer Club. Gueble will attend Wake Forest University and play soccer at a club level. Quirk played for a number of years with the club and was named a co-captain of the CRHS team during his senior season. He will continue his soccer career at Ana Maria this fall.

Registration is now open for the Greater New Haven Warriors Youth Hockey Association fall hockey programs, including First Strides (a free learn-to-skate program), learn-to-play hockey clinic, Mite Development (in-house teams) and Light Travel team for the 2010-11 season. Each program is designed to offer cost-effective on-ice instruction and play for players with minimal or no prior skating or hockey experience between the ages of four and 12. Programs begin in September and are held at the Northford Ice Pavilion, 24 Fire-Lite Place in Northford. To register or for more information, visit www.gnhwarriors.org. First Strides, created by Bauer Hockey, is a free, fourweek program open to aspiring players between the ages of 4-10 with no prior skating or hockey experience. Play begins Saturday, Sept. 18, and

continues on Saturday and Sunday for four consecutive weekends. A limited amount of loaner equipment is available for use on a first come, first served basis. The Warriors learn-to-play hockey clinic is designed for players between the ages of 410 who have completed the First Strides program or a learn-to-skate program and are interested in continuing to develop their fundamental hockey and skating skills. Play begins Oct. 16 and continues for nine weeks through December (excluding holidays). Full equipment is required. The Mite Development teams are for boys and girls eight and under and are designed for players making the transition from clinic to more team-oriented play. A minimum of four teams will play a 20-game regular season schedule of cross/half-ice games against each other as

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The Cogincuag Regional High School football team organized and ran a football camp for the Durham/Middlefield Falcons youth football players on July 28, 29 and 30. The Coginchaug players and coaches ran drills and helped teach the Falcons’ players, aged 7-13, learn the fundamentals of the game. Everyone had a lot of fun.

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well as other local organizations that will culminate in a playoff for the Patrick Cup (named after league founders Lynn and Lester Patrick). Play takes place three times a week, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, for 21 weeks starting Sept. 10. Full equipment is required. The Light Travel team is a newly developed concept providing players between the ages of 9-12 an opportunity to continue developing their skills while playing at a less competitive and more cost-effective level. It is perfect for players in this age group just starting out or parents looking for a consistent schedule with limited, local travel. Play takes place on Saturdays and Sundays starting Sept. 11 and continues for 21 weeks. Full equipment is required. The Greater New Haven Warriors Youth Hockey Association is a direct descendent of the first youth hockey program in the United States started in 1946 by Lynn and Lester Patrick of the New York Rangers and former Ranger and Yale head coach Murray Murdoch. Its mission is to assist players between the ages of 4-18 in developing athletically, socially and mentally through the game of hockey in a fun and enhanced learning environment.

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Town Times Sports

Friday, August 20, 2010

Time Out Taverne drops fifth straight game

Right, this is how gymnasts spend time at the pool. Ava Altschuler of Durham (third from the left) and the Connecticut Gymnastics Academy gymnastics team.

By Bob Dynia Special to the Town Times While their hitting appears to get better, the Time Out Taverne men’s 40 and over softball team lost yet another game to a quality opponent, coming up on the short end of a 22–7 contest to first place Essex on Aug. 16. A morning rain left the Vinal Tech field with a muddy infield. Although the Middletown Park and Rec did a good job preparing the field, some areas still needed some TLC, especially around second base. Visiting Essex offered shovels to move dry dirt around the wet areas to make the field playable for the game. After allowing a run to the visitors in the top of the first, the gray wonders scored three times in their half of the inning. Singles by Daryl

District 13 sports physicals on Aug. 23

wards went four-for-five, scoring twice. Carr, Bisson and Wills Evers each had three singles; Bisson drove in two runs. Rowe, Mather and Grodzicki had two hits apiece; Mather drove in two and Rowe scored twice. Wayne Hubbard, fresh off a day of fishing, allowed 19 runs on 25 hits in five innings of work. Bob Edwards came in for the final three frames, allowing three runs on eight hits.

Edwards and Charlie Mather, followed by a walk to Ken Judson, loaded the bases with no outs. Edwards scored on a fielder’s choice grounder by Kevin Rowe. With two out, Bruce Bisson and Gary Grodzicki cracked run-scoring singles. Allowing Essex to score three in the second, TOT came back to take the lead again in the bottom of the frame on a tworun double by Mather, scoring George Miller and Edwards. Essex took control of the game, with six third inning, one fourth inning and eight fifth inning runs. TOT could only muster single runs in the third, with Jack Carr driving in Bob Dynia with a single, and the seventh, with Bruce Bisson plating Rowe. Essex completed the scoring with three in the eighth. Leadoff hitter Daryl Ed-

TOT travels to Essex on Monday, Aug. 23, for a rematch with Essex at Devitts Field in Deep River. Another road game follows on Monday, Aug. 29, at “The Brickyard” in Higganum, just before the Labor Day break. The team invites their rabid fans to travel to these exotic destinations to cheer on the team and their favorites.

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Sports assessments for District 13 students in grades seven through 12 will be held at Coginchaug Regional High School on Monday, Aug. 23. One of the school physicians, Dr. Brad Wilkinson or Dr. Tanya Feke, or physician assistant Amber Bowell, all from Coginchaug Family Practice, will perform the physicals. This exam is for any student who will be playing an interscholastic sport during school year 2010-11. A current physical, within 13 months of playing a sport, should be on file with the nurse in the health office before a student can begin practice for any sport. Please note that if your child has already turned in the required sixth grade or tenth grade physical exam form, it may be used for the sports physical for 13 months from the date of the exam, and your child may not need an additional sports assessment. Boys will be examined from 9 to 11:30 a.m., and girls will be examined from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the CRHS health office. Each student should bring a urine sample in a small container inserted into a small brown paper bag, labeled with the student’s name. The school nurses will register the students and perform the pre-assessment work-up. The physicals are free, and no appointment is necessary. This will be the only day for sports assessments for the fall sports season.

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Town Times

Friday, August 20, 2010

Mfld. BOS

At jazz band summer camp at IDS, each student also composed their own musical piece. A jazz concert was performed at the finish. Jake Brunelle wrote and performed his own piece, “Chicago Blues.” Jack Riotte performed “Sonnymoon for Two” by Sonny Rollins. George Trapp performed “Freddy Freeloader” by Miles Davis. Kevin Huveldt performed “Listen Hear” by Eddie Harris. The jazz quartet was taught and directed by Tim Fisher, music director and instrumental teacher at Memorial School, who accompanied the group on keyboard. Pictured, from left, Kevin Huveldt of Middlefield, Jack Riotte, George Trapp, Tim Fisher and Jake Photo submitted by Eva Brunelle Brunelle, all of Durham.

(Continued from page 21) tween the Red Cross, Middletown Area Transit and the town to supply dial-a-ride transportation for those who need it for medical appointments. The $14,800 expense is part of the approved town budget. Brayshaw reported that he plans to go to the Board of Finance (BOF) meeting on Thursday evening this week and share some of the calls he has received from residents about the program to shut off about 100 street lights of the town’s 425 to save money. “We’ve shut off around 30-35 so far, and I’ve received 10 negative phone calls,” he said. “I’ve also received compliments from people, but the board should know that this is a contentious program.” He added that if the BOF decided to suspend the program, it would require about $15,000 worth of spending beyond what was authorized in the

park account, all accumulated through donations, would be enough to complete the job. “The dog park has been open a year, and dozens of dogs use it every week,” Sibley reported proudly. Safety concerns Resident Ken Blake asked the selectmen to make sure that secure snow fencing is placed around the skate park at Peckham Park until the construction is completed. Blake said he caught a young person ducking under the yellow tape and trying to use the skate park “with steel rebar still sticking up.” “It’s a hazard until it’s finished,” said Blake. He also asked that the selectmen check into finishing a catch basin on Ross Road. “Anybody could lose a tire or fall into that hole,” Blake said. Other business The selectmen unanimously approved an agreement be-

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budget. “Residents voted at the town budget meeting to cut funding for streetlights by a third, or $20,000,” explained Brayshaw, “and the contingency fund was set at $50,000 so $15,000-20,000 would be a big hit.” Brayshaw asked anyone with some concern about streetlights – either complaining about one that has been shut off or suggesting one that should be shut off – should write a note to him at Town Hall and he’ll collect them. Brayshaw also noted that three residents have volunteered to be involved on CCM (Connecticut Council of Municipalities) policy committees. He urged anyone else who is interested in being included in discussions of possible state-level legislation on a broad variety of issues – from public health to education, from land use to public safety – should call his office and leave their name. Finally, selectmen Ed Bailey and Mary Johnson voted to contract with attorney Robert White of Murtha Cullina LLP to defend the town, Brayshaw and former BOF chair Paul Pizzo against a suit by Ken Leavitt, former owner of Power Ridge ski area. According to a letter dated Aug. 11 by White, the suit has much in common with a previous suit by Leavitt that was dismissed. The town’s insurance carrier, Fireman’s Fund, will be asked to take care of the monthly bills. Brayshaw abstained from voting on the contract.

Enjoy a taste of Cromwell

The Cromwell Children’s Home will be hosting the seventh annual Taste of Cromwell on Friday, Sept. 17, at the Holy Apostle’s College and Seminary, Prospect Hill Road in Cromwell, starting at 7 p.m. There will be food, wine and a silent auction. Tickets are available for $20 in advance or $25 at the door. If you would like more information about the Taste of Cromwell, to donate food, auction prizes or decorations or volunteer, contact Sharon Graves at 860-635-6010 or sgraves@childhome.org. You can also visit www.childhome.org.

Town Times

Friday, August 20, 2010

Recent property transfers in Durham and Middlefield $132,500; Kirk Hagert to Durham Family Eye Care, 243 Main St., $565,000; and Carmen Catalano to Kyle Pavlick, 129 Arbutus St., $435,000. Middlefield Jeffrey and Sharon Hill to Daniel Seymour, 130 West St., $208,000; John Gazerwitz to Craig Verrilli, 12-A Fowler Development, $428,000; Vincent Bitel, to Marcella Smith and Jessica Rizi, 105 Peters Lane, $526,250;

Carolyn Krenz to William and Paula Hennessy, 7 Valley Heights Dr., $332,500; and Estate of Richard Patterson to Michael Andrews, 589 Main St., $170,000.

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immediately updating the gear. The board also noted that any money taken from the vehicle reserve must eventually be replaced, which prompted board member Loraine Coe to ask if the money could possibly come out of the Fire Department Trustee’s account. However, neither the Fire Chief nor a member of the Trustees were on hand to answer their questions. Finance director Maryjane Malavasi agreed to speak with both about the turn out gear. (In attendance/Chuck Corley)

We’re on the Web: http://www.towntimes.com

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Durham 13 Hemlock Court Immaculate 2130 sq. ft. Colonial located on a quiet cul-de-sac. 3 bedroom home features a master suite and possible in-law in walkout basement. Bright and sunny interior with French doors from dining room to multi-level deck, perfect for entertaining. Only $399,900. Call Berardino Realtors 860-349-0344 for more information or come Sunday! DIR: Rte. 17 to Royal Oak to Black Walnut to Hemlock. Durham FULLY REMODELED!! 109 Meeting House Hill Rd. $299,900. Immaculate 3 bedroom, 2 bath home fully reconditioned with flat yard and scenic views. New kit. w/cherry cabinets, updated baths, & new Harvey windows. Call Berardino Realtors 860-349-0344 for more information or come Sunday! DIR: Rte. 17/Rte. 77 to Meeting House Hill Rd.

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of $66,873 in grant money from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. One other item that came before the board came from the Fire Department. The department wants to purchase new turn out gear that meets the new NFPA standards and asked that the $25,000 needed for this gear come from the department’s vehicle reserve line-item. Before granting this request, though, the board wanted to know if there is a deadline on when the department must update its gear and if anyone is at risk by not

(Continued from page 15)

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Durham Julie Raymond to Lawrence DiBernardo and Mary-Doris Devlin, 11 Partridge Lane, $275,000; John Cichon Estate to Julie Raymond, 78 Maiden Lane, $160,000; Simon and Eileen Bernard to David and Jillian Kalinchak, 159 David Rd., $600,000; Elizabeth Ianniello to Charles and Terry Szymaszek, 154 Old Farms Rd., $290,000; Keith Demerchant to Simon and Eileen Bernard, 169 Haddam Quarter Rd., $380,000; Abby Orkisz to Kevin McBrien, 58R Green Lane, $340,000; James Baker to Christopher and Carla Luca, 210 Old Blue Hills Rd., $153,000; Judith Ann Gerarde to Jennifer and Vito Dimauro, 465 Higganum Rd., $424,000; Keith Bentley to Douglas Forbush, 132R Old Blue Hills Rd., $334,000; Douglas and Annyta Vizard to Richard Perkins, 30 Hemlock Court, $356,000; Angelo and Holly Derenzo to John Cerejo, 27 Old Washington Trail, $372,500; Cuomo Construction to Henry and Carol Robinson, 7 Center St., Unit 9, Bldg. 4, $294,000; Thomas Hutton to Michael and Karen Whalen, 24 Olde Yankee Way, $725,000; Deborah Douglass to Giovanni and Mary Messina, 59 James Rd., $375,500; New Alliance Bank to Rebecca and Sandra Johnson, 179-181 Cherry Lane, s $725,000; - People’s United Bank to l Anthony Prifitera, 251R Tri y Mountain Rd., $450,000; - Randall Noll to Lynn n Eddy, 43 Clark Rd., $320,000; . Hugh and Patricia Curley a to Margarita and Gary Pellegrino, 709 Haddam Quarter 0 Rd. $103,500; f Bonnie and Robert Parris - to Keith Bentley, 223R Tri f Mountain Rd., $480,000; William and Kimberly r Wilson to Darlene Collins, 21 n Barbara Lane, $190,000; r u U.S. Bank National Asso- ciation to John Fournier, 1132 New Haven Rd.,

Mobile Home

Town Times

Fairs

7036; 7,5 ;,550:

(Continued from page 10)

Woodstock Fair (both Sept. 36), with the Goshen Fair (on the other side of the state), also running Sept. 4-6. The Hebron Harvest Fair and the North Haven Fair would love to see you Sept. 9-12, while the Bethlehem Fair only runs Sept. 10-12. The Four Town Fair takes place in Somers, Sept. 1619, competing with the Guilford Fair (Sept. 17-19) and the Orange Country Fair (Sept. 18-19). The Durham Fair is running this year from Sept. 24-27, and it will be followed by the Berlin Fair (Oct. 1-3), the Harwinton Fair (Oct. 2-3) and, finally, the Portland Fair (Oct. 8-10). District Fairs: All done for this month, but coming up in September are the Hamburg Fair, running Sept. 9-12, along with the Ledyard Fair, Sept. 10-12. The Riverton Fair (different from their Grange Fair) takes place this year Oct. 8-10. This weekend’s Hartford County 4-H fair wraps up the season for 4-H’ers, but there

Friday, August 20, 2010

are still a number of local fairs: The Litchfield Grange and the Simsbury Grange are both running fairs on Aug. 28, while Granby’s and Meriden’s Granges are holding their fairs on Sept. 11. The Cheshire Grange Community Fair is on Sept. 18 and 19, but the Wallingford Grange Fair only runs Sept. 19. Finally, the Beacon Grange Fair is coming up Sept. 26. Now that you have the list, head to ctfairs.org and click on the “Fairs” link; that, in turn, will let you click right through to each fair’s either website or an email address – start gathering information and making those plans. (Other websites that provide resources and links to Connecticut fairs and festivals include: visitconnecticut.com, youbelonginct.com, fairsandfun.com and ctliving.com.) So, what are you waiting for? Get out there, and have some fair and festival fun!

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