Volume 19, Issue 17
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
Middlefield welcomes you By N. Summer Lerch Special to the Town Times It all started as a simple suggestion. Several years ago Middlefield Lions Club members were sitting around Lion Judy Didato’s pool during their summer meeting when Lion Bob Laptik suggested looking into signage that announces the Lions Club presence, along with meeting times, similar to what other local towns have. Everyone thought it was a good idea; the discussion ensued about location for a small Lions Club logo sign with meeting times and dates. (There is actually one; it is at the corner of Route 147 and Cherry Hill Road. It is barely detectable, mostly covered by weeds and morning glories.) Incoming President N.
Summer Lerch thought it would be a good signature project. Placing the signs around town could be both an honor to the members and an opportunity for the town folk to be involved with the good works of the Lions Club. It also would be a nice gift to the residents of Middlefield/Rockfall. First Selectman Jon Brayshaw loved the idea, suggesting the club look at expanding it and incorporating a welcome sign into the design. He suggested using colors like the ones from the Community Center signage as a way to unify the town. He also thought Don Ginter would like to help, as he created the town seal. Almost immediately Lion Kevin Boyle became the goto person. His involvement in Middlefield, as someone with a great relationship
with Brayshaw and someone with a business around the construction industry, made him the committee chair for the project. Over the course of the next year and a half, the first Lions Club sign came into being. Applications were made and approvals gotten. A new fundraiser “Sprint Into Spring” 5/10 K in April was put into play by Lion Mike Skelps to help with construction costs. Board meetings were held monthly; people were contacted and letters were sent. The first sign was installed July 25 on Route 66 in front of Guidas at the turn onto Baileyville Road. There are more signs to come. The next one will be coming up from Middletown on Route 66, near CT Forest See Signs, page 13
Friday, August 3, 2012
Selectmen accept findings of Brownstone financial audit By Stephanie Wilcox Town Times The Middlefield Board of Selectmen received “sufficient evidence” that Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park owner Sean Hayes has access to the money and a business plan to purchase Powder Ridge, said First Selectman Jon Brayshaw. In a special meeting July 25, Teresa Opalacz, a CPA with Guilmartin, DiPiro & Soklowski LLC out of Middletown, gave a report of the financial audit. Following the
report, the selectmen unanimously voted to adopt a resolution to accept the findings of the audit. “Do they have the money? The consultant said ‘yes’,” Brayshaw stated in a phone call July 26. “Do they have a business plan that seems to be viable? The answer is yes to that, too.” The selectmen held a meeting Aug. 1 to schedule a public hearing and town meeting or referendum. Go to www.towntimes.com for updates.
A good time for a good cause Grill-master Kenny Hall with his wife Lorna, and friend Willy Kramer have fun at the annual St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Fundraiser in Durham. See page 9 for the story. Submitted by Lyn Curtis
DEAL STORE Save 50% or more! For more information, visit
www.Myrecordjournal.com/DEAL
1251310
Celebrating the installation of the “Middlefield Welcomes You” sign at the corner of Route 66 and Baileyville Road are, from left: Incoming Middlefield President Lion Jay Dalo, of Durham; New England Sign Carvers principle and designer/creator/installer of sign Steve Sutton; Past President Bob Laptik; President Mary Roberts; Town Seal creator Don Ginter; and Immediate Past President N. Summer Lerch. Submitted by N. Summer Lerch
TownTimes.com