Town Times April 13, 2013 by Town Times Newspaper

Volume 20, Number 1 Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall

It’s our “Spring has Sprung” edition Look for * Diana Carr’s celebration of spring * Spring specials from local businesses * Judy Moeckle’s new column on gardening * Call for your spring photos * Town Times spring anniversary arrives

Commentary

An ode to spring because I just know it’s coming By Diana Carr Special to Town Times

Ah, spring. The very word fills me with ecstasy, and has me daydreaming about all the good things in store. As of this writing, I am still wearing my winter coat, but no matter – I know what is right around the corner. For starters – and this is a big one – I will be footloose and fancy free. Literally footloose. These tootsies will not see the fetters of shoes until the first frost rolls around again. Oh, to be so connected to the earth, to feel all the different textures beneath my feet. There really are no words for it. And then there’s that first splash of color, as the daffodils and the crocuses bring good tidings of all that’s yet to come here in Durham and Middlefield and Rockfall. See Spring, page 5

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Many questions on possible sale of extra Powder Ridge acres By Mark Dionne Town Times In a lengthy and occasionally contentious public hearing, April 9, about 20 residents of Middlefield directed a series of wide-ranging questions about the potential purchase of nearly 20 acres left out of the new Powder Ridge deal. The property, which was purchased by the town but not sold to Sean Hayes’ Powder Ridge company, consists of two large areas pinched by Camp Nerden and its driveway. Middlefield resident Lori Vogel has offered to buy the property at the town’s appraised price of $300,000 with the intent, according to her attorney John Corona, of expanding her horse farm. A public hearing does not allow for a vote and was not an official meeting of the Board of Selectmen or Planning and Zoning. The meeting was not recorded and was moderated by the town attorney. As explained at the public hearing by Middlefield First Selectman Jon Brayshaw, Middle-

Town Times photo by Mark Dionne

At a public hearing on April 9, Middlefield officials, from left, town attorney Ken Antin, selectman Dave Burgess, and first selectman Jon Brayshaw discuss the potential sale of almost 20 acres of the Powder Ridge property to resident Lori Vogel, back to camera. The white map in the background shows the outline of the property. field town attorney Ken Antin, Corona, and other town officials, the deal would come with several conditions even more restrictive than the current Planning and Zoning restrictions. Several times throughout the course of the hearing, Brayshaw said if the residents of Middlefield did not like the

‘You’re never fully dressed without a smile’ Town Times by Mark Dionne

Zoe Geyser, a second grade student at Brewster School, practices her solo for the John Lyman Parents’ Association production of “Annie, Jr.” Playing the part of “Star-to-Be,” Zoe will perform along with students from John Lyman, Brewster, Korn, Memorial, and Strong schools on May 3, 4, and 5.

Friday, April 12, 2013

potential sale, they would have the opportunity to vote against it. The sale, according to Brayshaw and Antin, will need to be approved either at a future town meeting or public referendum. As explained by Corona, Vogel and any future owner could See Hearing, page 10

Town Times — Friday, April 12, 2013

Garden Spotlight About Judy Moeckel

Monthly garden column to launch this April

I have no professional experience in gardening, but grew up with a father who insisted I Moeckel help him with the “yardwork”. I weeded, helped him plant shrubs and perennials (always dig a hole twice the size of the plant’s root.”), and picked off and stomped the Japanese beetles that ate our roses. We’d go out in the open fields near us and “transplant” (steal? rescue?) dogwoods and others small trees that would have been destroyed to make way for new houses. I grew up in West Hartford, when it still had rather rural sections. In 1982, my husband and I moved to Durham, right next to Lino’s, and a made a great little vegetable garden. Don’t know why it did so well—there wasn’t much sun. Then, in

By Judy Moeckel Special to the Town Times I am pleased to announce that this April I will begin a monthly column about gardens and gardening. The focus will be strongly local, with an emphasis on people in Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall who cultivate plants, shrubs and flowers to bring us beauty and healthful eating. This column will also present local people who are practicing sustainable gardening, including supporting native plants and wildlife, especially birds. Here are some ideas that are in the works: Great vegetable gardens (especially those grown without chemicals) and places to buy the best locally-grown vegetables Beautiful flower and\or perennial gardens. Unusual or special landscape designs (for example, a meditation garden). Welcoming birds into

your garden, and why it is important. Alternative groundcovers - thinking beyond the traditional green lawn. Cooking with vegetables from your garden - what are your favorite recipes? Community gardens and growing food to donate. Garden spotlight will not be a “how to” column as much as it will be one about “what people are do-

ing”. I will need your help in finding good story ideas. While I cannot promise to follow up on every idea I am given, I will do my best to cover a wide variety of topics. Please send your story ideas to me at jmoeckel@comcast.net. Email is preferred, but you may also leave me a message at (860) 280-7638.

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The Middlefield Park and Recreation Department has scheduled a fishing seminar with CT D.E.E.P. for Saturday, May , from noon to 4 p.m. The seminar is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m., at the Middlefield Community Center. Fishing at Lake Beseck is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. The event is free of charge. For more information, and to RSVP, middlefieldpr@ aol.com.

1985, we bought a house on William Drive, and I had the garden of my dreams, with raised beds. I was still working full-time and came home every night to pick the peas and beans and squash that exploded in my little plot. We were near the wetlands and the ground was fertile, plus I had horse manure tilled in every year. Wanting a bigger house, we moved to Killingworth in 1997. The house was bigger, but it was in dense woods. Nothing grew except moss and huge pine trees. Eventually, we cut down many trees to create a clearing with stone walkways, gardens and a little patio. While there is no way to have the vegetable garden I had in Durham, I enjoy experimenting with various shrubs and plants, to see what works best in a rather shady area. One of the great rewards of opening up the area around our log home is a profusion of birds of all types.

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Friday, April 12, 2013 — Town Times

From bees to better pumpkins - seminars inform and delight Canning tips planned for Saturday By Elisabeth Kennedy Special to Town Times The mission of the Durham Fair Foundation is “to preserve and promote Connecticut’s agricultural and rural heritage by sponsoring educational events, programs and exhibits.” As part of that mission, the foundation sponsors exhibits and demonstrations during the fair as well as seminars at other times. This spring, the foundation is offering a series of seminars on beekeeping, canning and giant pumpkins. These educational seminars are free of charge and most are located at the Medical Building at the Fairgrounds. Phyllis Naples-Valenti will present a seminar on canning on Saturday, April 13.

have. Valenti said she hopes for a good turnout and invites those who are interested to join her on April 13 at 1 p.m. at the Medical Building on the Durham Fairgrounds. Stay tuned for upcoming features on: “Learn how to Grow a Giant Pumpkin”; and “Bees and Beekeeping”.

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canning department in New England ... If you have visited fairs throughout this state and neighboring states, you would know this is true,” “The Canning committee works very hard to help and teach people whenever we can,” said Valenti, adding that “this is not a hands-on project, as there is no kitchen in the Medical Building.” During the seminar, Valenti will review what judges are looking for in fair entries, answer questions, and work on solving problems people may

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Valenti said she hopes to reach people interested in learning as well as those who already do canning and increase participation in the competition at the 2013 Durham Fair. Canning is a method of preserving food which dates back to the 1800s. In 1795,

the French military offered a cash prize of 12,000 francs for a new method to preserve food. Nicolas Appert introduced canning, the process tested in 1806 by the French navy, and the prize awarded in 1809 or 1810. Canning is the process in which foods are placed in jars or cans and heated to a temperature that destroys microorganisms and inactivates enzymes. This heating and later cooling forms a vacuum seal, which prevents other microorganisms from re-contaminating food within the jar or can. Canning provides a typical shelf life ranging from one to five years, although certain freeze-dried products, such as lentils, can be preserved as long as 30 years. “Canning has been a passion all my life. The rewards are great and competing is fun. I enjoy sharing recipes and teaching the skill that make it safe so that the entire family can enjoy the experience,” Valenti said. According to Valenti, “The Durham Fair has not only the biggest, but the best

Please call to register as space is limited and come at 6:45 for FREE Body Composition Analysis Durham Village 16 Main St., Suite 302, Durham 860-759-8219 www.idealwellnessofct.com

Town Times — Friday, April 12, 2013

BOF proposes 7.8 percent increase to Durham budget

Middlefield resident earns “Top Youth Walker” award Emily Dzialo, of Middlefield, was honored with the 2012 “Trevor Palonen Top Youth Walker Award” by the March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Spirit of Giving Celebration at the New Haven Lawn Club recently. The evening celebrated the Chapter’s volunteers, donors and sponsors, and honored 11 individuals as “2012 Volunteers of Excellence.” Dzialo also won the award in Dzialo 2011. The Dzialo family has made supporting the March of Dimes and its annual event, March for Babies, a family tradition. Her father is a founding member of the Middletown March for Babies event. In 2012, Emily raised over $10,000, making her the top youth fundraiser in the state (ages 18 and younger), and was ranked number 3 in the nation among youth. Since 2005, she has raised over $51,500 in support of the March of Dimes mission of stronger, healthier babies.

Sun Fun Run The third annual Sun Fun Run is scheduled for Sunday, April 28, at Lyman Orchards. Proceeds benefit The Sunshine Kids Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping children with cancer. The event features a 3.7 mile run/walk at 10 a.m. and a kids ¼ mile run at 9:30 a.m. Registration is available a half hour before each event. For more information and cost, call (86) 638-4232 or visit www.raceit.com.

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By Mark Dionne Town Time At a public hearing on April 8, Durham First Selectman Laura Francis and Board of Finance Chair Fran Korn detailed a budget for the town with a gross increase of 7.8 percent. The budget put forward at the presentation brings town spending to $6,400,076 for 2013-2014, an increase of $461,894 over the current year’s budget. Projected revenues of $1,109,521 would reduce the net spending to $5,290,555. Both Korn and Francis attributed a large portion of the increase to emergency and safety issues. Building issues and culvert repair were also cited as major expenses. Several expenses concerning ambulances were addressed. The budget puts $300,000 into reserve funds for buildings, which among other potential uses includes upgrading or replacing the ambulance building. Of the current ambulance building, Francis said, “It is a building that is probably not worth putting money into to make it serviceable.” In response to a question about a

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troopers,” said Francis. Citing four areas of need traffic enforcement, community programs, special investigations and DUI enforcement - Francis said, “We can start strategically deploying some enforcement.” In response to a question, Francis said the program would be reviewed annually and increased or decreased “based on our needs.” The 2013-2014 proposed budget also included $100,000 to change the town communication network to a “hardened” VOIP internet based system, which would increase storage and put the town facilities on one more reliable system. Other infrastructure repair in the proposed budget includes major culvert repair, also at a cost of $100,000. “We have a number of culverts in town that are reaching there fifty year life,” said Korn. The salary line increases by 2.43 percent. According to the presentation, “All full and part time positions with standard office hours were given a 2.75 percent increase based on current union contract.” The town budget will be combined with the district 13 school budget before going to public referendum, tentatively scheduled for May 7.

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new emergency complex, Francis said that estimates for such a building went as high as 14 million and emphasized, “We are far from determining which plan we are going to use.” The ambulance itself is budgeted for $10,000 of new equipment. Other new spending in the area of public safety included $15,000 for a radio tower generator, which Francis said emergency management recommended after the last few storms, and $8,500 put towards emergency lighting. An additional $105,000 is also in the proposed budget for reserve funds for fire equipment, which is a decrease of over $67,000 from the current year, and $60,600 for the fire department roof. The budget line for the resident state trooper also increased. According to Francis, who explained this portion of the proposed budget, the Board of Selectman have been pursuing an increase in police presence in Durham “for several years.” The trooper line in the budget would increase by $26,935, which according to Francis, would cover a regular increase as well as 60 additional shifts. “We can actually choose and be more efficient in how we deploy these

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Friday, April 12, 2013 — Town Times

Line-dried laundry gets its day in the sun By Diana Carr Special to Town Times

Photo by Diana Carr

Lorrie Martin, of Durham, takes advantage of a recent sunny day to hang out the laundry. In 1995, Alexander Lee began Project Laundry List, a campaign dedicated to getting more people to air-dry their clothes, thus saving energy. Lee has been quoted as saying that his organization’s work “is a desperate passion” that stems from his long-lived desire to preserve the environment. Things are a bit simpler here in the country, though, where Durhamite Lorrie Martin is glad she can saunter out to her clothesline at will. “I’ve been hanging out laundry since my mom first made me do it, when I was around nine or 10. I hang out clothes because I have a strong environmental streak running down my back, I like that fresh outdoor scent, and I like saving on the electricity bill. When I was a kid, everyone hung out their clothes. Who would want to use a dryer when the sun is free?” And Martin is not without

her humorous stories about Laundry Day. “I once hung out a load of laundry that spent two weeks and three

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as when you use a dryer. Is there a “sock heaven”, and do right-handed work gloves retire to the same location?”

See Laundry, page 7

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To hang or not to hang, that is the question. We’re talking about the laundry, of course. There are some places in this country where heading out to the clothesline is no simple matter. Yes, there really is a laundry controversy. Subdivisions across the country have rules banning the use of clotheslines, as it is believed that laundry blowing in the breeze creates an aura of impoverishment, is unsightly, and lowers property values. Environmentalists see hanging out clothes as a means to preserve valuable resources. Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said that air-drying your clothes for six months, per person, saves 700 pounds of carbon dioxide. According to the California Energy Commission, it costs $85 a year to operate an electric dryer, which is the second biggest electricity-using household appliance after the refrigerator. Florida, Maine, Vermont, Utah and Colorado prohibit regulations against clotheslines. Attorney Tina Rasnow attempted, unsuccessfully, to get a bill passed in California that would void clothesline restrictions throughout the state. “People need to be encouraged to reduce energy consumption in order to reduce greenhouse gases and global warming,” she said. She maintains that clotheslines are “passive solar devices” that could reduce average household consumption in California by 10 percent.

rainstorms out there,” she said. “Then I rewashed it and hung it out again.” When her husband, Bill, hangs out the clothes but forgets to bring them in before a storm, he says he’s just giving them an extra rinse. Martin says her two Plymouth Rocks hens used to “help” her; they’d pull the socks out of the laundry basket and drop them on the ground. “I wasn’t able to train them to hand them to me,” she said. “It just didn’t work out.” Then there’s the dilemma that all of us have faced at one time or another. “I thought when you hang out the laundry, more of the pairs of socks would come back together, but they don’t. They walk. I don’t know where they go, but they go. You still have as many missing socks

THE FOOT SURGEON When all other methods of pain management fail, foot or ankle surgery may be recommended to alleviate the condition. That is when the services of a podiatric surgeon become necessary. Having received extensive training in medical and surgical practices, podiatric surgeons work in conjunction with anesthetists and surgical assistants and other nursing and hospital staff. They perform the appropriate procedures and closely follow the after-care and recovery of their patients. Some of the surgeries that they perform address congenital deformities, soft tissue and tendon problems, hammertoes, flat feet, and bunions. If you have a persistent, painful issue with your feet or ankles, consult with a podiatrist to determine if surgery is the most beneficial way to correct the problem. We sincerely hope you are not suffering with painful, nagging foot problems because you think treatment might involve surgery. Many foot surgeries are now performed right here in our office, and today’s advanced, conservative techniques can save you discomfort, recovery time, and cost. If this sounds like something that might encourage you to seek professional care for your aching feet, please give us a call at AFFILIATED FOOT CARE CENTER, LLC to see how our services can benefit you. Good foot health can enhance your daily existence and improve your quality of life. Office hours in Middlefield are Mon. 9-5, Wed. 3-7, and Fri. 9-5; Tues. & Thurs. 9-5 in Wallingford. For our patients’ convenience we offer on-site X-rays, and diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasounds.

Town Times — Friday, April 12, 2013

Spring Continued from page 1

life? It’s a slow metamorphosis, but that only adds to the fun. First those almost-invisible buds, come to tease us. Then more green, and still more green, until the whole world looks emerald again. It’s like waiting for Christmas, and wondering if it will ever get here. But the wait is part of the magic. And let’s put peepers on our list of spring’s delights, a true symphony on spring nights in our corner of the world. I hear their animated chattering, and they just sound so happy. It’s contagious. And they bring me a sense of comfort. Oh, there you are, old friends, heralding spring’s arrival. Good to see/hear you again. Yes, I’m

thrilled to be throwing off the shackles of winter, too. We do have a lot to look forward to, don’t we? But most of all, I adore spring for all the “firsts.” The first time I throw open the windows and a balmy breeze makes short work of the winter’s mustiness. The first time I head out the door “as is,” without having to put on enough clothes to ensure survival in the tundra. The first time I roll down the windows in my car, letting the wind have its way with my hair, feeling like a kid again. The first time the birds serenade me in the wee small hours of the morning, beckoning me to get up and seize this most precious of days. The first time the night’s been pushed back a bit and it’s finally light enough to go for a walk after supper. And I always take that walk, not necessarily because I want to, but because I can! So yes, as we all sit ready – more than ready – to usher in this delightful season, I know I can be patient a bit longer. Because I know it will all be worth the wait.

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Town Briefs Spring into Spring

Brush pick up scheduled

Residents in Chorale

The Middlefield Lions Club has scheduled its second annual 5K and 10K Spring into Spring for Sunday, April 14, at 8 a.m., at Peckham Park. The event, a challenging run through town, raises funds for the Lions charitable works. For more information and fees, call (860) 604-2310 or email mike@capstonephoto.com.

The Town of Durham Public Works Department has scheduled its annual spring curbside brush pick up to begin the week of April 15. Strict guidelines must be followed. Brush should be less than 4 inches in diameter and not longer than 6 feet in length. Brush should be stacked at roadside in an open area, away from mailboxes, trees, telephone poles and other structures. Brush should be stacked perpendicular to the roadway, butt end toward the road. No leaves, stumps, wood or foreign matter will be picked up. Each household will be strictly limited to one truck load during this collection. In an effort to be more efficient, it is recommended that neighbors combine piles on property lines. Loads shall not measure any larger than 4 feet high, 6 feet wide and 8 feet long, unless combined with a neighbor. If loads do not follow these guidelines, it will not be removed. For a schedule of areas to be collected each week, visit www.townofdurhamct.org. The town will make one pass. For more information, call the Public Works office at (860) 349-1816. The town is scheduled to pick up the north end of town, Haddam Quarter Road, Maiden Lane, Foothills Road during the week of April 15.

Middlefield residents Jan Kreitler, Susan Nathiel, Alexandra Taylor and Dr. Adam Perrin, with Durham residents Karen Otte, Victor Friedrich, Marianne Selander, Patricia Vitali and Nancy Schultz, are scheduled to perform with the Greater Middletown Chorale in the premiere of “Letter From Italy”, on Sunday, April 28, at 4 p.m., the Middletown High School Performing Arts Center. “Letter From Italy” is a performance written with the collaboration of two sisters, the composer Sara Meneely-Kyder and the lyricist Nancy Fitz-Hugh Meneely, to honor their father. It is a story based on Dr. John Meneely’s letters home from Italy during World War II. For tickets or more information, visit www.gmchorale.org or www.letterfromitaly.com.

Chili tasting A chili tasting and judging party is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Indian Springs Golf Club, Mack Road in Middlefield. A variety of tasty chilies will be available - including Chili with Beef and Beans, Chili Verde, Venison Chili, 3Bean Chili, Basque Lamb Chili, I Love My Vegetables Chili, Challenge Chili, and Beer Chili. Corn bread, fixings for the chili, desserts, soft drinks and coffee will be provided. A fee is charged, which includes entertainment. Local political celebrities, including state sen. Dante Bartolomeo and state rep. Buddy Altobello, have been invited to weigh in with their opinions on the chili. Proceeds support the Middlefield Democratic Town Committee and its activities.

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Laundry

Continued from page 5

Apparently, hanging out the clothes is not without some peril, at least according to this reporter’s mother. The two of us were living in a third floor apartment, I was 2-years-old, and one day when my mother was in the small vestibule off the kitchen hanging out the clothes from the window, I locked the door behind her, thus preventing her entry back into the apartment. She finally had to inch along the ledge until she could climb through the kitchen window. Really, I would have understood if she had come down on the “dryer side” of the debate.

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Town Times

Friday, April 12, 2013 — Town Times

Registered voters The Registrars of Voters is conducting its annual update of all registered voters in Durham. Every year, registrars review records to ensure all registered citizens’ information is accurate and current. Anyone who has moved in town, changed his\her name from how it was originally registered, have become a new citizen, or have not yet registered to vote, are encourage to fill out a new voter registration card. Residents who receive a notice from the Registrar’s office are requested to return it by May 1.

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Send us your photos Who will see the first signs of spring? When your bulbs come up or a robin stops by send us a photo and we’ll publish it on our website or in our weekly edition. We’re guessing the early signs of the season have arrived. Send your photos, with your name and phone number (not for publication) to news@towntimes.com. Please include any pertinent information such as what the photo is of as well as where and when it was taken.

Letters to the Editor

Golf pro departs

To the editor: Spring is here, despite what Mother Nature says. And a sign of spring is the opening of local golf courses. This year, however, there will be a missing face at Lyman Orchards Golf Course. PGA Pro and three year recipient of the PGA President’s Council on Growing the Game Award, Dick Bierkan’s position as golf director was eliminated, forcing him into early retirement after 42 years of service. Bierkan has been lauded as being “the face of the course” at Lyman’s. And how could he not be? He was a member of the Connecticut Section PGA Board of Directors and nominated as the Connecticut Section PGA Professional of the Year. And as director, Lyman’s earned the honor of Best Public Golf Course in Connecticut.

His leaving creates more questions than answers. Who will carry on his initiative of the junior activities with local high schools? Who will “find the best swing for you” (as mentioned in the Lyman’s website) while taking a lesson? Who will become the face of Lyman Orchards Golf Course? I know what kind of man Dick Bierkan is because I know him personally. Being his daughter, I’ve seen him go without so he could support me and my siblings. I’ve seen how he interacts with my son, and he is a proud grandparent. The love he put into his family is the same love he put into Lyman Golf Course. It was heartbreaking to see my father leave the profession he loved. Who will fill Dick Bierkan’s empty golf shoes with the same enthusiasm, energy, and love for the game of golf ? Kate Bierkan Durham

Government Meetings Durham Government Middlefield Calendar Government Calendar (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Durham Library. Check the town website at www.townofdurhamct.org for updates.) Tuesday, April 18 Board of Finance, Town Hall, 6:30 p.m. Board of Finance public hearing, Middlefield Community Center, 7 p.m. Agriculture Commission, Town Hall, 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 Planning & Zoning, Library, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18 Public Safety Facility Renovations Planning Committee, Durham Volunteer Firehouse, 6:30 p.m. Water Commission, Town Hall, 7 p.m. Monday, April 22 Board of Selectman, Town Hall, 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 24 Board of Education Finance Committee, Korn Elementary School, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 Ethic’s Commission, Library, 7 p.m.

(Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Community Center.) Monday, April 15 Planning & Zoning, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 Board of Selectman, 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 Inlands/Wetlands, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18 Board of Finance, 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m.

Town Times Friday, April 12, 2013

Bill requires genetically engineered labels Associated Press Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill that would require the labeling of genetically engineered food. The bill co-sponsored by more than two dozen legislators passed a vote in the Public Health Committee on Tuesday. It was forwarded to the Senate for further consideration. The bill would require the words “Produced with Genetic Engineering” to appear prominently on the label of any food if more

than nine-tenths of one percent of its weight is genetically engineered material. Democratic Rep. Philip Miller of Ivoryton, a co-sponsor, said the bill is a response to constituents seeking to make smarter choices about their food. In response to local farmers and grocers worried about competition, Miller said the law would only come into effect once two other New England states pass similar legislation. Vermont and Maine are considering proposals.

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Town Times is published every Friday by the Record-Journal Publishing Co. and delivered to all homes and businesses in Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall. Executive Vice President and Assistant Publisher - Liz White Senior Vice President of Operations and Major Accounts – Michael F. Killian Managing Editor Online/Weeklies – Carolyn Wallach News Editor – Olivia L. Lawrence Assistant News Editor – Nick Carroll Advertising Sales - Joy Boone Advertising Director - Kimberley E. Boath Contributors: Diana Carr, Trish Dynia, Elisabeth Kennedy, Karen Kean, Judy Moeckel, Christine Foster and Michelle P. Carter.

Letters policy - E-mail letters to news@towntimes.com; mail to Town Times, P.O. Box 265, Middlefield, CT 06455; or 11 Crown St., Meriden, CT 06450 or fax to (203) 639-0210. - The Town Times will print only one letter per person each month. Letters should be approximately 300 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for grammar and content. - Letters should be on topics of general interest to the community. We do not list names of people, organizations and businesses being thanked. Names of businesses are not allowed. Letters must be signed and names will appear in print. Include a phone number so Town Times can contact you for verification. - Letters must be submitted by noon on Monday to be considered for publication that week.

Friday, April 12, 2013 — Town Times

Commentary

Nineteen going on 20 - an exciting year for Town Times

Recess + extracurricular events = healthy, engaged students

Long before anyone heard the term “hyper-local” to describe community news, there was the Town Times. The paper, founded in April 1994, is now 19years-old and starting its 20th year. It serves Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall and is delivered free each week to every home and business. Check out the new “Volume 20, Number 1” line on the page one masthead. Woo-hoo! (Unlike people birthdays that bestow a “one” at the end of the year, a newspaper begins its life with “one” and complete its first year as it turns two. Thus, TT has been around for 19 years and now begins its 20th. This got sorted out with the help of co-founder Sue VanderZee.) At this pivotal point, we introduce a new “19 going on 20” graphic that you’ll see each time we bring you a special feature that reflects on how Town Times has made its mark on the community - and vice versa. Two decades of local coverage is quite an accomplishment, if we do say so ourselves! But we know many of you agree as we get emails, calls and letters from you every day. In one way or another you convey to us that getting your Town Times each week means a lot in your household. Besides “real” news generated by reporters, the

Town Times publishes your submissions - photos, Letters to the Editor, columns by local officials and the like. That content is real, too, of course. Seeing photos of local events, getting school and church information, and reading opinions from your neighbors are all important aspects of knowing your community — and often fun. In addition, there are advertisements by local businesses or those that serve the local area. There are special sections such as the community guide or coverage of the Durham Fair. There are also those newfangled options like the Town Times website as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Come on - check ‘em out.) Many of you knew Stephanie Wilcox who worked with the editorial team in the weeklies department at the RecordJournal. The team concept puts all our staff resources behind each publication, an approach that lets us pool ideas and expertise. Olivia Lawrence, Nick Carroll and Stephanie led the weeklies department. Stephanie, primary contact for the Town Times, recently moved to a new job and home in Massachusetts, We have great team of writers to keep Town Times content lively and recently long-time contributor Mark Dionne joined in as a reporter (mdionne@towntimes.com.). Advertising representative Joy Boone (Jboone@towntimes.com), continues to keep local mer-

chants in touch with our readers for goods and services they need and can often find right in their own neighborhoods. When the Town Times launched, there was another team of enthusiastic community news buffs: Sue VanDerzee, Marilyn Keurajian, Bill Currlin and Phyllis Sheridan. Their backgrounds included advertising know-how, computer expertise and people who liked to write about local events. While some things may have changed over the course of 19-plus years, those basics skills and intentions have not. Town Times is fortunate to have an excellent pool of regulars who write and take photos: Diana Carr, Elisabeth Kennedy, Judy Moeckle, Trish Dynia, Michelle Carter, Christine Foster, and of course, Sue VanDerzee still helps us out, along with several other contributors. Plus our weeklies staff writers occasionally cover stories for Town Times, too. As robust as this roster is, we’re willing to add more voices to the mix. If you’ve ever thought you’d like to try writing there’s no time like the present. We have paid and unpaid assignments, so send your ideas to news@towntimes.com. Over the course of the next year we plan to have some fun and bring you a few surprises as we celebrate the towns, take a look at times gone by and, as always, look forward to the week ahead. - Town Times staff

Tour de Cure 2013 The American Diabetes Association has scheduled its 22nd annual Tour de Cure cycling event for Sunday, June 9, at the Durham fairgrounds. The first start time is 9 a.m. The event features several scenic courses, from a family friendly 12K to a 100 mile century ride. Proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association’s mission to prevent and cure diabetes. For more information, call 1-888-DIABETES or visit www.diabetes.org/cttourdecure.

By Kevin Brough Special to Town Times If you ask any student at Memorial Middle School what the highlight of the school day is many will respond with one word - recess. In these times of standardized test scores, increased focus on student academic progress and accountability, recess is often shortened or eliminated entirely in schools throughout the country. Now new research indicates that recess improves children’s health, social skills and learning. At our school we are fortunate to have ample space for recess. The grounds at our school contain multiple soccer fields, swing sets, monkey bars and kickball areas. In addition, our paved playground area provides students with three basketball courts and four square areas. A recent article in the Hartford Courant states that “minimizing or eliminating recess my be counterproductive to academic achievement, as a growing body of evidence suggests that recess promotes not only physical health and social development, but also cognitive performance.” In addition to daily recess Memorial students also receive two physical education classes per week. Anecdotal evidence provided by teachers also suggests that when students have recess they engage in more “on task” behavior. As a result of this evidence recess is and will continue to be an important part of the day for our fifth and sixth grade students. Individuals can participate in a myriad of activities or simply take the time to feel the wind, see

the blue sky and listen to the birds sing. What a fantastic interlude in a day of challenging academic growth. Spring is always a busy time at Memorial School. Upcoming activities include our annual LeClerc Walkathon, our Drama Club Production of Fiddler on the Roof and our annual Spring Music Concert. On Friday, May 3 our school will hold the 6th annual Jamie LeClerc Walkathon. This walkathon which has become part of the fabric of Memorial School will honor the legacy of Mr. Jamie LeClerc, a former teacher at our school who passed away in 2007. This walkathon will raise monies for both the LeClerc Children’s Scholarship Fund and the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society of Connecticut. Individual classrooms will be assigned a specific color theme to wear for the day and will walk the perimeter of our school grounds to support these two initiatives and the memory of Mr. LeClerc. The Drama Club production of Fiddler on the Roof will take place on Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m. This production is the culmination of seven months of hard work on the part of our drama club participants, set designers and coordinators Mr. Tim Fisher and Mrs. Erica Fisher. Our productions have consistently received rave reviews and this is a production not to be missed! In addition to the Thursday night performance a matinee will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 17. Memorial School students will also be performSee Recess, page 11

Town Times — Friday, April 12, 2013

Minors involved in alcohol and marijuana incidents

In two separate incidents surrounding a Coginchaug Regional High School semiformal dance on April 6, a total of 15 students got in trouble with the police or the school for underage drinking. At the beginning of the dance, scheduled from 7 to 11 p.m., state Trooper Eric Kelly noticed there were seven teenagers who showed signs of being intoxicated. Two of those students were taken to Middlesex Community Hospital by ambulance, according to police. Five were turned over to their parents and all seven face disciplinary action by the school. Police learned of an after-party taking place later that night at Durham’s Camp Farnham. Eight

teenagers found at the camp were charged with possession of alcohol by a minor and one was charged with possession of marijuana. The second group also was turned over to their parents and guardians. According to Trooper Peter Digioia, who spoke generally because he was not at either incident, the second group was charged because they were physically in possession of the alcohol and marijuana. No names were released because all fifteen are minors. Police also would not comment on other details, such as how the teenagers got to Coginchaug and Camp Farmham, citing the possibility of more arrests and the fact that the investigation is still open. - Mark Dionne

For breaking news go to our website: www.towntimes.com 1278744

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agreement allows for over 128,000 square feet of buildContinued from page 1 ings and that the restrictions could be waived by a future not build a house on the more Board of Selectmen. visible front part of the propAnother member of the erty and any structure would public returned to the origihave to be wood-sided. Other restrictions in the agreement nal resolution approving the include limiting the square town’s purchase of Powder footage footprint of any Ridge which referred to “ski, building to 20,000 square feet recreation, and open space” and keeping any building 100 and the expectation that the area was expected to be kept feet away from the lot line. Of the agreement, Corona as open space. Another speaker quessaid, “It was not meant to tioned Brayshaw, “You think provide an envelope of greater use. It was meant to you’ve protected the town provide an envelope of lesser [but] that’s not open space.” A speaker who identified use.” According to Corona and himself as Doc Brown said of confirmed by Brayshaw, reg- the original vote, “We’re amular zoning regulations for ateurs ... Most people who an area zoned agricultural voted had a [different] sense would allow even larger of open space ... Once again buildings, of any material, we’re being hoodwinked.” While most speakers had a even closer to the property’s vision of open space that difedge. Several members of the fered from selling the properpublic, however, noted that ty to a private party who can even those restrictions could afford the $300,000 price tag, allow construction different Brayshaw and Antin rethan expected and different sponded with a different take than they envisioned at the on open space. “Powder Ridge ski area is time of the Powder Ridge open space. Lyman golf purchase. Marianne Corona said the course is open space,” Brayshaw said. “There are all kinds of things that can SINGLES DANCE be included in open space.” Saturday, April 13th Antin noted that open

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space does not necessarily exclude buildings and developed land and admitted that the phrase does not provide the best “legal clarity.” Most speakers addressed the idea of future owners and future town leaders who could change the agreement. “A 100 years down the road people aren’t going to remember this discussion,” one woman said. According to the agreement, a 2-1 vote by the Board of Selectman can waive the restrictions in the future. One neighbor of the property, who identified herself as Susan Pringle of Powder Hill Road, also objected to Lori Vogel as the new owner. She accused her of improperly running a construction business out of her current property. Pringle said there has been “a solid waste transfer station running for years” but Planning and Zoning “just turned their heads.” “We’re opposed to the sale to anybody,” Pringle said. “We want to keep the last open space, as was promised.” Vogel, who spent most of the hearing sitting quietly in

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Old Home Days festival. In addition to these events, Continued from page 9 our students will participate ing in a variety of musical in a variety of exciting activvenues this spring. On Mon- ities and cultural arts proday, May 27, the marching grams as we enter the spring band will be performing in season. I am very impressed the Durham Memorial Day that our students are continParade which kicks of at 9 uing to work hard academia.m. In addition, our Spring cally as they enter the final Concert will be held on Tues- phase of the school. day, June 4 at 7 p.m. in the auPlease contact me if you ditorium at Coginchaug Rehave any questions regardgional High School. The final performance by Memorial ing memorial School or its Middle School students will programs. Enjoy this beautitake place on Saturday, June ful time of the year. (Kevin Brough is principal 8 when our marching band participates in Middlefield’s of Memorial Middle School.)

Recess

Mischievous moments Submitted by Elizabeth Hadlock

Kindergarten students at John Lyman School recently designed and created leprechaun catchers with their families. Each student brought in a homemade trap to share and display at school for St. Patrick’s Day. The students enjoyed seeing what mischief leprechauns had left behind in the classrooms.

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Town Times — Friday, April 12, 2013

Double take Submitted by Elizabeth Hadlock

It was Mismatch Day, a school spirit day, at John Lyman School recently. Many girls wore mismatched shoes.

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Students and their families collected 409 items of food for the recent Durham Middlefield Youth and Family Services back-pack food drive. Classrooms took turns pushing a grocery cart around the school each morning to collect items brought to school. Pictured are Mark Melillo and Piper Remillard.

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Schools Scholastic achievements Jake T. Whalen of Durham received high honors for the winter 2013 term at Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire.

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How long have you lived here? I lived in Middlefield from 1981 until 2007 and lived in Durham since 2007. Why did you move here? I liked the area, I even proposed to my wife in Middlefield. After raising our children, we moved to Durham. We wanted to be in the center of town, walking distance to the library and restaurants, but still be close to church. What is your favorite thing about Middlefield/Durham? The rural character, the smallness. What is something you would change? Traffic on Route 17 Tell us about yourself. My wife Karen and I have three children and two grandchildren. I work in Middlefield as a surety bond underwriter for the Main Street America Group. What would people be surprised to know about you? I failed 10th grade art because I goofed around in class.

The Pupil Services Office of Regional School District 13 is scheduled to destroy the

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Town Times — Friday, April 12, 2013

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Library Briefs

Durham Library

Hours: Regular library hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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) 349-9544. Pre-School Mother Goose (18 to 30 months) Mondays, at 10:15 a.m.

Time for Tots (2 1/2 to 3 1/2) Wednesdays, at 10:15 a.m. Preschool Storytime (3 1/2 to 5) Tuesdays, at 10:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Bedtime Storytime (2 to 4) Mondays, at 7 p.m. (wear pajamas) To register, call the library at 860 349-9544. Children Animal Homes and Habitats with the Lutz Children’s Museum - Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m. For ages 5 to 10 years old. Investigate the many types of houses and habitats animals choose to

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Adults Author Talk - Marina Dutzmann Kirsch will discuss Flight of Remembrance, a World War II Memoir of Love and Survival, her account of her parents’ travails during World War II and their subsequent lives in the United States. Saturday, April 13, at 2 p.m. Author Talk - Former CT Congressman, Robert Steele is scheduled to discuss his book, The Curse: Big-Time Gambling’s Seduction of a Small New England Town - a Novel. The factional story, based on real events, describes how gambling casinos came to Southeastern Connecticut. Thursday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. Mystery Book Discussion - Tuesday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. Last Refuge by Chris Knopf will be discussed. All are invited.

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call home. Registration is required. For more information, call (860) 349-9544. Young Adults Teen Advisory Group Saturday, April 13, 3 to 4 p.m. Share your ideas for how to improve the library for teens and enjoy a snack. We will also be decorating the YA area for spring at this meeting. Ages 12-18, drop in. Belly Dancing Class: Tuesday, April 16, 3 to 4 pm. Learn the basics of belly dancing with Gina. Ages 16 and up. Registration is requested. For more information, call (860) 349-9544. CSI Murder Mystery in the Library - Saturday, April 27, 2 to 4 p.m. Use Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) techniques to determine who the murderer is. Examine the crime scene, fingerprints, DNA, possible murder weapons, and even interview witnesses. Ages 11-18. Registration is requested. For more information, call (860) 349-9544.

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www.leviecoe.com. Hours: Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Fridays. Children’s Room display case Do you have a collection you’d like to share? Are you a community group interested in showcasing your work? If so, please contact the Children’s Department at (860) 349-3857 to use the downstairs display case. Genealogy Program Thursday, April 18, at 6 p.m. Librarian Sharon Dahlmeyer-Giovannitti from Godfrey Memorial Library is scheduled to discuss how to start your genealogy using charts, questions and answers. Registration is requested due to limited seating. April vacation programs Monday, April 15 - Children’s planting program, 3 p.m. Plant seeds in pots. Registration required. Wednesday, April 17 - Special storytime, 10:30 a.m. Registration required. Fun & Games Day Thursday, April 18, 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Levi E. Coe Library. Bingo, Twister, and more. Prizes will be awarded. Paint a tile to be permanently displayed in the Levi Coe kitchen. A fee will be charged for each tile, proceeds benefit the kitchen renovation. Annual spring clean-up Saturday, April 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. (Rain date, April 21, from 2 to 4 p.m.)

Russell Library

Russell Library, located at 123 Broad St. in Middletown, is open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Friday, April 12, 2013 — Town Times

Seniors Renter’s rebate

AARP safe driving

Renter’s Rebate Assistance is available. 2012 Income limits are: single- $33,501; married - $40,900. Participants must be 65 years of age by Dec. 31, 2012 to qualify. Program runs April 1 through Oct. 1 2013. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call Amanda at (86) 349-3153.

The AARP safe driving course is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Senior Center. A fee is charged. Payment is due upon registration. For more information and to register, call Antoinette at (860) 349-7121.

Luncheon The St. Coleman Ladies Guild has scheduled a special luncheon for seniors of Middlefield and Rockfall for Thursday, April 11, at noon at the church. Entertainment by the Humblees is planned. Please RSVP by April 7, at (860) 349-3868.

CONNECTICUT’S LARGEST! Saturday, April 20, 2013 Under the Festival Tent Hubbard Park, West Main Street, Meriden, CT 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Book discussion The Middlefield Senior Center, with the Levi E. Coe Library, has scheduled a book discussion of The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani for Monday, April 20, at 1 p.m. The senior center and the library have copies of the book. For more information, call (860) 349-7121 or (860) 3493857.

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Town Times — Friday, April 12, 2013

Life savers

Quartet concert

Submitted by Amanda Pedersen

Submitted photo

Several seniors participated in a CPR awareness training class recently, instructed by a Second Chance CPR.

Leah Gastler and the Kalmia String Quartet have scheduled a chamber music concert for Sunday, April 21, at 3 p.m., at the United Churches of Durham, 228 Main St. The concert is free, no tickets are required.

Jazz time Submitted by Karen Kean

The Memorial School jazz band and select chorus recently performed a concert.

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TownCalendar

Town Times Friday, April 12, 2013

April 12

Friday

4C’s Square Dance Club - The 4C’s Square Dance Club is scheduled for Friday, April 12, from 8 to 10:30 p.m., at the Brewster School, Durham. The caller is Jim DeNigris; cuer is Sue Lucibello. For more information , call (860) 349-8084 or (203) 272-7463.

Saturday

Monday

Garden Club - The MidLea Garden Club is scheduled to meet Monday, April 15, at 7 p.m., at the Middlefield Community Center, 405 Main St. Becca Golnick is scheduled to speak about elements of garden design.

Wednesday

TOPS meeting - Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Middlefield Community Center. For more information, contact Naomi Klotsko at (860) 349-9558 or Bonnie Olesen at (860) 3499433.

Saturday

Firehouse Five - The Firehouse Five are scheduled to be the featured performers in the Jazz at the Firehouse, scheduled for Saturday, April 20, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Durham firehouse. The family-friendly event, sponsored by the

Sunday

Concert - Leah Gastler and the Kalmia String Quartet have scheduled a Chamber music concert for Sunday, April 21, at 3 p.m., at the United Churches of Durham, 228 Main St. The concert is free, no tickets are required.

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Community supper The Church of the Epiphany, 196 Main St., has scheduled a free community supper for Sunday, April 14, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the church hall. All are welcome.

Monday

Blood drive - The American Red Cross has scheduled a blood drive for Monday, April 22, from 1 to 5:45 p.m. at the Durham Public Library, 7 Maple Ave. For

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Chili tasting - A chili tasting and judging is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Indian Springs Golf Club, Mack Road, Middlefield. Meet the chefs and sample their wares. Cornbread, fixings, desserts and soda will be provided. A fee is charged. Proceeds benefit the activities of the Middlefield Democratic Town Committee. Historical Society - The Durham Historical Society, 38 Town House Road, is scheduled to be open to the public on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adopt a road - The annual clean-up of roads in Durham and Middlefield is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, from 8 to 9 a.m., rain or shine. Go to Allyn Brook Park to pick up bags and ties for the cleanup. For more information, call (860) 349-0798.

Durham Democratic Town Committee, features music, chili tastings, cornbread, macaroni and cheese and desserts. A fee is charged. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call Karen at (860) 3493468.

more information and to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1800-733-2767).

TownSports

Men’s League championship

Scott Tax outscored Torrison Stone 18-4 in the final 12 minutes of play, to capture the 2013 Durham Mens Basketball League Championship 47-41. Torrison had won the prior four titles, and had an astounding 63-3 record in league games since the start of the 2009 season. Scott Tax lost their prior meeting this season by just 4 points. Leland McKenna was the leading scorer for Scott Tax, finishing with 15 including 9-13 from the foul line. Scott Tax made a record 24 of 32 free throw attempts, including 14 of 18 in the second half, versus Torrison who went a dismal 5 of 14 at the line during that half. Number two seed Scott Tax had advanced to the title game with 58-45 win over number three Timeout Taverne two

nights before. McKenna had 22 to lead Scott Tax in that one. Timeout had led 28-26 at the half but scored just 17 second half points. Pete Doering led Timeout with 15 and Dan Connelly was their other doubledigit scorer with 10. Number one seed Torrison had defeated number five seed Connecticut Sign fairly easily 69-42. CT Sign was without the league’s top scorer Preston Beverly, but still managed to keep it close for a while, trailing just 20-17 with 4 minutes left in the 1st half. Torrison pulled away to start the second half, with Jeremy Lobo (20 pts), Adam Poturnicki (18 pts) and Pete Lynch (10 pts) leading the way. Anthony Puorro was the top CT Sign scorer, finishing with 13. In the championship game, Scott Tax opened a 6-2 lead to start, but Poturnicki would pick up three straight Torri-

Town Times Friday, April 12, 2013

son baskets to take a 10-8 lead. Scott Tax would not lead again in the half, but never trailed by more than four, with Torrison taking a 27-25 advantage into halftime. Torrison started the second half well inside, with Lobo, Lynch and Poturnicki, drawing Scott Tax fouls in four of the first five possessions, but coming away with just three points on eight foul shot attempts. Dave Bennett hit on the first three pointer of the night for Torrison, and shortly after Mark Pfister landed a reverse layup to open up an eight point lead at 37-29. Feeling the game slip away, Scott Tax took a timeout with about 12 minutes to play. Scott Tax would ride McKenna the rest of the way. After a Damon Rich bucket following the Timeout, McKenna hit a pair of foul shots to close the lead to four. Lobo would

2013 Durham Men’s League Champs Scott Tax Group. Front row: Dennis Reed, Scott Vertucci-Captain, Damon Rich, Neil English. Back row: Leland McKenna, Chris Staab, Eric Rettburg, Keith Ferguson.

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phy in their second season in the league. This game was quite a defensive battle. Poturnicki, Torrison’s leading scorer this season at 17.1 points per game, finished with just nine. But Scott Tax’s top scorer Chris Staab, averaging 19.1 per game had just seven, all from the foul line. Torrison hit only three baskets and tallied just 14 for the entire second half. Lynch led for Torrison with 14 and Jeremy Lobo added 11.

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add a foul shot for Torrison but then Keith Ferguson hit Rich on an outlet pass for a fast break layup to trim the lead to 38-35. McKenna followed with baskets on the next two possessions and with four minutes remaining the score was tied. Chris Staab, who had been battling Poturnicki under the basket all night for Scott Tax, hit a pair of free throws to give Scott Tax a 41-39 lead with 2:30 remaining. McKenna, would get fouled on the next three possessions, as Scott Tax managed to keep the ball in the hands of the league’s top free throw shooter, who hit on four of six at the line to grow the lead to 44-39. Torrison never got any closer as Scott Tax took home their 1st DML Championship Tro-

See Champs, next page

Friday, April 12, 2013 — Town Times

Little League clinics The spring 2013 pitching and catching clinics sponsored by Coginchaug Little League for both baseball and softball finished their four week programs during the first weekend of April. In total, 98 players from little league took part in these increasingly popular pre-season clinics. Sixty-five boys from farm, minors, majors and 50/70 leagues participated in the baseball pitching clinic run for the second year in a row by Sal Santanello. Sal is a graduate of Notre Dame High School and continued his baseball career by playing college ball at SCSU. Post-college, he also played for the New Haven County Cutters and was invited to participate in the Atlanta Braves and Cincinatti Reds baseball camps. This year, the clinic was divided into begin-

Hearing

ning, intermediate and advanced classes for players to learn according to their past pitching history and ability. This clinic provided both new and returning players the opportunity to learn and expand upon the fundamentals of pitching including properly warming up, developing the correct form and learning practice drills to keep their pitching skills sharp throughout the year. Coginchaug Little League softball had 25 players from farm, minors and majors leagues attend the softball pitching clinic run by both Ashley and Nicole Thody. The Thody sisters played softball for Middletown High School and were nominated for both “All-State” and “AllConference” during their high school softball careers. Ashley also went on to play softball at UCONN for two years. This pitching clinic was also divided up into experienced, intermediate and beginner

the front row, stood when she addressed the meeting. “My true intention is to keep it beautiful,” she said. “My vision is to keep it just like it is ... I have enough buildings, I have enough roofs, I need more fields.” Vogel said some of the building rights in the agreement were the result of her attorney protecting her and declined to consider leasing the property.

Durham Fair Foundation The Durham Fair Foundation has scheduled a series of free programs as follows: Canning, Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m., at the Medical Building at the fairgrounds. Growing Giant Pumpkins, Saturday, May 4, at 1 p.m., at the Medical Building at the fairground. For more information, call Len Baginski at (860) 349-3305.

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Rich and Ferguson scored 12 and 10 respectively for the winners. Before the game, the 2013 All DML first, second and third teams were announced. All first team went to Greg Bereski (G-Young Gunz), Steve Markoski (F-Around the Clock), Preston Beverly (F-CT Sign), Staab (F) and Poturnicki (C). 2013 League MVP was awarded to Poturnicki, his third award in the past four seasons. For a full list of the All-League second and third teams, visit Durham Men’s League on Facebook. Submitted by Scott Strang

Submitted photo

Little League participants do their warm-up exercises.

Town Times Service Directory

Continued from page 10

Champs

levels to appropriately teach players at their pitching skill level and ability. In addition, eight girls attended a softball catcher’s clinic which was a new clinic offered for the first time ever by Coginchaug Little League this spring. The catcher’s clinic was run by Jackie Benson and Naomi Rinaldo, both softball players from Coginchaug Regional High School. These softball clinics were geared towards all facets of the game, including pitching, catching and fielding. We look forward to seeing all of the new skills our little league players have learned from these clinics when they begin their spring 2013 little league season. Opening Day ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, April 27, at noon at the Herzog boys majors field in Durham. For more information about Coginchaug Little League, visit our website, www.coginchaugllorg.

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Town Times — Friday, April 12, 2013

High school refs talk about life in the fast lane By Nick Carroll The Town Times

Over the winter, the weeklies sports department asked high school basketball referees to speak about life in the black and white stripes. Here’s what we heard: Next year will mark John Zadnik’s 40th as an official. He also did some coaching during that span; so he has seen games from all angles. Before becoming the athletics director in Plainville in 1998 – a position he still holds, Zadnik, of Bristol, admits he was of the opinion that game officials were “always right, and the coaches, for the most part, did not really know the rules of the game, and therefore were almost always wrong.” But during his years working as an AD, Zadnik has gained a greater apprecia-

tion for coaches, while accepting that – gulp – officials are not infallible. “I have come to realize that most coaches are extremely dedicated, hard-working men and women who care a great deal about their athletes,” said Zadnik, a well-respected basketball and softball official. “Over the past 15 years, I have been in the unique and sometimes awkward position of having to listen to my coaches complain about officials, while continuing to hear my fellow officials complain about some of my coaches.” Zadnik believes that simple, polite discussions between coaches and officials are possible, even during the heat of competition. “One thing that I have learned for sure is that coaches — not just mine — are not always wrong, and if

officials, including myself, would listen to what they had to say more often, provided that they did it in a professional manner, the relationship between coaches and officials would be far more copacetic,” said Zadnik. West Haven’s Steve Kirck, another veteran official, retired this winter after 40 years in the business. Kirck, who worked football, basketball and baseball games during his career, heard his share of taunts from the stands, but over time, learned to let criticism roll off his back. “They are ‘fans,’ short for

‘fanatics.’ They are cheering for their team. Both my sons played high school basketball and one played college basketball, so I know what that means,” said Kirck. “(You) have to remember that for mostly every call, 50 percent of people agree and 50 percent of people disagree with the call. It goes with the job.” Before hearing that logic from another official some four decades ago, Kirck was ready to hang up his whistle for good. “I almost quit officiating in the early 70’s because I didn’t like being yelled at,” he said. “Then a veteran official gave me the 50 percent quote and said that the yelling wasn’t personal: ‘People yell at the striped shirt.’ Once I learned that, I was fine.” Compared to Zadnik and Kirck, Mike Blake, of Wallingford, is a relative

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newcomer to officiating. He has been at it for 15 years, however. Blake, who primarily works basketball games, said he has seen a change in fan behavior during his time in the white and black stripes. “With travel basketball being as big as it is, parents have a lot more invested than they used to,” he said, “so I think they become a lot more invested in games, and a lot more demonstrative. Also, in the past, if people didn’t like the job you did, you were a lousy ref. Now there seems to be more inferences to officials ‘cheating,’ where in reality, officials are the only ones in the gym who don’t care who wins.” Blake said players have changed as well. “I think players today are more skillful,” he said. “I think kids specialize in one sport more, and they travel to play the best competition. The down side to that is I see some of the fundamental skills declining because kids are only playing games and there isn’t time to practice.” Another seasoned official, Dan Scavone, of Hamden, said high school basketball players today are “bigger, stronger and faster.” Skillswise, he said “I don’t see much of a change.” Echoing Blake’s comment, Scavone says games feel more serious, more all-or-nothing, than they did when he started out as a ref 26 years ago. “Attitude-wise there is a greater emphasis placed on winning, and sadly, today’s players need to learn how to lose more graciously. It seems like there are always excuses,” said Scavone. “Opposing players don’t credit the winners enough for what they achieved. It seems like there are always reasons why someone has lost. Hopefully, our many good coaches can point out that a loss is really not the end of the world, and we can use those moments to become better for it.” As for fan behavior, Scavone hasn’t seen much of a change on that front over the years. “There has been, and prob-

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See Refs, next page

Friday, April 12, 2013 — Town Times

Refs

many other officials, come father-in-law and brother-inback year after year to make law in his father-in-law’s fiContinued from page 20 the calls because the good nal appearance as an official. times outweigh the bad. Scavone highlighted some ably always will be, some Asked to recall some memof his most memorable spectators who cross the line orable moments from his offiand will have to be dealt ciating days, Kirck pointed to games as well, including the with,” said Scavone. two high school basketball 1996 Class LL state champi“Schools and the CIAC have games he worked with his onship girls basketball game made efforts to improve son, Steve; their first one on between Southington and sportsmanship. I think with Feb. 23, 1996 and the final one Norwich Free Academy. Both electronic communication on Feb. 20, 2013. teams entered the matchup we hear all the horror stoAlso, Kirck had the privi- undefeated, and NFA stayed ries. But there seems to be a lege to officiate a Harvardthat way. lack of respect in our society Yale football game, numerScavone also worked the in general, not just sports.” ous college basketball and “I don’t think the general football postseason tilts, and 2004 Little East women’s baspublic realizes how hard it is high school state champi- ketball final between Eastern to officiate an athletic con- onship matchups in three Connecticut and Southern test,” he continued. “The ex- sports. Maine. pectation is perfection, and As for Blake, he reffed a Looking back on his nearly that is just not realistic.” boys basketball game this 30 years as a ref, Scavone said Through it all, Zadnik, past season he will not soon Kirck, Scavone, Blake, and forget; Crosby versus Wilby, a he has enjoyed traveling to gyms throughout New York, contest decided in double New Jersey and New Engovertime. “It was such a wellland, and made many friends played game that it was very The Old Home Day Enenjoyable, and the place was along the way. “I am grateful tertainment Committee for all the opportunities to electric,” he said. has scheduled its first Talserve the game of basketIn another memorable ent Show for residents of game, Blake worked with his ball,” he added. Middlefield, Rockfall and Durham. Participants must be at least 12 years old. Consideration for the contestants is not taken lightly. Judges respect You need someone you can trust to do the digging. that participants have Call Randy Whitehouse, 860-349-1904. worked hard to prepare their presentation to a selection committee. Every WHITEHOUSE CONSTRUCTION INC. Durham, Connecticut | CT Lic. #554559 performance will be eval860-349-1904 | whitehouseconstructioninc.com uated with talent and hard Paving Gravel Driveway Restoration Top Soil Retaining work in mind. Septic Systems Excavator, Backhoe + Walls Drainage Full time professionals Dozer Work Light & Heavy Hauling Residential + Commercial (i.e. if your supporting income is derived from your talent) are excluded from Michael Haglund 860-759-2432 Call Now trying out for the talent show. to schedule Application informayour Spring tion should include name, Clean-up and address, email, phone number and talent, numSeasonal ber performing, audio reProperty quirements. Auditions Maintenance CT Lic. #606458 are scheduled for Saturday, May 18, beginning a 9 Creating & Maintaining Beautiful Landscapes a.m., at the Middlefield Community Center. Family Pest Control LLC Please respond by May 1 “Our family serving Your family” for an audition time. For more information, Locally Owned and call (860) 343-3414. Please Operated Since 1977 return application information to Bill Currlin, 84 Jackson Hill Road, Middlefield, CT 06455, or email the application inWallingford: (203) 265-7328 formation to: wcurrlin Toll Free: (800) 269-0948 Connecticut Business @comcast.net. License # B-2045

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Town Times Service Directory

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Town Times Friday, April 12, 2013

Engagement

Daly-Patterson

DeMorro-Gaul III

Patricia Daly and Edward Daly, of Durham, are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter Sharon Daly, formally of Durham, and Nick Patterson, formally of Summit County, Colo., both of whom now reside in Colorado Springs, Colo. Sharon attended Mitchell College where she earned associate degrees in criminal justice and human development as well as a bachelor of science in behavioral science. Sharon also earned her paralegal certification at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado. Nick attended Colorado State University at Pueblo and earned his bachelor of science in exercise science and health promotion. Sharon is a paralegal at the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Colorado Springs, Colo. Nick works as a Golf Pro at Pueblo Country Club in Pueblo, Colo. They will exchange vows this upcoming August in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene DeMorro, of Durham and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Galu Jr., of Highland Falls, N.Y. are proud to announce the engagement of their children, Olivia Ann DeMorro, formally of Durham, to James Anthony Galu III, formally of Highland Falls, N.Y. Olivia is a 2011 graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management. James is a 2010 graduate of University of New Haven with a bachelor’s degree in International Justice & Security and a bachelors in Arson Investigation as well as his masters in National Security & Public Safety. Both currently reside in Holtsville, N.Y. Olivia is a bid specialist at Positive Promotions in Hauppage, N.Y., and James is Fire Protection Specialist for the State of New York. A fall 2014 wedding is planned.

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1278001

Rob Grant

St. Francis of Assisi Church, 10 Elm St., Middletown, has scheduled a giant tag sale for Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the church grounds. Vendor tables are available for rent. For more information, call (860) 346-4383.

860-301-7722

KENNETH R. JAY Landscape Maintenance & Construction LLC Complete Lawn and Shrub Bed Maintenance Landscape Design and Installation Service HIC #0621170 Commercial, Residential, Industrial

Call for Your Free Quote on Stonework Now! (860) 346-3827 • (860) 250-0628

1276068

www.jaylandscape.com

92 Jackson Hill Road, Middlefield, CT 06455

Specializing in Custom Installations Repair & Maintenance Ceramic • Natural Stone • Glass Quality Workmanship Done With Pride Gary Chabot (860) 349-2152

Fully Insured CT Lic. #0575361

1276083

Stone Work and Pavers

People of all faiths are welcome to an Eckankar worships service, scheduled for Sunday, April 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the Eckankar Temple of Connecticut, Rt. 66 and Harvest Wood Road in Middlefield. Topics include reincarnation, soul travel and practicing the presence of God’s Divine Love. For more information, visit www.ct-eckankar.org or www.eckankar.org.

Friday, April 12, 2013 — Town Times

Wedding

Birth Rylee Victoria Palo

Judson Lincoln

SUDOKU ANSWER

CROSSWORD ANSWER

1265843

Greg Judson, son of Ernie and Patty Judson, of Durham, was married to Talia Lincoln, daughter of Matt and Leanne Lincoln, of Palo Alto, Calif., on March 23, 2013. The wedding and reception was held at the Sea Port Hotel on Boston Harbor, in Boston, Mass. Greg graduated from Coginchaug Regional High School in 2004. Greg and Talia met at Middlebury College where they both graduated in 2008. Greg attends Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons Medical School while the bride attends Tucks School of Business at Dartmouth College. Both will graduate May of 2013. In June, the couple will reside in San Francisco, Calif., where Dr. Judson will perform his residency in Internal Medicine at UCSF Hospital, followed by a fellowship in Cardiac Medicine.

John and Kristin Palo of Durham, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Rylee Victoria. Rylee was born on Jan. 15, 2013 at Yale New Haven Hospital. Rylee weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and was 20 3/4 inches in length. She joins her big brother and sister, John III and Julia. Maternal grandparents are Bill and Kathy, of Middletown. Paternal grandparents are John and Sue Palo, of Durham.

Town Times Service Directory 1278383

• Quality Driveways

Submitted by JoAnn Rider

Custom Building & Remodeling Contractor

• Water Problems & Drainage Work • Lot Clearing • Tree & Stump Removal • Concrete In Durham Call Charlie

(860) 349-0157

• New Homes • Additions • Kitchens • Garages • Decks All Types of Remodeling & Renovations HIC #0606486

LICENSED & INSURED We work 24/7

Call after 5 pm (860)

347-1445

Grippo Gutters LLC 1278295

Jon McNamara - Owner/Operator

860-852-3397

Adrian, Ivy Rose, Madlynne, Maya, Mia, Maddex, Jimmer, Jason, Mason.

Quality Siding and Gutter Products and Services. Call for a Free estimate today!

Commercial and Residential Siding & Seamless Gutter Installation, Repair and Cleaning. Fully Licensed and Insured Lic. #HIC.0633535

www.GrippoGutters.com GrippoGutters@att.net

1281039

43 Pheasant Drive Middletown 860-347-2233 - 23 Years in Business -

Josie Didato

Lic. #45080

Lic# PL204680

Residential Wiring Specialist Landscape Lighting Design • Install • Service

1273379 1279667

First grader students at The Independent Day School, Middlefield, are learning through fiction, non-fiction, and hands-on activities what it was like to live in the time of knights and castles. Children worked in three cooperative groups to build a model of a castle including a gatehouse, a keep, and ramparts. Integrating the individual structures of the three groups was part of the building challenge. Pictured, Andrew Foster of Durham and Tracy Reynolds of Middletown focus on building the keep.

(25+ yrs. Exp.) CT REG. #580903 1279658

Keeps, castles and kids

Bruce Binge

PAVING

Lic. & Ins. EI 183930

Town Times — Friday, April 12, 2013

BAD IDEA DON’T LET CONNECTICUT OFFICIALS REMOVE YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW FROM THE NEWSPAPER. KEEP PUBLIC NOTICES IN YOUR NEWSPAPER! Pending legislation may remove your right to read public notices in newspapers, moving them from the public domain to government controlled web sites. We’re concerned. And you should be, too. Public notices are an important tool in assuring an informed citizenry. They have helped develop America into a participatory democracy for hundreds of years and where it counts the most: how your tax dollars are spent, how policy is made and how our futures are charted. They are located in easy-to-find sections of your newspaper. And they are fully accessible to everyone - unlike the internet, which is not accessible to everyone.

Less than 10% of the U.S. population views a local, state or federal government website daily, according to the May 2009 release of U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Estimates of Resident Population. This means more than nine out of ten people may never see a given notice. This compares dramatically to the fact that 83% of adults read a community newspaper every week, according to the National Newspaper Association. Furthermore, a public notice printed in the newspaper produces a permanent record. The internet does not, nor does it assure timeliness. And a newspaper is archived for years; not subject to computer crashes and hackers. Newspapers are easily verifiable, fully transparent and represent a secure third party who has nothing to gain from any notice.

Connecticut’s recent ethical lapses shed a glaring light on the full meaning of this problem. It’s like putting the fox in charge of the hen house. Every public notice, which runs in a Connecticut daily newspaper, is automatically uploaded to that newspaper’s web site and CTPublicNotices.org. Newspapers are your watchdogs. Don’t let that role be changed now. Voice your opinion. To keep your notices in the newspaper, contact your local legislator to oppose Senate Bill #1112 - An Act Concerning the Publication of Legal Notices by Municipalities. Governor’s Office - 860.566.4840 Senate Democrats - 860.240.8600 House Democrats - 860.240.8500 Senate Republicans - 860.240.8800 House Republicans - 860.240.8700

Visit www.ctdailynews.com to contact your legislator today

Tow n Times 1280405