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Volume 24, Number 22
Friday, November 9, 2018
Scout will fix up trail for Eagle badge By Bailey Wright Town Times
To earn his Eagle Scout badge, Jacob Fazzino is combining his love of the outdoors and scouting.
By Matthew Zabierek Record-Journal staff
Fazzino plans to fix up the Brewster School Upper Trail by next summer.
MERIDEN — Democrats regained control of the 13th Senate District Tuesday as first-time candidate Mary Daugherty Abrams defeated Republican incumbent Len Suzio.
“I used to go to John Lyman (Elementary School) ... and I remember there used to be outdoor trails. That's why I'm an outdoorsy person today,” Fazzino said. The 15-year-old sophomore at Coginchaug Regional High School and Life Scout with Troop 27 started work on the project in February. He considered fixing other trails, but saw the most need at Brewster. His plan includes widening the trail, clearing brush and invasive plants, lining the trail with a cedar edging and putting down landscaping fabric and wood chips to keep brush away. He also hopes to make the short trail wheelchair accessible.
Suzio unseated by Abrams
Coginchaug High School sophomore Jacob Fazzino poses on the hiking trail behind Brewster Elementary School on Oct. 23. Bailey Wright, Town Times
Fazzino said he hopes to use as much natural materials as possible, including cedar trees that have fallen in the woods. “I think it's a project perfect for Jacob because he loves being in the woods. He's always loved being in the woods from day one,” said his mother, Maria Fazzino.
He will also be fixing up one of the school’s outdoor classrooms, which is used largely by the district’s science specialist Susan Michael. “I’m really grateful for Jacob for doing this,” Michael said. “I’m excited to see him work at Brewster. I think a lot of those stu-
teachers and community members have to do things to enhance the lives and experiences of students and people,” Veronesi said.
“I’m incredibly honored that the people of the 13th have entrusted me to be their voice,” Abrams said after declaring victory. “People were ready for something different, and I think what the campaign spoke about spoke to them, and I’m going to do my best to do a really great job, to be their voice and represent them.”
The school district has been working with the foundation, the Independent Day School and the Durham Middlefield Local Wellness Coalition, to host a four-part workshop series called Proactive Parenting. The series explores mental health, wellness, digital safety and drugs and alcohol.
Abrams, 59, is a retired special education teacher and school administrator. She has lived in Meriden for most of her life and raised two children with her husband, former state Rep. James Abrams, now a Superior Court judge.
Founder Merrill Adams said the idea for the foundation evolved from
Abrams’ victory Tuesday was one of several Senate seats
See Scout, A10
Education foundation celebrates 10 years By Bailey Wright Town Times
For a decade, the Coginchaug Valley Educational Foundation has supported lifelong learning in Durham and Middlefield by funding nearly a hundred community initiatives. The foundation has awarded 85 grants totaling approximately $115,000. “The great thing about these grants are there's many of them now that are ... embedded in the community,” current foundation president Nancy Earls said.
Those include programs that promote classical music, an adult choir and an adult orchestra. Earls said she is also proud of the grants that encourage outdoor learning and exercise, particularly for children. “We also want to foster community spirit,” Earls said. “It is an extremely generous community. When somebody needs help, everybody comes immediately to help.” Regional School District 13 Superintendent Kathryn Veronesi said the foundation has provided great support. “It's this awesome opportunity that
Abrams comfortably defeated Suzio, Abrams who earned his current term by narrowly defeating Democrat Dante Bartolomeo in 2016. The 13th Senate District — which covers all of Meriden and Middlefield and parts of Cheshire and Middletown — is overwhelmingly Democratic.
See Education, A3
See 13th, A8