Volume 24, Number 23
www.towntimes.com
Friday, November 16, 2018
Veterans, pupils share experience By Bailey Wright Town Times
When students at Brewster Elementary School were given the opportunity to ask local veterans questions face-to-face on Monday, many asked about their uniforms, what it was like being away from home, and whether they had any pets.
By Bailey Wright Town Times
Middlefield saw a total of 27 contracts signed through a state-sponsored program called Solarize Middlefield this past summer.
One retired Navy man fielded questions about where he would sleep on the ship, how planes could land on aircraft vessels, and even what they did about sharks. Students wanted to know how many people fit on a Navy ship and were happy to hear that Navy forces had arcades for entertainment. “A lot of them were asking about video games,” said Navy veteran Richard Faust. “One kid asked me, See Veterans, A17
“I have been told that this was very good,” First Selectman Edward Bailey said, citing the large number of participants given the size of the town.
Brewster Elementary School students ask Robert Focust, a retired Navy veteran, questions about his service Monday. Bailey Wright, Town Times
Locals to be honored by Elks By Bailey Wright Town Times
She has lived in Middlefield for over 40 years.
The Middletown Elks Lodge will honor two local community members for their civic contributions at the 10th Annual Durham-Middlefield night on Saturday.
Adams is a former teacher, having taught English in Wallingford and at Coginchaug for 25 years. She was also among the parents in the district that petitioned to form an alternative elementary school program, now located at John Lyman School, when the regional school district was being formed, according to Siena.
Merrill Adams, founder of the Coginchaug Valley Educational Foundation and longtime Board of Education member, will receive the Middlefield Community Service award. “We feel that given all she has done to support education in both of our communities she is deserving of recognition,” said Jeff Siena, an organizer of the Elks event. Adams served on the Region School District 13 BOE for 12 years. Ten years ago she spearheaded the creation of the Coginchaug Valley Educational Foundation, which provides grants for community-based learning services.
27 homes sign up for solar
Jo-Ann W. Siena will also be honored Saturday. She is Durham-Middlefield Elk of the Year. After growing up in East Lyme and graduating Central Connecticut State University, she taught at Portland High School and the Middlesex YMCA. She also owned the Coffee Pot in Portland. Jo-Ann Siena has resided in Durham with her family for 45 years. Her contributions to the community include volunteering as a Girl Scout troop
leader and service unit chairperson, serving as a member of the Durham Recreation Committee and on the Needlwork Committee as a judge, and donating her time on the Durham Agricultural Fair Association Scholarship Committee. She has been a member of the Middletown Elks since 2008 and has served as secretary and treasurer. “She continues to share her knowledge with new officers. She has served on numerous lodge committees over the years,” Jeff Siena said. The night will include a cocktail hour, dinner buffet, dancing and raffles. Anyone interested in attending the awards on Saturday, Nov. 17 should contact the Elks Lodge at 860-3469771 or Jeff Siena at 860-301-8260. Tickets are $25. Reservations are required. bwright@record-journal.com 203-317-2316 Twitter: @baileyfaywright
For about 18 weeks, “solar ambassadors” helped the town’s energy taskforce and other officials bring information to residents about the ins and outs of solar, from finances to environmental benefits. Bailey said the success of the program was largely due to the hard work done to get the word out through signs, banners and mailers. Workshops were held in town throughout the incentive period. “I think it was a good community engagement and information exchange,” Bailey said. The 27 contracts finalized were with 262 kW of new solar capacity, creating just over 301,000 kwh a year. This represents a carbon offset of over 493,000 pounds of CO2 in one year, according to a town press release. Although the incentive program ended late September, Bailey encourages residents to keep looking into solar. “It has become more of an economical option … it’s an evolving technology and I See Solar, A13