Volume 20, Number 9 Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
State forests have economic benefit By Daniel Jackson Town Times
There was more than what met the eye. On June 1 and 2, three hikes were scheduled in Durham/Middlefield: one in Wadsworth Falls State Park, another in the Feild Forest Trail Stystem and another hike allong the Mattabasset Trail. They were part of the larger Connecticut Trail Day weekend, organized by the conservation group Connecticut Forest and Parks Association, that organized 267 such events across the state.
On a Thursday night, members of the St. Colman’s Choir climb into the small balcony of St. Colman’s to rehearse. Matthew Campisi, music director for Middlefield’s St. Colman’s Church, has increased the times they practice. With a concert coming up, the choir isn’t nervous, only excited.
Friday, June 7, 2013
World of weddings has changed over the past 20 years
Furthermore, Executive Director of the CFPA Eric Hammerling said the open land of state forests and parks not only bring an asthetic benefit, but an economic one as well. In the coming months, the state of Connecticut will promote its state forest and parks in hopes of attracting more users to the land. The uniqueness of each town plays a role. CFPA held an open house at their headquarters Friday, May 31, to kick off the trail See Parks, page 5
Church choir prepares performance for the Pope By Mark Dionne Town Times
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But you never can be too sure, especially when you are performing for the pope. At the end of June, the choir will travel to Rome to perform at St. Ignatius Church, sing at mass in the St. Peter’s Basilica and give a performance to Pope Francis. Initially, Campisi thought the trip to Rome was far-fetched. See Pope, page 3
Submitted photo
Judy Caturano officiates at the wedding of her niece and her betrothed. By Diana Carr Special to Town Times When a couple is married by Judy Caturano, one of Durham’s 18 justices of the peace, they know their spirits have been honored, their hearts have been touched and their voices have been heard. “I try to find out what the couple is about, like where they met, their common interests, what attracted them to the other person, their vision for their life together. I try to see a theme, and then I customize the ceremony by incorporating that theme. For instance, if they love the beach, I’ll use metaphors for the beach,” she said. Caturano came to this calling 18 years and 150 weddings
ago when she answered an ad placed in Town Times by Marge Hatch, the town clerk at that time. It asked “Are you looking for something fun and different and exciting?” This referred to the position as justice of the peace. In Durham the 18 positions are filled by six people nominated by the Democratic committee, six people nominated by the Republican committee, and six people who are not affiliated with any party and who must fill out a form with the town clerk. If more than six unaffiliated people
apply, a name is drawn from a hat. Caturano’s name was drawn. There is no restriction on the number of years she can hold the position, but she must be sworn in again every four years by the town clerk. “I thought it would be a good way to get involved in the town,” Caturano said. “Also, it’s often a second or third marriage for a couple getting married by a justice of the peace, and I wanted them to have a special ceremony. Just because they weren’t getting married in a church didn’t mean it couldn’t be special.” Caturano soon learned she enjoyed writing customized vows for people and she’s seen some changes over the years. “You no longer have to say love, honor and obey,” Caturano said. “There are no words you absolutely have to say to make it legal. You no longer have to have witnesses. And I’m seeing a lot more younger couples getting married for the first time, who do not want to go the route of the church.” She’s grateful for changes electronics have brought. In the past she wrote the vows in a journal, which she read from. Now she uses her iPad. Previously, communications
See Weddings, page 15
In this issue ... Town Times photo by Mark Dionne
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Director of Music at St. Colman’s Church Matthew Campisi (left) leads the church choir at a recent practice. The choir is preparing for a three concert trip to Rome that will include singing for Pope Francis.
Calendar ..........................4 Business ........................11 Government ....................8 Obituary ..........................7 Sports.............................22