Town Times Feb. 15, 2013 by Town Times Newspaper

Volume 19, Number 45 Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall

www.TownTimes.com

Friday, Februar y 15, 2013

Historic snowfall covers Durham and Middlefield By Mark Dionne The Town Times

The blizzard that arrived in Connecticut on Friday, Feb. 8, and didn’t leave until the next day dumped record amounts of snow on Durham and Middlefield and required massive cleanup operations. Close to three feet of snow was reported in Durham and Middlefield, but strong winds created much higher snow drifts in places. The snow was deep enough to choke snow blowers, engulf private plows, and even stall backhoes. Both towns declared a state of emergency and their first selectmen encouraged residents to stay off the roads even after Gov. Malloy lifted the travel ban. Around noon on Saturday, Durham residents received a Durham Emergency Management automated call from

First Selectman Laura Francis advising residents to stay off the roads. The call also advised homeowners not to tackle too much snow removal at once because in the event of trouble, emergency vehicles might not be able to make it to all homes. Despite the enormous amount of snow, power outages were not a large problem locally. At noon on Saturday, only two of 3,082 Connecticut Light & Power customers were without electricity in Durham, according to CL&P’s website, and all of Middlefield had power. The weight of the snow collapsed a barn on Jackson Hill Road in Middlefield. Four cows were euthanized because of their injuries, while others were pulled from the wrecked building by volunteer firefighters and

Photo by Mark Dionne

Rain forecasted for Monday after the Blizzard of 2013 threatened to add weight to already burdened structures, such as the rooftop of Brenda’s Main Street Feed. Members of the Durham Fair Association, which own the building, clear snow off the roof in the darkness of Sunday night. See more photos page 4.

See Storm, page 4

Disaster novel previews blizzard at Strong School Reads By Mark Dionne The Town Times What happened to the weather? What if the snow just doesn’t stop? How much time can I spend trapped with my family? Many in Durham and Middlefield asked those questions over the weekend Photo by Mark Dionne

Calendar ........................10 Government ....................8

during the Blizzard of 2013. Some students and community members asked those questions three days earlier

Obituary ........................17 Schools...........................21 Seniors...........................12 Sports.............................22

See Previews, page 2

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Strong School Reads participants Sarah Collins, Hailee Corona, Jackson Volenec, and Connor Sullivan won raffle prizes from Carmine’s Pizza and Perk on Main.

In this issue ...

Town Times — Friday, February 15, 2013

Previews Continued from page 1

Left: Middlefield First Selectman Jon Brayshaw, back to camera, and Durham First Selectman Laura Francis, far right, lead their discussion group about the apocalyptic novel “Life As We Knew It.”

during Strong School Reads. A book discussion program run by the PTO, Strong School Reads focused this year on the apocalyptic novel “Life As We Knew It.” In this young adult novel, the moon is knocked out of its regular orbit (just go with it) and the resulting weather calamities destroy much of the world.

Photo by Michael Klimas

Left: Strong School principal Scott Sadinsky, volunteer Karren Collins, and Library Media Specialist Michael Klimas address the crowd gathered to discuss the apocalyptic novel “Life As We Knew It” at the ninth annual Strong School Reads.

Photo by Mark Dionne

Index of Advertisers To advertise in The Town Times, call (203) 317-2313 ACE OIL LLC C/O DOUCETTE ...........................3 ALLAN’S TREE SERVICE .................................20 ANTIQUES AND VINTAGE GALLERY..............19 APEC ELECTRIC...............................................19 ASIAN BUFFET .................................................17 BABY’S WORLD................................................24 BARILLARO SERVICES, LLC...........................14 BETTER BUILT BASEMENTS.............................6 BINGE BRUCE...................................................18 BLACK DOG ........................................................6 BOYLIN, DR WILLIAM.........................................7 CAHILL & SONS ................................................21 CARMINE’S RESTAURANT LLC ......................11 CAROLYN ADAMS COUNTRY BARN ................3 CATHERINE & COMPANY ................................12 COLORS OF THE WIND......................................5 CONROY DMD JOHN ........................................13 CRANBERRY PHEASANT DAYCARE..............19 DEAN AUTOWORKS .........................................11 DURHAM AUTO PARTS ....................................22 DURHAM COOP NURSERY SCHOOL................3 DURHAM DENTAL ............................................15 DURHAM FAMILY EYECARE............................13 DURHAM VETERINARY HOSPITAL ...................7 EASTER SEALS GOODWILL ...........................10 FAMILY PEST CONTROL LLC ..........................22 FAMILY TREE CARE .........................................21 FOR SINGLES ONLY LLC ...................................6 FOSDICK MD, GORDON ...................................11 FUGGE DAVID M ...............................................21 GLAZER DENTAL ASSOCIATES ......................11 GOLSCHNEIDER PAINTING.............................19 GRIPPO GUTTERS ...........................................18 HCP REMODELING & DESIGN CO LLC ..........19

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The main character, a teenaged girl named Miranda, is forced to endure the complete loss of power and water, months of ash grey skies and snowfall. In the book, snow blots out the sky, covers the ground, blocks doors and traps people inside. Plus society breaks down. It’s all much worse than a sore back from shoveling. Discussions at the ninth annual Strong School Reads focused more on the family struggles than on the nitty gritty of survival, which is why “Life As We Knew It” was such a good choice for a family reading program. In an extreme circumstance, where are family lines drawn? Is someone a hero if they devote themselves to strangers more than to family? Should you resent your brother if he gets one more serving of canned vegetables than you? Not all of the questions posed by the book were so dire. Miranda’s battered household learns about a perfect Christmas, family bonds and sacrifice. They are comforted by the gifts of a family friend and simple

things like poker night and a house cat. “One of the things that was a big source of comfort for them throughout the book was the library,” said Michael Klimas, Strong School’s Library Media Specialist. Klimas organized the event with PTO volunteer Karren Collins. Community participants included, among others, First Selectmen Laura Francis and Jon Brayshaw, Strong School Principal Scott Sadinsky, former English teacher and Director of Curriculum Carol Luckenbach, and Durham Library’s Young Adult Librarian Karyn Gardiner. Raffle prizes were donated by Carmine’s Pizza and Perk on Main. In addition to promoting reading, Strong School Reads promotes the idea of reading the same book as your family. It’s about sharing resources and spending time talking to family, which is good practice should you wind up trapped in your house for four days.

Corrections We strive to bring you the most accurate information available each week, but if you see something in Town Times that is incorrect, give us a call at (203) 317-2448, and we’ll do our best to make things right.

Friday, February 15, 2013— Town Times

Briefs Zumbathon The Durham Co-operative Nursery School, a non-profit and non-denominational organization, has scheduled a Zumbathon fundraiser for Saturday, March 2 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Core Club. The event features raffles and Mexican crafts to benefit the Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots program. For more information, call the Durham Co-op Nursery School at (860) 349-9885.

Chili contest rescheduled

from 8:45 a.m. to noon. The 4year-old program meet Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9 a.m. to noon with an option for extended day to 2 p.m. For more information, call (860) 349-9885 or email DurhamCo-opNurserySchool@comcast.net.

Coginchaug Area Transition will hold an Awakening the Dreamer symposium on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the community room of the Durham Library. This fourhour interactive program seeks to point the way toward “an environmentally sustainable, socially just and spiritually fulfilling human presence on Earth.” A light lunch is included and a donation is requested to cover the lunch and materials, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please also bring a donation for the local food pantries and an inquiring and compassionate spirit. Register by emailing Sue VanDerzee at bvanderzee1234@comcast.net.

Free AARP Tax-Aide is available every Tuesday through April 9, by appointment, at the Middlefield Senior Center. The free tax help is for taxpayers with low and moderate-income, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Bring all forms of income and all 1099 forms, as well as last year’s income tax returns. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call Antoinette at (860) 3497121.

Open house

Scholarship Ball

The Durham Cooperative Nursery School, 16 Main St., has scheduled an open house for Sunday, Feb. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet the teachers and see the school. The 3-year-old program meets Tuesday and Thursday

The Coginchaug Regional High School Scholarship Committee has scheduled its 41st annual Scholarship Ball

Tax-Aide

for Saturday, March 23 from 7 p.m. to midnight at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn, Wallingford. The evening includes a buffet dinner, open bar and dancing to the music of Prelude, as well as a silent auction. All proceeds benefit the CRHS Scholarship Committee scholarships. For more information, call Melynda Granger at (860)-3475061.

and/or renewal applications for the CT Elderly Homeowner and Totally Disabled Tax Relief Programs and the Durham Senior Tax Relief Freeze and Deferral Programs. The filing period for all Tax Relief Programs runs through May 15. Failure to re-file will result

See Briefs, page 9

Applications The Assessor’s office at Town Hall is accepting new

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Church of the Epiphany has rescheduled its annual chili contest for Saturday, March 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the parish hall at 196 Main St. Prizes will be awarded for the top three winners in meatless, mild, hot and children’s (5 to 18) category. There is no entry fee but chili should be dropped off at the church at 3:45 p.m. An alternative meal for those who do not like chili will be available. Vote on your favorite recipe. A fee is charged. For more information, call (860) 349-6533.

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Town Times — Friday, February 15, 2013 plowed, while others had been cleared for only one lane traffic. At 3 p.m. on Sunday, Durham’s Department of Emergency Management released a statement, “We are making very good progress. Still a lot to do today to get one lane passable on all town roads. Our goal for that is by midnight tonight.” By Monday morning, some roads were still not passable and the Durham Department of Public Works asked for patience: “Fresh Durham Public Works Crews and Heavy

Equipment will be deployed early Monday morning focusContinued from page 1 ing on opening up the remaining roads, catch basins Durham’s Animal Response and waterways to handle the Team. anticipated rainfall.” Heavy snow also caused Reached during Monday’s the collapse of the giant bubrain, First Selectman Laura ble over the Bartlem Park Francis said that extra pay community pool in nearby loaders had been contracted Cheshire. There were no into handle the snow. “We’re juries. working on opening up interThe deep snow caused sections and sight lines. It’s trouble for the plows as well. going to take another day,” Going into Sunday night she said, adding, “this rain isroads in Durham and Middlen’t helping.” Francis said her approach field, especially dead ends to the storm cleanup was and hilly streets, were not “public safety first” and noted that Durham had established emergency budgets and would likely apply for FEMA assistance. “We’re grateful that the president declared a state of emergency.” The historic snowfall also made plowing difficult in Middlefield where some streets remained snowed in over the weekend. Interviewed on Tuesday, Middlefield First Selectman Jon Brayshaw said that given the historic volume of snow, “I would say we did very well.” “The weight of the snow exceeded the capacity of the trucks,” Brayshaw said, and also noted that the collapsed barn required attention. “We had to bring our machinery and whatever people we could muster to the barn ... It was a painful operation.” According to Brayshaw, Photo by Cindy Wilcox “By late Saturday, every road Jake wanted to play in the snow Saturday, but Dan except for one ... had at least Wilcox had a big job ahead clearing his yard in Mid- one lane open.”

Storm

dlefield.

Photo by Stephanie Wilcox

A festive tree decorated with Valentine’s hearts and cards outside the Middlefield Post Office is swallowed by snow.

See Storm, next page

Photo by Cindy Wilcox

Photo by Lucy Meigs

By the time Dan Wilcox finally took a break to play in the snow, Jake was no longer Martha Meigs in a snow cave in her front yard Sunday. amused.

Friday, February 15, 2013â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Town Times

Storm Continued from page 4

Photo by Mark Dionne

Right: A massive snow bank stretched along the Durham town â&#x20AC;&#x153;greenâ&#x20AC;? provides a testament to the amount of snow dropped by Blizzard Nemo.

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With the â&#x20AC;&#x153;heavy, heavy, heavy snow,â&#x20AC;? Brayshaw pointed out, even open roads could be difficult to pass and intersections tricky, but the priority was for emergency vehicles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our goals are safety. They are not to get people to work or to get people to buy a loaf of bread.â&#x20AC;? Middlefield also utilized outside equipment. Brayshaw noted that town equipment was not necessarily adequate for this stormâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;unique situation.â&#x20AC;? Two Middlefield trucks were out of commission Sunday morning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This may not happen for another 20 years,â&#x20AC;? said Brayshaw, who also intends to apply for FEMA assistance. Town efforts did not stop all frustration. One Middlefield commenter on the Town Times Facebook page Satur-

day night wrote, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our neighborhood has not been plowed at all. We are all stuck here. We also have two volunteer firefighters on our street that were not able to get out to an emergency call. This is negligent planning and also dangerous.â&#x20AC;? According to Brayshaw, Middlefield offices have received some â&#x20AC;&#x153;irateâ&#x20AC;? phone calls but more complimentary ones. Schools, which were closed Friday before the blizzard hit, were also canceled for Monday and Tuesday after the blizzard left due to ongoing cleanup. By late Sunday, only half of Strong Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parking lot had been plowed. Way Road and Tuttle Road, location of John Lyman and Brewster Schools, had only narrow lanes cleared late Monday. Durham Town Hall opened on Monday with a skeleton crew only for storm cleanup while Middlefieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s town offices were closed.

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Town Times — Friday, February 15, 2013

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.

The Durham Library is a drop-off location for Toys of Hope, which is providing toys to the victims of Sandy. Please leave new, unwrapped toys for children of any age in the Toys of Hope box in the library hallway.

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) Pre-School Story Times: Mother Goose Storytime (18 to 30 months) Mondays at 10:15 a.m. Bedtime Storytime (2-4 years) Mondays at 7 p.m. Wear your PJs! Time for Tots (2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years) Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. Preschool Storytime (3 1/2 to 5 years) Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. To register, call the library at 860 349-9544

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Adults: Mystery Book Discussion: Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m.; “A Beautiful Blue Death” by Charles Finch will be discussed. Copies of the book are available at the Library. All are invited. What’s Cookin’ - A Book Club for Foodies: Informal discussion on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. Choose a recipe, cook it and share it (or just come for discussion.) “Cuban Cooking” by Rachel Roque is scheduled to be discussed. Copies are available

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Friday, February 15, 2013— Town Times

Former resident sentenced Poupart has been detained in federal custody since August 6, 2010. On May 25, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. This matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Shelton Police Department and the Milford Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anastasia King and Neeraj Patel.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc. To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com. (Press release submitted by U.S. Department of Justice, United States Attorney, District of Connecticut)

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in court, in September 2007, members of the Shelton Police Department executed a state search warrant at Poupart’s Middlefield residence and seized computers, zip drives, compact discs and other electronic storage media. Subsequent forensic examination of the seized items revealed images and videos of child pornography, including images that Poupart took of one of his minor female relatives in 2003. On June 17, 1991, Poupart was convicted in Vermont state court of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. On July 15, 2009, in Connecticut Superior Court in Derby, Poupart was convicted of two counts of sexual assault in the fourth degree. The two victims in that case were Poupart’s minor female relatives, and the conduct occurred in 2006 and 2007.

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Richard C. Poupart, 53, formerly of Middlefield, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 240 months of imprisonment, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, for possessing child pornography. The penalties in this matter were enhanced based on Poupart’s previous conviction for sexual assault of a minor. “This defendant has a history of sexually assaulting minors, and this significant sentence will protect children from future harm,” stated David Be. Fein, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. “I commend the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Shelton and Milford Police Departments for their expert investigation of this matter.” According to court documents and statements made

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TownOpinion

Town Times Friday, February 15, 2013

Commentary

The Post Office could soon be extinct By Emily Christenson

Editor’s note: Emily Christenson is a student in Emily DelGrego’s class at Strong School. Students wrote editorials on topics of their own choice, researching the facts and statistics on their own. The only requirement was that it was something they felt strongly about. The post office may seem like a business that will always be around, but it’s slowly fading away. Many people don’t think about the

benefits we would have if we didn’t have the post office. Although the post office may seem like something we need, many agree that it’s time to let go because people are using other online sources for sending mail, we could save money, and it could help the environment. Every day people are using online sources for sending mail. Emailing, e-cards, online banking, and bill paying, as well as other programs and services are replacing the need for the post office.

You could save money if the post office was eliminated because you could choose less expensive ways to ship packages, you would have less garbage and recycling, and you could send mail for free via email. The United States Postal Service, also known as the USPS, has higher prices for sending packages than the FedEx or UPS. Mailing a letter is not free, though it seems like a small amount — you have to pay the price of a stamp. The majority of

Letters to the Editor

Keep animals contained

To the editor: Recently I took my dog Murphy for a walk in town. In a short half-mile walk on two separate occasions, four dogs ran out in the road to meet Murphy. They were barking and running about as dogs do. They were all playful and no fights occurred. But I am concerned that dogs that are free to roam from their home are not only an annoyance, but also against the law. Not only that, it could potentially cause a fatal accident. While I was containing Murphy on his leash, these dogs were in the road while cars and oil trucks drove by. I would not have been surprised to see one of them hit, but I would have been sorry for the loss of a dog who is loved by its family.

Would any of us want to tell their young son or daughter that their pet was killed today? I don’t think so. I can understand that dogs may get away from us from time to time due to our own human failures or simply a break of a collar or an accidental run through the electric fence. I can also understand that in a rural community such as ours, there is a sense that it’s perfectly fine to let our dogs run free. But that is not the case. I am asking that we all make sure our animals are safe and secure and provide the appropriate measures to keep them that way, and allow others to freely walk their dogs without incident. Randy Plude Middlefield

Government Meetings Tuesday, Feb. 26 Durham Government Ethic’s Commission, library, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27 Calendar Board of Education Finance Committee, (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Durham Library. Check the town website at www.townofdurhamct.org for updates.) Tuesday, Feb. 19 Agriculture Commission, Town Hall, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20 Board of Education, Brewster School, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 Public Safety Facility Renovations P lanning Committee, Durham Volunteer Firehouse, 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25 Board of Selectmen, Town Hall, 7 p.m.

Strong School, 5:30 p.m. Board of Education, Brewster School, 7:30 p.m.

Middlefield Government Calendar (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Community Center.) Wednesday, Feb. 20 Inlands/Wetlands Commission, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 DMIAAB, 7 p.m. Board of Finance, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27 Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m.

emailing sites are free, so you wouldn’t have to worry about losing money for sending 25 emails a day. It’s also a benefit if you’re annoyed by advertisements that fill your mailbox and are tired of having to waste money on garbage collection or taking paper to the dump. Eliminating the post office would be a big step to protect the environment. If we took the USPS away we could reduce the 4 million miles driven by the letter carriers each day that use gas and create

carbon emissions. The 279.5 million pieces of advertising mail would be eliminated and help reduce waste in the landfills. With 36,000 USPS retail locations, there is a great deal of energy used that could be saved. Every post office requires electricity for lights and heating which would be saved if the USPS offices were closed. Think about how eliminating the post office could help the environment in all ways. See another student editorial on page 20.

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.

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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 Editor – Stephanie Wilcox Writer – Mark Dionne Advertising Sales - Joy Boone Advertising Director - Kimberley E. Boath Contributors: Diana Carr, Trish Dynia, Elisabeth Kennedy, Karen Kean, Judy Moeckel, and Michelle P. Carter.

Friday, February 15, 2013— Town Times

Briefs

Commentary

Continued from page 3

Youth prefer animals and humor in advertising Jane Moen DMYFS On Feb. 4, all Durham and Middlefield seventh and eighth graders were asked to join more than 20,000 students from 32 states across the county to vote on their favorite Super Bowl ads and recall what products were advertised. The survey was led locally by the EDGE (Excellent Decisions Guiding Everyday) team sponsored by Durham Middlefield Youth and Family Services and Strong School as part of the Drug-Free Action Alliance’s 10th annual Big Bowl Vote. According to Nielsen, 108.4 million viewers tuned in for this year’s Super Bowl, making it the third most-watched broadcast in TV history. We also learned from Nielsen that more than half of the viewing audience was likely tuned in more for the highpriced commercials (which cost between $3.8 to $4 million per 30 second spot) than the game itself. Many of those viewers were underage youth. According to preliminary results of the Big Bowl Vote, 72 percent of participating sixth through eighth graders and 73 percent of ninth through 12th graders watched the Super Bowl. Nation-wide, the goat with an insatiable hunger for Doritos was the favorite. It took top spot among both middle and high school students. Taco Bell’s old folks hitting the town was the second favorite among both age groups. But the Budweiser ad was not far behind. The story of the Clydesdale growing up but never forgetting who raised him stole hearts of all ages. This alcohol ad placed third favorite among the high school crowd and fourth favorite among the middle school group. And when students were asked what brand products they remember being advertised during the Super Bowl, Anheuser-Busch was the second

in the removal of this benefit from the July tax bill. Late filing is not acceptable. For more information, call the Assessor’s Office at (860) 343-6709 or visit www.townofdurhamct.org.

Pet fair

highest recalled ad. What does this mean? Research reveals that young people are drawn to advertising that features animal and people characters, tells a story and makes them laugh. If the target demographic for Doritos and Taco Bell is middle and high school aged youth, the advertiser was right on the mark. But the Budweiser Clydesdale ad — cute animal, warm-hearted story, feel-good ending — also caught the attention of young viewers, intended or not. According to a study where researchers investigated alcohol advertising to learn what makes it attractive to youth, the alcohol ads that young people found to be appealing were more likely to elicit responses from them saying they wanted to purchase the brand and products advertised. Youth will continue to be flooded by alcohol ads on their computers, televisions, billboards and radio. While it’s impossible to shield children from every alcohol advertisement, this presents many “Teachable Moments” by helping them to decode the message through Media Literacy. Media Literacy is the ability to read between the lines

to recognize the influence of media messages. Children who are media literate can look and listen with a critical eye and ear, helping them to make healthier lifestyle choices and avoid the pressures fueled by media messages to drink, smoke or use other drugs. Parents are encouraged to watch TV shows or listen to the radio with tweens/teens, and when the commercials come on, ask: Who do you think created this commercial? What techniques did they use to get your attention? What do they want you to do after seeing their message? Would this be a healthy choice for you? Do you think your health and safety are important to the ad sponsor? How do you feel about it now? It doesn’t have to be an alcohol advertisement to be a learning experience. The key is to teach your child that no matter the product being promoted, there is an advertiser with an intended message. It is up to your child to think critically to interpret that message and apply it to his/her life appropriately.

The fifth annual Help Willy’s Friends Pet Fair is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Coginchaug Regional High School, 135 Pickett Lane. In addition to food and live music, a variety of canine demonstrations are planned, including search and rescue, agility and husky mushing. Children’s activities are also scheduled. For pets, a variety of free services will be available. Rabies vaccinations and microchipping is scheduled for a fee. The event also features a “Parade of Stars”, featuring a parade of adoptable dogs. For more information, call (203) 988-1718 or visit www.helpwillysfriendspetfair.org.

Crafters wanted Local crafters and small businesses in Middlefield, Rockfall and Durham are invited to be part of the Middlefield/Rockfall Old Home Days on June 7-8. For more information, call Crafter/Business Committee co-chairs Jean Gay at (860) 638-8833 or Louise Tosetti at (860) 349-3905, or email jeannieg625@comcast.net. A letter and application will be sent. A fee is charged for booth space. Deadline for enrollment is April 1.

Old Home Days Parade

The Old Home Days Parade Committee is signing up marchers and musical units for its 2013 parade scheduled for Saturday, June 8, at 10 a.m. The parade will step off at Rogers Manufacturing, continue through the center of Rockfall and Middlefield and end at Peckham Park. Any organization interested in being part of the 2013 Old Home Days Parade should contact Carrie Anderson at (860) 346-895

Ukulele Club

If you live in the Greater Middlefield area and you are a uku player at any level or just interested in trying out this instrument, we want uke. Come join this fun group of enthusiasts at its next meeting. THe Ukulele Club typically meets on the third Saturday of each month, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Middlefield Community Center, 405 Main St. For more information, contact Cindy at (860) 349-5656 or email lucyr1953@yahoo.com.

Trivia Bee

Coginchaug Valley Education Foundation’s first ever Trivia Bee is scheduled for Friday, March 8, at 7 p.m., at Strong School. Teams of up to five members can take part. The Trivia Bee features team costumes, judges, and emcees. Mike Klimas and Donna Mattei will preside. Entry forms can be found online at www.coginshaugvef.com. For questions, e m a i l cveftriviabee@gmail.com, or stay up-to-date on the bee by “liking” CVEF on Facebook.

Submission reminder Town Times welcomes submissions regarding upcoming events happening in the community. Please specify “calendar item” if you would like your submission to appear in the weekly calendar of events. We do our best to run a submission at least one time. However, due to space constraints, we cannot guarantee a submission will be published on a specific date. To ensure your submission runs exactly as you would like it to, contact our sales representative Joy Boone at (203) 317-2313.

TownCalendar

Feb. 15

Friday

Blood drive - The American Red Cross has scheduled a blood drive for Friday, Feb. 15 from 1:30 to 6:15 p.m. at Brewster Elementary School, 126 Tuttle Road. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Bridge Night - Come join in at the Durham Activity Center every Friday night at 6:30 p.m. for a fun night of bridge. If you are not sure how to play, Jim will teach you. You may call Jim at (860) 346-6611 with bridge questions. Call Durham Recreation at (860) 343-6724 with further questions. Tot Time - The MOMS Club of Durham-Middlefield meets every Friday at Middlefield Community Center at 10 a.m. Babies, toddlers and children of Durham and Middlefield are welcome. For more information, email momsdurhammiddlefield@gmail. com.

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Italian dinner - The Partnership for Sharing Committee has scheduled an Italian Dinner (Chicken Cordon Bleu) for Saturday, Feb. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Third Congregational Church, 94 Miner St., Middletown. A fee is charged.

day. For pricing info and to make a reservation, call Amanda Pedersen, senior café manager, at (860) 3493153. Middlefield Senior Lunches - The Middlefield Senior Café is serving lunch three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Reservations are required 24 hours prior, and the monthly menu can be picked up at the center, Town Hall or at www.middlefieldct.org.

Friday

Magic show - Project Graduation has scheduled the Magic of Christopher for Friday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Coginchaug Regional High School, 135 Pickett Lane. A fee is charged. For more information, call (860) 349-7110.

Wednesday

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

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Durham Senior Lunches - Every Monday and Wednesday, hot lunches are available for seniors over 60 and their spouses at the Durham Activity Center, 350 Main St. Following lunch on Monday is game time, which includes billiards, Wii and cards. Bingo starts at 1 p.m. on Wednes-

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Town Times Friday, February 15, 2013

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Saturday

Awakening the Dreamer symposium - Coginchaug Area Transition will hold an Awakening the Dreamer symposium on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the community room of the Durham Library. This fourhour interactive program seeks to point the way toward “an environmentally See Calendar, next page

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Friday, February 15, 2013— Town Times

Calendar Continued from page 10

Something going on? Send your info to news@towntimes.com

Mary Petrucelli of Durham celebrated her 92nd birthday on 12/12/12 at the Durham Activity Center. Petrucelli is a regular on Wednesdays, having lunch with her friends at the Senior Cafe and playing Bingo in the afternoon. On this particular day, she won three Bingo games. Mary is loved by all of her friends at the Durham Activity Center, as she always arrives with a warm smile. Her friends presented her with a birthday cake.

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sustainable, socially just and spiritually fulfilling human presence on Earth.” A light lunch is included and a donation is requested to cover the lunch and materials, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please also bring a donation for the local food pantries and an inquiring and compassionate spirit. Register by emailing Sue VanDerzee at bvanderzee1234@comcast.net.

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Sunday

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Durham Recreation Get Stitchy - Get Stitchy is an open event for quilters and sewers. Get Stitchy is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 18, and Monday, March 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Durham Activity Center, 350 Main St. For more information, call Pam at (860) 349-0453 or email carey_clan@sncglobal.net or vicki at (860) 343-0879 or vberry11@comcast.net.

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4C’s square dance - The 4C’s Square Dance Club has scheduled a dance for Sunday, Feb. 24 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at the Cheshire Park and Rec Center, 559 Main St., Cheshire. The caller is Bill Mager; cuer is Sue Lucibello. For more information, call (860) 349-8084 or (203) 235-1604. Open house - The Durham Cooperative Nursery School, 16 Main St., has scheduled an open house for Sunday, Feb. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet the teachers and see the school. For more information, call (860) 349-9885 or email DurhamCo-opNurserySchool@comcast.net. Blood drive - The annual CT Rugby Team blood drive is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., at the Middlefield Community Center. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call Mike Meyer at (860) 3497025 or email meyer@commercialct.com.

FOOT TENDONITIS For athletes and those who are heavy exercisers, as well as for individuals who have incurred an injury, foot tendonitis may become an issue that demands attention. Others at risk include those who have flat feet, people who stand for extended periods of time, and individuals who wear inappropriate footwear. Foot tendonitis adversely affects the retention of the foot’s arch. If you experience a stabbing pain in the arch of your foot, it may be a sign of foot tendonitis, so see your podiatrist immediately. You may be told to cease your activities, rest, apply ice and compression, and elevate your foot. Your podiatrist may also recommend antiinflammatory medication. In more severe cases, cortisone injections may be advised. Whenever your feet hurt, it’s important to find out why. Following diagnosis, it’s time to formulate a treatment plan. If your feet hurt, it’s smart to communicate with your podiatrist. Now is a good time to schedule an appointment for footcare for the family at AFFILIATED FOOT CARE CENTER, LLC, where we practice conventional podiatry. 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 onsite X-rays, and diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasounds.

TownSeniors

Lunch cancelled

The Durham Senior cafe has cancelled lunch on Monday, Feb. 18, in observance of Presidents Day.

Durham senior lunches

Senior lunches are offered every Monday and Wednesday at the Durham Activity Center, 350 Main St. The Elderly Nutrition program is designed to provide nutritional meals, at a low cost to persons ages 60 and over and

their spouses. To cover the cost of the meal, a suggested donation is welcomed. To make lunch reservations, call Amanda Pedersen, senior cafe manager, at (860) 3493153. Bingo is offered every Wednesday at 1 p.m. following the luncheon.

Blood pressure screenings Free Blood Pressure Screenings are held every first and third Wednesday of each month at noon at the Middlefield Senior Center.

Open Mon. - Sat.

No appointment is necessary.

Dial-A-Ride Dial-A-Ride provides curbto-curb transportation for the elderly and disabled. This service can be used for medical appointments, shopping, banking and other places, and is available five days a week. Call (860) 3473313 for a reservation. There is a fee.

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Town Times Friday, February 15, 2013

transportation to activities on Tuesday and Wednesday. There is no fee for this service. Planned trips include: The Christmas Tree Shops in Manchester and Orange, Yankee Candle in Deerfield, Mass., IKEA, Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods, Evergreen Walk, WFSB Better Yet Connecticut, Stew Leonards, Foot Prints, Maritime Aquarium, Mystic Village and the Thimble Islands, to name a few. The bus schedule can be found at various establishments in Durham, such as the library, the Durham Activity Center, Town Hall and online at www.townofdurhamct.org. Call (860) 3475661 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to make a reservation.

Knitting and crocheting Knitters and crocheters meet every Thursday morning at 9:30 at the Middlefield Senior Center for coffee and knitting. Bring your unfin-

ished project or learn a new one. The group also makes afghans for the Middlesex Cancer Center and the MidState Cancer Center. Yarn and needles are available.

Tax-aide

Free AARP Tax-Aide is available every Tuesday through April 9 by appointment. This free tax help is for taxpayers with low and moderate-income, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Call the center once you have received all forms of income and all 1099 forms. Also bring last year’s income tax returns. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call Antoinette at (860) 349-7121.

Senior exercise

Senior exercise is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Durham Activity

See Seniors, next page

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Seniors Continued from page 12 Center. Two classes are offered: 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. There is no cost for Durham residents 60 and over.

St. Luke’s Eldercare St. Luke’s supports successful aging and independent living serving veterans and elders. Free services provided are friendly visiting, out-of-area medical transportation, transportation for elderly veterans to VA hospitals, grocery shopping services, minor home repair, information/resource referral, individual case management, education/advocacy, The Gatekeeper Program, Access4Care and St. Luke’s Apartments on Broad Street in Middletown. For specific

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Girl Scouts of Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall are in need of adult leaders. Volunteers, 18 and older, who represent the community’s diversity women, men, young adults, older girls, and people of all backgrounds, including our beloved alumnae are welcome. There are many exciting and flexible pathways through which adults can participate in Girl Scouting. Volunteers can lead a troop, but they can also develop and participate in training activities, maintain camps, manage data, design marketing pieces, and share their skills with girls in everything from running a business to exploring science careers. For more information, call Lisa Deschnow at (860) 347-5768, ext. 3751 or email ldeschnow@gsofct.org.

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Town Times — Friday, February 15, 2013

Hard knock life

Student voices video On the heels of a legislative session that focused heavily on how to reform Connecticut’s educational system, the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents and The Connecticut Association of Schools are looking for more voices to join the conversation around transforming education. This time, however, they are looking for ‘student voices.’ Connecticut students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to work independently or in a small group (no more than three students) to create a 1 to 4 minute video that highlights their recommendations for transforming education in Connecticut. Whether it’s using more technology in the classroom or offering credit for internships, CAPSS and CAS want to know how it would help students to thrive in school. First, second and third place prizes and scholarships will be awarded in both the middle and high school divisions. CAPSS and CAS are accepting video submissions from Connecticut students for ‘Student Voices’ until April 1. To learn more and to enter, visit: www.ctstudentvoices.com.

Photo by Mark Dionne

You wouldn’t know it from the smiles, but these three girls have been living the hard knock life for weeks. Jordan Moore, a Memorial School fifth grader, Analiese Driscoll, a John Lyman School second grader, and Yazmin DeJesus, a John Lyman School third grader, have been cast as the famous orphan, Annie. Seen here modeling their new wigs, Jordan, Analiese and Yazmin will perform in John Lyman Parents Association’s “Annie, Jr.” on May 3 and 4.

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Friday, February 15, 2013— Town Times

Hiking group gives women companionship in nature By Elisabeth Kennedy The Town Times Women often spend most of their time caring for others. Many work outside the home while they care for their families, running in different directions constantly. Often the last person a woman does something for is herself. But it is important to do just that; to connect with nature and spend time with other women. One group is helping make this possible for women — right in their own backyard. Women of the Woods, or WoW, offers monthly gatherings for women to enable them to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with nature. Most gatherings are hikes in the woods of central Connecticut. Lucy Meigs, founder of WoW, started leading hikes for women in New Mexico when her daughter was a baby. “I craved companionship with other women who loved nature,” Meigs explained. They later started a mile-long “little trail blazers” group when their little ones wanted to hike too. Meigs and her family moved to Durham in 2005, and after a few months she began leading hikes in Connecticut as a volunteer for Connecticut Forest & Park Association. “It was at a retreat “Designing Your Dreams” that the idea for WoW came to me,” shared Meigs — “a middle of the night idea; the name just came to me.” A month later, in March

Photos submitted by Lucy Meigs

Women of the Woods stops for a lunch break and to enjoy the view from Bear Rock in Durham. 2008, she was leading WoW hikes in this area, searching for other women who shared her love of nature. “This is not power hiking,” Meigs explained. “We take the time to admire the beauty around us, experience some quiet time in nature, and enjoy each other’s company.” Hikes are for women of all ages and vary in location and d i f f i c u l t y . Details of each hike are available on WoW’s website (www. womenofthewoods.org) to help interested participants find the one that best fits her interest and ability. “Nature is a wonderful place to get to know others and find friends that share our interests,” Meigs said. “In our high stress world, nature can have a powerful calming force, give us peace of mind and perspective on our lives. Going for a walk in nature is good for both mind and body.” Meigs also hopes to foster stewards of the

forests and parks, explaining that “people won’t be passionate about preserving the beauty around us if they are not aware of it.” Meigs does not limit her work to women. For the past two years, the Community Foundation of Middlesex County has provided partial funding for WoW and “Girls Outside”, an associated program to get girls outside. In 2009 she received a grant from Coginchaug Valley Education Foundation entitled “Everyone Outside.” With that seed funding and additional funding from the Rockfall Foundation, she started a program with the same name. Everyone Outside offers programs to get people of all ages outside to enjoy nature and promote healthy living and environmental stewardship. Please watch for an upcoming article on these programs and a schedule for this year’s “Frog Fridays.”

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Town Times — Friday, February 15, 2013

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The presentation of Regional School District 13 Superintendent’s budget for the 2013-14 school year will take place at the next Board of Education meeting on Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m., in the Strong Middle School Library. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Dial-A-Ride provides curbto-curb transportation for the elderly and disabled. This service can be used for medical appointments, shopping, banking and other places, and is available five days a week. Call (860) 347-3313 for a reservation. There is a fee.

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While some were still snowbound, this snowmobiler took to the roads in Durham shortly after the blizzard passed.

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Charles E. Larsen Charles Eric Larsen, 52, a life-long resident of D u r h a m , passed away on Feb. 6, 2013. C h a r l i e Larsen was born on June 4, 1960, in Middletown to the late Nell and Arved Larsen, of Durham. From the start, Charlie was a gift to everyone around him with his sweet smile, his cheery outlook and his love of life. If you ever asked Charlie how his day was, he always replied “great”. He lived life by the motto, “Do one good deed every day” and he brightened the world with this outlook. Charlie was very involved in his

TownObituary

Town Times Friday, February 15, 2013 community. If you know Durham at all, you probably know Charlie, and for this reason, many have said that he was “Honorary Mayor” of Durham. He was a long-time honorary member of the Durham Volunteer Fire Company and a member of the Coginchaug High School Pep Band for over 35 years. He was a Boy Scout as a young man and also played Little League baseball. Charlie was active in Special Olympics for over 40 years, held 52 gold medals and traveled to two International Special Olympics. He would often quote the Special Olympics oath “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” He was employed by Stop and Shop in Wallingford for 18

years and took great pride in being the “best bagger”. Charlie was guided through his many years of employment by the wonderful staff at Kuhn Employment Opportunities in Meriden. He spent many happy times at recreation events sponsored by M.A.R.C. Cromwell. Charlie had so many things that he loved in life and these included: his family, the New York Mets and Giants, the Durham firemen, conducting his music, dancing, matchbox cars, playing marbles, learning about colleges, McDonald’s chocolate chip cookies, hitting a golf ball, helping people, and giving hugs. He cared about anyone who entered his life. Charlie is survived by his sisters, Lisa Larsen and Tina (Larsen) Gossner and her

Town Times charges a $50 processing fee for obituaries. For more information, call (203) 317-2256.

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A celebration of Charlie’s life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m., at Coginchaug Regional High School. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Charlie may be sent to The Durham Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 154, Durham, CT, 06422 or Kuhn Employment Opportunities, P.O Box 941, Meriden, CT 06450. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at w w w. d o o l i t t l e f u n e r a l service.com.

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husband, Mark Gossner, all of Durham; two brothers, Arved and his wife Donna, of Illinois, and John Larsen and his wife Mindy, of Texas. Charlie also loved his 11 nieces and nephews, Anissa and Jenna Mack, Soren, Noah and Kirsten Larsen, Steve, Chris and Nichole Larsen, and Hannah, Julia and Sam Gossner. Charlie loved to hear about his many great-nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Charlie was predeceased by his sister, Pam (Larsen) Mack, of Guilford.

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Town Times — Friday, February 15, 2013

‘Charlie-sized hole’ left in community By Mark Dionne The Town Times

Few people could hold onto the title of mayor for as long as Charles “Charlie” Larsen, who was known as Durham’s mayor for most of his life. His recent passing affected so many people locally because Charlie brought a generosity of spirit everyone could admire to so many activities. News of Charlie’s death reached far flung people with Durham roots. Writing from Vermont, Amy Ash Nixon said, “Every image that comes to my mind this morning of Charlie Larsen fills my heart with beauty and gratitude that I was part of this dear life; that our whole community got to be.” Nixon went to Korn

Photo submitted by Robert Chadd

Former Fire Chief Harry Hall shakes hands with longtime honorary member of the Durham Volunteer Firefighters, Charlie Larsen, at a banquet.

School with Charlie and recalls, “I never felt more loved or included or accepted than in the company of Charlie Larsen. He did that for people, and I think our town did that for him, too. He was treasured and loved and celebrated and now, as we must let go of our dear ambassador, he is deeply mourned.” Durham’s Elizabeth Shoudy, who graduated from Coginchaug with Charlie, recalls, “Even back then he was an ambassador. He was friendly to everyone and made everyone feel special.” Those classmates voted him Most Friendly. Charlie’s kindness could also generate kindness in return. Charlie really wanted a limo ride, Shoudy remembers, and his sisters made sure he graduated Coginchaug in one.

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The quote underneath Charlie’s yearbook photo that year reads, “It is only with the heart that one can truly see.” His ambition was to be a volunteer fireman. He fulfilled this dream as a longtime honorary member of the Durham Volunteer Firefighters. Recalls Durham Fire Chief Robert Chadd, “Members talked about how they will miss Charlie especially on Memorial Day, where he has marched with our members for the past few decades. A lot of members said Charlie was like Durham’s ambassador. Everyone knew him, as we marched down Main Street in Durham just about everyone would be yelling ‘Hi Charlie!’ I have personally known Charlie for most of my life but the one thing I will miss is his smile and hug every time I see him.” It’s that spirit that many remember when they think of Charlie. Durham First Selectman Laura Francis said, “Durham has lost a valued member of out town. Charlie personified kindness and community spirit. He set such a good example for many of our youth. I thank the Larsen family for sharing so much of their beloved brother.” It is with family that many locals remember Charlie as he was so often out in the company of his sisters, Lisa Larsen and Tina Gossner. A fixture at Coginchaug events, where Lisa Larsen teaches, his memory was honored last week at the CRHS girls basketball game with a giant banner reading “We Love You, Charlie,” a fitting tribute to a man who spent so much time showing love and support for the Blue Devils — and who himself competed as a Special Olympian. Larsen writes about her brother, “Charlie’s life was an example of how it takes a village to raise a child. He had a loving family but there were all kinds of people who made room for him and

See Charlie, next page

Friday, February 15, 2013— Town Times

Charlie Continued from page 18

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helped him grow. There were Boy Scout leaders, coaches, custodians, teachers, and his favorite Durham Fire Company who not only included him, but made him feel needed. He received honor after honor through the years, like Durham Fireman of the Year to proclamations declaring a Charlie Larsen Day, to the Spirit of Life award from then Gov. O’Neill. We thank everyone for being so kind to Charlie and helping him grow into the wonderful man he was.” Gossner also remembers the community surrounding Charlie. “As some friends just shared with us, he certainly leaves a ‘Charlie-sized hole.’ In my heart, that hole is about the size of the Grand Canyon. He was a gentle soul. He was always full of smiles and hugs which he readily shared with everyone.” She added, “To quote Mother Teresa, ‘Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.’ That is Charlie’s story. Everything that he touched, every person that he met, and every task that he completed was surrounded by great love. What an incredible world it would be if we all felt and acted like Charlie.” Talking to Durham and Middlefield residents about Charlie, the words get repeated — friend, brother, firefighter, fan, ambassador, mayor — as people reflect not on the circumstances of his birth but the manner of his life. A few years ago, Charlie made a point to do a good deed everyday. As Larsen writes, “He would always announce, ‘There! I did my good deed!’ Perhaps all of us can keep his memory alive by doing a daily good deed ourselves. Then we too can say, ‘There! I did my good deed!’”

Photos submitted by Lisa Larsen and Robert Chadd

Clockwise from top right: A regular presence at the Memorial Day parade, Charlie marched for decades in his formal firefighter’s uniform (left row, second from front); Charlie in character as Charlie Chaplin for Halloween 1984; Charlie Larsen celebrates one of his many enthusiasms - the New York Mets.

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Town Times — Friday, February 15, 2013

DMYFS hires youth peer mediation trainer

Commentary

‘Zoo’ per zoos By Tommy Koba Editor’s note: Tommy Koba is a student at Strong School. Students wrote editorials on topics of their own choice, researching the facts and statistics on their own. The only requirement was that it was something they felt strongly about. If a kid is curious about hippopotamuses, if a teenager needs a job, if animals are close to extinction, why not send them all to a zoo? These protection sites for animals can save a poached species from extinction, but that is not all. Being a great site for children and a provider of jobs to anyone, zoos are a great contributor to the society as a whole and are very

important to animals and society. Nowadays people don’t poach animals as often, but poachers are still there. The definition of poaching is the hunting or killing of dwindling animals. Poaching is already illicit in most countries. Violators are thrown in jail or fined. People poach for treasured materials like the ivory in rhino horns. Rhinos and elephants are the most poached animals; in addition, there are only about 18,000 rhinos left if the wild. If zoos were illegalized and shut down, then the amount of animals in the wild would increase; therefore, there would be more animals to poach, and it will decrease the amount of rhinos

Durham resident Claudia White has been hired by Durham/Middlefield Youth and Family Services to provide peer mediation training for 10 local students in grades 7-11. White has training in mediation and conflict resolution and worked at a domestic violence project. She brought her training to diverse jobs sites, including a high school in Tennessee and as a caseworker for a community health agency. Betsy Dean, executive director of DMYFS, saw the value of peer mediation in situations involving young people. “The peer mediation program will provide youth with the skills needed to asSee Zoo, next page sist in promoting a positive

and elephants and other poached animals. The world needs zoos to save these commonly poached animals’ lives. Our economy hasn’t been this terrible since the Great Depression. If you were to take away zoos, we would lose 142,000 occupations. That is more than the stars able to be seen with the naked eye. Not to mention, nearly one fourth of those are teens’ jobs. Sixteen billion dollars are paid to zoos annually. Costing about $7 admission for an adolescent, $11 for an adult, and $6 for an elder, it helps circulate the dough around. Certainly, the

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social climate and decrease unhealthy youth interactions. These are life skills that persons could benefit from,” Dean said. Training will be held in February and March and is funded by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County/Herb and Ellen Patterson Memorial Fund. Herb and Ellen Patterson, long time residents of Durham, cared deeply for their community and the organizations serving their friends and neighbors. Working with the Community Foundation to establish the Herb and Ellen Patterson Memorial Fund was their way to give back to the community which had given so much to them. The Community Foundation’s competitive grants are made possible through many funds, like the Herb and Ellen Patterson Memorial Fund, established to support the programs and services offered throughout Middlesex County. In addition, the Durham Public Library has donated space to hold the program and Carmine’s Pizza is donating a portion of the trainees’ lunches. After the training, further information will be available to enable residents to use the services of the new DMYFS Community Peer Mediation Program. The Middlesex County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the people of the county by developing endowments, making grants that have impact and assisting donors in meeting their philanthropic objectives. (Press release submitted by Claudia White)

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Town Times Friday, February 15, 2013

Dean’s list Brandeis University, Massachusetts - Jamie Garuti of Middlefield. Emory University, Georgia - Michael Levine of Durham. Morrisville State College, New York - Megan Freemantle of Middlefield. Springfield College, Massachusetts - Gretchen Donovan, Daniel Sawicki, Michael Mastroianni, Tyler Davis, Jessie Maniscalco of Durham. University of Massachusetts Boston - Christopher Scamporino of Middle-

Zoo Continued from page 20

Honor Roll Xavier High School announced local students named to the second semester honor roll. High honors - Ryan DeVille, James Rosborough, Lawrence Bourland, Connor Marszalek, Nicholas Cumello, Scott Marks of Durham. Honors - Tushar Vig, Joseph Braun, Timothy Morris, John-Rudy Fronc, David Pakech, George Trapp

School records The Pupil Services Office of regional School District 13 is scheduled to destroy the confidential special education records of all former students from the class of 2006. This action is allowed by State Regulations per authority of the State of Connecticut Office of Public Records Administration and Federal Regulation 34 CFR 200.573. Copies of these records are available following submission of a written request by the student before May 31. Letters should be sent to Amy Emory, director of Pupil Personnel Services,

regional School District 13, PO Box 190, 135A Pickett Lane, Durham, CT 06422.

Energize CT contest Energize Connecticut, in partnership with Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating, has announced the ninth annual eesmarts contest for students in grades K-12. The eesmarts program is a K-12 energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy education initiative that annually invites Connecticut students to showcase their “energy smarts” about saving energy, efficient and renewable energy technologies, and sustainability through various media forms. Students answer grade-

level specific prompts regarding energy efficient and renewable energy technologies and sustainability in the form of a poster, limerick, news article, song lyrics, persuasive essay, public service announcement script, speech and a small business proposal for energy efficiency. Finalists for each grade level will be honored at a special awards ceremony on June 11. First place winners in grades K-11 will also be awarded prizes. The contest is open to all students in Connecticut. Deadline for entries is April 26. For more info, visit w w w. e e s m a r t s . c o m / contest.

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zoos play a decent part in our economy. Everyone has been to a zoo before, and most have relished the memory. Can you believe that about 175,000 individuals visit the zoo each year? Once I spent 10 hours at the Beardsley Zoo! If there is a vote tomorrow about your opinion on banning zoos from your state, make sure to vote no. Poaching, enjoyment, and jobs are all reasons needed. Losing these adored places will cause a deficit in our already bad economy and harm our culture drastically. And our children or grandchildren will not be able to see these fascinating places.

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Coginchaug boys top Old Saybrook

On Tuesday, Feb. 2, the Coginchaug boys basketball team travelled to Old Saybrook to take on the Rams. It’s never easy to win on the road in the Shoreline conference, and this was certainly not an easy game, as it was tied at nine apiece after one, and Coginchaug surged ahead 29-19 at the half. But late in the third quarter, extending into the fourth, the Rams went on a 14-0 run that knotted the game at 36-36 after three, and actually carried a four-point lead with only three minutes left in the game. With 10 points from Mike Bongiorno in the final period, including four of four from the line, the Devils pulled ahead to take the 50-45 win.

Town Times Friday, February 15, 2013

already beaten Coginchaug, sporting a sub-.500 record. Submitted by Alan Pease

two points early on in the period. A Jessica Solomon steal and basket finally knotted the game at 15 all, and a Kim Romanoff bucket off of a Morgan Kuehnle assist put the Devils on top for good, as they took a 19-15 lead at the half, 33-20 after three, ending with the 51-28 victory. Kuehnle led the team in three categories — rebounds with 14, points with 12, and blocks with two. She also has three steals and an assist. Solomon scored 10, adding seven rebounds, two assists, and leading the team in steals with four. Romanoff dropped in nine points, adding three steals, three rebounds and an assist. Audrey Arcari and Olivia Corazzini both scored seven, with Arcari adding four rebounds,

Coginchaug girls split a pair Bongiorno scored 20 points to lead Coginchaug, with Devin Rodrigue adding 10. Jackson Doyle scored eight, Alex Kotrady four, and Jack Granger dropped in one. Off the bench, Alex Markoski scored five, and Josh Smith scored two. The win leaves the Devils with a 6-9 record, needing two more wins in their last five games to make the state tournament, a challenge given the nature of the competition, with only Haddam Killingworth, a team that has

Old Saybrook The Coginchaug girls basketball team travelled to Old Saybrook on Monday, Feb. 4, and despite a slow start, the Lady Devils came away with a comfortable 51-28 victory. Shooting problems resulted in a 13-8 deficit after one period. The problems continued early in the second period, as the girls had six turnovers in the period before they even got a shot off, half-way through the frame. However, the defense was also clamping down, and the Lady Rams were having even more difficulty in scoring, netting only

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three steals and an assist, and Corazzini adding two boards. Off the bench, Mikayla Wyskiel scored two, adding two rebounds, a steal and an assist. Sidney Trusty had two steals, an assist and a rebound, Caryn Sibiskie scored two, and Naomi Rinaldo had a rebound and a steal. Cromwell On Thursday, Feb. 7, the Devils hosted the undefeated Panthers from Cromwell. The girls kept the game reasonably close for a while, trailing 23-15 after the first period, with a Jessica Solomon bucket off of a Morgan Kuehnle assist drawing Coginchaug within seven at 28-21 with three minutes gone in the period. But it was down-hill from there, as the Devils missed there next nine shots, and Cromwell finished the half on a 9-0 run to take a 37-21 lead at the half. Their shooting woes continued in the third period, as only baskets by Kuehnle and Romanoff, plus a free throw by Audrey Arcari, raised an otherwise woeful 0-10 performance from the team, as Cromwell led 51-26 after three periods, and left with a 67-40 win. Kuehnle was again a bright spot for Coginchaug, with a double-double, and leading the team in rebounding with 14, scoring with 11, and blocks with four. She also had two steals and an assist. Romanoff was the other double digit scorer with 10, adding four assist and four steals. Solomon scored seven, adding three rebounds and an assist. Arcari and Olivia Corazzini each scored six points, with Arcari adding four rebounds, four steals and an assist, and Corazzini adding three rebounds and blocking a shot. Off the bench, Caryn Sibiskie grabbed two rebounds, Mikayla Wyskiel had a rebound and a steal, and Sydney Trusty had a rebound. Coginchaug is 13-5, 12-4 in the Shoreline conference. Submitted by Alan Pease

See Sports, next page

Friday, February 15, 2013— Town Times

Sports Continued from page 22

Mens League Torrison Stone holds off Scott Tax, wins three more to reach 6-0 Scott Tax gave Torrison Stone its toughest test this season in the battle of undefeated teams in the Durham Mens Basketball League, but Adam Poturnicki and Jeremy Lobo hit some clutch free throws down the stretch, and Torrison held on in the final minute to pick up a 5349 victory. Chris Staab from Scott Tax matched up well underneath with Poturnicki, and held Adam to just 13 points, his lowest of the season. Lobo also contributed with 13 and John Biechner and Mark Pfister added 9 each for Torrison. For Scott Tax, Staab led all scorers with 15, while Keith Ferguson and Eric Rettburg also finished in double figures. The Scott Tax contest was the only test for Torrison over the past 2 weeks. Torrison easily defeated Allstate Fire Equipment 76-52, and then upended Hitchin Post Tavern 79-44, the most lopsided game in the league so far this season. Against Allstate, Lobo led the scoring for Torrison and Joe Davis for Allstate, both with 22 points. Pfister, Poturnicki and Pete Lynch also scored in double digits for Torrison. Then against Hitchin Post, Torrison (6-0) played with just 5 players, but 4 hit double figures with Poturnicki (26) leading and Lobo (20), Dave Bennett (13) and Mark Pfister (12) all finishing with big nights. Ryan Donecker led Hitchin Post with

19 and Matt Thompson finished with 10. In other Mens League games the past two weeks: Timeout Taverne 60, Young Gunz 59 - Outside the Torrison v ScottTax game, this was the most exciting game of the past 2 weeks. Pete Doering posted 9 of his 14 total points in a big 2nd half, as Timeout overcame a 2 point deficit to hold off final surge from the Young Gunz. The Gunz, always a threat to shoot the 3 pointer, went to more of an inside game against Timeout, as Mike Baranoski led with 15 and Jason Williams added 11 points, most from down in the paint. The Gunz fell behind by 6 with 4 minutes left, and cut it to 1 point with 5 seconds remaining, but did were out of timeouts and the clock expired. Scott Chesmer also picked up 13 in the win for Timeout. Connecticut Sign 53 Durham Dental 38 - Preston Beverly (17) and Matt Quinn (15) helped CT Sign (32) overcome a 20-17 halftime deficit and easily defeat Durham Dental. Marc Crayton (12) and Chris Haywood (10) led the Durham Dental scoring. Timeout Taverne 52, Hitchin Post 27 - Timeout opened up with a 10-0 start and the Post scored just 11 points in the first half, as Timeout Taverne (3-2) won easily. Scott Penney (11) and Tommy Ryan (10) led Timeout while Scott Rogers was the leading Hitchin Post (0-6) scorer with 9. Young Gunz 64 Allstate Fire 52 - Allstate trailed by just 2 at halftime, but the Young Gunz (2-3) scored 15 straight to open the 2nd half to finish with a 12 point vic-

tory. The Gunz continued their inside game dominance, scoring just 5 threes on the night. Greg Bereski led with 18 and Jason Williams had 16 for his best night so far this season. Trevor Hanson hit almost every shot he took, including 5-5 from the foul line, and Joe Davis also contributed

15 in the loss for Allstate (14). Scott Tax Group 76 Around the Clock Heating 61 - Around the Clock (1-4) took and early 7 point lead, but in a surprisingly physical contest, Scott Tax took control late in the 1st half. Playing with just 6 players, Dennis Rich fouled out 2

minutes into the 2nd haft for ScottTax (5-1), but no one else got into further foul trouble. Leland McKenna poured in 25 points and Chris Staab supplied 22 for the Scott Tax offense. Steve Markoski led ATC with 23 and Tim Egan hit on 4 three pointers for 12 total. Submitted by Scott Strang

Pitching Clinic Registration is now open for Coginchaug Little League’s four-week baseball pitching clinic from March 9-April 6. The clinic, instructed by Sal Santanello, is open to all Farm, Minors, Majors and Intermediate players from league age 8-13. Three separate skill levels are available to help group players by ability so that they get the most from the instruction. The clinic runs four Saturdays (clinic not held during Easter weekend) for 30 minutes per week at the gym at Lake Grove/Rushford School on Route 68 in Durham. A family member is required to come and catch for the player. Both should bring a glove. Baseballs are provided. This clinic is for firsttime pitchers to start off with good fundamentals, and for more experienced pitchers to improve technique. To register your son, visit www.coginchaugll.org, and click on “Register Online”. Contact Scott Strang at scott_strang@yahoo.com for further questions. There is a fee. Submitted by Michele Wenchell

To submit sports information Town Time welcomes news and scores from all sports leagues in Durham and Middlefield. Information and photos can be sent to: Town Times, P.O. Box 265, Middlefield, 06455 or emailed to: news@towntimes.com.

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