Ttimesnov8 by Town Times Newspaper

Volume 20, Number 30

www.TownTimes.com

Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall

Friday, November 8, 2013

Brayshaw wins three-way first selectman’s race Returns for fifth and ‘final’ term as Middlefield’s first selectman.

By Mark Dionne Town Times

In the municipal election held Nov. 5, Middlefield voters returned Jon Brayshaw to the first selectman’s office for his fifth term of office. Brayshaw defeated two challengers, the Democratic nominee Lucy Petrella and petitioning candidate Marianne Corona. Officials announced unofficial results after polls closed at 8 p.m. on election day. Brayshaw, according to the unofficial results, finished with 789 votes, compared to Petrella’s 690 votes and Corona’s 140. “I’m worn out. I’m exhausted,

honored, humbled,” Brayshaw said after the election. Brayshaw, noting the number of elections he has been through, also said that this would be his final term. In an interview with the Town Times before the election, Brayshaw said that one of the negatives of a three-way race was that the winner was unlikely to end with a majority of votes. “When you only have a two person race, the preponderance of voters voted for the first selectman,” Brayshaw said. “With three people, you don’t end up with a mandate.” That turned out to be the case in this election. “Each year that I’ve won, I haven’t won by a landslide,”

Brayshaw said. It was the second time Petrella finished a close second to Brayshaw. In 2011, she lost to Brayshaw by 45 votes. This time the margin was 99. In a statement the morning after the election, Petrella wrote, “I sincerely thank all those who supported me, who took their time to talk to me these last few weeks, and who shared their ideas and concerns. I am deeply disappointed with the outcome of the election. I hope that the people of Middlefield/ Rockfall are well served for the next two years.” See Brayshaw / Page 22

Better food, more choices for school lunch RSD 13 embraces new approach

By Mark Dionne Town Times

By Diana Carr

Special to Town Times

Regional School District 13 Food Services Director Mark Basil recently spoke with Town Times about the state’s new regulations to ensure more nutritious food is making its way to students’ lunch trays. “The changes are good,” he said. RSD13 is part of the National School Lunch Program, a federally-assisted meal program for students. As part of that program, the local school system has elected to be an Offer Versus Serve district referred to as OVS. This means that a lunch is reimbursed by the state as long as the student takes three of the five components being offered, including a fruit and vegetable. The components

Durham election results

A recent lunch time at Coginchaug Regional High School. | (Diana Carr\Special to Town Times.)

are: grain, dairy, meat or meat alternative (like yogurt or beans), fruit, and vegetable. The goal of OVS is to reduce waste by not forcing students to take food they don’t intend to eat. But there is some waste. “We

have the students take a fruit and a vegetable,” Basil said, “so that we can get reimbursed. And then they go around the corner and throw them away. There’s a lot of waste.” See Lunch / Page 22

Re p u b l i c a n s c a p tured most of the votes in quiet election cycle in Durham, according to unofficial results. Republicans Lorraine Coe and Laurie Tuttle and Democrats Martin Anderson and Molly Nolan will return to their seats on the Board of Finance, having run unopposed. Republicans won all of the contested races. Debra DeFelice defeated Elizabeth White Booz for Board of Assessment Appeals. While Republicans won the highest five vo te to ta l s fo r t h e Planning and Zoning Race, only Alana Adams and Lisa Davenport

will be seated on P&Z due to minority representation laws a n d t h e n u m b e r of Republicans already on the commission. Joseph Pasquale, D a v i d F o l e y, a n d Christopher Flanagan will take the the remaining three seats. Republicans David Slight and Chris DiPentima won seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals and Eric Francis won the position of Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate over Elizabeth Dougan. According to documents provided by Kim Garvis, Durham’s Town Clerk, 1,187 voters participated out of 5,074 n the voter list, a 23 percent turnout.

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Fire fighters from Meriden and South Kensington prepare to unload ATVs in the Middlefield Dog Park parking lot. | (Photo by Mark Dionne\Town Times)

Smoke from a brush fire between the Lake Beseck neighborhood and Powder Ridge ski area was still visible from Powder Hill Road in the afternoon. | (Photo by Mark Dionne\Town Times)

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Middlefield station was covered by a truck from Meriden. Deputy Chief Dave Bowen from Meriden answered calls at the Middlefield station. “We can cross lines any time and work with anybody,” Bowen said. “It’s one of the good things about the job.”

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multiple all terrain vehicles into the Middlefield Dog Park parking lot and coordinated the use of 500 and 1,000 foot lengths of hoses. At least one forestry tanker arrived from Haddam Neck. With Middlefield resources devoted to the brush fire, the

early afternoon. Several residents did yard work while watching the out of town trucks slowly maneuver through the narrow streets and tight intersections. The location of the fire required specialized equipment. Fire fighters unloaded

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Fire departments from multiple area towns responded to a call from Middlefield for assistance with a brush fire in the woods west of Lake Beseck. One fire fighter on the scene said that the fire was deep enough in the woods not to be an immediate threat to houses, but the distance from any roads made it harder to extinguish. The call went out after 9 a.m. in the morning, Nov. 4. By noon, there were fire fighters and equipment from Durham, Westfield, Meriden, East Berlin, South Kensington, Cromwell, and Middletown, in addition to Middlefield, on the scene. Representatives from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection also were on the scene. The command center was originally located at the top of Kickapoo Road, the narrow, winding, and hilly road leading west from the Lake Beseck neighborhood into the woods. In the afternoon, the fire fighters on the scene

were moving the command center to the Middlefield Dog Park parking lot. The fire covered over six acres, according to the police scanners, between the Lake Beseck community and the Powder Ridge ski area, still in renovations for its planned opening. The fire was contained by early afternoon, but still smoking and still being watched for another flare up. Roads in the area were not closed, but traffic was being directed and controlled at the intersection of Lake Road and Route 147 and at Kickapoo Road and Mattabeseck Road. While the smell of smoke drifted through the Lake Beseck neighborhood, there was no sign of alarm in the

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Friday, November 8, 2013

Thanksgiving holiday program Durham Interchurch Assistance prepares a Thanksgiving Holiday Basket Program for families and individuals. Stresses from financial difficulties, unemployment, medical problems, and other personal or family issues often create unanticipated hardships. Families or individuals having difficulties should call Durham Human Services at (860) 349-3153 to apply for a Thanksgiving basket. Families and organizations can sponsor an individual or family. Donors can provide food gift cards in gift amounts of

The Strong Middle School Grade 8 Band, conducted by Steve Fitzgerald, right, plays the National Anthem at the XL Center before the Hartford Wolfpack game Oct. 18. | (Mark Dionne/Town Times)

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their choice and send them to Human Services, Thanksgiving Program, Town Hall, P.O. Box 428 Durham, CT 06422. Gift cards must be received by Nov. 18. Donations of turkeys will be accepted on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Durham Activity Center, 350 Main Street. Call Amanda at (860) 349-3153 if you are interested in donating a turkey. Volunteers are needed to help coordinate distribution from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Nov. 26. For more information, Amanda at (860) 349-3153.

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Options vetted at school facilities study Large crowd turns out for discussion night By Mark Dionne

ning earlier,” he said. Barrett also emphasized, as have members of the Board of A l a r ge c r owd f r om Education, that no decisions Durham and Middlef ield have been made, remarks a t t e n d e d a F a c i l i t i e s that seemed specifically deUtilization Study meeting, signed to ally fears of school put on by Drummey Rosane or program closings. Paul Moore, DRA’s eduAnderson, Inc.. The firm was hired by the district to cational planner, opened his study approaches the school breakout group dealing with system can take in the face educational programming of declining enrollment. by saying, “I want to puncClose to 200 people listened ture a rumor right off the to James Barrett open the bat —which school do we Oct. 29 event at Coginchaug close?” Moore said no plans Regional High School, with had been put in place to do general remarks, and then that but, like other DRA repbroke into four groups ar- resentatives and BOE memranged around different bers, referred to declining enrollment as “an opportutopics. Barrett told the crowd that nity” presenting a range of early planning had the larger options. What to do with that opinfluence and saved money compared to decisions made portunity was the unanlater on. “What we’re try- swered question of t he ing to do is move the plan- evening. Town Times

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Paul Moore, center, of architectural firm Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc., gathers feedback at a facilities study presentation Oct. 29 at the high school. |Mark Dionne\Town Times Moore’s workshop, titled “Currents,” drew the largest crowd and Moore heard a strong and consistent defense of keeping both the Integrated Day and Contemporary programs. “What’s special about the district is that parents can choose which program to send their children to,” one parent said.

“This is fascinating to us,” said Moore, who also noted that the parallel program arrangement was “fairly unique” and “one of the keys moving forward.” When asked for a show of hands in support of the parallel programs, the participants gave nearly universal approval. Dr. Victor Friedrich, one

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of the BOE’s new members, asked the participants if the two programs would be compromised if they were housed in the same building in the younger grades and also got an affirmative response. One teacher provided a counterpoint, noting that working in the same building would provide greater opportunity for collaboration, especially important with the change to the Common Core standards. Another parent also noted that keeping children too separated could lead to rivalries and tensions. Unifying the children while keeping the programs distinct provided one of the open questions of evening. Oanh Stephan, summarizing the views expressed by much of the audience, said that there were two good programs in town and resources should not be devoted to studying that again but devoted to groups and activities that unite the students. Ma ny ideas expressed during the “Currents” session expressed support of the status quo. Parents and teachers spoke in opposition to the idea of mixing K-8 grades together or bringing grades 7 and 8 into the high school. Another spoke in favor of keeping John Lyman Elementary School’s structure of mixed age classes and status as a H.O.T — Higher Order Thinking —school. Ideas that went against See Options / Page 19

A6 Friday, November 8, 2013

2013 Youth Environmental Leadership award

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Commentary

On reaching 50,000 words By Daniel Jackson

Special to Town Times

The Rockfall Foundation of Middlesex County recently presented the 2013 Youth Environmental Leadership award to Andrew Donahue, a senior at Portland High School. Donahue was selected for his construction and restoration work on the Portland Reservoir Hiking Trail. His work involved raising money and donations of materials and recruiting and managing volunteers to help construct two footbridges and clear trails in the aftermath of three storms.

Editor’s Note: Weeklies staff writer Daniel Jackson is trying to write a novel, or 50,000 words of fiction, during the month of November. He isn’t doing this feat alone, but participating with now 230,000 other writers locally and around the world in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short. When the clock struck 12 at midnight Nov. 1, I finished going over my notes, opened a word document, took a breath and started typing away. Title. Byline. The first few words. Turning a semi-coherent novel in a month takes some kind of strategy. Reading t h r o u g h Na No Wr i M o’s website — nanowrimo. org — there are two general strategies writers take during November: planning and pantsing. The planners have reams of notes. They may create spreadsheets of scenes in their novels. They know exactly what comes next in their story and why.

The pantsers go by the seat of their pants, making their stories up as they go through the month. Dan When I Jackson started this project, I would have considered myself a planner. Today, I’m not so sure. I started my novel, it’s working title “The Black Dog of The Hanging Hills,” back in the middle of August. I bought a knock-off, moleskine-like notebook from Walmart: black leather cover, cream-colored pages with narrow rule lines. In that book, I wrote down everything that could have worked in a novel. Over the last few weeks, I worked the bits of information into something of a plot. The resulting outline is a page and a half long. I also have a few character sketches that I created. These are a few scraps of paper compared to how long I want my story to eventually run. To be honest, it’s intim-

idating. Usually, I have pages and pages of notes for one news story that gets printed in the paper. But non-fiction and fiction writing are two different things, I’ve come to learn. In news writing, you try to make your writing reflect the real world. Journalists are like map-makers, giving directions to one place or the other. Novelists, on the other hand, are forming a whole world of their own. In the words of Ariadne f r o m t h e 2 0 1 0 m ov i e “Inception,” “It’s just... pure creation.” Do you have any questions about the creative process? Perhaps you, too, are trying to write a novel this month. I’d love to talk. Email me at djackson@thenorthhavencitizen.com.

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The Middlesex Health Care center has scheduled an outdoor ceremony for Monday, Nov. 11, at 8:30 a.m., to honor all veterans. The Middletown Council of Veterans and mayor are scheduled to attend. For more information, call (860) 344-0353.

Advertise with us! Please call Joy Boone at 203-317-2313.

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Friday, November 8, 2013

Early pay off for Powder Ridge incorporated into campaigns for town Republicans. Middlefield finance board member Robert Yamartino said, “This will reduce the annual Powder Ridge expenses and help lower taxes...(and) we will have effectively retired the entire taxable portion of the debt, meaning when we go for permanent bonding it will be at the lower interest rate of non-taxable bonds, a further savings.” Hayes said the resort will have a grand re-opening Nov. 29 with man-made snow and jumps features with the rest of the facility opening as the season progresses. (Mark Dionne and Olivia L. Lawrence contributed to this story.)

VFW Post 10362, Middlefield/Rockfall, has scheduled a Veterans Day ceremony for Monday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m., on the Middlefield Town Green. The public is welcome. Various elected officials are scheduled to speak. A wreath will be placed honoring all fallen heroes world wide. Durham VFW Post 10169 has scheduled its annual Veterans Day ceremony for Monday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m., on the Durham Town Green. All scouting groups are encouraged to attend.

community, particularly his devotion to volunteerism and education. To submit names to be considered for the award, email name and a brief supporting statement to: merrilladams@comcast. net. The deadline for submission of names is Friday, Nov. 15. The awardee will be honored at a December reception.

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The Coginchaug Valley Education Foundation is looking for nominations for the Howard Kelley Achievement Award. Kelley, who died in 2010, was a founding board member of CVEF. The award was established in his memory to honor individuals in the community who, like him, embody the spirit of leadership in the

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In a Nov. 4 press release, Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort owner Sean Hayes announced that the company plans an early pay-off on a note, held by the town of Middlefield, on the property. “We formally requested the payoff amount from the town last week and intend paying off the note in November,” said Hayes, who is also managing director of Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park. He first made the announcement during a ski equipment sale and swap at the facility last weekend. According to the press release, First Selectman Jon Brayshaw said “I am thrilled for both the town and Sean Hayes to hear the news. There is no downside, Sean is moving ahead and the town gets to pay down its debt five years early.” Brayshaw said he didn’t have exact figures at this time, but that the early payment would save “thousands in interest costs.” Sale of the ski area to Brownstone was approved by Middlefield voters in an August 2012 referendum and the sale closed in September, 2012 for $700,000. The amount was divided into yearly payments as a loan from the town of Middlefield, with approximately $500,000 remaining. The loan was an area of contention, when discussed at public meetings both before and after the sale. The issue also came up during Middlefield’s race for first selectman. The pay-off announcement took place at Powder Ridge’s ski swap event, the weekend before the town’s Nov. 5 elections and was immediately

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A8 Friday, November 8, 2013

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Opinion Letters Policy

Letters to the Editor Phone rescue

To the editor: I would like to acknowledge the helpfulness of the employees at DMIAB. Last Monday, my son and I went to take my garbage and recycling down and as my son was leaning over to dump the bottles and cans, he thought he heard a clanging noise but didn’t know what it was. That evening as he was getting ready to go home, he started looking for his cell phone. Then he realized that is what he had heard fall out of his shirt pocket. Thursday, I decided to go down just in case someone had turned it in. Knowing where he thought he had dropped it, I parked and looked down and there it was beside the big container. One of the men was cleaning up around there and he said, I’m sure it’s long gone and I said no, let me show you. He went over with me and could see it. We both realized it was probably broken but we might be able to get some of the information off it. He said leave your name and phone number in the office and when we pull that container out, we’ll see if it can be rescued. That night,

about 8 p.m., I received a phone call and the voice on the phone said, “Barbara, we have your cell phone”. Saturday morning I went down to pick it up and yes, the glass is broken, but it still turns on so some of the information can be retrieved. I just wanted to thank them publicly for going above and beyond their regular duties to help a resident and taxpayer out. Thanks so much. Barbara S. Rowe Middlefield

To the editor: On behalf of the Durham Historical Society, I would like to thank the Economic Development Commission for organizing the f irst Durham Fall Festival. Over 60 people visited our headquarters, located next to the town hall in the 1775 Center Schoolhouse. Many visitors had never been inside our building before and we received wonderful feedback on the exhibits and renovations to the building. I would also like to thank the Durham Garden Club for decorating the front of the schoolhouse for the fall. The fall festi-

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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 Senior Vice President and Editor – Ralph Tomaselli News Editor – Olivia L. Lawrence Assistant News Editor – Nick Carroll Reporter – Mark Dionne Advertising Director – Kimberley E. Boath Advertising Sales – Joy Boone Office Assistant, Press Releases – Marsha Pomponio

- E-mail letters to news@ towntimes.com, mail to 11 Crown St., Meriden, CT 06450 or fax to (203) 639-0210. - Town Times will print only one letter per person each month. - Letters should be approximately 300 words. We reserve the right to edit letters. 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 5 p.m. on Monday to be considered for publication on the following Friday.

Commentary

Festival feedback

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val marked the end of our 2013 season, but the society will reopen in April 2014 on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Please visit our website at www.durhamhistoricalsociety.net for more information on upcoming events, open house dates, and more information on the historical society. Sarah Atwell Durham Historical Society

Diagnosis: Movies

The weight of ‘Gravity’ By Tanya Feke M.D. Special to Town Times

I have always been one to hesitate when it comes to watching a movie in an enclosed space. No, I don’t mean the theater. For me, the theater will always be sacred ground. What I am referring to is a film with a fixed setting. Stranded on a desert island in Castaway. Trapped in a shuttle on Apollo 13. Honestly, it has less to do with Tom Hanks than with twinges of claustrophobia. Not that these films are not excellent in their own way, but it takes some crafty storytelling to maintain a viewer’s attention in closed quarters. I get twitchy just thinking about it. So when Gravity hit the silver screen, another calamity in space a la Apollo 13, I paused and can now admit I was wrong to do so. G rav i ty, w r i tte n by Alfonso and Jose Cuaron, takes all the risks and reaps all the rewards. The truth is it is a simple screenplay without extensive dialogue and with a lot of stunning silence. Hello, space. Surely, the large waves of quiet could have made the film feel more closed off but it

did exactly the opposite, opening the viewer to the significance of one’s life in the vast expanse of the universe. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a medical researcher on her first NASA mission who works alongside retiring astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) before disaster strikes, their shuttle destroyed in an accident that sends them adrift in space. How can they survive with lost communications to Earth? How do they survive without the benefit of gravity? Is it possible to survive? The Cuarons bring out the essence of humanity by embracing this instinct for survival. The tether that unites Stone and Kowalski after the disaster may well be an umbilical cord that pulls them back to their earlier beginnings, their personal stories, their reasons to live. In a later sequence, Dr. Stone draws herself into a near fetal position while floating weightless in a shuttle pod as if she were back in the womb. These visual themes are stunning and enhance the adrenaline-inducing drama without the need for words. Technically, Gravity is

a marvel. The 3D effects far exceed what Avatar achieved back in 2009, which until now had been the only film worth wearing those goofy glasses. Weightless 3D is even with affective with floating tears and the wrought havoc of space. I found myself clutching my hand rests more than once as I ducked from satellite debris that came flying at me. Without reservation, Gravity is an impacting powerhouse of a film that resonates with rich themes and stunning imagery. I was left utterly speechless by this genius of film making. It only goes to show that in a world of weightlessness, we bring our own gravity to situations. What makes your life worth saving Gravity: 5 stethoscopes Dr. Tanya Feke is a family physician and guest columnist for the Record-Journal weeklies. She has been press credentialed to the LA Film Festival and continues to pursue a love of film. Her reviews are rated on a five stethoscope scale. Follow her blog (www.tanyafeke. c o m ) , Fa c e b o o k p a g e (Diagnosis Life), or twitter (@tanyafeke) for more incites.

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Friday, November 8, 2013

HALLOWEEN FUN

Left: Princesses, mice, little Bo Peep and T-rex were just a few characters to participate in the Durham Co-op Nursery School Halloween Parade. | (Submitted photo)

Brewster Elementary School celebrated Halloween. Above: Michael Wamester and Tyler Ufferflige wait to join the Halloween parade. Above right: Brewster Elementary School kindergarten students sing Halloween songs. Below right: Xara Ollennu and Kofi Amankwah in colorful costumes | (Submitted by Patti Checko)

A10 Friday, November 8, 2013

Town Times | towntimes.com

Government Meetings Durham Government Calendar (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Durha m Libra r y. Check the town website at www.townofdurhamct.org for updates.) Monday, Nov. 11 Inland/Wetlands, Library, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 Board of Finance, Town Hall, 7 p.m. Economic Development Commission, Library, 7 p.m. Conservation Commission, Library, 7:30 p.m. D u r h a m Vo l u n t e e r Fi re Compa ny, D u rh a m Firehouse, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 Board of Education, Korn Elementary School, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 Zoning Board of Appeals, Town Hall, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18 Board of Selectman, Town Hall, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 Agriculture Commission, Town Hall, 7 p.m.

Commentary

Wednesday, Nov. 20 Sen ior Citi zen Boa rd, Durham Activity Center, 1 p.m. Pla n n i ng a nd Zon i ng, Library, 7 p.m. Recreation Committee, Durham Activity Center, 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 P ublic Sa fety Faci lity Renovations Pla n n i ng Committee, Durham Volunteer Firehouse, 6:30 p.m. DM I A A B , M idd lef ield Community Center, 7 p.m.

Middlefield Government Calendar (Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held in the Community Center.) Wednesday, Nov. 13 Planning & Zoning, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m. Board of Selectman, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 Inlands/Wetlands Commission, 7 p.m.

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Town has many reasons to be thankful By Laura Francis Special to Town Times

This is t he t i m e of year we gather with family and friends to give thanks for the many blessings From the Desk in o u r of Laura Francis lives. I Durham First thought I Selectman would take this opportunity to share a few of our municipal blessings. First, we are blessed with a talented and dedicated staff at the town hall, town garage and the library as well as volunteers in our public safety departments. They are busy updating, improving and innovating many things that will enhance service delivery. In the next several months we will have an integrated connectivity to all our town buildings, a project that will also enable us to have a more

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robust storm/emergency hotline as well as a tip line for our resident state trooper’s office; we are making improvements to our website including the creation of a mobile site that will be easier for you to access from your mobile devices; the assessor’s office is busy helping grow our grand list through a personal property audit and closer scrutiny on all accounts; we are close to rolling out a more convenient way for residents to electronically transact business with the town hall; and lastly, we now have partnered with the Durham Fair Association to open up a local food bank for those in need. I am grateful that the brook restoration project at White’s Farm enabled us to use the fields for volunteer parking for the Durham Fair. What a difference it makes to park so close when you are putting in long hours volunteering. We are not completely done with the restoration however. In December, our state partners will return and clean out blockages on the north side of

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Route 68 that will further reduce the flooding that happens close to the road. Also, next year we will plant along the banks of the brook to create more stability and to protect the brook habitat. We are exploring a partnership with the Nature Conservancy to apply for a grant to achieve our goals. I am very thankful that we didn’t have three years in a row with a major October storm! We are busy preparing for the winter season however. Plows are ready to go, salt and sand are on order and employees are going to training classes to brush up on their skills. Thanks to the planning of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and our Public Works department, we have on order several pieces of equipment that we have had to rent over the past several years. It will be infinitely better to have these units on hand. Thanks to our legislators, specifically Sen. Fasano, the Town of Durham has received the funding to replace the failing culvert at Pickett Lane over the Allyn Brook. We also received funding approval to fix the Coe Road Bridge over the Parmelee Brook. Taking care of our infrastructure is one of our most important duties. Our roads carry our most precious assets, you our residents. I give thanks to our whole community. It is gratifying to watch how well we care for others in need. I have watched the kindness of friends and strangers all bound by our common residency buoy families struggling with illness and death. It is something special not found everywhere. Lastly, thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Someone told me early on, being first selectman would be the hardest job I will ever love. He was right. It is an honor and a blessing. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday.

Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, November 8, 2013

Faith

For some, Halloween more than costumes, candy By Daniel Jackson

around Halloween is a time to remember the dead, those who have gone before. For most, Halloween is Father Nicholas Melo, a time to dress up, attend who pastors the St. Thomas parties and consume copi- Church in Southington, said ous amounts of candy. The All Saints Day is one of the time of zombies, frights and Holy Days of Obligation, one creepiness has turned into a of the days Catholics are obbillion-dollar industry. ligated to attend mass. The But for some, the time day remembers the saints not around Halloween has deep- included in the liturgical calrooted spiritual meaning. For ender, and it’s a way to “reChristians who follow the li- member those that have gone turgical calender, Nov. 1 is All before us and give us examSaints Day. And Pagans and ple of how to live our lives,” Wiccans celebrate Samhain Melo said. (pronounced Sow-in) Oct. 31. The next day, Catholic For both faiths, the time churches celebrate All Souls Day, a time to remember those who have died. Melo said All Souls is a time to remember the deaths of people close to t he worsh ipers, members of the family or members of the local Special to Town Times

congregation. “We’ll remember them by name,” Melo said, and a bell will toll. Melo said different ethnic communities have variation on how they celebrate All Souls Day. For example, Polish and Italian Catholics will accompany All Souls See Halloween / Page 21

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Faith Briefs Middlefield Federated Church

The Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main St., has scheduled its holiday fair for Saturday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by the Women’s Christian Fellowship, the event features homemade gifts, baked goods, cheese, jams and jellies, Christmas items and gift baskets, homemade fudge and bulbs. A silent auction is planned, as well as children’s workshops. Fellowship Cafe

offers breakfast, lunch and snacks for purchase. For more information, call (860) 349-9881.

Free community supper

A free community supper is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 17, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The supper features a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Dinner is sponsored by members of the Church of the Epiphany and parishioners of Notre Dame. All are welcome.

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Samantha Evans describes a spirit board in her Pagan and Wiccan supply store, Apples, Brooms and Cauldrons. | (Dan Jackson/Town Times.)

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All gift certificates will be on sale at a 30% discount at Aunt Clara’s Online Store. Example: Gift certificates valued at $50 will be sold for $35. Each certificate will be honored at full value at the participating business. Customers may purchase a maximum of three gift certificates per business per order. Orders cannot be combined to save on shipping costs. HOW TO ORDER:

1. Go to www.auntclarasonlinestore.com between Monday, Nov. 11, 9:00 a.m. and Monday, Nov. 18, 5 p.m., credit card payments only. 2. Call 866-683-6460, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-10:00 p.m., to place your credit card order over the phone. PAYMENT METHODS: We accept VISA, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover. PICK UP YOUR CERTIFICATES:

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Gift certificates can be picked up at the office of your choice (see list of locations) at the posted office hours, and can only be given to you upon presentation of your purchase receipt or with photo ID. Allow four (4) business days before your gift certificates will be ready for pick-up. Certificates must be picked up within 90 days of purchase. After 90 days, the Record-Journal and Fosdick Corporation are no longer responsible for any remaining inventory and no refunds or credits will be issued. Certificates can be mailed to you through the United States Postal Service for a $3.00 shipping and handling charge. REDEEM YOUR CERTIFICATE: Gift certificates may be redeemed at the participating business with an authorized certificate provided by Aunt Clara’s Online Store. THE SMALL PRINT:

Certificates must be presented at the time of redemption; can be used at any time (no black-out date restrictions); cannot be replaced if lost or stolen; have no actual cash value; limited quantities available; must be picked up at the customer-designated location within 90 days of purchase.

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Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, November 8, 2013

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Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, November 8, 2013

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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2013

12 noon to 5 pm | Aqua Turf Club in Southington n Tastings and samples from area restaurants, bakeries and gourmet retailers n Meet and greet celebrity chefs

n Presentations by local chefs

n Over 30 booths and exhibits

n Ice carving demonstrations

Exclusive Brunch with Food Network’s “The Hearty Boys” Presented in conjunction with The Aqua Turf Club, this interactive, pre-show event is limited to 75 people. Reserve your $100.00 ticket and enjoy: n Private Sunday brunch with signature cocktail n Hearty Boys’ demonstration of brunch dishes and techniques n Signing of their cookbook, “Talk with Your Mouth Full” n Premium seating (first two rows) at our expo in Kay’s Pier, during recipe demonstrations on the main stage

Feed the Hungry Food Drive

Our Featured Chefs

Please bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to Southington’s Community Services Food Pantry. TICKETS General Admission: Preferred Seating: Senior/Student:

ADVANCE $35.00 $50.00 $20.00 Brunch/Premium Seats: $100.00

AT THE DOOR $45.00 $60.00 $30.00

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Trend-setting Chicago caterers Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh are winners of “Search for the Next Food Network Star.”

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A 2009 runner-up on TV’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” he is the executive chef at the new Fire at the Ridge Restaurant in Middlefield, CT. See him on NBC 30 for “Taste of Today.”

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Information: Alyssa at 860-621-9335 or alyssa.aquaturf@yahoo.com Proceeds benefit the Calvanese Foundation and Record-Journal’s Literacy Program.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:

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Send to: Calvanese Foundation, P.O. Box 23, 556 Mulberry St., Plantsville, CT 06479

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A16 Friday, November 8, 2013

Town Times | towntimes.com

Seniors

Happenings

pair, information/resource referral, individual case manNov. 13 - Arthritis Seminar agement, education/advocacy, at Middlefield Senior Center The Gatekeeper Program, with Middlesex Health Care Access4Care and St. Luke’s Center. Call (860) 349-7121. Apartments on Broad Street Nov. 18 - Middlefield Book in Middletown. For specific Discussion- Palisades Park. information on their services, Call Levi Coe Library (860) call (860) 347-5661. St. Luke’s 349-8357. is located at 760 Saybrook Road in Middletown.

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) 347-3313 for a reservation. There is a fee.

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 re-

Senior bus schedule The Durham/Middlefield senior bus schedule: Monday, Nov. 11 - No bus schedule. Veterans’ Day. Tu e s d a y, N o v. 1 2 Colchester Fabric Outlet. Lunch at Plum Tomatoes Colchester. Wednesday, Nov. 13 Uptown consignments. Lunch at Patty Cakes Westside Market Rocky Hill. Thursday, Nov. 14 - Out of county medical. New Haven/ West Haven. Friday, Nov. 15 - Out of county medical. Meriden/ Wallingford. Monday, Nov. 18 - Out or county medical. Hartford/

Newington. Tu e s d a y, N o v. 1 9 Christmas Tree Shop, Olive Garden, Talbots, Orange. Wednesday, Nov. 20 - West Farms Mall. Lunch on your own. Trader Joe’s. Thursday, Nov. 21 - Out of county medical. New Haven/ West Haven. Friday, Nov. 22 - Out of county medical. Meriden/ Wallingford.

also be sent to Town Hall, attention: Amanda PO BOX 428 Durham, CT 06422.

Knitting and crocheting

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 welcome. 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.

Knitters and crocheters meet every Thursday, at 9:30 a.m., at the Middlefield Senior Center for coffee and knitting. Bring your unfinished project or start a new one. The group also makes Afghans for Food pantry the Middlesex Cancer Center The Durham Fair is work- and the MidState Cancer ing together with the Town Center. Yarn and needles are of Durham Social Services available. Department in opening a pantry for town residents Senior exercise in need. The Durham Fair Senior exercise is ofis providing space for social fered Monday, Wednesday The Middlefield Senior services to store non-per- and Friday, at the Durham Center is located in the ishable items. Peanut but- Activity Center. Two classes M i d d l e f i e l d Co m m u n i t y ter, sauce, pasta, toilet paper, are offered: 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Center at 405 Main Street. shampoo, and toothpaste will There is no cost for Durham Monthly lunch menus can be be accepted at this time. Gift residents 60 and over. picked up at the Senior Center cards to grocery stores are or Town Hall. also appreciated. For more information, contact Amanda Pedersen at (860) 349-3153. Donations may be dropped off to Town Hall (Human Services) and gift cards can The Town Times welcomes submissions regarding upcoming community events. Send submissions to news@ towntimes.com or contact Marsha at (203) 317-2256. If you have specific requirements for a submission you must place a paid advertisement. To discuss this, contact Town Times sales representative Joy Boone at (203) 317-2313.

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Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, November 8, 2013

Sports

Recreation basketball Men’s basketball

Youth basketball

Registration rosters for the Durham Recreation Men’s Basketball League are due by Sunday, Dec. 15. League games are scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Strong School on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The league is open to adults who attended Coginchaug High School, and Durham and Middlef ield residents. League has openings for eight teams. For more information, call Sherry Hill at (860) 343-6724.

Yo u t h R e c r e a t i o n Basketball, open to Durham and Middlefield residents in kindergarten through grade eight, is accepting registrations. Games are scheduled to begin in January. Registration forms are available at the Durham Town Hall or on the Town of Durham website. The Durham Recreation office, at the Durham Town Hall, is scheduled to be open Tuesday, Nov. 19, 5 to 7 p.m. for basketball registration. For more information, call (860) 343-6724 or e-mail shill@townofdurhamct.org.

Brazilian indoor soccer

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THANKS, VETERANS At each home varsity football game this season, the Coginchaug football team has paid tribute to a local veteran by naming that veteran the team’s “honorary captain.” The veteran accompanies the team captains to midfield for the pre-game coin toss, and receives a commemorative “Veterans 1” T-shirt. | (Photos by Rita Van)

Durham Recreation is accepting registration for Brazilian style indoor soccer. The prog ram, for boys and girls, is scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 13 through March 26. A fee is charged. For more information, call (860) 343-6724 or email markims@sbcglobal.net.

To submit sports info

Board-certified in both rheumatology and internal medicine, Dr. Hulinska received her medical degree from the University of Connecticut. She completed her residency in internal medicine at North Shore University Hospital and a fellowship in rheumatology at North Shore Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Prior to joining Masonicare, Dr. Hulinska was an assistant professor at the University of Connecticut. For additional information or to make an appointment, please call 203-265-0355.

Dr. Hulinska specializes in providing the latest treatments, including injectable therapies, for adults with musculoskeletal/rheumatic diseases. These include osteoarthritis, Lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibromyalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus, myositis, scleroderma, polymyalgia rheumatica, osteoporosis and soft tissue rheumatism.

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The Town Times welcomes news and scores from all sports leagues in Durham and Middlefield. Send information and photos to: Town Times, 11 Crown St., Meriden, CT 06450 or email to news@towntimes.com.

ana Hulinska, MD, PhD, a specialist in rheumatology, has joined the medical staff of Masonicare Primary Care Physicians. She is currently accepting patients at her office on the Masonicare campus.

A18 Friday, November 8, 2013

Town Times | towntimes.com

Durham Fair off season rentals

HALLOWEEN WINNERS

Items for Durham Fair off season rentals will be accepted on Sunday, Nov. 10 and 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. Items that need to be placed in storage after Nov. 17, call Pat at (860) 301-5688. A fee is charged to store items.

Korn Elementary School held its annual Halloween Parade and winners were selected for scariest, most original and prettiest costume. | (Submitted by Eileen Chupron)

Square dance The 4C’s Square Dance Club has scheduled a dance for tonight, Nov. 8, 8 to 10:30 p.m., a the Brewster School, Durham. Caller is Ed Rutty; cuer is Sue Lucibello. For more information, call (860) 349-8084 or (860) 828-5978.

SUDOKU

Comedy night The Durham Lions Club has scheduled “Comedy Night with RC Smith” for Saturday, Nov. 16 at the New Haven Raccoon Hunter Club, 853 New Haven Road. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m.; show at 8 p.m. A fee is charged. The R-rated show features adult content by comedians RC Smith and Billy Winn. For more information and tickets, call Kevin at (860) 349-0755.

Got news? We’d love to print your news along with your photos. Send to: 33734R

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The Town Times P.O. Box 265 Middlefield, CT 06455 news@towntimes.com

Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, November 8, 2013

School Briefs President’s list

its scholarship program. Eligibility requirements for the RMHC scholarship are be eligible to enroll in and attend a two-or four-year college with a full course study Dean’s list G o o dw i n C o l l e ge - and reside in a participating Linsley Delpivo of Durham; area. Scholarship recipients will Deborah Marotta of Rockfall. be selected on the basis of academic achievement, financial need and community Scholarship Ronald McDonald House involvement. Applications are available Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts plans by calling 1-855-670-4787 or to award a total of $50,000 to online at www.rmhc-ctma. 25 local high school seniors org/scholarships. Deadline to this academic year through apply is Jan. 21, 2014.

Adult Comedy Night

The Core Club and 24/7 Gym, 350 Main St., has scheduled its annual food drive. Items in need include cereal, tuna fish, soup (other than tomato), pasta sauce, canned fruit and vegetables, baked beans, rice, boxed potatoes, peanut butter, stuffing mix and cake and cookie mixes. For more information, call (860) 349-9100.

Options From Page 4

the status quo included using declining enrollment as an opportunity to establish a voucher program or a magnet school with the empty seats. Another suggested that the declining student population was a chance to reverse the trend towards larger class sizes. Other breakout groups addressed issues of security in the buildings, discussing active versus passive security. The audience dealing with demographics asked whether the declining enrollment was a short term bubble or a permanent change.

According to BOE members, DRA was chosen to perform the Building Utilization Study, at a cost of $69,300, in part because of the firm’s desire to collect community feedback. “This is an open process,” BOE chair Kerrie Flanagan said in her opening remarks. The thought was echoed by BOE member Bob Fulton i n h is closi ng rema rks. “We’re all making these decisions together,” Fulton said. There will be two other community workshops. One on Dec. 11 will discuss options and one in January will concern presenting options those options to the BOE.

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G o o dw i n C o l l e ge Victoria Meyers of Durham.

Holiday food drive

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Town Times | towntimes.com

GOOD TURN OUT AT THE POLLS

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Scholarship named for Rotary member Thayer Talbott, director of programs and operations with the Community Foundation of Middlesex C o u n t y, presented Middletown Rotary Club President Garry Mullaney a check for over $1,100 at a recent Middletown Rotary Club meeting. The charitable contribution was from the Arthur and Edythe Director Family Middletown Rotary Fund established with CFMC.

Arthur Director, a member of Middletown Rotary Club for over 53 years, created this fund to support programs and services designed to prepare young people for their futures. Middletown Rotary has named the scholarship the Art & Edythe Director Scholarship in recognition of the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s philanthropy, according to Garry Mullaney, president of the Middletown Rotary Club.

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Middletown Rotarian Art Director, left, Thayer Talbott with the Community Foundation of Middlesex County and Middletown Rotary Club President Garry Mullaney. | (Submitted)

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Friday, November 8, 2013

Halloween

A21

Ukulele Club workshop

After the spirits are called, before them, Evans said. the group with gather around Afterwards, the plate of food as a feast day, as a time of a fire to commune with their is taken outside where it is The Middlefield Ukulele M idd lef ield U k u lele celebration. offered to the earth. called spirit in their mind. Club has scheduled a Club is for both ukulele “It’s an important time in “Not only are we comO nce E va n s b e l ieve s workshop for Saturday, players of all levels and their spiritual lives,” Melo enough time has passed, muning with the spirits that Nov. 16, 9 to 11 a.m., at the those who have never said. she’ll invite the spirits to a were called in, we are also Middlefield Community played. Samantha Evans operates “Dumb supper,” where the respecting the people that For more information Center. A fee is charged. the Pagan and Wiccan sup- coven eats a meal with the have passed before us.” The workshop features and to RSVP, call Cindy ply store Apples, Brooms and spirits in silence, still comWhen asked about “Uncle Zac” who will pro- DiLauro at (860) 349-5656 Cauldrons in Plainville. The muning with the spirits. her opi n ion of moder n vide song sheets, instruc- or emaillucyr1953@yahoo. self-described witch said A chair is left open for the H a l lowe e n ce le br at ion , tion, performance and com. Samhain is the most import- spirits, and the spirits eat Evans replied, “I think it’s all opportunities to observe. ant holy day on the pagan the essence of the food set about the almighty dollar.” calender. It is also the start of the new year for the faith. Evans said the veil between the physical world and Town Times Service Directory the spiritual realm “becomes practically nonexistent” at midnight of Nov. 1. During JO that time, Evans and her coven gather to commune with 1-888-596-2912 befreesolar.com efre eesola the spirits of those who have #1 Commercial In ConnecticutResidential Municipal Non-profits died. Home Improvements LLC T he g roup sta r ts t he $95 / MONTH Celebrating Our 28th 27th Year celebration at 10 p.m on Roofing • Siding • Windows • Doors • Skylights • Decks • Gutters • Custom Carpentry Halloween. They decorate Convert To Solar Power Flooring • Ceilings • Painting • Sheetrock • Kitchens • Baths • Window/Door Screening an alter with pumpkins and Free Installation FREE Estimates Reg. #517277 a fire is lit. No Obligation 860-349-8771 Fully Insured Eva n’s coven gat hers APPLY NOW 203-931-5430 BEFREESOLAR.COM wearing natural fiber, black clothing. She does not perform the ceremony in the nude, or skyclad as some Betty’s House Cleaning LLC pagan do, because “It’s not Fully Insured & Free estimates from the original, pagan path.” Instead, she said the ~ Professional Care at its Best ~ Amanda V. Betty group dresses in black as reOwner 20% Discount for Work Quoted in November and December membrance to the time pa(offer excludes emergency/storm work) amanda.betty@yahoo.com gans had to hide from witch • FIREWOOD • SEASONED & SPLIT hunters. • Pruning • Cabling •Satellite/Solar Clearance 32R Chalker Road The coven will then step • Tree & Stump Removal Durham, CT 06422 over burning sage to cleanse Allan Poole, Licensed Arborist (B-0384) 860-604-4644 themselves and one person CALL: (860) 349-8029 EMAIL: arborist@allanstreeservice.com Established 1976 • Fully Insured • Work Guaranteed in Writing casts a circle of energy that takes the group to the Astral Plane, “to a place that is not a place and a time that there THE DIRT GUY is no time,” Evans said. 601R Guilford Road The in between place is Lawn Mowing Durham, CT 06422 neither physical nor spir860-663-3107 860-303-0500 itual, but a half-way point Ernie Laudano where the coven will meet • STONE & MULCH DELIVERED Your best choice for with the spirits. • Hedge Trimming topsoil, mulch, compost After guardians are called FREE ESTIMATES • FULLY INSURED and so much more! to protect the circle, each Serving Durham and Middlefield since 1985 person celebrating Samhain www.dirtguy.com will go up to Evans and give her the name of a person they want to contact. They will also bring a memento of the Family Pest Control LLC individual to put on the alter. “Our family serving Your family” “I’ll call the spirit of that Locally individual and ring a bell to Owned and let them know that the spirit Operated Since 1977 Debra S. Nelson, Psy.D. & is here,” Evans said. Evans said she has never Stacia K. Bjarnason, Ph.D. had a spirit not respond to 199 Main Street, her call. Durham, CT “Sometimes I had to call a Durham, CT 860-788-3231 Wallingford: (203) 265-7328 couple times, but I’ve never 860-788-3231 Toll Free: (800) 269-0948 had it not respond.” Connecticut Business www.BrownstonePsychological.com www.RidOfBugs.com License # B-2045 From Page 11

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A22 Friday, November 8, 2013

Lunch From Page 1

baked (not fried) chips, water, 100 percent juice, and no soda. Basil has brought in a variety of fresh local produce. “The kids are not big vegetable eaters,” he said. “With these regulations we are trying to find something they like. We figure they would like fresh vegetables more than frozen ones.” High school students have several choices for their lunch. There’s a sandwich station (sandwiches can be made-to-order), the salad and soup stations, a hot and spicy stations with grinders and wraps made-to-

order, and a main entrée station, which serves Mexican, Oriental, and Italian food. Basil said there is more resistance at the high school level to the requirement for fruits and vegetables because these students are old enough to make their own decisions, and they resent the state telling them what to eat. “The state is trying to get kids healthier,” Basil said, “but they can find what they want outside of school. We see them come in with Dunkin’ Donuts, and we can’t control that. The kids

aren’t driven to develop good eating habits. “A lot of this has to come from nutritional education in the classroom, and from home. If a student buys lunch every day of the school year, it equates to only 16 percent of his or her annual food intake.” But Basil remains hopeful. “We’re trying to create healthy eating patterns, and the regulations are helpful. I think things are coming around. Maybe what we’re doing here will expand into breakfast and dinner.”

Brayshaw From Page 1

Unlike Brayshaw and Petrella, Marianne Corona was at the Middlef ield Community Center to hear the results. Corona kept a positive outlook after hearing the results, saying she looked around town and could see things she had been involved with. “I try to do what’s best for the town,” Corona said. When asked, Corona said that the announced pay-off of the $500,000 Powder Ridge loan, announced just prior to the election, had an impact on the results. “Sure the pay-off had a big play in the election,” Library Briefs Corona said. While saying the timCivil War program - Thursday, Nov. 14, 6 to 7 p.m. Professor Levi E. Coe Library Library hours are: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 David A. Koch of Housatonic Community College is sched- ing was not coordinated, uled to speak on “Lincoln, the Gettysburg Address, and the Brayshaw agreed that the anp.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Fridays. Holiday hours - The Levi E. Coe Library is scheduled to be Transformation of the Civil War”. Registration is requested. nounced pay-off worked in his favor. “I would not deny closed Monday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. The Durham Public Library it probably did [help]. It’s a library also is scheduled to close: Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 1 The Durham Public Library is scheduled to be closed good thing,” Brayshaw said. p.m.; and Thursday, Nov. 28, for Thanksgiving. Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Ed Bailey and Dave Burgess also won their seats on the Board of Selectmen by finTown Times Service Directory ishing with higher votes than Petrella, so the 2013-2015 BOS will be unchanged. In other races, Donna MIDDLEFIELD REMODELING Golub defeated Kathleen QUALITY CARPENTRY LICENSED & INSURED Kokoszka for town clerk. • ADDITIONS The Republican ticket Specializing in Custom Installations swept the Board of Finance • KITCHENS Repair & Maintenance race in unofficial results. • BATHS Ceramic • Natural Stone • Glass Dave Lowry, Joel Nick, and • DECKS J ERRY F INCH Bob Yarmantino finished Quality Workmanship Done With Pride • SIDING 860-704-8312 ahead of Laura Williams 203-919-2031 • R OOFING and Susan Heuberger, their Gary Chabot Fully Insured HIC 0629899 two Democratic challengers. (860) 349-2152 CT Lic. #0575361 This will leave the BOF with an even split with three representatives from each party. Mary Ann Zieminski (809 votes) defeated Ellen Waff (753 votes) for town treasurer. For the Board of Assessment Residential Wiring Specialist Appeals, Nancy Curlin deLandscape Lighting feated Robert Liptak by 11 Professional Service votes. Design • Install • Service Since 1976 With the exception of Golub for town clerk, and Durham, CT (860) 349-1131 Burgess taking the third sePick-up & Delivery Lic. & Ins. EI 183930 lectman’s seat, the Republican candidates took all available offices in Middlefield. According to election offi860-349-1918 cials, of the 3,205 listed votCT Lic. #600562 ers, 1,625 voted in Tuesday’s election. 37167R

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“We tell them that if they are not going to eat their fruit and vegetable, give them to somebody else,” said Jane Schmitt, kitchen manager. “Don’t throw them away.” The new regulations increase the portion size of fruits and vegetables and decrease the portion size of meat. There are more beans, in different forms. Whole grains instead of white flour. No salt shakers on the tables. The vending machines have

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Friday, November 8, 2013

Wagner’s ‘Dutchman’ docks locally

A23

LEARN TO BE SAFE

More performances on tap for November By Larry Kellum

Special to Town Times

| (Submitted by Joanne Hargreaves.)

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See Opera / Page 24

The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department recently visited Miss Joanne’s Learning Center to talk about fire safety. The visit included a look at a pumper truck and a chance for the children to spray the hose. Pictured: Firefighter Paul Valvo helps Cooper Lapointe spray the fire hose as kids look on and pose with fire fighters.

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Hot on Halloween’s tail, t h e C o n n e c t i c ut Ly r i c Opera presented two backto-back performances of Wagner’s spooky “Flying Dutchman” on Nov. 1 and 2 at New Britain’s Trinity-onMain and Middletown High School’s Performing Arts Center, respectively. This was this company’s first foray into Wagner and the opening of its 11th season. The performance was in conjunction, of course, with the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, which expanded its roster of musicians to accommodate the composer’s grandiose score, written when Wagner was only 30 (2013 is the bicentennial of his birthday.) It was last seen in Connecticut (by another, now defunct opera company) back in 1976, so its appearance last weekend made news. The eerie legend of the F ly i n g D utc h m a n con demned to wandering the open seas inspired Wagner to compose what is often considered his “transitional” opera — and, for someone going to one of his works for the first time, this opera is probably the best choice. First of all, it isn’t the four to six hour marathon that are most — it is, comparatively speaking, a “brief” one — even the tenor role of Erik (well sung by the dark baritonal tenor of Daniel Juarez) is very intense, but short and sweet. Secondly, it is here that he introduces his usage of leitmotivs (musical themes representing characters, emotions, etc). Last but not least, there are only four major players, not a stage full of endless Rhinemaidens and warrior women, et cetera. As Wagner heroines go, Senta is somewhere between the heroic power sing that is Isolde and the lightweight lyricism that is Eva in

A24 Friday, November 8, 2013

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Opera

EMERGENCY EXERCISE

From Page 23

Ivan Perez visited Maura Caramanello’s class at Brewster Elementary School for the recent Share Day. He is the father of student Estella Perez and spoke to the class about fire safety. He demonstrated what a smoke-filled room looks like by using a smoke simulator and worked with the class practice to learn how to efficiently dial 911. | (Submitted by Maura Caramanello)

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“Meistersinger”, and is probably the only role with a high enough tessitura that definitely makes it not a part that can be shared with mezzos. CLO’s resident diva Jurate Svedaite, essentially a lyric voice, surprisingly mustered up the power to soar gloriously through those high Bs with no apparent effort, well supported by a nurturing maestro, Adrian Sylveen, who knows exactly when to let the forces rip and when not to swamp his singers. The object of her obsessive fascination , the Dutchman, was Steve Fredericks. His tall imposing presence and black lava voice commanded the stage whenever on it. Bass Nathan Resika who, like Fredericks, was last seen here in “Don Giovanni” in May, rounded out the small cast admirably as Senta’s father Daland . Sylveen proved that his orchestra, ideal in Mozart and Puccini, is now ready for the lofty German wing as well. The phantom galleon sets sail again before Thanksgiving, so opera lovers should catch performances of the “Dutchman” at either Waterbury’s Palace Theater on Friday, Nov. 15, or at New London’s Garde Arts Center on Saturday, Nov. 23. For tickets or more information go to ctlyricopera.org or thevirtuosi.org.

Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, November 8, 2013

A25

Commentary

Yankee fan tips his hat to the ‘Sawks’ Yankee championships. Then my friends. My late mom, who died on July 1, was a Red Sawks fan. The priest who officiated at her funeral, Fr. Greg Galvin, the former Xavier High chaplain who once sang the National Anthem at Fenway, and whose dad died the same day as my mother, texted me the morning after the Sawks won. He said he believed both my mom and his dad had rooftop seats for the clincher. I’m supposed to be unhappy the Sawks won? I have a good friend named Tony. He and his

partner Ken are Sawks fans of the first order. We have spent many a day at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. Tony and I have an unwritten rule: we leave the game on the field. The ultimate test of that was Game 7 in 2003. You remember. Aaron Boone. We went to that game together and sat in the left field bleachers, about 6 miles from home plate. The game was the greatest game I ever saw. But we did not say a word to each other about it once we fought our way out of delirious Yankee Stadium. We walked through the crowds dancing on River

Avenue. Got in the car, listened to the postgame show. Got home, dropped him off and he said, “Thanks.” We have never talked about the game in the decade since. Better that way. We do not engage in the idiocy of some Sawks and Yankee fans. When I go to Fenway, I don’t wear my Yankee gear. I used to, but took obscene nonsense from a woman one day -- she had the mouth of a longshoreman, no offense to the dockworkers -- and once had a hat yanked off my head. Happens in da Bronx, too. See Fan / Page 27

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I am a Yankee fan. Not a Yankees fan. Yankee fan. It’s like RBIs. Not RBI. RBIs. Baseball has its own language, which is better than English. But I digress. This World Series was a tough one. Not tough in that the Yankees weren’t playing. I got used to that idea along about June. It was tough because I had conflicting emotions. One night I rooted for the Cardinals -- although rooting for Red State teams is against my religion -- and on another night, I rooted for the Sawks. I rooted -- well, maybe not rooted, but benignly tolerated -- the Sawks for a couple of reasons: the horror of the terror attack on the Boston Marathon and that I have so many friends and relatives who are sane Red Sox fans. A sane Red Sox fan realizes, for example, that Robbie Cano is a better player than Dustin Pedroia. The marathon attack was personal. My son, his wife and their two babies, live in Hopkinton and go to the marathon every year. They were at the start and not the finish, but I have never seen my son so shaken by anything in my life. He is as big a Yankee fan as I -- well, maybe not quite -- but he proudly wears his Yankee gear around the neighborhood. When I rooted for the Cardinals it mainly was to prolong the series. Nothing like a Game 7. But you know, I find them and their fans a bit annoying. Maybe it’s that Midwestern, never say anything negative, stuff. They never boo at Busch Stadium. I’ve been there. On a typical day you can hear someone ordering a beer from across the infield. I sat next to a guy who was reading a book one night at Busch Stadium. That’s grounds for ejection at Yankee Stadium and

Fenway Park. And they need props. Those silly towels. Have you ever seen the fans at Fenway or Yankee Stadium need towels to wave? Heck, we yell and shake the building. In St. Louis they need towels. Maybe they use them to mop up spilled beer. If you get beer spilled on you in Boston or New York, it’s a badge of honor. So my son and I rooted for -- or tolerated -- the Sawks. In 2013. Not again. But this year, yes. So when the Sox won, I sat on my living room couch and smiled. Didn’t jump around with glee. I reserve that for

37312R

By Jim Bransfield

Special to Town Times

860-349-0303

A26 Friday, November 8, 2013

Town Times | towntimes.com

Delicious apple recipes Fall is prime apple season in New England. We put them into pies and cakes; we make applesauce, donuts and cider. Here are two favorite apple recipes.

Apple-Cranberry Crisp

Apple Cake

glass baking dish. • ½ cup packed golden brown Mix brown sugar, oats, sugar* flour, one tsp cinnamon and ½ tsp nutmeg in a food • 1/3 cup quick-cooking rolled processor. Use the pulse oats button. Add butter and • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour process until chopped in • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon to thin pieces. Toss apples, cranber• 1 tsp. nutmeg ries, ¼ cup sugar, one tea• ½ cup (one stick) chilled spoon cinnamon and ½ tsp butter, cut into pieces nutmeg in medium bowl • 2 lb. tart green apples (such to blend. Transfer apple as Granny Smith), peeled mixture to prepared bakcored and thinly sliced ing dish. Sprinkle topping over. Bake until apples are • ¾ cup fresh cranberries tender, filling bubbles and • ¼ cup sugar* topping is crisp, 55 min*You may use Splenda utes. Serve warm. (From The Cheshire granulated sugar and Public Library’s “Cooking brown sugar. Preheat oven to 375°. by the Book” contributed by Butter an 8 x 8 x 2-inch Susan Hartley.)

• 2 cups whole wheat flour • ¼ cup toasted wheat germ • 2 tsp baking soda • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp cinnamon • ½ tsp nutmeg • 1 cup granulated sugar • 1 cup brown sugar (packed) • ½ cup oil • 1 cup chopped walnuts • 2 eggs (well-beaten) • 1 tsp vanilla • 4 cups peeled, diced, tart apples (granny smith or your choice)

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Preheat oven to 350. In one bowl, stir the dry ingredients together: flour, wheat germ, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and set aside. In another large bowl, stir the together the wet ingredients: apples, granulated and brown sugars, oil, walnuts, eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture from the first bowl into the wet ingredient bowl. Use a wooden spoon and stir gently until wellblended. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan, bake for 50 minutes or until cake sides pull away from pan. Put on cooling rack. When cooled, sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar and top with whipped cream. This is a rustic cake, chewy and sweet. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and whipped cream. (From “Cheshire Cooks” a compilation of recipes published by the Cheshire Women’s Club, courtesy of Cynthia Bartoo.)

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Friday, November 8, 2013

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New Listing!

Stately 4 bedroom Colonial situated at the end of a cul-de-sac occupying over 2 acres of incredible grounds abutting Cockaponset State Forest! Offering a beautiful remodeled kitchen, 1st floor family rm/ f.p. & heated sun porch leading to extensive decking overlook the private yard! Truly a must see! $499,900. War hero, George H. Breuler, was recently inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. Public officials on hand to honor Breuler were, from left: State Rep. Al Adinolfi (R-103), state Sen. Len Fasano (R-34), Breuler, and state Rep. Dave Yaccarino (R-87). Breuler, formerly of North Haven for many years, served in the U.S. Army during World War II. His community involvement included coordinating North Haven’s annual Memorial Day Parade for 14 years, as well as coaching in the Max Sinoway Little League. Under his command, the American Legion Murray-Reynolds Post 76 was honored as the Legion Post of the Nation in 1985. He also was selected by the Veterans Association to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. | (Submitted by Brett Cody)

Fan Victorino, who hit a broken bat grounder to second. I was there for David I think being a Yankee fan Wells’ perfect game against and sitting through a Sawks championship isn’t as tough the Twins and David Cone’s perfect game against the as being a Sawks fan for so Expos. And I was in Fenway many years prior to 2004 the night Mike Mussina and sitting through yet another Yankee championship. came within one out of a perfect game before that I admit to being spoiled. I clearly remember Yankee cretin Carl Everett -- a certifiable nut case who didn’t titles in the late 1950s, 1961 believe we sent men to the and 1962, and went to playmoon -- got a single in the off games and Series games in 1976. Yep, I was there for Chris Chambliss’ home run in the bottom of the ninth SUDOKU in 1976 against the Royals. ANSWER I was at games in 1977, 1978 and 1981. I was in the Stadium for Series games in 1996, 1998, the clincher in 1999, in 2000, in 2001 when President Bush threw out the first pitch, and for the clincher in 2009 against the Phillies. Yep, I was there for Mariano Rivera’s last World Series save. The last out was made by current Sox hero Shane

ninth of a 1-0 Yankee win. Trivia question: Who pitched for the Sox that night? Great irony: David Cone, the last guy to throw a perfect game. The point is, the Yankees don’t owe me anything. So while seeing the Sawks win can be annoying, I take the long view. Since 1918, my team has 27 world titles. The Sawks have 3. We win.

From Page 25

CROSSWORD ANSWER

55+ Condo Rarely Available! Immaculate unit occupying the best location in the complex! Remodeled kitchen, new 3 season sunporch w/ private patio, large finished family room in lower level and garage! $219,900

Quiet Neighborhood Desirable Royal Oak Neighborhood! Stately 4 bedroom Colonial on quiet cul-de-sac. Huge deck overlooking beautiful, private yard. Updated kitchen, roof, siding & windows. Great Value! Only $379,900.

Durham & Middlefield’s Local Realtors

349-0344

40 MAIN ST DURHAM

A27

33743R

A28 Friday, November 8, 2013

Town Times | towntimes.com

SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL

U.S. residents set to get new infrared heaters to save up to 50% on heating bills for only $159 and free shipping Compared to the Suggested Retail Price of $399.95 this is a great opportunity for our residents to own one of the highest quality, energy saving, cool-to-the-touch, portable infrared heaters available today, and stop spending a fortune on heating bills. The ﬁrst 785 callers who beat the 48-hour deadline are getting these money saving portable infrared heaters. said to be the most sought after brand of infrared heaters. iHeaters have been selling strong for many years, they have in-house customer service located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The iHeater infrared heating elements are backed by a lifetime warranty and don’t burn out, like other low-end brands of infrared heaters that use bulbs. Similar infrared heaters of this quality are expensive, the suggested retail on this unit is $399.95, but state residents are being urged to call the Toll Free hotline listed below because the first 785 callers who beat the 48hour deadline will be able to claim one of these infrared iHeaters and have it delivered directly to their door for only $159 and the shipping is free. This is an extraordinary opportunity for those in need of help on winter heating bills to take advantage of this zip code distribution. “We’re preparing ourselves for all the calls because a program like this, for a new infrared heater of this quality, has never been released before. So if the lines are busy, keep trying. We’ll answer every call in the order they are received” Brinkman said.

■ Simply Plug it in: Saving money on heating bills is very easy with an iHeater infrared heater. Today’s distribution is intended to help those in need of keeping warm this winter without spending too much on heating bills.

■ Stay Warm and Save Money: iHeater infrared heaters are safe for pets and children to be around, the outside of the unit stays cool to the touch. They also heat evenly, quietly, and do not dry out the air. Heats up to 1000 square feet.

■ 48 HOUR DISTRIBUTION BEGINS: Distribution hotlines open at 9:00 this morning for US residents only. Trucks are being loaded with new, leading brand, energy saving, infrared heaters and soon will be delivered to lucky state residents who ﬁnd their zip code on the distribution list below.

Zip Code Distribution List: If the ﬁrst two digits of your Zip Code appear below call toll free:

1-800-290-1957

47681R

USA Zip Code Dis. - If you or a loved one has difficulty paying for heating bills, then this distribution of brand new portable infrared heaters is your chance to make life a little easier. These infrared heaters warm the room evenly and efficiently without drying out the air. They never get hot to the touch, like other heaters, so they are safe for pets and children. Company spokesman, David Brinkman, says, “We have 785 of these brand new, high quality infrared heaters reserved for residents in these areas, so those who find their zip code listed in today’s paper need to call the zip code Distribution Hotline immediately to get theirs.” These revolutionary infrared heaters are changing the lives for many that find it difficult to pay for the high cost of heating a home. Infrared heat warms in a way similar to the warmth we feel from the sun, it’s been described by many as “bone warming” heat. It is completely safe and does not deplete oxygen from the air, which would make you tired, nor dry out the air, which irritates your skin. The iHeater brand is

The Toll Free Distribution Hotlines open at 9:00 am this morning for US residents only. You must be one of the ﬁrst 785 callers who beat the 48hour deadline to have your infrared heater delivered to your door for only suggested $159 and free shipping. ( retail: $399.95 )