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NEWINGTON

Town Crier

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The Santa man

By Alex Syphers Staff Writer

• Specialty Items • Prepared Foods To Go • Olive Bar Great Variety • Coming in January HOT SOUP BAR! HAVE HAVE A A SAFE SAFE & & HAPPY HOLIDAY! HAPPY HOLIDAY! Twin City Plaza, Newington

Volume 51, No. 48

The Christmas Spirit is alive and thriving in the home of Newington resident Tony Daddabbo, 75. To say Daddabbo has the Christmas spirit is actually an understatement. He is the definition of the Christmas spirit. For the last 35 years Tony has been defining the joy of the holiday by bringing the warm glow of the Christmas Spirit in his home with his collection of Santa Claus figures.

To date Tony has more than 357 of the jolly red men in his home.

The figures of Santa Claus lined the floor of Daddabbo’s living room, taking over the picture window sill, and the tops of the coffee tables. The Christmas tree had to be moved to the back den

Friday, December 24, 2010

because there was no more room.

Tony had figures from traditional Old St. Nick to electronic ones that moved and danced, some to the rhythm of rock and roll, others to blues. There were Santas that road bikes and drove cars, and some Santas that lounged all day in the tub.

“The all sing and dance. They all do something,” said Daddabbo.

The ones that move, he said, are the ones he likes the most.

O n e Santa, who Tony calls “the crazy guy,” will give you an especially good Christmas

giggle. Daddabbo pushes the button on the base of the figure causing Santa to say, “You have been extra good this year Santa has a extra special surprise for you!” The Santa figure spins 180 degrees and let’s just say his underpants are very festive.

“I really like them all,” said Daddabbo adding that he doesn’t really have a favorite.

Daddabbo said he started to collect the Old St. Nick figures

when he was around 20 years old.

He and his wife, Rachel, of 47 years, and whom he had known since kindergarten, had just been married.

“When we were just married,” said Daddabbo. “We bought a tree and we had a few little guys that played underneath.”

According to Tony it was around this time that he decided to make every Christmas the best he could See santas, Page 8

Free

Tony and Rachel Daddabbo are surrounded by more than 300 Santas of every type.

Rob Heyl

Local News

2 | Friday, December 24, 2010

NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER

Newington teen stands to take Guinness World Record for her massive lip balm collection

By Alex Syphers Staff Writer

As a child or even an adult, you may have often dreamed of breaking a record of some kind and getting your name published in the prestigious volume known as the “Guinness Book World of Records.” For a young Newington girl this dream is about to come true.

Newington resident Mariya Vallejo, 13, is about to strike her claim in the record books by holding the largest collection of commercially available lip balms by an individual. The current record in the “Guinness Book World of Records” is 300. As of Tuesday (Dec. 14) night, Mariya held in her collection 491 different types of lip balm and counting.

“I’m excited because I would never imagine being in such a big book like that,” said Mariya.

Mariya said she started her collection three years ago, after seeing the collection of her cousin, Antoine Harris, 13, of Southington.

Today she owns a monumental assortment of lip balms that, when spread across the dining room table, tease the eye with their playful shapes and vibrant colors.

“Once I started I couldn’t stop.

When I see it in the store I usually run to my mom and say, ‘Mom this is a new Chap stick and I kind of need it,’ and she’s like, ‘It’s a need?’ and I’m like, ‘Yes it’s a need’,” she said with a smile, “It’s a fun thing

to collect.”

Mariya holds in her collection many unique styles of lip balm from lip balm shaped like Hawaiian Punch bottles and Hershey Syrup bottles to lip balm that tastes like Cheezits, Famous Amos cookies, or Rice Krispy Treats. She even has lip balms that are shaped like miniature cereal boxes that are flavored like Fruit Loops or Corn Pops. She has only used one lip balm that is in her collection she said the rest were all in their original packaging.

She started her collection with the Lip Smackers brand, she said, buying them at stores in the mall such as Hot Topic and Claires.

Today she still buys new lip balms from those stores and even though her collection is so vast, it is not hard for her to find new ones to add to her collection.

“I already know which ones I have by heart,” Mariya said, “I just know.”

The collection has become a family affair said Mariya’s mother, Jennifer Vallejo. Even their dog, Precious, loves lip balm.

“We get excited,” said Jennifer.

“We try to find her new ones when we are out in the store by ourselves — if there’s something new or cool.”

“It amounts to a lot of birthday and Christmas presents,” said Mariya.

No one at school believes she has such a large collection, said Mariya, and often friends come

over to play and ask her about them and help her count.

As for the record, Jennifer said she became curious one day as to if there actually was a record for the largest lip balm collection and decided to e-mail Guinness about it.

“I was curious to as to what the record would be,” said Jennifer, “because I knew she had a lot and they e-mailed me back six weeks later and said the amount was 300, and I knew we beat it so we applied.”

When Mariya heard the record for the largest collection stood at 300, she pushed her parents to send in her application.

“I’m excited. I’m excited for her. It’s something we don’t mind investing in for her because we know she really enjoys it and it’s something she is passionate about and that’s important,” said Luis Vallejo, Mariya’s father, “Especially to all of a sudden find out that she could get into the Guinness Book of World Records was an added bonus.”

“She’s my little go-getter,” said Jennifer.

Now that the application for the record has been filed, Mariya and her friends and family have to wait for the results, for the record could change at any time. But Mariya said she is pretty confident she has broken the world record. As for the future of her lip balm collecting With her collection of 491 different types of lip balm, Mariya Vallejo, 13, is hoping to claim the world record for the largest collection of commercially available Mariya said, “I’m probably going lip balms owned by an individual. The record currently stands at 300. to continue until I’m at least 20.”

Generous donation presented to local doctor

This holiday season the GFWC Newington/Wethersfield Woman’s Club presented a check for $2,000 to Nancy Stillwell, Ph.D., director of Social and Youth Services for Wethersfield; this was a matching gift that the club presented to the Newington Human Services Department two years ago.

Stillwell expressed appreciation for the donation and spoke about the difficult times and the grown list of families in need within the community.

In addition the club had sent

two checks for $250 each to the food banks in Newington and Wethersfield for the holidays. The club sponsored a food drive for the Wethersfield Food Bank Dec. 11 at Stop & Shop on the Berlin Turnpike, and through the generosity of the community collected four boxes and 65 bags of groceries along with $30 in gift cards. The Angel Tree has been a tradition for the club each year for both Newington and Wethersfield; each member takes a tag with a special request for gifts for families.

A donation was made to the GFWC/CT State Project for 2010-2012: Connecticut Food bank and FoodShare that serves more than 650 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and low-income child and adult programs.

The GFWC/CT Newington/ Wethersfield Woman’s Club was founded in 1998 by Eleanor G. Fisher and has been an active volunteer group in both communities; alternating in assisting each community on a monthly and yearly basis in food donations and

clothing. The GFWC-General Federation of Women’s Club is a non-profit international organization whose members are united by a dedication to community volunteer service within the areas of the Arts, Conservation, Education, Home Life, International Affairs, and Public Affairs. We invite any women who might be interested in joining or finding out about our volunteer work to attend our meetings. Additional information can be obtained by calling (860) 558-9786.

Standing left to right are: Celestine Bernard, Nancy Stillwell, Ph.D., Donna Recknagel and Ursula Casioppo.

NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER

NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER P.O. Box 2158 188 Main St. Bristol, CT 06010

(860) 584-0501 • Fax: (860) 585-9283

Friday, December 24, 2010 | 3

Local News pet of the week NB man arrested after making threats at Newington town hall

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Postmaster: Send address changes to The Newington Town Crier, P.O. Box 2158, 188 Main St., Bristol, CT, 06010-6258.

Publisher’s liability for errors or omissions in advertising copy shall not exceed the cost of the space in which the error/omission occurs on the first insertion. Errors/omissions will be rectified by republication or by a credit applied to advertiser’s account; only one incorrect insertion of the same ad will be subject to republication or credit. No allowance shall be made in cases where the advertiser is at fault. Errors, typographic or otherwise, which do not materially affect the advertisement will not be adjusted. In no event shall Imprint be liable for consequential damages of any kind.

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NEWINGTON — A New Britain man is facing charges after he allegedly threatened staff over a tax bill at Town Hall Tuesday.

Police said Abdulghani Zanta, 43, of New Britain was charged Tuesday with breach of peace and released on a $25,000 bond for court appearance in New Britain Jan. 5.

Zanta, upset over a tax bill, is alleged to have meade threatening remarks in the town manager’s office about 9 a.m. Tuesday.

An assistant in the office confirmed that he complained about a tax bill and sought to see the manager. He made the remarks after he was told the manager was out sick Tuesday.

Police investigated the com- Abdulghani Zanta, 43, of New plaint, identified Zanta and Britain. arrested him, according to a release from police.

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Local News

Revitalization time

By Alex Syphers Staff Writer

The Downtown Revitalization Committee continued to move along progress of the Market Square streetscape renovation during its meeting Monday, Dec. 20 by deciding to send the plans for the two-way project out to bid.

During its meeting Nov. 15 the committee had voted unanimously to keep Market Square a two-way street.

At that time, the two-way option as provided by Milone and MacBroom, the engineering consulting firm working with the committee, was estimated to be a $1.5 million project. Milone and MacBroom’s plan for a twoway street included a 10-foot sidewalk on both sides of the street, 8-foot parallel parking stalls and 12-foot driving lanes.

During that meeting, committee member Mike Lenares suggested instead of expanding the current sidewalk width 5 feet, to only expand them 3 feet, for a total of 8 feet. This, he pointed out, would still allow for the decorative lighting requested by members of the public, yet cut the cost of the project by reducing the number of paving stones needed.

It was also suggested by using the 2 feet gained from the sidewalk to increase the parallel parking stalls to 10 feet, would make the street

safer for people entering and exiting their vehicles. The committee agreed on keeping the 12-foot wide travel lane as included in Milone and MacBroom’s plan, in the hope that reducing width of the street from the current width of 15 feet to 12 feet would slow the speed of vehicles traveling down the road.

On Dec. 20,the Downtown Revitalization Committee members received the new estimate of $1.4 million from Milone and MacBroom for the two-way project.

“Even though the sidewalks are being cut back from their original 5 feet to 3 feet it doesn’t touch the estimate much because all the other amenities remain in place,” said Town Engineer Anthony Ferraro.

With the acceptance of the $200,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant at Monday’s Town Council meeting, the Downtown Revitalization Committee has a total of $900,000 allocated for the project.

The committee did not finalize the options that would be included in the two-way revitalization Dec. 20, but it was able to make a list of suggestions for Milone and MacBroom consulting to explore in the hopes of cutting costs without cutting down on the quality of the

project. Representatives from Milone and MacBroom were not present at the meeting.

These included reducing the number of “ornamental trees” included in the project, which was at 67 for a cost of $600 each. They also looked at the base for the sidewalk pavers, Milone and MacBroom suggested that the concrete pavers be placed on a concrete base for $14 a square foot. The newly sized sidewalk would be 16,900 square feet.

According to committee member Thomas Shields this expense was unnecessary as the Constitution Square pavers were placed on stone dust, which is just as stable, yet cheaper.

In the end the committee decided to send the project out to bid as the “Cadillac version,” to see wha tcontractors would bite and the estimates they would receive. It was also decided that once a contractor was chosen to include an attachment to say that the project could be done in stages if needed.

“I see no reason why a contractor, if he was the low bidder and we don’t have sufficient funds to do it all, why he would not agree to still get the job for the available funds but just cut it back to a particular point, especially these days,” said Ferraro.

NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER

‘Strive’ Program does just that

By Alex Syphers Staff Writer

Looking to expand the walls of its already cramped quarters the Newington High School, the “Strive” program, for children with special needs, came to the Town Council Monday, Dec. 13, to propose a plan, which includes establishing a new workspace for their students within the Town Hall.

The “Strive” program, as described by Dr. William Collins, Superintendent of Newington Public Schools, is designed to help Newington students with special needs become selfsufficient and productive members of society. The program teaches students household activities from loading dishwashers and washing clothes, to work related activities, such as copying documents.

The town is required by law to continue educating these students until they reach the age of 21, with the students separated into age groups. The “Transitional Program” within “Strive” is for students 18 to 21 years old, and who have already graduated high school. It is for these students that “Strive” is looking for a new workspace.

“We are technically out of compliance,” said

If you fell at home, could you get help?

Collins. “Because the law requires the students to be with age-appropriate peers, so while they are in high school they are OK but when they over get 18, 19, 20, it’s really inappropriate for them to be around high school kids because they are no longer in high school, they are older.”

According to Collins, the “Transitional Program” is expecting eight more students next year and an additional 18 the following year. This prompted the program to start looking at open spaces downtown in Lowery Plaza. Yet, with the town considering moving the engineering and zoning departments to the lower level of the Town Hall. The “Strive” program approached Town Manager John Salomone about moving the program into the space where the engineering departments would leave.

“I’m very supportive of moving them here [Town Hall] if it makes fiscal sense,” said Salomone.

The renovations would require three components, said Dr. Collins, including a living area with cooking appliances and a washing machine, a classroom, and a workspace with computers and scanners.

“We are looking to

replicate the space we have over at the high school,” said Collins.

The cost of the renovation to upstairs, where “Strive” hopes to be, would be paid for by an American Reinvestment and Recovery Act grant of $200,000, which Collins said should cover the cost.

“It would be helpful to for us to use this money to renovate part of this building,” said Collins, “rather than using the money to renovate somebody else’s space, somewhere else in town, that isn’t permanent to the town.”

According to Salomone, to renovate the basement of Town Hall would cost about $500,000. Collins stated that $150,000, left over from the Newington Public Schools health benefits program, would be used to help the town renovate the basement, leaving the total cost of the project at around $350,000.

The ARRA grant requires that the Newington Public School system use the $200,000

by July 30, 2011.

“I’m hopeful that we can work something out with the town,” said Collins.

“To move that program into the Town Hall, which would really be win-win for everyone I believe.”

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Bring on the bikes

Chris Richie | Staff

Left to right, Madelyn Torres, Kaiden Paquette, Akylah Dacosta, Tahmeen Dupree and Christian Smith win free refurbished bikes and helmets, provided by Paul Martinook, the bike man from Newington, during the children’s Christmas party at the New Britain Boys & Girls Club.

Newington MS Support Group The Newington MS Support Group meets at the Newington Senior and Disabled Center, 120 Cedar St., at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. There are more than 6,000 Connecticut residents diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), an oftentimes debilitating disease affecting the central nervous system. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter offers more than 30 support groups throughout Connecticut. These groups bring together people who share a common life experience as it relates to MS and its effects. For more information, please contact Charlie at (860) 667-1314.

For more information on multiple sclerosis and the many ways you can help make a difference, visit www.ctfightsMS.org or call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter at (800) FIGHT MS.

Local News at the library

NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER

Lucy Robbins Welles Library, 95 Cedar St.

Evening Book Discussion Group Programs for children and Thursday, Jan. 6, 7 p.m. teens Start the year off with a disWonderful World of Music cussion of a good book. Call the Monday, Dec. 27, 1:30 p.m. library for this month’s readThe young and young-at- ing selection. All are invited to heart are invited to hear the Sam attend.

Pasco Orchestra perform. The audience will receive a lesson Small Movies — Big Hearts on the sounds of each musical “Young Victoria” instrument and how notes are Tuesday, Jan. 11, 1 p.m. strung together to make beauEmily Blunt is luminous tiful songs. Admission is free as the Young Victoria in this and no registration is necessary. award-winning 2009 film that Sponsored by the Newington chronicles the years leading up Kiwanis. to the coronation of the 18-year old queen, including her courtChilly Tales and Tunes for ship and marriage to Prince Chilly Children Albert. The sets and costumes Tuesday, Dec. 28, 11 a.m. are magnificent and the supMary Jo Maichack puts on porting cast, which includes Jim a delightful, interactive family Broadbent, Miranda Richardson show that includes music and and Rupert Friend, is topnotch. tales to warm your toes. Pick up Rated PG. Popcorn and cider free tickets from the Children’s will be served. Free admission.

Department beginning Dec. 14.

Co-sponsored by the Newington Adult Winter Reading KickHuman Rights Commission. off — Love Your Library Thursday, Jan. 20, 11 a.m. to 1 Viking Madness, Part 1 — p.m. or 4:30 to 7 p.m.

The Movie Drop in or register online Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2 p.m. between these hours to receive Join us for a showing of the a free gift and chance to win the adventure family movie, “How to kick-off prize giveaway basket.

Train Your Dragon.” The movie Adults will earn a prize ticket for is rated PG and lasts 98 min- each book they read or listen to utes. No registration required. which will be entered in weekly Children under the age of 8 must drawings for special gifts. All be accompanied by an adult. tickets collected will be entered into the grand prize drawing to “Viking Madness, Part 2 — be held on Feb. 24. Sponsored by The Games” the Friends of the Library.

Thursday, Dec. 30, 3:30 p.m.

We’ve got dragons to tame!

Friends Wine & Cheese Join Hiccup and his Viking Social friends as we play games, make Friday, Jan. 21, 6:30 to 9:30 a craft and enjoy some treats. p.m.

Children ages 5 to 8 may regJoin us for an evening in ister by calling the Children’s the library with entertainment Department at (860) 665-8720 provided by Steve Casillas. beginning Dec. 16.

Enjoy great conversation, a

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few anniversary surprises and savory refreshments. Tickets are $10 in advance and available at the Adult Information Desk.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Brown Bag it with a Movie: “Shakespeare in Love” Tuesday, Jan. 25, noon Bring your lunch and join us for a viewing of the Academy Award-winning movie, “Shakespeare in Love,” starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes. Beverages and desserts will be provided. Running time is 123 minutes. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Design Monday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m.

Participants will learn to create an employer-focused résumé that stands out from the competition and generates interviews. Techniques for writing targeted cover letters will also be addressed. Ross Primack, a certified professional resume writer and a certified employment interview professional from the Connecticut Department of Labor will be the presenter.

This class is not recommended for people who want to make a career change. Also, individual appointments for resume critiques will be available from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 with Ross Primack from the Connecticut Department of Labor. Call (860) 665-8700 to set up a half-hour appointment.

Appointments are necessary.

Friday, December 24, 2010 | 7

Local News

Keep Newington HEART Safe Staff Writer

Residents driving past one of the entrance signs to town will be met with a new sight in the coming months, a white sign with red lettering, announcing the town of Newington as a HEART Safe Community.

Representatives from the Newington Volunteer Ambulance and the State Department of Health announced this distinguished honor to the Newington Town Council last week.

“It’s gratifying to know that if a sudden cardiac happens to some one,” said Gary St. Amand, health program associate at the Department of Health. “Chances are better in a HEART Safe Community that that person will have someone who recognizes the signs and symptoms, knows to call 911, and knows to perform CPR and ask for an AED. It increases the chance of someone surviving and that’s a good feeling.”

The HEART Safe Communities program was started by the Connecticut State Department of Health to improve the survivability of Connecticut residents who have suffered a sudden “cardiac event,” such as heart attacks or cardiac arrest.

“For us to be a heart-safe community is a tremendous step for the town of Newington,” said Chief James Jennings of the Newington Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Since its inception, 64 of the 169

towns in the state have become HEART Safe Communities. The HEART Safe Community program supports and implements the American Heart Association’s “Chain of Survival” procedure which includes training in CPR for the community citizens and public access to strategically placed automated external defibrillators (AED’s), throughout town. An AED is a portable device use to diagnose cardiac symptoms and uses electronic therapy to reestablish a heart rhythm.

“It means that with the people trained and the AED’s around that if residents do have a cardiac event they can work on the chain of survival,” said Jennings.

Currently, the town has 10 AED’s available for emergencies throughout town including the Town Hall, the Lucy Robbins Welles Library, and the Senior and Disabled Center, said Jennings. These defibrillators were provided by the Newington Volunteer Ambulance as part of its goal to make the community HEART Safe. They also provided the Newington Police Department with a number of AED’s. The Newington public Schools are all equipped with AED’s as well as the Newington Volunteer Fire Department.

Passed on the current population of Newington to be a HEART Safe Community the town has to have at least 50 residents who are trained in CPR and in use of the AED’s.

The NVA worked closely with the

Newington Boy Scouts to promote the Heart Safe program.

The HEART Safe Community certification has to be renewed every three years,” said Daniel Interlandi, NVA community training officer.

“That is why we want to maintain classes, because we will be in a different population bracket next time around. That’s why we have to work harder.”

The Newington Volunteer Ambulance Corps will hold classes starting in January to train additional residents in First Aid and CPR. “The Friends and Family Class” is a general knowledge course about CPR and First Aid for family members with children or child caretakers. The cost of the class is $10.

The “Health Saver Program” is an in-depth look at CPR and First Aid. At the end of the class students receive their certification in both First Aid and CPR. The cost of the class is $35.

For more information about First Aid and CPR classes call the Newington Volunteer Ambulance Corps at: (860) 667-5825

Rob Heyl

Santa relaxes in a bubble bath. He’s one of Tony Daddabbo’s hundreds of Santa figures. See page 1 for the full story.

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NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER

Santas galore adorn Newington home Continued from Page 1

for his family to give them what he never had.

“My sixth Christmas was a piece of pie at midnight, and then Christmas was over,” said Daddabbo.

“I never had a good Christmas because my family never had anything. So I decided I was going to make every Christmas good for our children,” he said.

Through the years the collection started to grow, either through Daddabbo’s purchases, or from gifts from family and friends who had heard about his collection.

Today, said Rachel, they still receive Santa Claus items from friends and have even gone international, receiving some Santas from friends in Germany.

Every year Daddabbo said his two granddaughters and two grandsons have contributed to the army of jolly red men making it more than just one man’s collection, but a family affair.

His grandson, Kyle, 15, has been especially involved, said

Daddabbo, coming to the house to help take the Santas from out from under the stairway and help decorate.

Daddabbo was all smiles as he pointed to where Kyle had strategically placed the Santa Claus figures on the tops of curtains or above the door sills.

He was especially proud of Kyle’s latest contribution. Unknown to Daddabbo, Kyle had cut out of wood the silhouette of a Nascar stock car with Santa hanging out of the window.

He then had proceeded in hand painting the Santa in bright reds and greens and the Nascar in the paint colors of Daddabbo’s favorite driver, Richard Petty.

Daddabbo also has an incredibly impressive Richard Petty collection, but that’s another story.

Daddabbo said he had no plans to stop collecting the Santa figures and pieces now.

“This is Christmas,” he said, pointing to his collection, “I love when the kids come in here and to see the look in their eyes and

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Rob Heyl

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Rob Heyl

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NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER

Local News Newington teens inducted into National Honor Society Two Newington residents were among 91 outstanding students inducted into the Aquinas Chapter of the National Honor Society during a beautiful candlelit ceremony at Northwest Catholic High School Dec. 9. Deacon Jeffrey Sutherland, NWC Science teacher, was the guest speaker.

The Newington students are Madeline Domingo ’12, daughter of Joseph and Regina Domingo, and Samantha Russo ’12, daughter of James and Linda Russo.

The inductees — who were recognized for outstanding scholarship, admirable character and leadership,

and generous service to NWC and their communities — came from 23 townsand included 17 seniors and 74 juniors. The complete list appears on the school web site: www.northwestcatholic.org.

To be invited into membership in NHS, students must maintain a 3.33 grade-point average and must demonstrate exemplary character, leadership, and service to their school, their parish, or their town. A committee of five teachers makes the ultimate decision about which students will become members.

“These students are role models for their peers,” said Patricia Juda, NWC’s

English Department chair and NHS moderator. “They are well-rounded, motivated students who excel academically as well as spiritually and morally.

They represent the spirit of Northwest Catholic, willing to help in any endeavor with enthusiasm and skill.”

“The National Honor Society is about so much more than just grades,” agreed Margaret Williamson, NWC principal/chief administrator. “It is a way to help educate the whole student and reinforce the importance of making a difference in the world.”

Newington police blotter

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Dec. 20 Erin O’Connell, 22, of 63 W. District Road, Unionville, was charged Dec. 20 with driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license and driving the wrong way on a divided highway.

Joseph Mack, 22, of 40 Wainwright Drive, New Britain, was charged Dec. 20 with larceny in the third degree.

Susan Morgan, 49, of 40 Styles

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Ave., Newington, was charged Dec. 20 with failure to appear in the second degree.

Dominic Nesta, 48, of 75 Seventh St., Newington, was charged Dec. 20 with threatening and breach of peace.

Dec. 21 with failure to appear in the second degree.

Janet Madey, 52, of 102 Steeple Chase Drive, Newington, was charged Dec. 21 with disorderly conduct and assault in the third degree.

Dec. 18 Abdulghani Zanta, 43, of Allyson Recchia, 30, of 30 Dec. 21 150 Gold St., New Britain, was Greystone Road Ext., Plymouth, Marc Dube, 36, of 9 Goodwin charged Dec. 21 with breach of was charged Dec. 18 with lar- Place, West Hartford, was charged peace. ceny in the sixth degree, failure to appear in the second degree and failure to appear in the first degree.

Randy Beaudoin, 28, of 28 Royal Oak Drive, West Hartford, was charged Dec. 18 with driving under the influence, failure to drive in the proper lane and traveling too fast.

Dec. 19 David Kowalewski, 30, of 45 Overlook Ave., New Britain, was charged Dec. 19 with larceny in the sixth degree, engaging an officer in pursuit and operating a motor vehicle with out a license.

Jennifer Dorio, 27, of 10 Scott Lane, Cromwell, was charged Dec. 19 with failure to maintain lane and driving under the influence.

Madeline Domingo ’12 (left) and Samantha Russo ’12 were inducted into Northwest Catholic’s chapter of the National Honor Society this month.

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Friday, December 24, 2010 | 9

Local News

10 | Friday, December 24, 2010

NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER

Middlewoods of Newington wins three Connecticut Assisted Living Association Awards

Middlewoods of Newington, an assisted and independent living community located in Newington is the proud recipient of three prestigious Connecticut AssistedLiving Association Awards (CALA), including two “Young Leader of the Year” awards and one Best Practices award in the Managed Residential Care category.

Staff members Julia Fanning and Marissa Salvesen were recognized as “Young Leaders of the Year.”This award is presented to “an assisted living professional in a leadership position who has been in the field of services for the aging for five years or less that exhibits exemplary leadership skills, maturity, and vision that inspire residents and staff members.”

The CALA award selection committee made its first exception in the history of the awards,

making the award to two, rather than, one individual.

“Julia joined our team last year as Activities Director and works with other departments to add new depth and breadth to daily activities and to life at the community,” states Kathy Braga, executive director of Middlewoods of Newington. “Julia teaches by example that there is no such thing as ‘not my job.’”

A member of the Middlewoods staff since early 2010, Marissa Salvesen embraces two different roles as Community Relations Associate and Activities Associate.

“Marissa is always offering her best,” relates Braga. “She shares her passion for helping others and making a difference at every opportunity — tirelessly dedicating herself to enhancing the life’s journey of each member of the Middlewoods of Newington family.”

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In addition, Middlewoods of Newington won a Best Practices Award for its innovative Passport to Planetree program.

This program educates residents about Planetree, the culture change initiative pioneered by the parent organization, United Methodist Homes and promotes positive relationships among all members of the community.

Middlewoods of Newington is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local, faith-based, not-for-profit organization located in Shelton, Connecticut. Sister communities, Middlewoods of Farmington and Crosby Commons were also honored with a total of five additional CALA Awards out of nine categories.

For more information on Middlewoods of Newington, call (860) 667-1336 or visit www. middlewoodsofnewington.org.

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Friday, December 24, 2010 | 11

Area hockey squads drop puck in recent match-ups

By JOE FORTUNATO Staff Writer

It’s a new season, and often times with new seasons comes change. The local hockey teams are going through some transitions this year, as both look to reclaim successes from the past.

Both local teams lost some players, but for the most part both teams will showcase familiar faces on the year.

Familiar faces don’t exactly mean similar styles of play however. Both teams will look towards new systems as they try to make playoff runs.

Newington-Berlin

Key Losses: Matt Lynch (goalie), Dan Vasquez (forward), Sean Roche (D), Sebby Ogibowski (forward) Key Returnees: Andrew Richard (senior, defenseman, Newington), Matt Coco (senior, right wing Newington), Alec Tremblay (senior, left wing, Newington), Zak Waznia (senior, center, Berlin), Tony Dombrowski (senior, defenseman, Newington), Ryan Zawerton (senior, right wing, Newington), Brandon Ralph (junior, center, Berlin), Mike Reynolds (senior, goalie, Newington).

Outlook: Newington-Berlin had a very successful season last year, with their record earning them a first round bye. The Indians fell in the second round to Northwest Catholic in double overtime however.

This year, the Indians will be looking to regain their past success, while adding more in post-season play.

As it stands, however, that will be a tough task for NewingtonBerlin, without their starting goaltender Matt Lynch, He graduated last year, leaving an obvious hole to fill for the Indians. Head coach Dave Harackiewicz admitted that loosing Lynch hurts, but that they have the people to replace him.

“You can’t replace Lynch, but Mike Reynolds did play a number

Newington /Berlin’s Brandan Ralph gets a goal on his stomach past Hall Southington’s John Gradante.

of games last year, he’s very capable What the Indians lost in of giving a good performance every scoring they gain in defense. game,” he said. “And he’s probably Newington-Berlin saw two of its going to be the key to our season senior defensemen come back into on how well he the fold, and performs.” only one walk Aside from out the door. losing a goalHarackiewicz tender, the agreed that Indians also lost the defense a bunch of scorwould be one ing up front in of the biggest Dan Vasquez positives on the and Sebby year.

Ogibowski.

“With all of Har ac kie wicz the experience said the power of most of the play will need guys on defense some re-tooling I think it’s a big to get back to strength. We where it was last also have some year. guys on the “Early on it back end who will take some can contribute time for the offensively as power play to well, which is develop,” he said. good for us,” he Dave Harackiewicz “But I think we said. “Two or Head coach have five guys three can push who can develop our attack, and pretty quickly that’s a nice with it, but we element to don’t have a lot of natural goal have. And they’re solid in their scorers like we had last year.” own zone as well.”

“Early on it will take some time for the power play to develop ... But I think we have five guys who can develop pretty quickly with it, but we don’t have a lot of natural goal scorers like we had last year.”

It’s not just the blue line that comes back with experience. The Indians only graduated four players, meaning that nearly the entire team has returned with last year under their belts.

“We’re definitely experienced with all the seniors we have,” he said. “We did return most of our defenseman though, and that’s a strength. And if Reynolds is playing like he should play we have a defensive advantage.”

Although Newington-Berlin has experience up front, the players that are returning still have holes to fill.

“What we did lose a lot was scoring up front, we’re going to really have to work on putting pucks in the net. A lot of the seniors don’t have a ton of high scoring totals. So a lot of the games will be tight low scoring games,” he said.

That’s a different mentality than the team had last year, which is common when a team graduates important seniors. The Indians will have to reply on a team game rather than having one player put them on their backs.

“We need five guys working together and distributing the puck

Rob Heyl

well rather than just relying on one guy to score,” Harackiewicz said.

That strategy is probably the driving force behind NewingtonBerlin’s new mentality.

Harackiewicz wants his team to focus on is playing solid defensively first, and then building out the offense.

“I think in high school hockey it’s always a challenge to get teams to concentrate on defense, because everyone wants to score. I think that it comes with time. They’re going to have to buy into it to be successful. But this is a pretty coachable group,” he said.

The Indians will also be playing under the shadow of last year’s successful regular season.

On some teams that might be a burden but Harackiewicz doesn’t think that it’s going to be a problem.

“I think last season was last season, I don’t think there’s any added pressure. We set our team goals this year, they’re high and they think that they can achieve them.

There isn’t any more pressure, if anything a lot of the returning guys got an idea of how close we could get, and they want to get there again.”

12 | Friday, December 24, 2010

Local Calendar | Sports Briefs

Around NEWINGTON Holiday closings Newington Town Hall and other municipal facilities will be closed Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, in observance of New Year’s Day. The library will be closed Friday, Dec. 31 through Sunday, Jan. 2. Curbside refuse and recyclables collections scheduled for Friday, Dec. 31 will be made on the regular schedule. The Town Transfer Station/ Landfill will be closed Saturday, Dec. 25 due to the Christmas holiday but will be open Sunday, Dec. 26. The landfill will also be closed Saturday, Jan. 1 due to the New Years day holiday. Beginning Jan. 1 the Transfer Station/Landfill hours will change to the winter hours for the months of January through March. The winter hours will be Saturday only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

your support to help us pay our way.

Tickets start at $30 each, which provides entry to all games and events from Feb. 11 through the 19. Register to purchase your tickets through Newington Hockey Booster Club by contacting Robin Aldieri at (860) 667-0609 or by email at raldieri@cox.net.

Holiday donations Newington Police Department and Outback Steakhouse are working together this holiday season to support help residents in need have a happy holiday. For every gift that is donated at the Newington Outback Steakhouse location before Dec. 12, the donating party will receive a coupon for one free appetizer.

Drop off your unwrapped gift at Newington Outback Steakhouse, Whalers Hockey Fest receive a free appetizer, and make a The Newington-Berlin High difference for a Newington resident School Hockey Team has been this holiday season! invited to play at the Hockey Fest at 10 a.m. Feb. 19 at Rentschler Field, Basketball Skills Academy For East Hartford just prior to the Boys NHL Legends versus the Mystery Are you looking for something Alaska (Celebrity) Game. We need to do during your December

school vacation? Newington Parks & Recreation presents its second Basketball Skills Academy for boys in grades 5 through 8.The clinic, run

by AAU Coaches Marc Tancredi and James Simmons, will be held Monday through Thursday, Dec. 27 through 30 at the Mortensen Community Center from 9 a.m. to noon. The Skills Academy will provide players the opportunity to develop and apply valuable skills offensively and defensively. Team play and individual contests will be included as part of the program. Fee is only $70 for residents and $75 for non-residents. Call the Parks & Recreation office at (860) 665-8666 for more information.

Rogalski Gymnasium Re-Opening Ceremony The Richard E. Rogalski Gymnasium at Newington High School has undergone major renovations over the past few months. On Tuesday, Dec. 28, the Newington High School Athletic Department is inviting members of the community to attend, celebrate and recognize the renovations to the Rogalski Gymnasium. The NHS Athletic Department will host two varsity basketball games.

NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER

The girls’ basketball team will play the East Hartford High School Hornets at 5 p.m., while the Boys’ Basketball team will play the Berlin High School Redcoats at 7:30 p.m.

The Re-Opening Ceremonies are estimated to start at 6:45 p.m.

Admission will be free of charge for the event.

scanners, stereos, keyboard / mouse / peripherals, VCR’S, DVD players, cell phones, digital cameras, tape players, PDA’S, IPods, speakers, telephones, camcorders, CD players, modems. The Newington Transfer Station (Landfill) is located on Main Street. (Proof or residency required forelectronics recycling).

Hours of operation: Jan. 1 to March Electronics recycling 31: Saturdays only from 9 a.m. to 5 Beginning Jan. 1 Newington p.m. April 1 to Dec. 31: Saturday residents will now have a loca- and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tion for recycling CED’S (Covered Electronic Devices) at Flock someone the Newington Transfer Station Help support NHS Project (Landfill) located on Main Street. Graduation and flock someone CED’S are defined as desktop com- in Newington. Looking to celeputers, laptop computers, computer brate a birthday or anniversary? monitors, printers and televisions. Or want to show your support for Recently enacted electronic waste the NHS 2011 Project Graduation laws require the manufacturers of Celebration? Flocking is the answer. these products to provide funding The “NHS Flockers” will secretly for recycling programs. In addi- adorn the lawn of your choosing tion to reducing municipal solid with a flock of pink flamingos or a waste tipping fees for Newington herd of cows for $15. E-mail us at taxpayers, this new law will prevent unflockme@yahoo.com with your covered electronic devices from name, phone number, address of ending up in a landfill or resource the flocking target, intended date of recovery facility. In addition to the flocking and please put “flocking” in CED’S listed above, residents will the subject line. More information be able to recycle other electronic on the Newington High School site devices by clicking on “Project Graduation” including: copiers, fax machines, on the right hand side.

Sports Briefs Boys Basketball:

Newington (1-1) - Upcoming games include Berlin at home on 12/28 and Wethersfield at home on 12/30.

Wethersfield (0-2) - The Eagles will play at Newington on 12/30.

Girls Basketball:

Newington (1-2) - Upcoming games are at home on 12/28 versus East Hartford and away at Platt on 12/30 Wethersfield (0-5) - Upcoming schedule includes a trip to Avon High School for a Holiday Tournament. The Eagles will take on RHAM in their tournament opener on 12/28.

Ice Hockey:

Newington-Berlin (2-0) - The cooperative team will travel to Maine on 12/27 to face Scarbourough and 12/28 to face Deer-ing.

Wethersfield (0-2) - Upcoming away games against Simsbury on 12/28 and Rocky Hill-Rham-Middletown on 12/30.

Friday, December 24, 2010 | 13

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NEW BRITAIN - 2nd FL, 3 BR. Off-st pkg for 1 car. $850 + sec + util. 860-839-4331.

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NEW BRITAIN - 4 RM, inc gas & ht. Allen St. $675/mo. 860229-5569, 860-604-0133.

NEW BRITAIN - 5 rms, 3rd flr, 174 Curtis St., $650/mo. 860229-5569, 860-604-0133.

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Call 860-229-7795, Peter.

230 APARTMENTS UNFURNISHED NEW BRITAIN – Downtown. ANVIL PLACE APTS. Senior 55+. 1 & 2 Bedroom market rate & affordable apts. Ht/ HW & pkg included 860-257-1330 NEW BRITAIN: Recently renovated 1 BR, no dogs. $575.

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NEW BRITAIN: Studio $525 & 2 BR, $675. Upper High St. No utils. Available now. No pets.

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NEW BRITAIN - Walnut Hill Park area. Lg 2 BR, 3rd flr, ref req’d. Ht/hw inc. No dogs. $900. 860-568-8515, 860-7706449.

819 FURNITURE BED: All new, still in plastic.

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881 WANTED TO BUY BUYING 1900s-1960s: Toys, jewelry, bar signs, antiques, household, political, Sporting.

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14 | Friday, December 24, 2010

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Friday, December 24, 2010 | 15

NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER

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to advertise call 860.231.2444

16 | Friday, December 24, 2010

Local News

NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER

Population shifts revealed in Newington census data

By Alex Syphers Correspondent

As we prepare to usher in the New Year and the end of a decade, it is important to look back on the development and social progress made in Newington over the last 10 years, and with the 2010 Census set to be released in the coming months this information is more relevant than ever.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2000 Census, Newington

had a total population of 29,306.

In the Census Bureau’s 2005-2009 American Community Survey five-year estimate, the population in Newington is predicted to be 29,503. The five-year estimate represents the average housing or population characteristics of the town between January 2005 and December 2009.

The Census Bureau recorded 12,264 housing units in Newington in 2000 and predicted that between 2005 and 2009 this number would

drop to 12,222. The number of vacant houses was recorded at 250 in 2000 and is was expected to be 378 in the five years since 2005, with estimates showing that the average household size would expand to 2.44 family members, up from 2.39 in 2000.

The median household income from the 2005-2009 estimate was expected to be around $69,221 (adjusted to 2009 inflation rates), an increase of 2.1 percent from the 2000 census median household

income of $57,118.

With a stable population base, the ethnicity distribution in Newington has also remained constant with slight variations. According to the 2000 census, of the 29,306 residents in Newington 92.5 percent were white, with the second-largest population at 3.7 percent, or 1,079 residents, being Hispanic. The Asian population was 2.8 percent or 824 residents followed by AfricanAmericans at 2.1 percent or 609 residents.

In the five-year estimate the Census Bureau estimated a slight change in ethnicity distribution in Newington with Hispanics increasing to 1,879, making up 6.4 percent of the population. AfricanAmericans were expected to increase to 3.7 percent of the population or 1,083 individuals, and Asians are expected to represent 3.6 percent of the population or 1,054 individuals.

Whites are expected to decrease to 26,342 individuals or 89.2 percent of the total population.

Pete Cocolla — a teacher with a style all his own

By Alex Syphers Staff Writer

In the corner of a light blue room with a grand piano nestled against the window, you will find Pete Cocolla.

He may be resting in his music chair, guitar in hand releasing the vibrations of sound that are known as “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You “by Led Zeppelin.

Pete Cocolla has been strumming on that guitar for the last 30 years, teaching area residents how to play guitar and, no, he has no interest in leaving.

“I was always the teaching type of person. I always liked teaching…,” said Cocolla, during an interview at his home, “I’ve been working for years to make sure I’m actually teaching somebody so when they walk out of here they can actually do something.”

Cocolla started teaching guitar out of his home on Thornton Drive in Newington, in 1980. Yet, his musical career began sometime before that when he started playing violin as a youngster.

Through the years he gradually progressed to guitar, something he attributes to seeing “The Beatles” play on the Ed Sullivan Show. Soon after he was playing in his own rock band, “Elysian Field.”

Cocolla made his official teaching debut as a student teacher at the Hartford Conservatory during the early 1970’s and it carried on from there, he said, when he moved to Newington in 1977 and soon after started teaching out of his home.

There are no short cuts no instant gratification in Cocolla’s teaching of guitar.

He likes to step away from what he calls “parrot teaching” and allows his student to take what they have learned and jam with it.

“You might as well read a book about driving a car rather than actually driving a car…,” said Cocolla, “you have to teach a person one piece of information and find a way for them to use it right on the spot.”

He teaches students the theory of music and makes them apply it. Cocolla is not only adamant about teaching students to apply the chords and theories they have learned but is big on terminology and explaining that terminology.

“People get lost or intimidated by big or funny words,” he said, “People forget to explain those funny words. I don’t forget. I can tell if a student doesn’t understand what they’re looking at on the page.”

That’s his specialty, said Cocolla, being able to spot when a student becomes confused and his ability to quickly get them to understand what they are reading and get them back to learning.

“My real thing is after you teach students what music is, is to teach them how to create music.

My students can improvise on the spot, they can write their own music. It’s taught in music school but they don’t give you opportunities to practice doing it. They explain it theoretically, vaguely.

There’s no exercises to practice it; that’s what I give them.”

He has begun to create his own guide book on writing songs, which he says is a “toolbox” for learning the mechanics of music writing and improvisation.

According to Cocolla, you can learn a lot from other musicians but you have to learn how to create for yourself, “to actually create music,” said Cocolla, “which I think most people want to do. They just want to create something on their own. It isn’t hard if you show people and just let them go at it.”

Nowadays, Cocolla says he has seen an increase in the number of adults who have come to him to learn how to play guitar from doctors, lawyers, and EMTs. Only a third of his students are children.

“It’s really all walks of life… very interesting people come through here. They need something fun to do,” said Cocolla, “Everyone likes beauty and art.

Everyone has some of that in them and it’s just a fabulous thing to connect with that. If you can sing a song, play an instrument. If you can do something with other people it’s communal. “Bringing people together,” says Cocolla,”‘that’s what music is about.”

As for the advice he gives his future musicians, Cocolla says one has to be a well-rounded individual.

Learn music and “learn everything you can and keep learning.”

Secondly, learn about people and relationships; learn how to communicate and a little bit about running a business.

But over all, said Cocolla, “Surround yourself with good people.” And remember, “If you’re an artist, you’re an artist.”

For more information about

Pete Cocolla’s guitar instruction contact him at: peter@ guitarstarinstruction.com or (860) 463-2734.

Pete Cocolla, is celebrating his 30th anniversary of teaching guitar in Newington this year. Here he sits with his cat Stripe.