INSIDE:
Officials to meet regarding $45M Rocky Hill H.S. renovation, Page 2
Health, well-being of town kids in focus at budget hearing, Page 4 Wethersfield man dead after Monday morning Glenwood Drive fire, Page 8
Paperback writer Friday, April 19, 2013
Dinosaur State Park reopens after renovations, Page 10
Native’s book mixes fact, fiction and rock-and-roll in ’60s Wethersfield By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
Wethersfield, in all its refined historical glory, was not immune to the hippie movement. That’s the message sent by Wethersfield native and published author Brooke Halpin, in his newest book, aptly titled, “A Magical Mystery Time.” Halpin, who now lives in Malibu, Calif., was one of Wethersfield’s very own flower children. Having grown up in town as a teenager in the late ’60s, he was enamored with The Volume 53, No. 16
50 Cents
Beatles and the counterculture that defined the era. His novel weaves together fact and fiction to recount that time — between 1964 and 1970 — through the adventures and musical dreams of main character Trevor Hampton. Completely obsessed with The Beatles, Trevor actually thought he was one. From aspirations of rockand-roll success, to disillusion and identity confusion, his tale transports readers to the magical 1960s, “when peace and love was a reality.” While his first four books were musical non-fiction, this most recent novel endeavor was “a huge undertaking,” for Halpin. In fact, it took him eight years to write. “A lot of people say if you remember the ’60s you weren’t there; well I was there for the ’60s in Wethersfield, and I vividly remember them,” he says. See NEW, Page 8
Erica Schmitt | Staff
More than 100 kids and their parents got a jump start on fishing season at the 3rd annual Good Ole’ Fishing Derby at Spring Street Pond. The Wethersfield Parks and Recreation Department stocked the pond with more than 100 trout and kids in different age groups competed to see who could catch the most.
Getting hooked on fishing
Hundreds attend 3rd annual Good Ole’ Fishing Derby By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
Kids in Wethersfield got a head start on fishing season this year. They kicked off the season a week early in fact, for the third year in a row. This was thanks to Wethersfield’s Parks and Recreation Department, who collaborated with Wethersfield UNICO, Connecticut Outfitters and the Metropolitan District Commission to host the 3rd Annual Good Ole’ Fishing Derby at the Spring
Street Pond. Almost 100 kids showed up last Saturday armed with their fishing gear and grandpas — or any veteran fishermen in their families. For 7-year-old Ericca Fettig, it was indeed her grandpa, town resident Guy Matteau. Together, the pair caught a 12-inch trout, winning Ericca second place among kindergarten and first-grade participants. Kids were asked to fish in three separate sessions, See FISHING, Page 6
860-561-8911 • www.beckers.com
Becker’s Buying Center
Old Gold, Diamonds, Silverware, Coins, Gold & Silver Jewelry, Antique Jewelry and Watches. Sell with Confidence to a Trusted Jeweler, Serving the Community for 34 years in the West Hartford Center. Now serving CT in 17 Buying Centers: Newington, Avon, Branford, Bristol, Clinton, Guilford, Manchester, Middletown, New Milford, Norwich, Orange, Southington, Torrington, Wallingford, Waterford, West Hartford and Windsor Locks.
newington 3311 berlin turnpike (Between Target and Best Buy)
Mon - Fri 10AM To 6PM • SAT 10AM To 4PM • SUn 11AM To 4PM