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Meriden and Wallingford CT Your Stories June 2010

To read the current issue of The People’s Press in image form or download the latest pdf go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ The People’s Press is a community newspaper serving Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut. We invite you to join us by becoming a part of the family of our submitters and sharing your news, stories, photos and views that matter most to Wallingford, Meriden and Central Connecticut. We are YOUR newspaper. You will also find information from the Wallingford and Meriden Mayors, the Wallingford and Meriden Public Libraries, the Wallingford and Meriden Senior Centers, the Wallingford and Meriden Health Departments, other various town and city departments and events as well as information about the wonderful groups and civic organizations that help Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut to be a better place. Email andy@peoplespressnews.com or call 203-235-9333 if you have any questions. DAD-----POP POP by Cathy Short The name "Pop Pop" came from my beautiful daughter, Jessica, who is now in Heaven with Pop Pop. Then my other beautiful daughter, Tanya, started using it. So, he was never "Grandpa, but always "Pop Pop". His name was Lewis Reynolds and he was a wonderful father and Pop Pop. He was funny, kind and compassionate. He would actually sit on the living room rug with 6-year old Tanya and play "Wizard of Oz" with all the little Oz figurines. Tanya was six years old when Jessica died and Pop Pop helped Tanya and me get through it. He was a strong, moral man. But when he got silly, you just had to laugh, and hard. His eyeglasses would always slide down his nose and Tanya would always say, "Ah, ah!" Lewis Reynolds and his wife, Priscilla, raised six children in the crazy sixties and early seventies. This was no easy task. My name is Cathy Short and I am the only daughter out of six kids. I have so many fond memories of my dad, like when he would come over the house with ice cream and milk shakes after I had a wisdom tooth pulled. He loved Jackie Gleason and I always watched "The Honeymooners" with him. He would walk around saying, "how sweet it is", one of Jackie Gleason's favorite lines. He made the best soft boiled eggs; always perfect. His spirituality kept him going. He was a devout believer in the Bible and listened and taped constantly from his favorite Christian radio station. His favorite speaker was Bob Cook and his favorite quote from Bob Cook was, "Walk with the King today and be a blessing." He was a blessing and always will be to the many lives he touched. He was a wonderful father and grandfather to all his family. On Father's Day I will be thinking of him and remembering what a strong man he really was. At the same time he had a marvelous sense of humor. You can't beat the both of them together. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY In memory of Lewis Reynolds Love, Cathy Bobbie’s Bevy of Beauties Before I begin my article, my deepest apology to my granddaughter Abby. In the last issue I referred to her erroneously as a 13 year old child. It should have read a 13 year adult. Now my conscience is cleared. I finally made my first trip to the nurseries. Dietriches, Hilzingers and Tower Farms on Route 10 in Cheshire. This is the latest I’ve ever been. Did not need any perennials. Just the annuals. Wanted to make sure there would be no more cool nights which could cause them damage. Most of the containers have been filled. The two small rock gardens have to be done as well as the area I fill with impatiens. Some of the perennials I have changed their schedule. The evening primrose has been blooming for almost a month. Mine usually don’t start until the end of May or beginning of June. These are the ones which you can watch coming into bloom before sunset and close up by eight the next morning. In the twenty years I’ve been growing them, for the first time I had one that remained fully in bloom the whole next day. Too bad they don’t always because they are so pretty. The foxglove quite large and tall. Probably the biggest I’ve ever had. Usually about the middle of May my hibiscus began to make a showing. Not this spring. Some of them are already two and half feet tall. Since I’m so short I expect them to be my height in another four and five weeks. So far only one sunflower re-seeded in one of the flower beds. Hope the squirrels overlook it. Have plenty of peanuts for them. But don’t think that will totally satisfy them. Not if they should discover that particular flower. Jimmy and I went up to Westforts for his tomato plants. All of them have been planted in the tubs. Carol and Richard greeted us very warmly. And as usual I told them how much I miss going up there for the flowers. This is the third year they’ve gone into retirement. Time sure flies. Am on my way up to Andy’s, which is only two houses away with my article. Before my trek up there I took a small intermission from writing and planted one of the rock gardens. I’m sure the other one will be completed long before this issue is out. Andy and his wife Dawn have one of the most beautiful azalea bushes I’ve ever seen. It’s covered with white and pink blossoms. Just gorgeous. Have never seen azalea blooms this large. They look almost like petunias. Absolutely gorgeous! Happy Gardening! Flowercerely Yours, Bobbie G. Vosgien Stone Wall Boundaries, LLC Surveying & Mapping CT LS License #70099 Stone Wall Boundaries, LLC serves the entire state of Connecticut, specializing in high quality, affordable boundary and construction surveys. Whether you are subdividing property, uncertain of a parcel’s property lines or need a foundation staked or “as built”, Stone Wall Boundaries, LLC and Paul Buckley Reynolds would be proud to serve your needs. The following services are expertly provided: A-2 Boundary Surveys Subdivision Surveys Property Line Stake-Outs FEMA Elevation Certificate Existing Building Location Surveys Zoning Location Surveys Topographic Surveys Plot Plans Construction Stake-Out Services “As Built” Surveys ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys Wetlands Mapping Land Title Research & Court Testimony Project Specialization Stone Wall Boundaries, LLC provides land surveying services tailored to meet the demands of a diverse clientele. From developers and builders to small parcel owners and land trusts, the goal is the same: excellent, rapid service on time and within budget. This goal is met by viewing every job we perform at Stone Wall Boundaries, LLC with a vigorous and creative approach to the service requested. Utilizing the talents and backgrounds of our staff, the cost and overhead associated with each project is kept to a minimum. The end result is savings for you, our customer. Paul has been involved with land surveying since he graduated from high school. Educated at Paul Smith’s College and the University of Maine, he has surveyed in Maine and New Hampshire as well as in Connecticut for the last 20 years, developing a wealth of experience. His growth within the profession has coincided with the technological advances of the last two decades. These advances have changed the methodology of how surveyor services are performed and delivered. He is well versed on how this technology can best serve his clients to reduce costs and save time. Stone Wall Boundaries, LLC is dedicated to the sole profession of land surveying and is led by a professional surveyor who is committed to excellence in every aspect of the job, from the research through the field work and to the completion of any maps associated with the project. Furthermore, the company guarantees to deliver quality services at a fair rate. Paul has been involved with land surveying since he graduated from high school. Educated at Paul Smith’s College and the University of Maine, he has surveyed in Maine and New Hampshire as well as in Connecticut for the last 20 years, developing a wealth of experience. His growth within the profession has coincided with the technological advances of the last two decades. These advances have changed the methodology of how surveyor services are performed and delivered. He is well versed on how this technology can best serve his clients to reduce costs and save time. Stone Wall Boundaries, LLC is dedicated to the sole profession of land surveying and is led by a professional surveyor who is committed to excellence in every aspect of the job, from the research through the field work and to the completion of any maps associated with the project. Furthermore, the company guarantees to deliver quality services at a fair rate. Stone Wall Boundaries, LLC is owned and operated by Paul Buckley Reynolds. A licensed surveyor in Connecticut since 1999, Paul is an active member of the Connecticut Association of Land Surveyors, Inc. Stone Wall Boundaries, LLC is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of its clients in a timely, cost effective and accurate manner. The company provides licensed land surveying services throughout Connecticut. To Contact Stone Wall Boundaries, LLC Surveying & Mapping, Paul Buckley Reynolds, PLScall (203) 889-8564 or email: buckleyreynolds@yahoo.com QRWA Offered Beginner Paddling for Trails Day on June 5th, 2010 In celebration of National Trails Day, Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) held free canoe and kayak rides and beginner paddler instruction on Saturday morning, June 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Meriden's Linear Trail. QRWA instructors accompanied paddlers in the beginner-friendly section of the river near Hanover Pond.. There were several sightings of the Bald Eagles that are now nesting year round at Hanover Pond thrilling those who participated. Mary Mushinski, QRWA Executive Director and Dan Pelletier, QRWA Board Member leading a group of paddlers are shown with some of the paddlers who attended. The launch point was the QRWA building at 540 Oregon Road, Meriden. For information about the QRWA call 203-237-2237. About the QRWA Over our 29 year history, QRWA has successfully educated and worked with thousands of residents and businesses throughout the Quinnipiac River Basin. QRWA utilizes a broad array of strategies to fulfill our mission to conserve the Quinnipiac and its watershed. We run programs, events and actions in education & outreach, advocacy, science & monitoring, conservation & restoration, and recreation & public access. From our inception, QRWA has successfully combined citizen-based teamwork, public education, and professional advocacy for strong legal and regulatory natural resource protection. QRWA's volunteer corps is our muscle. We connect scientists with lay-people, coordinating the training of volunteers to collect scientific data on water quality, conduct population surveys and monitor the physical characteristics of rivers. We have created and published water trail guides and informational pamphlets, and use educational appearances at schools, celebrations and festivals to create a bond between area residents and their river. We enhance the public's river experience by further developing water and riverside trails and creating more and better places to access the river and view its wildlife. We have established annual get-on-the-river events: the Quinnipiac Downriver Classic canoe and kayak race; the Source-to-Sound Cleanup; the opening day Fishing Derby; and regular guided hikes and canoe trips. Staff members are certified to offer basic canoe instruction and recruit and train students to become river interns. QRWA has formed many effective public and private partnerships. Reflecting the trans-boundary nature of a watershed, QRWA works with its allies at the municipal, regional, state and federal level, as well as with universities and colleges, foundations, local schools, neighborhood groups, other environmental organizations, and the business community to champion resource protection as a public benefit. We consistently work with CT DEP's Bureau of Water Management, Office of Long Island Sound Programs, and the CT DEP Parks & Forests Division, as well as with the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service. The QRWA is an organizational member of Rivers Alliance of Connecticut, a state-wide rivers advocacy group, and the New Haven Environmental Coalition. QRWA works with our partners to identify habitats and native plant and animal populations in need of restoration or resource protection, and then to develop and implement such projects. Working with students and Natural Resource Conservation Service ecologists, we have conducted native plant wetland and streamside buffer plantings. We have coordinated dozens of volunteers to erect osprey nesting platforms in the Q marsh, and constructed a public bird viewing blind within view of one of the platforms. In 2004, we coordinated 200 beetle farmers to biologically control purple loosestrife ( Lythrum salicaria ) as part of a statewide effort run by University of Connecticut. In the coming spring, working with CT DEP Inland Fisheries Division, the Town of Wallingford and Save the Sound, we will construct a fishway on Wallingford's Wallace Dam to permit native shad and alewife to reach their historic breeding grounds in the upper Q. QRWA has an aggressive advocacy program, arguing for limiting water diversions on an already stressed river and for increasing vegetative buffers, preserving habitat and mitigating runoff pollution whenever development threatens the river or its wildlife. QRWA advocates at the municipal level, providing testimony at Inland Wetlands and Watercourses, Conservation, and Planning & Zoning Commission hearings and at the state level joins with other river groups in support of stream flow and buffer legislation. Daddy’s Joke By Ruth Gordon I ate a quick breakfast on Saturday, then hurried to get showered and dressed. All of us had to be at Harrigan’s by seven o’clock sharp. After all, this was an event that would not wait. As I was dressing I thought of how fast the last few days had gone by. Just five days ago, on Tuesday, I had received the long distance phone call from Florida, telling me the news. Wednesday morning was begun with the usual necessary household tasks which I completed with unconscious awareness and then drove to the airport to pick up my mother. She was coming in on the noon flight. I sat in that stuffed waiting lounge for an eternity. Her plane finally landed at three o’clock, three hours late. I drove her back to my house. Late Wednesday evening that incessant phone rang again, this time with more news, “Your father will arrive on Pan Am flight one eighty five, Thursday afternoon at two o’clock,” advised the airline clerk in a pleasant professional voice. I thanked her and hung up. Mr. Harrigan was just about to go to bed when I phoned him to relay the message from the airline clerk. He reassured me that he would have his car and driver waiting at the airport when my father came off the plane. Reassuring worried people is one of Harrigan’s specialties. He did it again, when I asked about the price of the driver and car, by saying, “Yes, my dear, we charge a flat rate, but don’t worry we will settle that later. I will be seeing you tomorrow.” It was five o’clock Thursday afternoon, when my mother and I rang Harrigan’s door bell. True to his words, his driver had, just a short time earlier, brought my father here from the airport. Mr. Harrigan himself opened the door, wearing that patronizing plastic smile. He ushered us through the front room and into his office. We sat together on the sofa and he took his place behind a small oak desk. Daddy was no where to be seen. Harrigan assured us that my father had weathered the trip home from Florida nicely. We could all see him tomorrow, by then he would be ready to receive visitors. Then we began discussing the plans for Friday’s family reunion. Prices and details were thoughtfully worked out, with expert suggestions from Mr. Harrigan. On Friday afternoon we met in Mr. Harrigan’s front parlor. We saw Daddy. He looked very rested and quite distinguished in his dark blue suit. We stayed with him all that afternoon. On Saturday morning at seven o’clock sharp, family and friends gathered at the Harrigan Funeral Home to attend the funeral of my father. They carefully followed the civilized barbarism of the modern funeral ceremony, the custom of rented Cadillac limousines, brass handled over priced coffins, and dozens of soon to be wilting flowers. As I sat there in a kind of hysterical serenity, I realized that Daddy was not dead at all. The entire expensive affair had been nothing more than a joke. All the things that had made my father alive; his love, his kindness, his funny stories, his silly songs, and his quiet advice, all of these things were still alive, safely stored forever in my mind, memory and heart. And even Mr. Harrigan, with his satin lined mahogany coffin, could not remove them. Poor Harrigan, what a joke Daddy and I played on him. A Father's Day Remembrance By Ruth Miglierina Petrucci My Dad Leo Miglierina passed away on March 7, 1981. He was a quiet man who enjoyed the simple things in life. He was happy with what he had and never wanted for more. He never had a bad thing to say about any-one. He loved the Boston Red Sox and I thought of him last year when they won the World Series; I too love the Red Sox. We enjoyed a game in Fenway Park years ago. He enjoyed either listening to a game on his radio on his back porch or watching it on TV. I inherited my love for animals from him. He grew up in North Haven on State Street where the old homestead is still standing after all these years. He would tell me of the pets he had growing up and how he took care of them. I always had a cat as far back as I can remember. When one of my cats, Pansy, died I remember my Dad and I crying for days at just the mention of her name. Our back yard was a final resting place for many a pet. My dad worked at Wallace Silversmith's in Wallingford from age 16 until he retired. He was in charge of the chrome plating department. I remember when I was a little girl he took me to work one Saturday morning to show me where he worked. I was so impressed and proud of him. He was a hard worker and took pride in everything he did. He was the head usher at The Most Holy Trinity Church for many years until he took sick. Church was his second home. He spent a lot of time there every Saturday and Sunday. And also set up tables and chairs for different functions. Anywhere he was needed he was always available. He took a great pride in his yard and loved a nice lawn. He also liked to putter around the yard weeding and planting when Mom would let him. After that he would sit on the back porch with his dog Donka and listen to the radio or take a nap. Donka was always by his side; he even went for rides with him in the car, and loved vanilla ice cream in a cup. I have so many memories of my Dad that I am grateful for. I miss him and think of him often. I am happy that we did and said so many things together. That is a comfort to me. Anyone who is fortunate to have a parent or parents should take the time to appreciate them. Life is so short; once they are gone you can't say or do the things you might have wished you had. MOVING OUTSIDE TO BEAUTIFY GROUNDS By Phyllis S. Donovan Usually I don’t wait until June to start setting out my annual flower beds but it’s been an unusual spring. Most years I do my annual spring cleaning one room at a time, spending a day on each room, tearing it apart, wiping down walls, washing windows , polishing floors, and decluttering as I go. I was right on schedule too until my granddaughter went off to Washington, D.C. with her class and her mother, my daughter, was at loose ends for a whole week. “I’ll come down and help you hoe out Dad’s office,” she told me.” It’ll probably take us a few days but at least we can get started on it.” Now I must tell you that I’ve done little more than dust and vac in there for longer than I want to admit because his office is sacrosanct and once I go on a neating up binge he fusses that he can never find anything in there afterward. But the rug in there had been getting very shabby and I’d long since bought a new one to replace it. This meant getting rid of the piles of software, papers and important projects he had stacked all around in there on the old rug. But if my daughter was game, so was I. We tackled the room with gusto, carting everything out of there and stacking it in the adjoining family room. She came two days and together we shamed my husband into going through piles of obsolete computer stuff and outdated files, filling several barrels of junk for the trashman in the process. Once the room was empty, we were able to do the usual cleaning routine, put down the new rug and start from scratch, going through and organizing everything that would eventually go back into that lovely clean room. It took us three weeks to evaluate everything and get the family room emptied again and back into a comfortable living space. But we did it and now I finally can move outside and start on my neglected yard and gardens. Thank goodness, I have a wonderful young man who mows the lawn regularly, trims the bushes and even prunes my trees when they need it. My only responsibility is the flower beds and once the tulips and daffies went by, the yard has been pretty lacking in flowers. But here we go again. Before I could buy my sets of annuals, I first had to clean out the old dried up spring flowers and debris from the flowerbeds and cut back the weeds in my perennial beds to assess just what I’d need to buy from the garden center. This is the fun part! I just love browsing through garden centers with a cart in tow and choosing the flowers I want to set out around the house. I usually end up buying the same kinds of plants for the same areas each year..Impatiens for the shady beds and geraniums, vinca and petunias for the sunnier spots. I’m also partial to verbena, portulaca, argeratum and salvia. Since I like a pink, orchid and white color scheme, I try to get the blue salvia instead of the more common red but this year I found white salvia which I didn’t even know existed. So during the past week I’ve been happily setting out plants and getting muddy in the process of filling each hole I dig with water to give the plants a good start. The knees of my old garden pants have permanently mud stained knees and I’ll probably have grit and mud under my fingernails until next fall. (Garden gloves are a nuisance to me. They always get soddened down with mud and I end up stripping them off and getting in the mud with my bare hands.) I still have to weed the perennial beds and find out what hasn’t been strangled by weeds and what replacements I’ll need before the garden centers run out of stock. Already, my favorite store where a big burly guy always brings out the heavy bags of cedar mulch and puts them in my car trunk, has run out of the brown mulch I always use. They say they’ll be getting more next week and I hope they do because I don’t like that new red stuff. I’ve set out my Japanese lantern and my heavy two-piece stone birdbath (which our resident raccoon has already tipped over into the high weeds). Slowly but surely, I’m getting there, the gardens are starting to shape up and by the Fourth of July I should have things looking the way I want them. I’ve finally stopped feeding the birds on our deck so the deck is now swept clean and neat. I did have a final block of suet which I put out in the suet cage I keep attached to the back drainpipe for the woodpeckers. But the other night we heard an awful racket out there on the deck and my husband turned the light on and looked out the big picture window almost nose to nose with that small raccoon who was clinging to the drainpipe trying to open the suet cage. He’s not one bit afraid of us, just hopped back down on the deck and stared in at us with his funny little masked face and light fur eyebrows that give him a worried look before he ambled down the back stairs. Today the suet cage is empty so he accomplished his mission. That’s it! Now I’ll just put up my wind chime out there and sit back on my new deck furniture and enjoy the summer. Dear Housewives – Central Connecticut’s Know It All Gals Dear Readers, Do you have a question regarding family life, budgeting, customer service issues, DVD or book reviews, or home organization? We will give you our candid advice from a family perspective. Contact The Peoples Press by e-mail or phone with your confidential question and we will answer it in the next issue. Summer is just about here, the kids just about out of school. Hope you all have a safe and fun summer. -June and Flora Dear Housewives, My husband lost his job and sits on the couch all day. What can I do to help him get out of this rut? - Desperate in Meriden JUNE: It is upsetting to be out of work but you need to tell your husband that sitting on the couch won't help. I am sure there are many things around the yard and house that can be done. Doing these things not only gets the jobs done but will give him some self worth as well as keep his mind on something. Becoming a couch potato will not help. Good luck. Flora: First rule out depression. Job loss creates more than just money problems. If he seems depressed, contact his doctor's office immediately. If he is becoming lazy, give him some encouragement. Tell him how much you love and appreciate him for his support over the years. If he needs your help getting a resume polished up, or finding job connections, offer your time and attention to that. Yes, even if you are busy; make the time to help him. June is right on about doing household projects. Best wishes to you and your family. Dear Housewives, What are the best summer camps for kids in the area? - Camp out in Wallingford Flora: The scouting organizations have well-run, affordable options all summer long. Cub Scout Day Camps: www.ctyankee.org/camping/cubdaycamp Boy Scout Camps: www.ctyankee.org/camping/camps Girl Scout Camps: www.gsofct.org/participate/camp/ June: Meriden has a variety of camps. The YMCA has Mountain Mist Camp and the Boys and Girls Club has Camp Cuno. Camp Cuno is the one we are familiar with and my little June loved it. It was well run and they do have bus service from the camp to the club. Wallingford YMCA must have a camp as well. I do know the boys and girls club runs a camp in Wallingford. Good luck with your search. Movie Review. June: Hi Flora, my kids are counting down the days until school lets out. Mr. June and I watched The Blind Side this past weekend. It was a good movie and a nice story although I got the feeling the family was definitely trying to help out a kid who had football potential rather than just out of the goodness of their heart. Even so, who cares, his life turned out great because of them no matter what the motives were. Sandra Bullock was good but I feel the character was not a difficult one to play and perhaps wasn't necessarily an Oscar winning type of character. The girl who played Precious should have won the Oscar, that was a character that was a challenge to play. All and all I recommend it as a good movie. Any up to date ones for you? "Pitbulls Need Love Too" Lori Peck, Meriden Humane Society I would first like to extend a "Happy Father's Day" greeting to all of the human fathers out there. But, I would also like to thank the animal Dad's as well. Thank you for always being there for us. Wether it's the time you spend playing with your children, talking with them or just listening to them, we know you care. And for the animal Dad's, thanks for playing with us, refilling the holes we dig and keeping that fence secure around the yard. Your great, keep up the good work! Getting back to my regular article. If I've heard it once, I've heard it a million times, "All this shelter has is Pitbulls!" Well, even if this were the case, don't they deserve good homes as well? Most of our Pitbulls are very sweet, lovable dogs that were just tossed outside like yesterday's trash. Is that what we want them to feel like? I will tell you from experience, that there have been Chihuahua's more fierce than some of our Pit's. I think it's time for people to stop hating them and start loving them. Find out for yourself and not just what you hear about the breed. You'll be happily surprised! We also have many Pitbull mixes as well. So if your still not convinced about the breed, then come visit a mixed breed. Some of them are, Tuesday, a Shepherd/Pit mix, Bill, a Shar Pei/Pit mix, Rocks, a Lab/Pit mix, Dexter, a Lab/Pit mix, Morgan, a Whippet/Pit mix, Destiny, a Lab/Pit mix and Salena, a Spaniel/Pit mix. It is also indeed Kitten season and we have many to choose from. So, come on down to visit and fill out an application. We would love to send you home with a kitty as soon as you are approved. So don't just think about it, come in today and find your new furry friend. Please view our website at www.meridenhs.petfinder.com for events, to make a donation for an animal or to view our animals. You can visit us at 311 Murdock Ave, or call us at (203)238-3650. Please don't wait, our shelter and ACO are filled to capacity with wonderful animals to adopt now! See you at the shelter. The Joke Was On Dad by Janet Althouse Several years ago when my children were teenagers, and when the first walkman cassette players were new and very popular, my youngest daughter, Patti got one as a Christmas present. Her father, not really being familiar with this new technology, was in awe of the way you could put a small tape in this instrument, put small ear phones in your ears and sit back and listen to music like you were there in the midst of this huge orchestra. He loved the old Big Band music, so we got him a tape. One day as he sat tuned in and was sitting back directing the music with his hands in the air and singing along to "Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy", unbeknownest to him, Patti, was taping him. He was just laughing and having a good time not knowing what she was doing. But he was soon to find out. Her dad, just happened to be the principal at the local High School and he was also known to like to joke around and tease our children and some of the other students. So---Patti thought it would be great to let some of the kids at school listen to their illustrious principal. She took it to school and played it for several students and teachers before he realized just what she was doing. But you have to give him credit, he did not get mad, he did not call Patti into the "Principal's" office and everyone had a good laugh over the whole thing. So, the moral to the story is: be careful when your children are looking like they are doing one thing, because they just may be setting you up for a joke. Her dad has been gone several years now, but we can still enjoy remembering the day that "the joke was on dad." HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE DADS By Rabbi Baruch Kaplan It was Sunday, Memorial Day weekend, but I was not standing around a BBQ and neither were the other 175 Rabbis gathered in Stamford. Our nametags had the cities where we lived, Midtown Manhattan, Boston, MA, Queens, NY, and then there were the smaller towns Wallingford, CT, Sudbury, MA, Warwick, RI. We had joined together for a day of inspiration and ideas. Although each of our communities are different, our goal is the same. We are Chabad Shluchim – a Jewish organization dedicated to making Judaism, its laws, customs and teachings accessible to every Jew regardless of their background, prior knowledge, or affiliation…. How, though, do we accomplish that? Firstly, we aren’t merely a group of Rabbis but rather families. Our families are proud to become part of the unique culture that each city or town offers. In our case, the town of Wallingford with its friendly, unpretentious warmth – is the perfect place to raise a family. We offer a wide array of family programs where one can learn while having fun. For example, on Hannukah - rain or snow- community members from all backgrounds join to light a large Menorah, taste steaming latkes and enjoy jelly doughnuts on the Railroad Green . At each of our holiday programs there are a variety of activities geared for children and adults alike, to learn and explore the beauty of Judaism. Our center, located in the heart of town, 174 Center Street serves as a home for a wide range of Jewish activities ~ Synagogue, Holiday celebrations and classes. Every Sunday morning a lively class (9:30 am) on Jewish mysticism unfolds where participants not only enjoy the delicious coffee and light breakfast, but leave feeling inspired, charged and challenged. Though the class officially ends at 10:30 the room is still abuzz at 11:00 with intense conversation. Other facets of our center might be found on Café Chabad – comedy night, or the One stop Hannukah Shoppe. But to really get to know us, I invite you to give us a call (203)265-4012 and find out how much more there is for you. How about membership? There is none. All of our events and classes are open to the public. Feel free to walk in at any time and we are sure that you will feel comfortable! Getting back to our conference, a lot of great ideas were brought up and some we’ll implement, but the best ideas of how we can truly make our Jewish Center - your center- will come from you. Please send me an e mail @ chabadwallingford@sbcglobal.net . Life along the Q River… An Update from the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association June 2010 – QRWA Butterfly & Bee Garden It started out as an idea when JoAnne Grabinski was walking her dog, Snip. She was working on her Master’s degree and one of the many requirements was to do a research project. She thought a butterfly and bee garden would be nice, since both insect families have been experiencing hardships recently. Butterflies, especially monarchs, are losing their natural meadow habitats containing milkweed, a primary food source, to developers as well as their winter residence of fir trees in Mexico. Bees too, have been having troubles with Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, a condition which causes them to mysteriously abandon their hives for no apparent reason. Between the two of them, they account for up to 33% of the pollination of our fruits and vegetables and are a key link in our food source production. The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association came to the rescue by enabling JoAnne to have the Butterfly & Bee garden on the headquarters’ property on Oregon Road in Meriden. President Ginny Chirsky has been wholeheartedly behind the effort saying, “While we are an organization whose primary mission is to protect, restore and enjoy the Quinnipiac River, this garden enhances our future Environmental Education Center that sits right on the shores of Hanover Pond. Addressing the decline of butterflies and bees is another example of how we need to protect and nurture our environment.” One of the benefits of the garden is its location; it’s nestled between two popular linear trails, one paved and the other natural. People have to walk right by the garden to walk the Gorge trail and that has proven to be beneficial to many. It is JoAnne’s hope that walkers will take a slight detour to spend some time in the garden for inspiration, reflection and conversation. JoAnne worked diligently and her efforts were rewarded in numerous way. She received a $2,500 grant from Yankee Gas Services and has gratefully used those funds to establish the garden. Donations of many kinds came in to help make this a community effort from the fencing, to the mulch and compost to trap rock to the bird baths to the loaning of professional equipment to the many plants from growers and individuals. Others donated their time and talents, most notably Frank Basch for the whimsical sign and all-around muscle and Melissa Haseley, certified master gardener, who designed the garden and complied the plant list. JoAnne had the opportunity to speak to several Meriden organizations including the Rotary, Kiwanis, Senior Center, Linear Trail Advisory Committee, South Meriden Lions and the Red Hats. Many organizations and their members contributed to this effort. Many thanks goes to Dan Adamik of Meriden’s Venture Program, where students and staff created 64 incredible stepping stones and one beautiful insect themed stone for the entrance. The creativity is amazing and the stones will add so much to the garden. Other groups have contributed to the project including a bench from the Meriden Intermediate Club, a rustic bench crafted by St. Mary’s Boy Scout Troop 28 under the direction of Gary Scranton Jr. and an arbor by QRWA board member Marty Mador. The project began with staking the garden’s perimeter; a 50’ x 50’ square, then the design was painted on the ground and was edged to establish the garden beds. Next 30 yards of compost was spread to smother any weeds and create the beds. Several weeks later the garden was planted by volunteers on two consecutive days with purchased and donated plants. “This has been a wonderful project to work on,” states JoAnne. “I’m amazed at the generosity of the community to make this project become a reality. With so many people contributing just one small thing that together we have created a delightful place for insects and humans alike.” She describes that is garden is a perfect example of the ‘Butterfly Effect’, where one small change can have a huge impact on an area. QRWA Executive Director Mary Mushinsky adds, “This garden enhances the biodiversity of the Dossin Beach area and is a living reminder of the importance of these pollinators to a healthy environment.” Melissa Haseley, QRWA member and master gardener commented, “It’ll take a good three years for the garden to be fully established, but it looks great right now.” A variety of plants were selected including native, perennials, annuals and herbs for their varying bloom times and needed sources for larva and nectar. Volunteers are still needed to water, weed and mulch the garden. If you are interested in physically helping with the garden please contact JoAnne at 203-235-0775 or through the QRWA website, www.qrwa.org. We will continue to accept plants and monetary donations. JoAnne submitted her final paper and expects to receive her degree this summer and encourages you to stop by and visit the Butterfly and Bee Garden. Upcoming QRWA Events: QRWA Annual Flea Market – date to be announced. Either buy a table to sell your own items or stop by to see what treasures you can find. Please check web site for details www.qrwa.org. Summer Paddle Program – July and August, 2010. In cooperation with the City of Meriden's Community Development Block Grant Program, QRWA staff and interns will offer family paddling days. To register, call (203) 237-2237. The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to restore the Quinnipiac for the health and enjoyment of all citizens and communities along its reach and to educate all students, families, individuals, businesses and governments to be informed stewards of the river. We provide water activities, events in education, outreach, advocacy, scientific monitoring, conservation, restoration, recreation and public access to the watershed area. To learn more about the QRWA and future events, please visit our website at www.qrwa.org. Thank you for your support and remember your donations are tax deductable. The Town of Wallingford will not forget… I would like to introduce myself, Jennifer Burns Parmelee, a life time resident of Wallingford CT. Attended Rock Hill School, Dag Middle School and then to Wilcox RVTS. As many parents, I will embrace for our children the upcoming changes to our school configuration. As many others, I plead with the town officials for a year to grow. A year to make reconfiguration a sturdy, well known plan that can set our children an educational baseline of success. I opened a Facebook Group called The Town of Wallingford Will Not Forget. The group has made a public vow to stay more involved with our BOE, Town Council and Mayors beliefs and proposed changes. I personally felt blindsided by reconfiguration. I felt we could have had a larger part of the details that affected so many facets of our lives as town’s people and parents. Through research the Town of Wallingford will be reconfiguring 8 elementary schools, where many towns in the past have 2-4 schools. When other towns choose this, they did so as a unit. They had a year to 18 months of parents, BOE members, politicians, transportation experts and school staff debate, research and iron out the fine details before it was rolled out. Parents found out in January of 2010, we only got focus groups and multi meetings by asking and where only told the ‘up’ side. I had opened a Facebook group back in January called Concerned Parents Wallingford CT Board of Educ. Budget, we found that the first presented cost savings of about 1 million dollars was really 300,000 dollars. We found that many towns, even on a smaller scale reconfigured a 2nd time back to K-5 and some going up to K-6 model after the K-2 and 3-5 model had many negative effects. One being a correlation of lower test scores. Parents of the other towns echoed concerned that grade school age children need consistency. So the parents asked, if we have a working model, why are we changing? How many children from other towns had trouble adjusting to the changing schools more often? How will transportation work? As some parents purchased homes to be in walking distance, and now one child may be a bus and one may be a walker? These questions remain unanswered. The day of the finial vote to reconfigure or stay K-5 the towns’ people were told the transportation study would be ready the following day and they voted to reconfigure that night. NESDEC, completed a private study for our town, they said in short, it could be done, but to wait a year. (please see the link to the results below) The parents conceded to these findings, most where content with taking the time to it once and do it right. Now the town of Wallingford will reconfigure in less 4 months time of the vote. Eight schools, re-plumbing, moving desks, libraries, supplies and most disturbingly hundreds of Children and Teachers! In mid June Teachers may know which school they will be in, what grade they will teach and many will not have a job at all. I ask that the Town of Wallingford not forget what we have seen in the past 6 month. If you are on Facebook or not, as a parent, a grandparent, or a concerned citizen that you vow to take a greater part in the direction that our town is headed. This does not only affect our children, our teachers and parents. It takes its toll on the entire town! Will this town have less appeal to new buyers, will they not like such quick and unplanned changes? If families are not buying houses, will your home loose equity? Will the wonderful teachers this town attracted want to teach here next year or will they want a more secure working environment? These are the questions The Town of Wallingford will learn the hard way! I strongly hope I am wrong, I would be good with being wrong, but my last question to you all: Did we all decide to take this venture together and who will be most affected? http://www.wallingford.k12.ct.us/uploaded/Board_of_Education/Budget20102011/NESDEC_FINAL_REPORT_5-14-10.pdf Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scouts of America at 2010 First Aid Spring Camporee What do a mechanical tiger, a knight, remote control boats, 1,500 Clif Bars and Congressman Christopher Murphy all have in common? They were all part of the BSA Sleeping Giant District’s 2010 Spring Camporee, held on May 14 -16, 2010 Over 675 Scouts and Scouters from Meriden, Southington, North Haven, Hamden, Wallingford and other towns camped at Hubbard Park in Meriden for the weekend. This First Aid themed camporee helped kick off National Emergency Medical Services Week in Connecticut. Hunter’s Ambulance in Meriden was one of the primary sponsors of the camporee and they reached out to EMTs and Paramedics to provide training to Scouts for the First Aid Merit Badge. Additional first aid activities were offered to older scouts who had already earned this Merit Badge. Cub Scouts, family members and the public also attended the event on Saturday. Activities included shuttles up to Castle Craig, fishing in the lake with fishing poles donated by Cabelas, radio controlled boats, Soap Box derby racing and a variety of Scouting, military, emergency preparedness and first aid related displays. Dan Deluca, author of the Old Leatherman - a true story about a hiker in Connecticut from the 1800’s, led a trek to a cave that the Old Leatherman used. Congressman Christopher Murphy, representatives from the City of Meriden and Connecticut General Assembly, along with the Connecticut Yankee Council executives and Board of Directors participated in a dedication-recognition ceremony. Adult volunteers who recently completed Scouting’s Wood Badge leadership development training course were also honored. The Show was held on Saturday night in the Hubbard Park Band shell. Performers include The Quinnipiac Dancers, a Native American Dance Team, part of The Order of the Arrow Scouting Honor Society; Scouting videos by Dave Lyons; The Fuse, a Youth Rock Band; "Magic Mike" Gagne and The River Street Band. As part of the camporee, the district completed several community service projects including… Clean up project at Hubbard Park – Over 80 Scouts marked trails, cleaned the skate house and picked up trash in preparation for the annual Daffodil Festival. Food Drive - Scouts brought canned food to the Camporee, and the donations were delivered to the food pantry in their own town. Liberty Elm Memorial Project – 16 Liberty Elm trees were planted by the Achewon Chapter of the Order Of The Arrow, Scouting’s Honor Society at the William ‘Bill” Dunn Sports Complex in Meriden. This project is supported by the Meriden Rotary Club. Public Safety Boards were built for the City of Meriden Castle Craig & Hubbard Park souvenirs were created and were sold by Scouts at the Daffodil Festival and Camporee with extras to be donated to the City of Meriden Congratulations to the planning committee and all of the volunteers for this special 100th anniversary celebration. We extend a special thank you to the City of Meriden, CT for allowing the Scouts to use Hubbard Park and Castle Craig for this event and to all of the sponsors and supporters. For more information about the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scouts of America, visit http://scouting.org/100years/100years/. For more information about joining Scouting, visit www.BeAScout.org. Julie Mantovani June 1 at 12:04am My favorite memory of Pauline took place last summer. She had just fallen ill and I suppose she needed and little something to smile for. Pauline decided that she wanted to get everyone together for a picnic. The entire Bencivengo family was there and Pauline was just thrilled to have everyone together. As sick as she was she hung in and enjoyed the party and laughter. After some time she became tired and needed to go rest in her room. As she rested Larry, Deanna and Mark began to reminisce about old times and the laughter roared through the house. Within minutes Pauline came walking down the hall with a smile a mile wide. She sat down and said that she could hear all the good old stories and the laughing while she was in her room and could no longer resist (as tired as she was) joining in. The whole family sat around for hours reminiscing and laughing to point where your belly hurts and tears pour from your eyes. Pauline joined in telling stories and jokes and laughing. I sat back and soaked in the love that was filling that room, and realized; it was all because of her. And the greatest gift or thank you her kids could have given her was right then and there; it was in the smiles and laughter from their stories of childhood. The childhood that she gave them; and the happiness that was so very obvious. Her smile that night I will never forget, her laughter I can still hear and the love I will forever feel. Snap, Crackle, BOOM! by Craig Fishbein Growing up, the Fourth of July was always a big deal in my family. It was the one of those obligatory holidays that you could count on seeing every relative that you had ever heard mentioned at any other time of the year. We would go to my grandparent’s beach house in Branford, relax/play on the beach during the day, and “Gramma Fish” would make everyone dinner as the afternoon waned. At the end of the day, most of us would travel back to our homes in Wallingford. Sometimes the Wallingford Fireworks were on that night, and sometimes they were not, but it always seems that, for all that I can remember, year after year, we never missed Wallingford’s Fourth of July Fireworks. Our Wallingford is a town that I describe to others as being, “quaint.” Even though we have ushered in a Walmart, a Home Depot, a Lowe’s, and soon Connecticut’s first Sonic, Wallingford still retains a certain amount of New England charm. When you get right down to it, we are a small, folksy, family town, and I would have it no other way. We have a community newspaper (the People’s Press), a Farmer’s Market, a historic and world-class shooting facility, a vibrant downtown area with many family owned businesses and restaurants, acres and acres of town-owned open space, the lowest electric rates around, and a mayor who’s a throwback to a time well before I was born. …and then there’s the fireworks. As a youngster, fireworks were (to me) only supposed to be employed to recognize the Fourth of July. To me, the Fourth of July was dinner in Branford, and fireworks in Wallingford. Simple. But, as I have gotten older, I have come to appreciate the Wallingford Fourth of July Fireworks for other reasons. Someday, take the time to get a copy of the Declaration of Independence. Read it. Then think about the setting in which that vibrant document was written. Then read it again. The frustration and angst will just drip off the page. The Committee of Five saying (in effect), “We’re mad as hell, and we aren’t gonna take it anymore.” To me, that is what the Fourth of July (better known as Independence Day) recognizes. Our ancestors breaking away from a situation that was just too intolerable for them to continue to deal with any longer. The Declaration of Independence begins: “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” The words above you have probably seen someplace before, they are probably of some interest but, put in the context above, and as you read on with the successive paragraphs, the language becomes spine-tingling. To me, as an adult, Wallingford’s Fourth of July Fireworks celebrate the gumption of our forefathers (and foremothers) in doing what they believed (and knew) to be right. Our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” tells the story of Francis Scott Key who witnessed the British bombing of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. While his original poem was much longer than the truncated version that we have come to know as our anthem, a major portion of the lyric says: “…And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there; O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave…” This is another reason for my enjoying the Wallingford Fourth of July Fireworks. To me, they symbolize the triumph that Mr. Key must have felt when the smoke cleared and the flag remained. The final reason that I enjoy the Wallingford Fourth of July Fireworks is that they are about family and community. It is the only Wallingford event that people come from all around (some even from other towns) and enjoy together for free. There are no tickets sold…, no admission required. Many thousands attend on the Sheehan hillside or the Moran fields. People lean against their cars, and sit on curbs. Many people even sit in the privacy of their own backyards and enjoy for free. By now you know that Jason Zandri and I have been successful in raising the money to have the Wallingford Fourth of July Fireworks again this year. I hope that, with the above, I have been able to explain some of my reasoning behind the fundraising effort to save the event. Additionally, in my humble opinion, in this economy, it is key that communities and families have something wholesome to enjoy. But, without all of the donations it would never have been possible. So, while people stop me all the time and comment on what a great thing we have done, or express their thanks for our efforts, I just have to turn that around and say THANK YOU to all that donated. Without your generous donations (which ranged from mere pennies to thousands of dollars) it would never have been possible. I thank you all once again and ask you to please enjoy the fireworks, for whatever personal reason(s) that you may have. The Urban Garden by Ernie Larsen aka “Farmer Ted” I was talking with a couple of people at work about my modest gardening efforts and they were saying they had no space for a garden, well if you look around your property I’ll bet you could find a spot for a tomato plant or two. Did you know tomatoes are the most planed vegetable in gardens? This factoid is based on me driving around and noticing how many people plant these so called ‘love apples’. Well, anyway – getting to the gist of this article, I noticed that in a new gardening book the author mentions a potting soil garden. Not having a copy of the book I sorta out figured that you must just plant something in a bag of potting soil. Being an experimenter, tinkerer I accepted the challenge. I had a bag of 8 pounds of potting soil, $1.00 at O.S.J.L. and a couple of cherry tomato plants (these were 6 for $1.25). So I figured out the following method for my planting. 1. in the backside of the bag of soil I made around 12 slits with a knife – this is the side that will contact the ground and you always need good drainage 2. 3. then in the center of the bag I cut a hole just large enough to insert the tomato plant – made sure the root ball is secure and place it gently into my auxiliary garden 4. 5. it seems to have ‘taken’ and I’m keeping it plenty moist as the sun hits the plastic bag and is generating some funky heat 6. 7. for your visual pleasure – see the attached photo; Photos Ó Ernie Larsen/2010 All Rights Reserved The lovely month of May…… ……….a musing by Ernie Larsen WOW, another month passed – where did it go? Wait a minute, remember. Half of it washed away in those ridiculous rain spells that happened at the most inopportune times, like weekends. And I’m getting a bit tired of hearing, it’s New England you know, the weather changes almost minute by minute – well, here’s a shout out to Mother Nature – STOP!!! Enough with the unsettled weather, about time we got back on track and had some consistency in our weather pattern, Ands that’s all I’m going to say on that subject – as we all very well know, you can talk all day about the weather, but it is its own being and no one can do anything about it – so there, I do feel a little better about the minor rant, however it just started to drizzle, I guess that’s just MN rubbing my nose in it, eh? So, May was a pretty interesting month – no? We were pretty busy, my son-in-law threw a 50th wedding anniversary shindig for his parents at he and my daughter’s home, really nice party – lots of people, camaraderie and of course, good food. Then there was my first fishing outing and this year it was a bit sweeter than ever, being 65, my license now is on a no charge basis and it couldn’t have come at a better time –just as our state ‘representatives’ doubled the fee for fishing, hunting and trapping licenses – WHY they thought they could generate a significant amount of revenue in this manner – possibly only a politician could explain this folly to this outdoor enthusiast. There is a positive ending to this flap – the General Assembly/DEP reduced the pricing of the license fees and will issue a credit those who paid the higher amount when they renew their license next year. So, getting back to fishing, met my friends Ron and Denise at the Salmon River on a Friday – for Ron’s b-day fishing trip, an annual outing for us. Started in the fly fishing only area and really were crowded out by some newer to the sport who haven’t gotten to the etiquette part of the rule - book yet. So we wandered over to the other side of Rt. 16 and went in adjacent to the pavilion at the old Firemen’s grounds. I was about in the middle of the very low but fast running river and Ron and his missus had not yet gotten to their preferred spots. My first cast with a blue wing olive hooked up with a 15” rainbow trout, plump and feisty. This was definitely a hold over and as pretty a fish as you’d ever seen. Denise bent her line on a couple and I garnered one more short and stocky brown. And birthday boy Ron got skunked – but as he says, “that’s why they call it fishing and not catching”. May is also the month the Triple Crown of the sport of King’s begins. My brother and I started a bit of a tradition a few years ago, wagering on the Kentucky Derby. And keeping up with that theme, we did so this year. We both hit on the Derby – I made a quite a bit more scoring on an exacta – which paid for all my wagering that day and into the Preakness Stakes, which we now will treat with a moment of silence, ……………. OK back at it and I just remembered, this coming weekend is the Belmont Stakes, a chance to redeem ourselves from the miserable showing in Baltimore and once again try our luck at the Sport of Kings. And speaking of sport, took my granddaughter to the Meriden Lion’s Club fishing derby at Baldwin’s Pond. The first gift she received from Poppa (me) when she was born was a fishing rod. So we trekked over to BP and signed her up, got to tell you, those Lion’s members sure had it planned to the nth degree – and even though my little one did not win any prizes or catch a fish – she had a ball casting and interacting with the other 100 or so children whom the Lion’s hosted for this fine event; thanks MLC. May is usually the month I plan and plant my garden and after last years’ late blight on my tomatoes I decided to start my own from seed. The long and the short of it, a kit I bought from Christmas Tree Shops produced 10 great beefsteak plants while some others I started are still in their infancy. I did buy some half-dollar cherry tomato plants and also some cucumbers. Did the majority of my planting 5/16. Used a couple of the cherry tomato plants for my hanging pots and a deck plant. So, now it’s just wait and see and hope I get enough produce to eat and share. I did plant one of my unique upside down plants in the front yard daffodil garden – lots of sun there, fingers crossed. And now I’m finishing up writing this on Memorial Day weekend – my usual planting day – well that front yard plant went out on Saturday. Had a another nice get-together at my daughter’s also on Saturday, lots of food and good company – friends of hers with twins and a toddler, my granddaughter and a couple of boys and another girl her age and my 5 month old granddaughter who I bet was thinking, just wait until next year, they’ll be chasing after me. The children had a ball and even though it wasn’t really that warm, the allure of a sprinkler brought squeals of joy or was it fear???? And the tire swing is always very popular. The children had lots of fun good to see them interacting so nicely. So the ‘unofficial’ beginning of summer is winding down – I noticed the publisher wanted some Father’s Day stories – just seeing the men/father’s of the small children being fathers was enough for me – what more could you ask for than being with your children and lending a hand in their ‘growing up’ years? And remember, this year Memorial Day fell on the ‘day’ it used to be – there was a fine parade in Meriden, lots of people out to show their support for the troops now and then (Korea vets were honored this year) – did I see you there?? Remember the freedom(s) you enjoy comes at a price; some have paid big. Next month I’m entering into a new dimension – retirement from full time employment – this will be something different– stay tuned. To read the current issue of The People’s Press in image form or download the latest pdf go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ The People’s Press is a community newspaper serving Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut. We invite you to join us by becoming a part of the family of our submitters and sharing your news, stories, photos and views that matter most to Wallingford, Meriden and Central Connecticut. We are YOUR newspaper. You will also find information from the Wallingford and Meriden Mayors, the Wallingford and Meriden Public Libraries, the Wallingford and Meriden Senior Centers, the Wallingford and Meriden Health Departments, other various town and city departments and events as well as information about the wonderful groups and civic organizations that help Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut to be a better place. Email andy@peoplespressnews.com or call 203-235-9333 if you have any questions. ..….a bean is a bean is a bean….but not always In April of ’78, Christopher was born to the delight of sibling Robyn who was not yet two; and for me, their grandmother. Robyn and I enjoyed our time together with dolls, books and games, while her mom cared for baby Christopher. One day as lunchtime neared, Robyn was excited to help prepare green beans for lunch, and eagerly helped to snap them. After we put them into the pan for cooking, she came several times to be lifted up to look into the pot, saying ‘beans’. I was amazed at her commitment to those beans because most kids her age went from one task to another in a short span of time. Lunchtime was called and she was settled into her high chair eagerly wanting the beans. After one look at them, she pushed them away and we saw her crestfallen face---which was so perplexing. Her refusal to eat led her daddy to lift her up with the admonition; ‘no tantrums at the dinner table’. She was put her into her crib and told to sleep it off. Later in the afternoon we were at her toy box when she lifted her Easter basket and held up an empty plastic Easter egg to me, saying “Beans”. Light dawned and my spirit was crushed. The faith she’d had in me to turn string beans into jelly beans really unnerved me and I held her closely. We took a walk to the neighborhood store in search of jelly beans, but found none. They had not yet been replenished after the Easter holiday. It was time for us to cuddle with her book of favorite stories. She’s 30 years old now, but I still tuck jelly beans into her gift boxes. Dorothy Gonick Barbara's Bountiful Bouquet What a spring we had at the Wallingford Community Garden. All of the rain produced a tremendous amount of grass and weeds everywhere, and I was so busy with work in April that I never had a chance to start my garden cleanup until the beginning of May, and what a challenge it proved to be. My 15 by 30 plot had weeds and grass that were knee-high. So with my trusty hoe in hand, one foot at a time I began to clear the plot. I almost gave up a few times because it just seemed overwhelming to me, and it was also very hot, and I do not have the endurance I had years ago. Somehow over the next three weeks, a little at a time, I managed to completely rid my garden of the unwanted vegetation. I decided to go to Vinny's and buy some weed block fabric because I had to do something to make my life easier for the future. I dug troughs between the rows where I would be planting tomatoes and such, and then cut strips of fabric and placed it in the troughs and then put hay over it. Even that was a lot of work, especially when it was so hot. I put the weed block on every border of my garden and on all of the paths where I walk, and hay over it. It required a bit of effort, but I am determined not to have to weed all summer long and especially next spring. I'm getting a little too old for this. So finally by May 24th I was ready to start planting. I had purchased tomatoes, basil, and marigolds a week before, so one day I planted 24 marigolds and 6 cherry tomatoes, and a few days later planted the 6 Jet Star tomatoes and 6 Big Boy tomatoes. Yes, 18 tomato plants, but you can never have too many tomatoes! Of course putting the cages around them was a bit of a fight. You almost need two people to do that, but I accomplished it solo. It was just so hot every day I was there, it seemed like everything took forever to do. I realized at some point during the week I had not bought any cucumbers, so I went and got two six-packs of those too. The basil and cukes were planted on the 29th, and I normally do not plant anything until Memorial Day, so this year was the earliest I have ever gotten my veggies and flowers in the ground. Some gardeners at the Community Garden planted squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes a little too early, and the vegetables didn't make it, so they had to plant again. I was at the garden on Sunday, the 30th, and I was happy to see that so far my cucumbers look good. I almost always have to plant them twice, but maybe this year will be different. I decided to put round cages around them this year and see if I can train them up the cages. I didn't have quite enough cukes for four hills, so in one hill I planted seeds. I used to have six hills, but the strawberries have taken over a bit of the space I used to use. I have now more or less boxed off the strawberries so that they cannot spread beyond where they are, I hope. And I have eaten three strawberries to date. Yum. On the 30th I planted a row of two types of sunflowers, Autumn Beauty and Mammoth Russian. I also have two volunteer sunflowers at the very top of one row of tomatoes, so we'll see what happens. All of the perennial flowers have survived and are doing well, as is the garlic. I bought a special cage to put around the black-eyed susans this year to help support them. I haven't put the cage up yet, but I will soon. We have several new gardeners this year, one couple right next to me, and they are very nice. Another new couple is several plots behind me, but we have talked quite a bit, and it is so refreshing to have such pleasant new members of the Community Garden. Apparently there were budget cuts or something because we got no compost this year. We do have an area set up for a compost heap, but there is no way a backhoe can get to it to turn it over. More and more fences are being built by gardeners to discourage the critters. Quite a change from years ago when the entire garden was plowed and harrowed. Every year we would have to line and measure all the plots, put in stakes and rope off all the plots, and that was a big job. Not to mention having to rake your plot and deal with thousands of rocks. It was a huge chore, and I'm glad the decision was made to not plow the garden every year. It also allowed people to plant perennials, which we were never able to do in the past. So now that everything is planted, this means I have to watch the weather and take time to water. Let us hope we don't have a summer like we had last year, the summer that never was. I would rather have to make a daily trip to water than deal with endless days of rain and eventually the tomato blight. Things are looking promising though, warm weather, lots of sun, and hopefully it will be a really beautiful summer this year. The first day of summer is three weeks away, and I am loving the longer days of sunlight. Happy Father's Day to all of you who are dads! And happy gardening! Barbara Sherburne barndt49@yahoo.com The Wallingford Fireworks By Jason Zandri It all started for me with an article in the Record Journal on April 6, 2010 "Wallingford: No funds for fireworks." (I have it cross posted on my blog at http://zandri.net/Blog/?p=710 - case sensitive). The first paragraph reads: "Like last year, Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr.’s budget proposal eliminates more than $30,000 in funding for the town’s annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration. But unlike last year, it remains to be seen whether there is sufficient support among members of the Town Council to restore that funding in the town’s 2010-11 spending plan." I knew this year was going to be different; I had spoke to many of the members of the Town Council and most indicated they would not be able to support putting them back into the budget even if the money could be found, considering all of the other money matters that were ongoing at the time with the school budget and the town budget overall. My biggest issue is that we did no real planning to save the event. We knew from the year before that the event was at risk because it was cut then too but ultimately restored. I made the poor assumption that whoever was in charge of Wallingford's entertainment, things like fireworks, Celebrate Wallingford, the downtown concert series and the like would be looking into options and alternatives. For one reason or another they were not and no proactive efforts were taken. The hammer came down at the Town Council meeting on April 13, 2010 - the 50 plus year tradition known as the Wallingford Fireworks Celebration would go unfunded for 2010. And then I heard nothing else about it over the next two days. I suddenly realized no one was going to do anything about it and they were resigned to let it end. I couldn't stand by and not do something. I wrote my FROM WALLINGFORD column that week, titled "Pie in the sky? Save our fireworks!" (I have it cross posted to my blog at http://zandri.net/Blog/?p=703 - case sensitive). In it I took issue that no planning had been done to save the fireworks and I challenged Wallingford's citizens with the task to dig into their pockets to help sponsor the event and I asked "Are you up to the challenge?" I felt by sheer numbers that attend the show - estimated to be over 10,000 on the Sheehan, Moran and Highland School grounds and many thousands more that watch from their homes and from the industrial parks - that the citizens COULD save the show if they really wanted to as it effectively worked out to about $3.00 a person. I soon realized two major problems - how to reach all those people and needing someone to lead the effort. I decided if I was going to raise a clarion call that I might have to consider to be a major part of the effort. Since no one was coming forward to lead I did so myself. I soon had help. Craig Fishbein contacted me straight away to see what he could do to lend a hand in the effort I was about to undertake. The two of us along with my father began soliciting donations over the first couple of weeks. Backed by our own donations to open the fund's checking account and a couple of large donations from a couple of business owners and we were over $7,500.00 in the first ten days. We had gotten a long way in a short time but that was all we had - short time. The Mayor did agree to commit the town to the event if all the funds could be raised in advance but this needed to be done with enough time to pull all of the necessary permits and allow for all the proper planning and scheduling. In years past that all needed to be in motion by the first full week of June at the latest. Worse still, I had business travel coming up on that week and my last free day was Tuesday June 1st and that was the new deadline. With 44 days in total and 10 already gone we had an uphill battle to fight that was for sure. I wrote my second FROM WALLINGFORD column that week following week titled " Save Wallingford’s Fireworks 2010" On my blog at http://zandri.net/Blog/?p=744 I dedicated it to my kids my kids who don’t normally even get to see the show because they spend their summers in Poland with my wife. I wrote "I am sorry little ones that Daddy has been really busy these past 10 days. I will be busier over the next five weeks. I am sorry, in advance, for that too. June 1st is when I have to get this task completed; it is the same day that I will be dropping you off at the airport and I won’t see you again after that until August 29th. I will make it up to you – I promise. The life lesson here is fight for the things you believe in and never quit until you complete the task or have otherwise exhausted all options." I meant every word and I live that every day of my life. In the remainder of the article I again asked for people's help and asked them if they were up to the challenge to restore this tradition. The outcome was enormous over the next 24 days and we hit the total needed to save the event with 10 days to spare. I get a lot of thanks from everyone for saving this celebration. I try to remind people that it was not a one man show and I couldn't do it without support. They thank me none the less and say "while that's true someone had to lead; thank you for taking charge." I try to gracefully accept that. Now let me take the time to thank you Wallingford. Thank you for stepping forward with your donations - without them this effort would not have succeeded. Thank you for getting us over the finish line with 10 days to spare as those 10 days went back to my children as they got their father's spare time back. Thank you Wallingford businesses that stepped up with larger donations. Thank you as well to the few citizens that did this too. In a tight economy this is doubly amazing. Thank you for having the faith in me to be able to see this through. Even at times when I stumbled and had some doubt, now that the ball was rolling, you were not going to let me fail. Thank you for helping me prove that if there are enough of us on the same page we can chart our own destiny after the road has been laid out before us. Thank you for being "Wallingford" - a large town with progressive people whose hearts and minds make a community that is envied by many all over Connecticut. Thank you again and I'll see you at the fireworks. Dear Luke, My life at one time was perfect or at least I thought it to be. I had both my parents with me and a brother which whom I occasionally agreed. I was once a high honor student, five eight with long brown hair but years rolled by to find me and trade up my luck with despair. At one time I was happy no fears and no regrets until the day my mom was taken from me with no warning or subtle threat. My life had passed before me, at nineteen my best days already gone, until I met the man who drowned away the pain and all I had thought was wrong. No one before him has ever stayed around long enough to know my darkest secrets or raw and honest truths or to meet my strong Italian family who raised me from my youth. I knew from the first day I met him he was sent to rescue me and we were put on earth to find each other and save ourselves from any past misery. When my mom, my best friend was taken I was left with a hole in my heart and only one boy could help heal it whether he knows it or not. My life before now was a “fairy tale “ at least everyone thought it seemed that way, the only thing missing before the tragic loss of my mom was my Mr. Right. Along the way I found him and in what more perfect time. When everything in my life was falling apart he held my hope together if it wasn’t for him I honestly don’t know where Id be now. He is the most caring, selfless, loving boyfriend I could ever ask for. Two years later we continue to prove everyone wrong and are stronger than ever. I know my mom is looking down on all of us and is very proud of you for helping me in every aspect of my life and encouraging me with every goal I have. I wish she could’ve met you and I wish things could go back in time the way the were when she was alive, the only thing Id change back then is that we would’ve met sooner. I love you so much I just wanted to say thank you for all you do for me. I am so lucky to have you in my life. You have saved me in every way possible. I love you Luke Love always, Brittney Mare Winslow The History of Father's Day Father's Day, contrary to popular misconception, was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards. In fact when a "father's day" was first proposed there were no Father's Day cards! Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd's mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington State. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent. The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane Washington. At about the same time in various towns and cities across American other people were beginning to celebrate a "father's day.". In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day. Father's Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all honored on Father's Day. My mother Pauline Whitehead Bencivengo Her Eulogy by Deanna Bencivengo My mother Pauline Whitehead Bencivengo was born on July 21, 1936 in Paigeton, West Virginia. She was an authentic Coal Miners Daughter. One of fourteen children my mom knew what family was about. My brothers and I were always intrigued of her stories of growing up in a poor coal mining town. The home she grew up in had no indoor plumbing when she was little and they raised their own pigs for meat and had a garden the family was responsible for. There was one road that ran through town (literally one road, I have been there) and everyone in town knew each other. She would tell us about my Aunts and Uncles and how much family tradition meant to her. She instilled these values in us from a very early age. My mom stayed home with us when we were young while my Dad worked full time and she would work nights and weekends to help out. I have fond memories of my mom always being around for us when we were little. I can remember going to her favorite little diner the BBQ and getting the best bacon cheese burgers in the world!! My mother was an avid sports fan and was very vocal in her support of the teams she rooted for. My brothers obliged an avenue for her to express herself in this area as they were very athletic growing up. Everyone could hear my mom yelling from the stands during football, baseball, basketball and track events. She always said she liked to sit with the kids during games so she could get as rowdy as she wanted and not worry about what other parents thought. Now for me growing up this was quite the embarrassment as my mom sat in the stands with my fellow classmates cheering on my brothers and yelling at the refs and umpires. My brother Mark has said he could definitely hear her from the stands down on the football field. Looking back I am glad my mom expressed herself so openly and I know that she is forever a part of many of our classmate’s high school memories. As a teenager our relationship was strained and we had our ups and downs. When I was 16 and was involved in a serious accident my mom was always there to take care of me. I needed help to dress and shower and she was always there for me without question. Looking back on that time it is when I began to learn what being a mom was all about. As I got older I grew to appreciate her role and understand why she was as she was. Not to mention that we are more alike than I wanted to notice or admit. My parents were able to share so many memories together. They loved to take trips to Atlantic City and loved to drive to the shore for dinner. They were not just a married couple but genuine friends and enjoyed to do things together and also shared separate interests. She was so proud of her children – my Brother Mark’s athletic ability my brother Larry’s intelligence and would bend anyone’s ear that was willing to listen. I remember when my bother Steven told her that he bet she never thought she would have one child on living on Easy Street and another going to Yale. At the time Steven lived on Easy Street in Milford CT and my Larry was attending Yale University. The line became a standard family joke. My mom spoke her mind openly and freely. I used to say that she was missing the filter that kept most of us from saying some of the things she would. She spoke her feelings and was not afraid to say what maybe most of us thought. Like when my brother Mark and Janet announced their engagement and my mother’s comment was “Janet you are not going to wear white to the wedding are you?” Maybe not so funny then but something that we laugh about openly now. As her children grew older and she became a grandma my mother was the best. I lived at home when I had my oldest son Christopher and she and my Dad where a huge part of raising him. A close relationship they have maintained throughout the years. My mom used to push Christopher on the swing for long periods of time and she would call it “swing therapy”. She told me one day “ya know Christopher tells me everything when I push him on the swing so you better be careful”. I am so glad that my children and my nieces and nephews will have fond memories of their grandmother. I know that as they grow we will have many occasions to sit and reminisce with them about grandma and share all their memories as my brothers and I have done with my family about my grandparents. When I was young I loved my mother because she was my mother. As I grew older and grew up I loved my mother for the person that she was. More importantly I like my mother. I realize how much we have in common. I now know why I love the beach, because she loved the beach. I say things most people wouldn’t because she said things most people wouldn’t. I have a great sense of humor because she had a great sense of humor. I have a genuine concern for people because she had a genuine concern for people. And last I know now why I have a box that I keep extra buttons from clothing in because she had a box she kept extra buttons from clothing in. I found that box on Monday looking for her favorite necklace in her room. Thank you mom for all that you have done for me, my brothers, our children and my Dad. I love you deeply and I will miss you forever. Frugal Living: Getting More for Less in Connecticut By Gina Juliano I have to be honest and say I shudder at how expensive bread can be. I can't believe that "good bread" - the kind with whole grains and seeds - can run as much as $4 at the grocery store. Even on sale, bread, in my opinion, is still expensive. I suppose I could buy the really cheap bread at Walmart, but I don't really care for it. I'm spoiled and fussy and I want good bread. I also know I could cut costs by making my own bread, but that's not always convenient; and I find that home made bread sometimes isn't what I want for my sandwiches. The answer? Outlet stores. Just to dispel any fears, the bread and other merchandise in outlet stores is perfectly good. There's nothing wrong with the products even if the date on the package is one or two days expired. Bread, unlike meat, will last quite a bit past its due date. The outlet stores have to adhere to the same health and food prep standards as the regular grocery stores, so they cannot and will not sell you bad products. Recently, I took a trip to my favorite Freihofer's outlet. I was able to get a bag of Fritos, two loaves of white bread, two packages of bagels, one loaf of Cinnamon Raisin bread, two loaves of rye, and two loaves of whole grain bread for $12.13. Basically, that comes to about $1.21 per item. All I do is freeze the bread, and I have it for a month before I need to go back. That's not bad for a family of four. Not everyone has an outlet store near them. Mine, in fact, is about 35 minutes from my house. I don't take a special trip there, as that would defeat the frugality of buying bread at the outlet. Instead, I plan my trips to the outlet around my trips to my friend Coleen's, whose house is just five minutes from the Freihofers outlet store. I see her about once a month, and I make sure I stock up when I am heading that way. If you haven't tried a bread outlet store yet, give it a whirl. Just buy one or two loaves to "test drive" the idea. I'm sure you'll find it's really a great bargain! Free Couponing Classes Meriden Public Library June 29th 6:30 PM 203-238-2344 Wallingford Public Library June 30th 10 AM - 203-265-6754 or contact Gina at ginaskokopelli@yahoo.com to set up a date for your organization (To find a bread outlet near you, visit http://www.bimbobakeriesusa.com or http://www.bakeryoutlets.com/. For more frugal tips, free samples, good deals, and coupons, visit Gina’s Kokopelli at http://ginaskokopelli.blogspot.com) Connecticut Outdoors Written By: Paul Narducci I have been fishing with St Croix Rods for years. I have always enjoyed using their premier spinning rods. These rods offer me everything I need to land a big fish without spending a whole lot of money. Recently I have been using their triumph rods which also offer a great deal with out compromising anything in a fishing rod. For me I need a rod that is comfortable, sensitive and can handle a big fish. When your fishing in tournaments the last thing you need is a rod that hurts after awhile. St Croix has a very interesting story of survival and a dedication to keep true to their beliefs. Located in Park Falls, Wisconsin St Croix Rods has been a mainstay in the fishing industry for over 60 years. The Schluter Family has owned St Croix Rods since the early 1980’s but their father Gordon was part owner since the early 1960’s. The St Croix name still continues to be one of the biggest in the fishing industry. They have over 350 rods for all types of fishing for saltwater, freshwater, and for those who fly fish. If you have a chance log onto www.StCroixRods.com to find that rod that is perfect for you. Another company I am going to share with you is Ardent Reels. This company started in 2003 and has quickly risen to become one of the biggest reel companies today. I use their spinning reel and truly love them. I match their reel with a St Croix Rod and have the perfect combination. They also offer an extraordinary line of reel products for both spinning and casting reels. They are located in St Louis, Missouri. Ardent is proud to be the only manufacturer of freshwater casting and spinning reels made in the USA. I have stated before you get what you pay for and if your serious about what your doing the investment is well worth it. Both companies offer affordable products that will last along time and have a warranty that stands by their products. If you have a chance log onto www.Ardentreels .com to find the right reel for you. Frank Russo and myself recently had our first team tournament on Candlewood Lake. Although it was our best day of fishing on this lake it wasn’t good enough to place in the money. Frank had a wonderful day and caught a lot of quality fish. Frank spent the day using plastic baits such as the Yum Dinger, Gonzo grub and craw papi. I went the opposite way and spent my day using a Stanley spinner bait, Xcalibur rattle bait and jerk bait as well as a Bomber crank bait. The fishing was difficult and the winds were anywhere from 20 to 30 miles per hour which always makes fishing fun. When I went to pre fish candlewood lake it was the best day I would ever have. I simply destroyed them using a Stanley spinner bait and Xcalibur jerk bait and was very confident that three days later I would have the same success. Well, not so fast. Although I did land a beautiful small mouth on a spinner bait and lost a fish worth crying about this would not hold true. The spinner bait bite was off and so was I. After I lost what appeared to be our biggest fish of the year my day took a downhill spiral and I was never able to rebound. This small mouth jumped into the air smiled, I think even winked at me and spit my spinner bait flying into the air as to say not today. After spending several minutes yelling and then a minute or two of silence , I know I just cost us money? The rest of the day remained difficult as I could not get that fish out of my mind. No matter what I know and have read this fish haunted me the entire day. Even as I write this I can’t get her out of my mind. What a fantastic fish as she jumped knowing that she would crush my hopes and dreams of possibly winning on a lake that brings sorrow to many and happiness to only a few, it would not be my day. It is this that keeps me coming back for more. I truly love fishing tournaments and for those who haven’t experienced this give it a try. As the boating season starts for many the team of Connecticut Outdoors wants to remind everyone to wear their lifejackets. A PFD will save your life and there is no excuse not to wear one. As always we wish everyone the best of luck and good fishing. I’ll get her next time!!!!!!!! Home Country Slim Randles Harley pulled the tractor over to the ditch and cut the engine. He climbed down stiffly, walked to the water and soaked his head and shirt. Then he looked around. No cars were coming down the county road. No one at the house could see him. So he smiled, sat on a rock and leaned back against the ditchbank. A farmer’s recliner, he thought, wiggling slightly to avoid kidney puncture by a twig. He was smiling that dignified farmer’s smile on the outside but laughing on the inside. So nice to just rest here for a minute in the sun. Oh, he wouldn’t have done it if he’d left the engine running. Waste of gas. But the engine was off, all the seeds were in for this year, and all he was doing was plowing summer fallow now. No rush. Do it any time. So Harley locked his hands behind his head, lay back against the ditch grass, and just looked around. Marshmallow clouds today against a dark blue sky. Crows flying in to Harley’s fields from Roger’s. He paused a moment from pure observation to lean a bit on philosophy. He considered that fences and land deeds and farming contracts meant nothing to these birds. There is more than a bit of envy there, but just for a minute. Harley stood, stretched his back and drank from the canteen on the tractor. Crows didn’t worry about deeds, he thought, but hey, they didn’t get to watch football in the fall, either. All in all, on a nice June day, there’s nothing wrong with being a farmer. ---------- Sponsored by: www.pearsonranch.com. Farm direct, delicious, California navel & Valencia oranges. Choate Rosemary Hall Executive Sponsors of the “Wallingford Fireworks 2010” From its shared roots over a century ago as The Choate School and Rosemary Hall, through the merger in 1974, to the Choate Rosemary Hall of today, the name represents the best in American secondary education. The more than 16,000 graduates can attest to the quality of Choate’s academic program, but that is only one aspect of the education a student receives. Through interactions with members of the entire Choate community, students mature into young adults who not only have stretched their minds, but have grown personally, spiritually, artistically, and athletically. Two interwoven priorities define the Choate experience: a rigorous academic curriculum and an emphasis on the formation of character in a residential setting that allows for teachers and students to live with, and learn from, each other in important ways. The curriculum inspires students to: • Think critically and to communicate clearly. • Understand various methods of intellectual inquiry and their connections to each other. • Recognize the interconnections of learning. • Work independently and in partnership with others. • Develop a global perspective on cultural, social, political, and environmental issues. • Appreciate the importance of beauty and grace in their lives. • Achieve distinction in accordance with their individual interests and talents. In these ways, students are prepared to seek knowledge for its own sake and to pursue further study at the finest colleges and universities. The development of character is a responsibility that rests with every member of the community. In classrooms, on playing fields, in residential houses, students grow in confidence and self-esteem, and are instilled with such fundamental values as honesty, integrity, teamwork, generosity, and compassion toward others. Choate also fosters community involvement and service as it prepares students to assume leadership roles in an ever-changing world. As part of its commitment to character formation, the school offers regular community-wide reflections on moral and spiritual issues, as well as exposure to various religious traditions. Choate attracts intellectually gifted and motivated students from diverse backgrounds whose commitment to serious study is enhanced in this personally supportive and academically challenging setting. On a campus that inspires a particular sensitivity to beauty, teachers — who share genuine respect and affection for young people — impart an enthusiasm for life and for learning. Choate is confident that its graduates will go forth from a school that values each of them for their particular talents and enthusiasms; that affirms the importance of personal integrity and a sense of self-worth; that inspires and nourishes joy in learning and love of truth; and that provides the intellectual stimulation to generate independent thought, confident expression, and a commitment to improve the welfare of others. The Manhattan Project By Zoe Bermudez – Age 13 Social Studies Essay Fog clung to the city of Hiroshima like a child would cling to a mother. The sun was just beginning to show from behind the distant mountains. Aside from a couple of birds, a plane was the only moving thing in the vast stretch of the early morning sky. If you looked more closely, you could see that the plane was part of the American military and that it had been modified as if to carry a great weight in its belly. As dawn drew nearer and nearer, pilot Colonel Paul Tibbets became more anxious. This operation had to be done as quickly as possible. Finally, the words were uttered. “Bomb activated,” his passenger, a scientist, informed him. Tibbets radioed the base in Tinian. “Releasing in 3…2…1…” He hit a button and a trapped door was opened underneath a massive, 9700 pound atomic bomb, the second of the only three ever made. Within seconds, it was plummeting toward the earth at an alarming rate. Suddenly, the bomb was replaced by a flash of white light that filled one’s vision, but just for a split second. Quickly afterward, a mushroom cloud of black, red, orange, yellow, and white took up a large part of the sky. Tibbets had just witnessed the detonation of the most dangerous weapon in the world and he would wear the title for the rest of his life. Hundreds of thousands of people were involved with and affected by the Manhattan Project. This report is about those people and the bombs they have come to know all too well. Some know of it because they created it, some because they tested it, others because it killed their families. And every last event, right down to the minutest detail, started with a letter. This letter was addressed to President Roosevelt from scientists Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard (1). Its contents warned Roosevelt that the Nazis might have found a way to make nuclear bombs which they could use to win the war (1). Roosevelt reacted by signing an order, creating a new $2 billion secret project (1 and 2). This project would develop nuclear weapons (1). It was named the Manhattan Engineer District but over time it was shortened to the Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project only produced three atomic bombs due to the immense price and slow production of explosive material. Scientists needed purified uranium-235 in order to create the bombs. It was extremely hard to extract it at the time. Also, its chemical makeup was almost identical to the useless uranium-238. To make production even harder, the types of uranium could not be separated by ordinary chemical extraction methods. Only mechanical methods were effective. In order to separate large amounts of mixed uranium in a very small amount of time, an enormous laboratory was built at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This building was full of equipment that used magnets to isolate the two isotopes. Then, the uranium was processed again using gas to separate the lighter uranium-235 from the heavier uranium-238. After all these processes were complete, all the uranium-235 had to do was be put to the test. (7) Now that they had the right materials, scientists could start making the bombs. The first bomb was used as a test model and nick-named “Gadget” (1). All the scientists needed was a place to detonate it (1). Because “Gadget” was potentially dangerous, the area of detonation had to be flat, isolated from any populated areas, and close to the research base in Los Alamos, New Mexico (1). Soon the perfect section of land was found in south-central New Mexico and instantly code-named Trinity (1). Gadget was placed on a tower 100 feet high and made ready for detonation. However, no one could have been completely prepared for the results of the actual explosion. The blast was so intense that it melted the sandy soil around the tower (7). It also was reported to have a flash “as bright as daytime” and produced enough heat to make the scientists feel like they were “in an oven” (10). Even people in a nearby community “swore that the sun came up twice that day” (10). Another report told of a blind girl who was able to see the flash 120 miles away (10). Soon after, scientists started working on another bomb which was to be used for actual, targeted destruction. This bomb was named “Little Boy”. It weighed in at around 9,700 pounds and measured over 10 feet long. Despite its name and size, “Little Boy” was equivalent to over 20,000 tons of TNT. To see how much damage it would do the bomb was tested on a miniature-sized scale. There was also a third bomb being made at the time but that was intended for a later event. (1) Now that the United States government was confident with their nuclear explosions, they wanted to put them into action. They decided to bomb Japanese cities because they felt that it would be a good way to get to Germany and to end the war. At the time they had one bomb and four possible targets and picking the right target to create the biggest impact was crucial (2). After much debating and arguing, it was finally decided to attack Hiroshima (2). Now all they needed was a way to transport such a deadly weapon 7,000 miles to Japan. The aircraft of choice was a B-29, which was then modified so that it could carry the immense weight of Little Boy (8). The plane was nick-named Enola Gay after the pilot Colonel Paul Tibbets’s mother (8). The plane would take off from the military base at Tinian in a week (8). A scientist would ride with him to the targeted area where he would then trigger the bomb (8). One week later on Monday, August 6, 1945, the Enola Gay took off from Tinian at 2:45 a.m. (2). More than 7,000 miles later it was almost time to drop the bomb. At 0815:17 “Little Boy” was released and was began plummeting toward the unsuspecting city of Hiroshima (8). Within 12 seconds, the bomb exploded only 1,900 feet above the city (10). In an instant over 70,000 people were killed and 60,000 buildings were destroyed (2). Two thirds of the city was destroyed within three miles (2). Over the course of five years, another 70,000 people died from the effects of the bomb’s radiation (2). In the end, only 21,000 of 350,000 Hiroshima’s residents survived (2). One of them described the damage to Hiroshima’s people: The appearance was… well, they all had skin blackened by burns… They had no hair because their hair was burned and at a glance you couldn’t tell if you were looking at them from the front or back… They had their arms bent (forward) like this… and their skin-not only on their hands, but on their faces and bodies- hung down … if there had been only one or two such people … perhaps I would not have had such a strong impression. But wherever I walked, I met these people … Many of them died along the road – I can still picture them in my mind – like walking ghosts. (2) -Anonymous The next bombing would occur three days later. This time the target was Nagasaki (4). It took the American government less time to pick another target because the Japanese were already shaken by what happened in Hiroshima. At that time the choice of any city would still have a big impact. The government went with Nagasaki because it was one of the biggest cities of the time (7). Because the military already had a bomb and a plane ready a second detonation would be easier than the first. The third bomb was nick-named “Fat Man” because it had a rounder shape than “Little Boy” (5). It was made of a different material called plutonium-239 (2). It was carried by another B-29 called Bockscar (2). This plane took off from Tinian at 3:49 a.m. on August 9th. Seven hours and thirteen minutes later, “Fat Man” was dropped at 11:02 a.m. (2). This bomb exploded 1,650 feet above the busy city (2). Because Nagasaki’s landscape was more hilly and rugged, the bomb did not do as much damage as its brother had done to Hiroshima (2). Nonetheless, approximately 40% of the city was destroyed (2). One survivor described his rather startling discovery of what the bomb did to the people of Hiroshima: The pumpkin field in front of the house was blown clean. Nothing was left of the whole thick crop, except that in place of the pumpkins was a woman’s head. I looked at her face to see if I knew her. It was a woman of about forty. She must have been from another part of town – I had never seen her around here. A gold tooth gleamed in a wide-open mouth. A handful of singed hair hung down from the left temple over her cheek, dangling into her mouth. Her eyelids were drawn up, showing black holes where the eyes had been burned out… She had probably looked square into the flash and gotten her eyeballs burned out. (2) –Fujie Urate Matsumoto At the time 270,000 people lived in Nagasaki. More than 100,000 bomb-related deaths occurred by the end of the year (2). Due to heavy casualties, the nation of Japan was weakened and scared. On August 15, 1945 Emperor Hirohito surrendered to the Allied forces not knowing that the United States had no more bombs readily available (1). The Manhattan Project was so secret that not even the Vice President, Harry S. Truman, knew of it until after Roosevelt’s death in 1945. This project was so complex and important that it was necessary to recruit some of the top scientific brains in the United States. The Manhattan Project created the most dangerous weapon the world had ever seen and demonstrated how deadly science can be. Never before in human history had science had the ability to produce enough potential power to literally destroy the world in a matter of seconds. The planning, actions, and effects of the Manhattan Project contributed greatly to the end of World War II. Some people say that it was a bad idea; others say it could not have been better. However, the question remains: now that we have this technology, what will we do next? Maggie’s Corner Make Up Artist to Celebrities: Daughter of a South African Movie Star; Debra Lee Davidson reveals Her Inner and Outer Beauty of Inspiration. By: Maggie Griffin Debra Lee Davidson, born July of 1967, grew up in the media spotlight. Debra is the eldest daughter of Madeline Usher, The Glamorous South African Movie Star, Model and Beauty Queen and Father Marcus Davidson, an astute and Successful Businessman. Coming from an influential and privileged background, Debra was raised with faith, love, discipline and concrete family values. Debra is the culmination of 2 extraordinary parents “Although I have been around the media most of my life and was in front of the camera from the day I was born ,My parents instilled respect within me and raised me to operate from my heart”, said Debra. Debra is an inspiration to all who interact with her. She enlightens the riches in oneself. Debra is often requested by many celebrities to be their personal make-up artist. A few of which include: Stephen Spielberg, Fergie “The Dutchess of York”, Kirste Alley, Rosanna Arquette and Amy Brenneman. For the past 21 years Debra has been involved in the entertainment industry and worked on numerous feature films, TV shows and commercials. Her extensive resume includes “Indictment” with Oliver Stone, “American Beauty” “Nurse Betty” and “Four Christmases” “Judging Amy”, “Joey” “What about Brian” “The Office”, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Dancing With The Stars”. She has also done numerous media appearances with celebrities for various talk shows including: THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW”: “The Jay Leno Show”, “David Letterman Show”, “JIMMY KIMMEL” and various media and charity events for Fergie “The Duchess of York”. Debra has also had the honor of making many celebrities look glamorous prior to the Golden Globe awards and The Academy Awards. The list is extensive, and why? Because I can tell, just by talking to Debra that she is a professional at heart which truly defines her as one of the top make-up artists in the world. Debra is a positive influence in the lives of many. Although separated by continents, she treasures family values and appreciates the privileges she has been exposed to in life. Her parents and her siblings are her foundation. Talking to Debra, I can sense her kindness and the transparency and love in her heart and soul for many, appreciating life at its best and what life’s true gifts are. She loves to live and laugh and have fun. Her appreciation for the finest gifts in life is an appreciation for all living things. A nature lover at heart, she admires animals of all species and spends much time on Safari in Africa. Her treasured dog “Jet” is never more than a few feet away. Debra believes in creative visualization and the importance of having a vision and manifesting dreams into reality, Debra has recently become passionately involved with an exciting company outside of the entertainment industry called REVOLUCION WORLD WIDE that is impacting and changing many lives. Debra is excited to impact millions of lives as the company launches internationally. Debra’s strength of character and inner Faith is what she credits for reaching all of her goals in life. Debra clearly emphasizes: “It’s our actions and deeds that show who we are and what we believe. I believe in G-D with my entire being. Faith is what sustains me”. I have spoken to Debra several times on the phone and by email, admiringly telling her I can speak to her for hours. I see the benevolent nature within Debra. Debra sets an example of personal inner peace, creating inner beauty as well. You cannot help but be inspired by her confidence and inner strength. Debra holds the upmost respect and adoration for her family. Debra’s words: “My goal is to impact and make a positive change in many lives”. Debra added; “I absolutely adore and respect my parents. Their essence and love continues to inspire me. It is all they instilled within me that made me who I am today.” When I asked Debra what her Secret Ingredient is that brings out her life’s inner and outer beauty, she told me in one word “G-D”. It’s a Girl! All my life I wanted a daughter, which I could love unconditionally and without reserve. However, I was not sure it was something I would deserve. Nine months and three quick pushes later and there it was, the cry I had been waiting to hear. It was an outer body experience and the most beautiful music to my ears. My whole world changed on that warm December day, when all of a sudden, I heard the doctor say “it’s a girl”. I was so unbelievably overcome with joy, because everyone had me convinced I was going to have a boy. I will never forget the moment, they placed you in my arms, I swore I would spend my life loving you and keep you from harm. You are beautiful inside and out and have so much compassion, which I think someone should never be without. I do my best to teach you everything, as a result, like me, you love to paint and dance and sing. Now you are five and make me smile with everything you do, I am and will forever be so very proud of you. That was 5 years ago now, but it just seems like yesterday. when the doctors turned to me to say “it’s a girl”. May God Bless you, Rachel, my sweet baby girl, because there is nothing else I love more in this world. As I say to you each and every day, I will forever love you in every single way. There is nothing you could ever do, to make me stop loving you. Love always Momma 5/17/10 Michelle Trenchard Scianna To read the current issue of The People’s Press in image form or download the latest pdf go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ The People’s Press is a community newspaper serving Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut. We invite you to join us by becoming a part of the family of our submitters and sharing your news, stories, photos and views that matter most to Wallingford, Meriden and Central Connecticut. We are YOUR newspaper. You will also find information from the Wallingford and Meriden Mayors, the Wallingford and Meriden Public Libraries, the Wallingford and Meriden Senior Centers, the Wallingford and Meriden Health Departments, other various town and city departments and events as well as information about the wonderful groups and civic organizations that help Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut to be a better place. Email andy@peoplespressnews.com or call 203-235-9333 if you have any questions. YELLOW ROSE The velvety feel of each pedal signifies the gentleness you’ve expressed to me physically. The golden yellow glow, expresses the happiness you’ve given. And the fragrance simply reminds me that I am alive. Michelle Trenchard Scianna “Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective” by Gregory M. Simpson Living with a companion animal means needing to be mindful of safety hazards, in the same way one would “child proof” a home for a young child. Dangerous items such as pills, including vitamins, diet pills, and aspirin, should be stored where a companion animal cannot access them. In the laundry room, one should secure bleach, fabric softener, detergents, and disinfectants. In the kitchen, oven and drain cleaners should be carefully stored. Close washer, dryer, and dishwasher doors when not in use. Never let a dog or cat eat any of the following: avocados, chocolate, coffee, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, alcohol, salt, fatty foods, candy, tea leaves, or raw yeast dough. Make a list of household items that could be harmful, keeping in mind animal related products such as flea and tick applications. Anything not ordinarily ingested by animals could be harmful, such as mothballs, tobacco products, and liquid potpourri. Plants are another category of potential hazards. Secure a list of poisonous plants from the internet or a local poison control center. Ensure that companion animals cannot reach them, or better still, give them away. There are literally dozens of plants on these lists. Some animals will eat anything small enough to fit inside the mouth. So beware of items like bread twist ties, buttons, coins, paper clips, plastic wrap, rubber bands, jewelry, hairpins, cotton swabs, string, yarns, and dental floss. Watch for potential trouble spots in the home. Small animals can drown in full bathtubs or sinks. As a child, I once had a companion parakeet almost drown from falling into a glass of water! An animal may be electrocuted by biting or chewing an electrical cord, or strangle from entanglement in cords. Companion animals may get sick from eating fireplace ashes. Close toilet lids as toilet water is not healthy for animals to drink. Make sure all windows have screens. Outside the home are multiple potential dangers, including antifreeze, de-icing salts, gasoline, oil, pesticides, compost algae, swimming pools, and hot tubs. Animals can also be hurt or strangled if stuck in fences, gates, or deck lattice. In addition, there are traffic and wild animals with which to contend. Even sun exposure is a consideration. Skin cancer is the second most common cancer in cats and the sun plays a large role. A 2001 Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) study found that two out of three veterinarians recommend keeping cats indoors, to avoid dangers ranging from vehicles to disease. Be especially mindful around holidays. Watch flowers and candy on Valentine’s Day, fake grass, small toys and plastic items at Easter, and fireworks on the Fourth of July. Halloween means candles and candy, while Thanksgiving brings bones and hot containers. Christmas plays host to hazards such as toxic plants (e.g., holly, lilies, and mistletoe), ribbons, spun glass, Christmas tree water, decoration hooks, Styrofoam, tinsel and ornaments. Of course, New Year’s brings balloons and confetti. Have fun, but exercise due caution. If your companion animal is ever exposed to a poisonous substance, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control can help at 1-888-426-4435. Consult with your veterinarian for follow-up care. Enjoy – but be mindful of the environment you create for your companion animal. For the animals, Gregory M. Simpson Gregory Simpson’s animal welfare involvement spans over 25 years, having provided leadership for several Connecticut organizations, as well as having served as state advisor to the national Friends of Animals. Currently a Board member of Protectors of Animals, Inc., he was chosen by CAT FANCY magazine as one of the ultimate cat lovers in the U.S. He is also a member of the Cat Writers’ Association. WALLINGFORD - A Whole New Culture I was born in Oregon and raised in a small, one-horse town where the mountains surrounded us, the river flowed beside us, and the trees were in abundance. After being a widow for 2 1/2 years I met a wonderful, handsome man on the internet who lived in a placed called Wallingford, Connecticut. I had no idea where Wallingford was, what it looked like, or what the population consisted of, but I did know that after many prayers, emails and phone calls, I desperately wanted to meet this man that I had already fallen in love with. So on Sunday, January 25 I boarded a plane and headed for parts unknown, fully aware that God was orchestrating our encounter and the outcome was up to Him. To make a long story short, we were married on Friday, January 30th! We knew that God had joined us together and that we wanted to live together for the rest of our lives. The following Monday I boarded the plane as a new bride and went back to Oregon to sell my home and make arrangements to move out. We were apart for a month, and when I got back to Wallingford and things settled down I quickly realized that I was living in a whole new world. I loved the quaint, historical town of Wallingford with it's charming street lights and corner Gazebo. I loved it when I saw the band playing in the Gazebo and remarked how it reminded me of Mayberry USA. One day while we were out driving I noticed a sign that read, "TAG SALE." I turned to my husband. "Tag sale? What's a tag sale, honey?" "Didn't you have tag sales in Oregon?" he replied. "I've never heard of one before," I answered. He explained what it was and then I understood. "In Oregon we call them yard sales, garage sales....things like that. But never tag sales." Another time we were getting ready to go somewhere and I asked my husband to please bring me my tennis shoes. "Your what?" "My tennis shoes, Babe." "Tennis shoes! Why do you call them tennis shoes? You mean sneakers." "Sneakers! You mean you call them sneakers out here?" The other big one that I still haven't gotten over is "pocket book." Out west we call them purses. What I carry is neither a book nor small enough to fit in my pocket - any pocket - so why purses are called pocket books I just don't understand. And "package store." I kept seeing little stores with that title above them. "Babe, what's a package store?" "Don't they have package stores in Oregon?" he quizzed. "I've never heard of a package store before. What do they sell?" My husband told me then asked what they are called out West. "They're called what they are - a Liquor Store." My husband used another word I didn't understand. "Better wear your dungarees." "My what?" "You know, your dungaree jacket." "Oh, you mean my blue-jean jacket?" "Yeah..... your dungaree." "O-kaaaay...." Yes, it has been a wonderful, educational adventure living in Connecticut. My husband and I have been married a little over a year now and we are more in love with each other every day. Live has been sweet living in Wallingford. In the summer we often walk up to the Old Dublin to hear the Irish band. Sometimes we will go to the corner ice-cream parlor, grab a treat, and sit on a nearby bench to eat it. Other times we'll eat it while we walk home on a humid, starry evening. There's a big difference between Oregon and Connecticut and a lot of miles in between. But I'm with the one I love, in the town I love, living in the 100-year old house I love, and God has blessed our union in the town I now call home.Submitted by Bethany Kusmit Wallingford, CT SOUNDMUSIC AND MYSTIC AQUARIUM ANNOUNCE SUMMER COLLABORATION Partnership includes three evening music performances at Mystic Aquarium on August 1, 13 and 14 SoundMusic, the bold new venture that last summer brought two critically-acclaimed symphonic concerts and one very popular big band production to Harkness Memorial State Park, will present three performances this summer at one of southeastern Connecticut’s most cherished locations, Mystic Aquarium. The season will open on Sunday, August 1 with a “Swing Dance Under the Stars” Gala Fundraiser, featuring the Cab Calloway Orchestra. “Ecstasy, Elegance, Elegy, Elvis,” a classical symphonic program featuring world-renowned harmonica virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio and members of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, will take place on Friday, August 13 and Saturday, August 14. These two performances will also feature SoundMusic’s Music Director and Maestro Martin Piecuch in a performance of Glazunov’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone. Each performance begins at 8 p.m. Retaining one of the largest parts of their appeal to the public, all three performances will occur outdoors, under the stars. Rather than being flanked by Long Island Sound, concert-goers will sit within view of the aquarium’s outdoor “Arctic Coast” exhibit, home to beluga whales. “In this difficult economy, we found it prudent to scale back our productions while still maintaining the vision of returning to large events on Long Island Sound in future seasons,” said SoundMusic Executive Director Ron Murray. “We plan to repay every dollar we owe from our inaugural season in 2009. To do that, we must have a season. We are thrilled to carry out this year’s through a marvelous collaboration with Mystic Aquarium.” “We are happy to be the presenting sponsor of SoundMusic this season, providing a bridge to what we hope will be a long and successful future for this cultural treasure,” said Dr. Stephen M. Coan, president and CEO of Sea Research Foundation. “This collaboration is mutually beneficial. We hope to bring SoundMusic new audiences for futures seasons, as well as show music aficionados the beauty of our aquarium and encourage them to visit.” Tickets for each performance begin at $35 and go on sale May 21. For information or to purchase tickets, visit mysticaquarium.org or call (860) 572-5955, ext. 520. All ticket proceeds will benefit SoundMusic. Drinks and light fare created by Ocean Blue Catering, Mystic Aquarium’s exclusive on-site caterer, will be available for purchase at each performance. Mystic Aquarium is also hosting a SoundMusic fundraiser on June 17 that will feature food, wine, music and an auction. For additional information on the fundraiser or performances, contact Ron Murray, executive director of SoundMusic, at (860) 303-6126. YELLOW ROSE The velvety feel of each pedal signifies the gentleness you’ve expressed to me physically. The golden yellow glow, expresses the happiness you’ve given. And the fragrance simply reminds me that I am alive. anonymous LIONS and TIGERS and TEENS MYRNA BETH HASKELL The Dreaded Curfew I grew up in a house at the bottom of a hill. This was a good thing. If I was past curfew, I’d turn off the headlights and engine, then glide down the hill, into the driveway…steadily… into park. The doors weren’t as accommodating, however. The squeaking always woke up Mom, who was inevitably perched on the couch watching late night TV. I swear my parents never greased those hinges to catch me. Does your teen give you a hard time about the tabs you keep on him? Are you considered a member of the curfew police in your household? Rather than thinking of curfews as steadfast rules, try to think of them as malleable guidelines – or rules that can change depending on your teen’s age and special circumstances. Are Curfews Necessary? Some parents believe their teens don’t need curfews because they are trustworthy. Others believe in enforcing strict curfews no matter what the circumstance. Susan Kuczmarski, Ed.D., author of The Sacred Flight of the Teenager: A Parent's Guide to Stepping Back and Letting Go (Book Ends Publishing, 2004), explains, “We want to nurture creative, independent teens, but also create a family culture where everyone is respected. Setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries helps to protect each family member's dignity (and sanity) and to preserve reasonable harmony in your home.” There are many different parenting styles, and all parents have their own comfort zone. Kuczmarski says, “Family systems can be closed or open. In a closed system, children are given orders, threats, and warnings by their parents. In a totally open family, teens are allowed to do what they want. The first approach puts teens on a short leash, while the second puts them on one that is too long. The ideal system is somewhere in between.” Setting Curfew Discuss your reasons for setting a curfew. What if there was an accident or she needed your help? You wouldn’t know to be concerned if you weren’t expecting her. There is no hard and fast rule to follow. My sixteen-year-old has always been more mature and grounded than most his age; however, my fourteen-year-old has always been impetuous and naïve. So, I tend to parent with a shorter leash when it comes to my youngest. Parents should consider their teen’s history - how well she has followed rules, and whether or not she has been able to avoid trouble. Work out a reasonable curfew together. Your teen will be more likely to abide by it and take ownership of it. Kuczmarski comments, “Teens hate fixed, out-of-date, and inhuman rules with a passion. Teens need enough direction and control to guide them, yet enough room to breathe, learn, and grow. There must be a balance between structure and flexibility. Curfews can accomplish this balance -- especially if teens are involved in setting them up with their parents.” Explain that abiding by curfews builds trust and demonstrates maturity, so she will be rewarded for this. Kuczmarski suggests, “As your teen gets older, the arrival hour can be negotiated toward an increasingly later time.” Consequences for Breaking Curfew If your teen has had input with setting curfews, hopefully he won’t break them. If he does, there needs to be a set of consequences. It’s important to discuss the consequences ahead of time. Kuczmarski says, “When he is late, give him the freedom and opportunity to explain. Maybe there were unplanned events, like a flat tire or a surprise party. If your teen continues to break the curfew rule, let the agreed-upon consequences fall into place. If your teen has missed curfew because drinking or drugs were involved, then the consequences should be more serious.” Other Guidelines: Negotiate later hours for special events Wait up for them Allow for more freedoms if curfews are consistently met TIPS AND TALES “My kids (18 and 14) do not have curfews. I remember so clearly the fights I had with my parents over curfews. It’s so much better to use a carrot than a stick. There is nothing more valuable to a teenager than being trusted to do the right thing. They tend to rise to the level of your expectations; I know mine have!” - Katherine R. Hutt “On prom curfew: We have an after prom party. It is at the high school gym. They need signed forms to be there and are locked down until 5 or 6 a.m. the following morning. Everyone feels this works better than anything else to keep the kids safe.” - Eileen Sarter About South Meriden’s Hidden Park - VASA PARK 358 MAIN STREET in SOUTH MERIDEN By Robert Per a copy of the deed - Edwin Rhodin, on Nov 2nd, 1946 for $1 gave, granted, sold to District Lodge Connecticut, No 1, Vasa Order of America the certain parcel of land with improvements located in South Meriden, subject to an easement to the CL&P Co to maintain poles and power lines across the parcel. The property is as shown on a map entitled "Map of Vasa Park, the property of Vasa Order of America, District No 1, So Meriden CT. which is on file in the Meriden Town Clerk's office in Meriden, Ct. Art gave me a copy of what appears to be an outline, dated Nov 10, 1980, to apply for a building permit to construct the present pavilions (the earlier structure burnt down) and a sewer line to the City sewers in Main Street. It notes the address as 358 Main St., South Meriden with acreage of 12.45 acres. In the "Officer's reports for the 108th District Convention", Sept 26, 2009 the following is an excerpt from Art's report as Park chairman: "Our park remains a focal point for District One and the six local lodges; a shining light in the village of South Meriden-Central Connecticut. The park was established in 1946 with a vision of Vasa unity by the park founders. They cleared the land, built the original structures and began some of the park events that we continue to celebrate today. May of us recall the great crowds on Vasa Day thirty and more years ago, the children's competitive events and dancing under the lights well into the evening. Today we celebrate the same events with the same joy and enthusiasm. Perhaps not the same number of folks as thirty years ago... We miss them! They came from Sweden, established our park and events and passed on or perhaps for health reasons cannot continue at the park. However although we miss them we will continue to honor these founders and the Scandinavian traditions. Their vision is our future, joy and prosperity. We have tried to incorporate their love of Nordic customs by adding new events during the past year. The park and all District members seek to encourage and support our Grand Master in the vision to involve community and ethnic groups to support interest in Scandinavian study. In this endeavor we have chosen to establish our Scandinavian Arts and Literature room. At this time the Park's dedicated area for Arts is small, but we have room for expansion. I see the Park as a new light on Swedish study and interest; a draw upon people that can appreciate the endeavors of those who reach beyond the challenge of daily life and search out the Scandinavian heart and soul." “The Bus” Part 1 of 3 [First Rights Offered] By Jeffrey Hamelin When I think of Meriden and my “Wonder Years” I will admit much of what went on in the fifties are a blur. Little episodes however come through loud and clear as if they had happened only yesterday. The times spent with “The Gang” which was comprised of my three brothers and me, as well as boys and girls of our quiet little neighborhood, are the fodder for what are my most vivid memories. Below is a modest example. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! My brothers and I are the product of a mixed marriage. By that I mean that my mother was the daughter of Southern Italian parents and my father's ancestry was that of early French Canadian “Quebecquois” settlers. Due to this special mixing, the question of where we boys would go to school was an important one. Due to the fact that we were Roman Catholics, there was absolutely no question that we would attend a parochial school; however which one we would attend was the question. There were several in Meriden with most European ethnic groups being represented. For whatever reason I, and later we boys, were for a time enrolled at Saint Lawrence School on Camp Street. At that time my father operated an Atlantic Service Station at the corner of Camp and Center Streets. I suppose that because of the proximity of his business to both the school and the church and the fact my Dad and his brother were more than a bit friendly with Father Soucy a priest that resided there was a contributing factor. [I believe that their families were from either the same or neighboring villages in French Canada.] Well anyway, Father Soucy was the curate at Saint Lawrence Church and therefore headmaster of the school. Both the church and school were comprised of a mostly French-speaking congregation. These two facts more than helped to tip the scales and load the deck. Consequently, we went to Saint Lawrence School. Of the time spent at Saint Lawrence, I have some great memories and a few that are not so great. The one story that stands out to me like the proverbial shining star is that of a very special adventure ride home from the school one beautiful spring day on the bus. As a child in kindergarten I was transported to and from school by either one of my parents. We were considered fortunate because not only were both parents licensed drivers, but we also had two cars. During that time, at least in our neighborhood, families with more than one car were not that common an occurrence! Now the part of how I began riding the bus alone while in the first grade is a bit fuzzy. I do know that I rode to school in the mornings with Mom, Dad, or our “Aunt Beverly”. [Aunt Beverly was a “stray” that my parents took in. She lived in our home and helped my mother care for we four boys for a period of several years.] With one of them at the wheel, rain or shine, I was chauffeured daily cross town to school. The ride home once spring was upon us was an entirely different story. On school days the jaunt home was via public transportation. In Meriden in those days there were two forms of bus transport to and from school. One either rode on the McMahon Bus Company bus, known as the “School Bus”, or “The Bus” which was run by the Connecticut Company. I went to “Catholic School” so I rode “The Bus”. Now please keep in mind the fact that the time of which I speak is the spring of 1956 which would have made me seven years old. I along with schoolmates of various ages would line up single file in front of Saint Lawrence School and wait for “The Bus.” We stood and waited in a very orderly fashion. This was due to the fact that one of the “Sisters” diligently watched over us. Like clockwork just before “The Bus” arrived, Officer George Geere would magically, it seemed, appear on his colossal motorcycle in his uniform consisting of shinny high black boots, blue jodhpurs, and a magnificently starched shirt which was festooned with various patches. On his breast pocket he wore a gleaming badge that topped off his meticulously starched shirt. Atop his head was his “policeman's” hat which seemed to tilt ever so slightly. Between his clenched teeth was a wonderfully loud ivory whistle that was attached to his shirt at the pocket by a long black lanyard. Officer Geere would dismount his magnificent mechanical steed, walk proudly to the center of the street, whistle at the ready, and raise his gloved hand high commanding all vehicles to stop. Then and only then, upon the piercing chirp of his whistle, and the motioning flick of his wrist would we file onto the bus in an orderly manner. We would deposit our money into the pay box [I think the fare was fifteen cents], and ask Mr. Beuadry the bus driver for a transfer so that when we changed buses downtown we did not have to pay again. We then calmly sat down in our seats. The first part of our bus ride was rather short. We would go from the front of the Church to the light at the corner of Camp and Center, turn right to the intersection with Pratt Street, take that right and proceed to East Main Street. There we would take another right for the distance of about two hundred yards. The bus then took a turn to the right again and stopped across the street from the Railroad Station on State Street. I remember that at the time there was a two storey building at that corner of the block. The shop on the first floor was occupied by a cobbler or shoemaker. In my mind’s eye I can still see two of the signs that were displayed in the window as if it were yesterday. One read, “We Block Hats,” and the other proclaimed “Shoes Repaired and Shined”. I am not certain but I think that there was a roller skating rink above it on the second floor! [For some reason or other I have recollections of a steam pipe spewing its damp fog from somewhere along the side of the building.] There we would get off the bus and wait for direction from Officer Geere who always seemed to “beat” the bus and be there waiting patiently, yet intently for we children to arrive. With the chirp of his whistle and a motion from his gloved hand, then and only then, did we cross the street. Once we crossed, again we stood attentively by the railroad tracks until yet another officer signaled to us that it was safe to cross over the double sets of rails. Once on the other side we proceeded up the slight incline to the corner of West Main and Colony Streets. At this point, I would sometimes throw caution to the wind. Theoretically I was supposed to cross at the traffic tower. Remember the traffic tower? [For those of you that are not familiar with this symbol of Meriden’s bygone era the “Traffic Tower” was simply that, a squat wooden tower erected at the crossroads of the downtown. An officer would enter the tower via an iron ladder from below through a trap door. On its four sides were the various colored traffic signals. From this vantage point inside near the top a patrolman would sit and operate the light system.] The rule was that I was to go directly - and I do mean directly - across West Main Street to the Palace Block side and stand around the corner on Hanover Street [at that time Hanover Street was a two way street] and wait for the bus to South Meriden. But if I had a few pennies and was a bit adventurous I would quickly cross Colony Street and scurry into Liggett’s Drug Store, belly up to the candy counter and buy two or three cents of my absolute favorite candy in the entire world, “jujubes”! The woman behind the counter would dutifully scoop up and weigh out the treasure and then deposit it into a crisp white bag. She would collect my money and off I would dash out the doors on the opposite side of the store via the “short cut”. The store was located on the corner and it had entrances on both Colony and West Main Streets. I would then stand nervously at the crosswalk and wait until the officer who was stationed in the “Traffic Tower” stopped the cars and trucks that seemed to be coming from every which way. In my mind it always took an eternity for the officer to blow his whistle allowing me and everyone else to “cross-over” to the Palace block side. Remember that this was the mid-fifties and that downtown Meriden around three o'clock in the afternoon was really jumping! Once on the other side of the street I would race around to the Hanover Street side hoping to have beaten the bus or be there to catch it in the just the nick of time. If you missed the bus, the wait for the next trip to the village seemed to a first grader to be interminable! Continued in the July issue! Well on this particular day, my recollection is that “lady luck” had showered me in her loving light. The sun, it seemed, was shinning down upon me and me alone. I rested my back snugly against one of the storefronts on the Hanover Street side of the block. Both of the cheeks of my mouth, as well as the pockets of my uniform pants were bulging with those wonderful “jujubes”. On this day, my dad had more than likely given me a whole quarter to take the bus. Remembering that the price of the bus ticket was only fifteen cents, meant that I had a whole dime to drop down and order “ten cents worth please”. Now at the time ten cents was to a boy of seven a small fortune! There was a smile on my face, contentment in my belly and most importantly the thought of adventure on my brain! I stood waiting with my right hand clutching my bus transfer. The fingers of my left hand were buried to the knuckle busily rolling about within the confines of the paper bag constantly fiddling with my sumptuous candy treasure. Right then and there, I decided that today I would go for it! I had been working on this plan long enough! Yes siree Bob today was the day! After all, I was old enough! Haven't I been crossing from State Street, over the tracks, up to the Traffic Tower in and out of Liggett’s, then all the way across the Palace Block and onto the South Meriden Bus up Hanover Street and then up the big, big hill, [Columbus Avenue] and gotten off all by myself and then made my way home successfully more times than I could count? Well hadn’t I? I will admit that in the beginning, the trek from the bus stop to the house was more than a bit confusing. I confess that there were some rather menacing overhanging monstrous trees that did all that they could to block out the sun. Added to that were a couple of dreadfully long straightaway’s and two sort of tricky turns, for a boy of seven. Well you be the judge! As time went on, however, I had even invented a few short cuts of my own. I now had the trip down to a science. I had the walking to the house part down pat. Well hadn’t I? I certainly did! To read the current issue of The People’s Press in image form or download the latest pdf go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ The People’s Press is a community newspaper serving Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut. We invite you to join us by becoming a part of the family of our submitters and sharing your news, stories, photos and views that matter most to Wallingford, Meriden and Central Connecticut. We are YOUR newspaper. 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