February 2012 North Central News

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In This Issue• EAST WINDSOR: Town, boardstudying budget season options..p. 5• EAST WINDSOR: Images of Chamber,town & state meet and greet ............p. 6• ELLINGTON: Residents to decide onsenior center, school projects ......p. 7• ELLINGTON: Friends of Music servelots of students in town ..................p. 8• ELLINGTON: Town welcomes newhead Resident Trooper ................p. 9• SUNDAY DRIVE: Festivals & food-stuffs abound in New England...p. 10

• ENFIELD: Board struggles to putbudget together ........................p. 13• ENFIELD: Lego makes major dona-tion to Rotary playground..............p. 14• SOMERS: New technology comesto eye doctor’s practice ............p. 22• SOMERS: Two will be honored forrescue efforts ............................p. 23• STAFFORD: Cuts sought ............p. 35• STAFFORD: Youth Center celebrates15th anniversary..........................p. 36• CLASSIFIEDS:.....................pp.38-39

• NEXT ISSUE •DEADLINE: Feb. 23, 2012

(860) 698-0020www.thenorthcentralnews.com

Church Rebuilding After the FireLongtime Somers Congregational Church member Polly McCranie reacts with tears as she views what is left of the SomersCongregational Church and memorial garden, the garden which her deceased father, Donald Stevenson, helped start some yearsago. The church, built in 1840, was destroyed by fire Sunday evening January 1, 2012. McCraine commented, “It’s like my soul’sbeen murdered.” More photos, story beginning on page 18.

Photo by Butler Photography

By Linda Tishler Levinson

The governor wants to update thestate’s liquor laws.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy held a newsconference Jan. 14 at Enfield Town Hall tounveil proposed legislation to update thestate’s Blue Laws, which regulate the saleof alcohol and prohibit Sunday sales atretail stores.

The proposal is drawing mixed reviewsfrom local package store owners.

Malloy said he is proposing liquor lawchanges to help the state stay competitivewith neighboring states and to give con-sumers a break. In addition to allowing thesale of alcohol on Sundays, some holidaysand Mondays after some Sunday holidays,the change would eliminate minimumpricing regulations and allow quantity dis-counts, among other proposals. The legis-lation would also allow bars and restau-rants to serve liquor until 2 a.m. sevendays a week, rather than just on Friday andSaturday nights. Currently, they can onlyserve until 1 a.m. the rest of the week.

“These laws are outdated and they arti-ficially increase the price of alcohol toConnecticut consumers,” Malloy said in a

Liquor StoreOwners BothOppose/BackSunday Sales

SUNDAY/page 3

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written statement. “By allowing Sundaysales, removing distribution and salesrestrictions and by amending permit regu-lations, we’re going to help Connecticutregain its competitive edge in this industry,and we’re going to give consumers abreak.”

He said Connecticut and Indiana are theonly states that ban the sale of alcohol onSundays.

“As the years go by and other statesmodify their laws to reflect modern-dayrealities, our statutes have collected dust,and it has resulted in consumers shoppingin bordering states, causing Connecticutretailers to lose $570 million in sales eachyear to surrounding states by some indus-try estimates,” Malloy said. “This propos-al is pro-consumer, pro-‘mom and pop’and pro-dollars being spent withinConnecticut.”

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman said the propos-al would help make the state competitive.

“A major focus of our administration isto make Connecticut more competitivewith other states on many different levels,and this is another way we can do that. Webelieve it is time to end the longConnecticut tradition of spending moneyacross the border because of antiquatedlaws that arbitrarily prohibit liquor salesduring certain hours and on certain days.That is a tradition that has not only meantinconvenience for our residents, but hasmeant lost revenue for many of our busi-nesses. It is also time to allow businessesmore flexibility to decide if they want tosell these products, and how late they wantto keep their doors open to do so.”

State Sen. John A. Kissel, R-Enfield,said he agrees with the proposal. “Thatchange will help small mom-and-popstores along the Connecticut bor-der. Liquor stores in Massachusettsalready are worried about what the changewould mean for their bottom lines. Thatsays to me that we’re doing somethingright. The state should also look at cross-border competition on other goods, such asgasoline,” he added.

Kuldeep Sandhu, owner of SomersWine and Liquor on Main Street inSomers, agrees. Sandhu said he feels being

able to open Sundays would be good forbusiness. And while some small packagestore owners say they want Sundays off,Sandhu said it doesn’t matter to him. “Ifit’s open, it’s no problem,” he said.

Gregory Shemis, owner of Red TopsWine & Liquor on Hazard Avenue inEnfield, disagrees. “I’m against them,”Shemis said of the changes. “I don’t thinkSundays we should open … I don’t want towork seven days a week.”

He said the changes would only benefitthe big box stores. “I’m just a little guy,”he said, adding that taking away minimumpricing would drive out small businesses.

Boyce Kaman, owner of Kaman’sWines and Liquors on South Road inSomers, agrees that the proposals wouldhurt small package stores. “It’s not theSunday sales thing that bothers me,”Kaman said.

Being close to the Massachusetts line,he said, “We would benefit from Sundaysales.” But the changes in pricing wouldhurt, he said. “The governor wants tomake every store a Wal-Mart,” he said.

Getting rid of minimum bottle pricingand legalizing quantity discounts, “thatwould eventually eliminate me,” Kamansaid.

North Central Publishing, LLC dba

The NorthCentral News

P.O. Box 427Somers, CT 06071

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PUBLISHER/EDITORGary Carra

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSBarbara Bresnahan

Keith GriffinBarbra O’Boyle

Linda Tishler-LevinsonDeborah Stauffer

PHOTOGRAPHERSDavid Butler II

Stacey Lyn McDonald

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESGary Carra Sr.

Amy HartensteinJoan Hornbuckle

CIRCULATION Georgia Michalec

PUBLISHER’S POLICY: The information presented in the

North Central News is presented for your consideration

and does not necessarily represent the views of the

publisher or its advertisers. All information is checked for

accuracy but cannot be guaranteed. Liability for errorsin advertising is limited to rerunof the ad. Errors in advertising

should be brought to the attention of the publisher, inwriting, within seven days ofpublication for appropriate

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February 2012 North Central News 3

BusinessBusiness

CLARIFICATION

Last month it was announced in theNorth Central News from a submittedpress release that Home Sweet HomeFurnishings and Gifts of Somers has beenselected for the 2011 Best of SomersAward in the Used Furniture category bythe U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The North Central News received acomplaint that the award was misrepre-sented as being from the U.S. CommerceDepartment. However, the press releasethat ran in the January 2012 issue on page19 never identified the group as the U.S.Commerce Department, nor does it sayanywhere in the press release that it is afederal agency. The press release clearlyidentifies the U.S. Commerce Associationas a New York City based organization.It’s unfortunate if readers were left withthe wrong impression.

Upon further investigating the claims, itdoes appear that the U.S. CommerceOrganization, like many other organiza-tions, is in the business of selling awards.The Better Business Bureau says on itswebsite, “[P]restigious awards from anational association appear to be part of awidespread scheme designed to get com-panies to pay for ‘vanity’ awards andplaques.”

The North Central News does notbelieve Home Sweet Home Furnishingsacted in bad faith when it submitted thenews release to us.

Going forward, the North Central Newswill require businesses receiving awardsto undergo a strict vetting before news ofthe award will be published. Vetting willinclude such standards as if the businessnominated itself for the award, a fee wasrequired to participate and for what pur-pose, and if compensation was required toaccept the award.

Sunday Liquor Sales Seen as Divisive Issue(continued from page 1)



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EAST WINDSOR – Budget season isunder way.

The town held its first public hearing onthe municipal and school budgets inJanuary in order to gauge community sen-timent for next year's spending plans.

According to Superintendent of SchoolsTheresa Kane, the parameters have beenset at a level-service budget for both thetown and the schools for the 2012-2013fiscal year.

With a level-service budget, all educa-tional programs would be maintained attheir current level, Kane said. The dollar

figures are then adjusted to reflect whatev-er changes are needed to maintain thoselevels of service. Certain contractual obli-gations, such as employee raises and ben-efit costs are factored into the spendingplan.

“Everything you had this year, you rollover to next,” she said, adding, “We're put-ting all of these figures together now.”

Last year the town adopted a$33,141,666 budget. That budget includeda town-side budget of $13,735,215 and aBoard of Education budget of$19,406,451. The mill rate currently is24.3756.

Town, Board Studying Optionsto Maintain Budget Services

Rotary Club Plans Super Family BreakfastEAST WINDSOR - The East Windsor

Rotary Club presents a Super FamilyBreakfast on Feb. 5 (Super Bowl Sunday)from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the East WindsorHigh School Cafeteria, Main Street, EastWindsor. Adult admission will be $5; chil-dren under 7 will be free and please bring

a non-perishable food item for the 5Corners Cupboard Food Bank. The Rotarywill be serving pancakes, French toast,sausage, and baked breads. Also take achance to win a basket of Super Bowlparty supplies. Proceeds help fund theclub’s scholarship activities.

EAST WINDSOR - This year’s energyassistance program will be ending soon.The last day to apply or order any deliver-able fuel is March 15. The 2011/2012income guidelines are as follows foreveryone except for those households thatheat is included in their rent.

1 person in household is $31,863.522 people in household is $41,667.683 people in household is $51,471.844 people in household is $61,276.005 people in household is $71,080.16The income guideline below is for

households that heat is included in theirrent and whose rent is more than 30 per-

cent of their income. Households may beeligible to receive a small Cash Assistancebenefit of $10, $15, or $20 based on theirincome.

1 person in household is $16,3352 people in household is $22,0653 people in household is $27,7954 people in household is $33,5255 people in household is $39,255There is also an asset limit of $10,000

for homeowners and $7,000 for renters. Ifyou believe you qualify for this program,please contact the East Windsor HumanService Department at 860-623-2430 tomake your appointment.

Energy Assistance Program Ending Soon

EAST WINDSOR - If you are gettingcabin fever this month, come to theWarehouse Point Library for a good read,a trip to an exotic locale with a movie, orto explore a new museum in the northeastwith one of our museum passes.StoryTime programs for 2-6 years contin-ues through the month of February; somespaces are still available, please call thelibrary.

• Movies at the library include“Casablanca” on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 1p.m. in the Communityroom. “Casablanca,” starring HumphreyBogart and Ingrid Bergman, stands the testof time as a great romance, a stirring

wartime adventure, and a suspensefulaction movie. Refreshments will beserved.

• “Monte Carlo,” starring SelenaGomez as a high-spirited high school gradlooking forward to a Paris vacation withher friend, but things do not go as planned,will be shown on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 1p.m.

The movie is rated PG and childrenunder 11 must be accompanied by anadult.

• The 2011 Community Day PhotoContest Display has returned to theLibrary. Come see last year’s entries asyou plan for this year’s contest.

Happenings at the Warehouse Point Library




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Business Meets GovernmentTop left, Victoria Kuhns, owner of Merlot on the Water, and Liza Kuhns, owner BeautyMark Salon, just one of East Windsor’s newest businesses, pose together at the EastWindsor Chamber’s business, town and state “Meet & Greet” held Jan. 26 at Merloton the Water in East Windsor. Bottom left, Jason Bowza, chairperson of the EastWindsor Board of Finance, with back to camera. talks with state Sen. Gary Lebeau atthe Meet & Greet. Above, East Windsor Board of Selectmen member Dale Nelson andRealtor Lori Gabriel.

Photos by Amy Hartenstein


ELLINGTON - Winter is upon us, buttake the time to come to the EllingtonSenior Center and enjoy the many pro-grams/activities we offer.

The 2012 Tax Preparation Program isbeing held at the Town of EllingtonHuman Services Department (Arbor Park).Appointments will begin Thursday, Feb. 2,and end on Thursday, April 12.Appointment times are 9 a.m. to noon. Asign-up sheet is available at the EllingtonSenior Center.

Please call 860-870-3133 to secure yourappointment.

State Rep. Christopher Davis will be atthe Ellington Senior Center on Friday, Feb.3, at 10 a.m. to discuss up-to-date issueshappening within the state of Connecticut.Contact the Senior Center to sign up forthis important program.

Programs

Ellington Singers, 31 in number, andtheir director are housed in the EllingtonSenior Center. Ellington Singers meet

every Wednesday at 10 a.m. to rehearse themusic scheduled for the “SpringMusicale” to be held at Ellington HighSchool on Thursday, April 19. The groupperforms many interesting musical selec-tions. You are all cordially invited to par-ticipate.

Better Age Club of Ellington - TheBetter Age Club of Ellington meets everysecond and fourth Thursday of the monthat 1 p.m. at the Ellington Senior Center.The dues per year are $3, payable inSeptember. The membership is not limitedto the Town of Ellington and welcomes all

to participate. The next business meetingis scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 9. The pre-senter at this meeting is CL&P. The Feb.23 meeting is a special afternoon of enter-tainment by Paul Recker as he performshis music along with the accompanimentof his guitar.

Memories & Creative Writing is heldthe third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m.at the Ellington Senior Center.

All age levels are encouraged to comeon Thursday, Feb. 16, to share their writtenor spoken language creations with thisgroup.


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ELLINGTON – Residents will vote on the senior cen-ter and Crystal Lake and Windermere school projects in aFebruary referendum.

The town has voted to place both items on the Feb. 14referendum ballot. Voting will be from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. atEllington High School.

The $2.5 million senior center proposal involves theconstruction of a new senior center facility. The currentsenior center, which is located in a strip mall, no longerserves town seniors’ needs, First Selectman MauriceBlanchette said. “It’s clearly not well laid out for today’sexpectation of a senior center.”

The senior center proposal is for a 10,600-square-footfacility that would be built across from Ellington High

School. The building would include offices, a kitchen,health area, activity area and two multi-purpose rooms.

The schools referendum involves $21.04 million forrenovations and additions.

“The project is critically important for our school sys-tem to be completed in the next five years,” said TraceyKiff-Judson, vice chairperson of the Board of Education.

Windermere School is at capacity, even as the studentpopulation is growing, she said, and Crystal Lake Schoolis in dire need of repair.

At Winderemere, she said. “Classrooms are tight, and acomputer lab had to be dismantled this year to createanother classroom. Ellington’s student population contin-ues to grow at a time when other towns are closing andconsolidating schools.

“This proposal will address both of those concerns,”she said.

Once Crystal Lake has its addition and renovation,Kiff-Judson said the plan is to realign students at thetown’s elementary schools to create neighborhood schoolsfor children in kindergarten through grade 6.

She said that if the referendum fails, the town wouldneed to begin using portable classrooms within the nexttwo years to handle the anticipated increases in the studentpopulation.

The age of Crystal Lake School also is a factor, shesaid, with repairs and updates needed throughout theschool, as well as safety concerns about the entrance tothe school on Route 140.

Residents Will Decide Fate of Senior Center, School Projects

Senior Center Offers Tax Preparation Help and Other Programs


ELLINGTON - The Ellington Friendsof Music will sponsor their second annualPancake Breakfast and Cabaret onSaturday, Feb. 11, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. atEllington High School. Last year’s eventwas such a success with close to 250 inattendance and over 70 students perform-ing that the group decided to make it anannual event.

Ellington parent Jane Roets created thegroup two years ago along with about 10other parents withthe intention of sup-porting and enhanc-ing the music pro-gram in the schools.They hope to organ-ize several other fundraisers to supplementthe resources provided to the music pro-grams in the school budget.

Students from grades 4 through 12 willbe performing all during the breakfast onFeb. 11. The cost is $8 at the door and $7in advance. Children under 3 eat free. Topurchase advance tickets, please go towww.artsfromtheheart.net and click onOur Store.

The pancake breakfast is currently the

biggest fundraiser the group has done.They hope to sponsor a concert atEllington High School with the band TheDepartures, and possibly collaborate withthe library on doing some coffee houseevents. It’s been a challenge this year find-ing venues to do events. “With the overlapof students involved in OKP (OpeningKnight Players) and the heavy fundraisinggoing on for them this year, we decided totake our time,” Roets said.

Students in theEllington schools areintroduced to therecorder, an instru-ment similar to aclarinet, in 3rd grade

and can begin playing an instrument withlessons in 5th grade at WindermereIntermediate School. All students whoplay an instrument become a member ofband. There is a 5th grade band and a 6thgrade band. Along with general musicclasses, students can also join the chorusstarting in 4th grade. Both the middleschool and high school have a vocalensemble where students audition to get aspot.

Once a student in Ellington starts play-ing an instrument in 5th grade, he or shecan follow the music path through middleschool and high school. The middle schoolhas a 7th grade band and an 8th grade bandand offers group lessons twice a month. Atthe high school, concert band studentsmake up the marching band and the com-munity can see and hear them at theFireman’s parade, Four Town Fair paradeand Big E parade in September and againin May for the Memorial Day ceremonyand parade.

Students at the high school can also par-ticipate in the jazz band and wind ensem-ble, both of which require an audition.Middle school students can also partici-pate in jazz band as an extra-curricularactivity. Ellington music students can alsobe found providing holiday spirit at theWinterfest in December each year.

Roets feels it is up to the community tosupport the music programs in theEllington schools. Teachers and banddirectors are stretched and when budget

time comes around, music seems to be oneof the things threatened to be cut. Themarching band and color guard were, infact, cut from the budget in 2006-2007, butthanks to the American Legion Hatheway-Miller Post 62 and their donation of$2,400 the groups were able to continue.Ellington students are fortunate that theschools provide instrumental lessons dur-ing the school day in grades 5-8. Althoughthe band directors encourage private les-sons, they are not required for students tobe in the high school bands.

Ellington Friends of Music meet once amonth and their next meeting is on Feb. 7at 7 p.m. in the Ellington High Schoollibrary. New members are always wel-come.

For more information, please contactJane Roets at [email protected].

For more information on the Ellingtonschools and their programs, visit their newwebsite at www.ellington public-schools.org.


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ELLINGTON - Ellington welcomesState Police Sgt. Patrick Sweeney to townas the new officer in charge of theEllington Resident State Trooper Office.Sgt. Sweeney began his new position intown in January, replacing Sgt. WilliamKonieczny, who retired in October after 26years of service with the State Police.

Sgt. Sweeney has been with the StatePolice for 13 years and has been a sergeantfor four years. He is looking forward toworking with the Ellington community.Sweeney’s previous position was a patrolsupervisor for Troop B in North Canaan.The landscapes are most likely similar butthe question posed - is the aroma similar?He will have to wait until spring for theanswer. Sweeney is originally fromChicopee, Mass., where he was a citypolice officer for a year and a half. Aftercoming to Connecticut and joining theState Police, he was a Resident StateTrooper in East Granby for four years.

Sweeney comes to Ellington with expe-rience and knowledge of the workings ofsmall towns and their policing needs.Ellington and 81 other towns withinConnecticut participate in the ResidentState Trooper Program; where there is noorganized full-time police department, theprimary law enforcement comes from theState Police. Ellington functions with onestate police sergeant, four resident state

troopers, 13 police constables and threemarine constables. Additional troopers aredispatched from Troop C in Tolland asneeded.

Sweeney has met a few residents so farand would like the opportunity to meetmore. He will be available to meet parentson Thursday, Feb. 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.at the 8th grade parent orientation atEllington High School. That night parentsof incoming freshmen learn about whattheir children will be experiencing and willhave the opportunity to speak with variousmember of the high school faculty. Sgt.Sweeney will be joining Youth Services atits table and looks forward to meeting par-ents and faculty members. “I have metseveral residents and look forward to thewarmer weather to get out of the office andmeet more people,” Sweeney said.

The State Police and Constables inEllington work together with YouthServices and the DAPC (Drug Abuse

Prevention Council) on a federal grantawarded to the town for the prevention ofunderage drinking. Parent education andcommunity awareness of the social hostlaw in Connecticut and other laws pertain-ing to underage drinking are the primary

goals. “My immediate concern for the town is

to have an impact with the youth and theunderage drinking,” Sweeney said. Heplans to work with the town and school ona pre-prom awareness campaign in thespring and expects to increase patrols andvisibility of the officers. For more infor-mation or to speak to Sweeney, call 860-875-1522 during the day or [email protected].


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EntertainmentEntertainmentFestivals & FoodstuffsAbound This February

Welcome back to The Sunday Drive, the column that aspires to be your complete,entertainment itinerary for some lesser known/off the beaten path day trips.

For this installment, your friendly, neighborhood Sunday driver sets his sights onsome of New England’s premier ‘winter’ wonderlands, bands and culinary creations.

Newport Winter Festival 2012 - Newport, RIFeb. 18 - 25

www.newportevents.com/winterfestWith more than 150 individual events, this Festival has become "New England's largest

winter extravaganza." Alive with sparkle and excitement, the Winter Festival offers a uniquewinter experience combining food, music, and entertainment, with fun for all ages. Sandsculptures, a Chili Cook-Off, city-wide Scavenger Hunt, and an Ice Sculpting Competition,and a Children's Fair are just some of the many colorful and exciting events that will capti-vate you.

The Winter Festival features an exciting Concert Series with a diverse selection of musi-cal performances by BeatleMania, and new this year Tequila Sunrise, a tribute to the Eagles.

The Newport Winter Festival is proud to have been the recipients of the 2004 Governor'sState Tourism Award. In the past the Festival has been voted "Best Off-Season Event" byNewport Life Magazine's "Best of Newport" Awards. The Winter Festival was also chosenby the American Bus Association as one of the Top 100 Events in North America, andnamed the 34th out of the Top 250 Events in the Country by Events Business News!Whether you seek dining, dancing, or ice carving…The Newport Winter Festival has it all!

Purchase a Winter Festival button and receive free admission or significant discounts toevents listed in this brochure, plus additional discounts at restaurants and retailers through-out the city. Be sure to refer to the on-going activities page for additional events. Buttonsoffer over $500 value for only $9. Partial proceeds to benefit local charity.


Red,White, & Brew Wine & BeerPairing & Auction - Warwick, RI

Feb. 9Since we’ ve delved into the Ocean

State, here’s another audio/edible opportu-nity out of Warwick. From 6-9 p.m. onFeb. 9, the Warwick Museum of Art willoffer an evening of great wine, food, andlive music as well as the chance to bid onan eclectic array of live and silent auc-tions. All proceeds to benefit Easter SealsRI. Admission is $50 per person and thenumber for more information is (401) 284-3738.

FeBREWary: The Science of Beer

Feb. 9Here’s one ‘science’ experiement

that always seems to elicit a steadystream of subjects. Seriously, a lot ofscience goes into creating a recipe thatyields the best flavor of beer for thevariety of palates needing to be satis-fied. This evening at the ECHO LakeAquarium and Science Center inBurlington, Vermont will turn a neophytebeer drinker into a near-master brewer, orat the very least, teach us to appreciate thenuances of a good malt beverage. ECHO'sAfter Dark FeBREWary event will havepresenters from Northeastern University;University of Vermont; and Vermont

Home Brew Supply. Classic pub gameswill also be featured. Price is $20 andincludes five beer tastings (there will be 15beers featured) and a collectible tastingglass.

For information and tickets, please cal877-324-6386 and press “option 7.”

American Lamb Jam – Cambridge, MAFeb. 19

www.FansofLambBoston.comHosted by TV Diner’s Billy Costa, lamb

loving chefs will create luscious lambdishes paired with local beers from areabreweries and compete for the title ofBoston Lamb Master and an opportunity

to battle other top lamb-loving chefs at aMaster Lamb Jam this fall. Chefs who woothe crowds and win the hearts of judgeswill take home awards for Best in Showand People’s Choice. Attendees will seebutchery demonstrations by Chefs ChrisDouglas & Nuno Alves of Tavolo andButcher Josh Pert. This event runs from 3-6 p.m. at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge.

Admission to Lamb Jam is $50, not too‘baaad’ considering it includes all food andbeverages.

Lake George Winter Carnival 2012www.lakegeorgewintercarnival.com

Last but not least, Lake George Villageoffers a month long celebration of winterduring this annual family-friendly event atShepard Park! The Winter Carnival official-ly begins with the New Year's Day PolarPlunge and First Day in Lake George. TheWinter Carnival then picks up again eachweekend throughout February, so mark yourcalendar and take part in the fun!

Join the Polar Plunge if you dare! Afraidto get your toes wet that first morning? Well,no need to worry -- a polar plunge happensevery weekend of the Winter Carnival! Get

to the beach by 3 p.m. on Saturday andSunday of every weekend for this entertain-ing sight!

Relish the warmth of tasty samples dur-ing the chowder, chili, BBQ and chickenwing cook-offs. Enjoy the always hilariousand fun outhouse races - a crowd pleasingfavorite! Kids can play on the giant ice slide,participate in children's activities, enjoy atethered hot air balloon ride or snowmobilesleigh ride and visit a historical reenactors'encampment of the 1700s.

Do you own a facility or know of a hiddengem in the region that would be the perfectfocus of a future Sunday Drive? If so, pleaseemail your suggestions to [email protected]


Winter Wonderlands

A Children’s Fair, scavenger hunt and chili cook-off are jut a few of the events thatadorn the Newport Winter Festival.

continued from previous page



EnfieldEnfield

METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

ENFIELD - The Arc of Greater Enfieldis sponsoring the sixth annual D’VineWine & Ale Tasting Event on Saturday,March 10, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. atThe Golden Gavel on Route 140 in EastWindsor. This is a new location for theevent that was previously held at theEnfield Elks Club.

Joe’s Fine Wine & Spirits, the eventsponsor, will feature more than 60 winesand 30-plus specialty ales and beers. Acarving station will be staffed byStorrowton Tavern. In addition importedcheeses, crackers, fresh fruit, desserts andcoffee will be served. Music, raffle prizesand a live auction will also be included.

Awards will also be presented to indi-viduals recognized for their contributionto The Arc of Greater Enfield’s Mission.

Proceeds from this event support CampShriver and provides camperships for eco-nomically disadvantaged families thatwant to send their child to camp.

Camp Shriver is a six-week summercamp program for children and youngadults ages 4-22 who are intellectuallydelayed or have related disabilities.

To purchase tickets ($30) or to obtainadditional information, either call The Arcoffice at 860-763-5411 or email yourrequest to [email protected].

Sixth Annual D’Vine Wine & Ale Testing Event



EnfieldEnfield


ENFIELD – The Board of Education isscheduled to adopt a proposed budget forthe 2012-2013 fiscal year at its Feb. 14meeting. In the meantime, members areconsidering their options.

The school board asked Superintendentof Schools John Gallacher to present sev-eral versions of the education budget. Hehas prepared a fixed-cost budget, whichlargely replicates the current spendingplan, a superintendent’s budget, in whichhe included what he felt was needed, as

well as spending plans with a 1 percentincrease, a 2 percent increase, a 1 percentdecrease and a 2 percent decrease.

The fixed-cost budget carries anincrease of 3.66 percent increase over thecurrent $62,711,007 budget. With anincrease of $2,295,667, that budget wouldtotal $65,006,674, Gallacher said.

Making some adjustments, Gallachersaid he was able to bring that to a 1.48 per-cent increase. “I was able to whittle outsome things,” he said.

Those cuts include the estimated costsavings anticipated from the likely retire-ments of eight teachers. While his propos-al keeps all but one teaching position,Gallacher said he anticipates being able tohire teachers at a lower salary rate thanthose retiring were earning. By contract,the teachers need to notify the superin-tendent of retirement plans by Feb. 13.

The budget proposal anticipates the lossof federal stimulus dollars that the schoolhad been receiving. A little more than twoyears ago, Gallacher said the schoolreceived just over $4 million in stimulusfunds to help pay teacher salaries. Thatprogram ends in September.

The school system has saved $1.3 mil-

lion of that funding, and the Town Councilhas agreed to allow that to be used for theeducation budget, Gallacher said. As a

result, rather than losing $1.1 million inschool funding next year, the loss will beabout $200,000.

Board Faces Many Options as it Determines Upcoming Budget

Mayor Honored for Storm EffortsIn a Dec. 23 ceremony at Lulu’s Restaurant, Enfield Mayor Scott Kaupin (at left) waspresented with an official citation for his leadership during the October storm byEnfield state Sen. John A. Kissel. “Mayor Scott Kaupin did such an incredible job inleading Enfield before, during and after the pre-Halloween storm,” Kissel said. “Wethought, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to recognize him publicly?’ Mayor Kaupin was tireless inmaking sure Enfield residents knew how, when and where to get help. I don’t think heslept for a week! He proved himself to be a steady hand during that major disaster andhe did so in the same low-key, get-the-job-done fashion that we have all gotten toknow. That’s leadership.”

CNA Course BeingOffered

ENFIELD - Enfield Adult andContinuing Education offers a certifiednurse’s aide training program (CNA)beginning Feb. 23. The course is a 100-hour course (60 hours of classroom and 40hours of clinical) designed to prepare indi-viduals with needed skills to become cer-tified nurse aides. Graduates from thisprogram will be eligible to sit for the StateRegistry exam. Call 860-763-7032 withany questions and registration informa-tion.


ENFIELD – Furthering its commitmentto support organizations that serve chil-dren and children’s creativity, The LegoChildren’s Fund recently announced a$250,000 grant to the Rotary Club ofEnfield. The grant will support the cre-ation of an accessible playground inEnfield, where Lego Systems, Inc. also hasits headquarters.

The planned outdoor playground spacewill be centrally located at the EnfieldPublic Library on Middle Road and will bea place where families can spend timetogether, enjoy the fresh air and benefitfrom physical exercise. In designing andinstalling an accessible playground, TheRotary Club of Enfield will ensure thatchildren and family members of any abili-ty can enjoy the space.

“We are very grateful to the LegoChildren’s Fund for supporting this com-munity service project,” said Rotarian EdPalomba, who chairs the club’s accessibleplayground committee. “This generousgrant will cover the entire estimated budg-

et for design, site preparation and con-struction of the playground.”

Palomba indicated that the Rotary Clubwill raise additional funds to enhance the

site with walkways, picnic tables, benchesand a pavilion and welcomes the supportof businesses in the local area.

Former Enfield Rotary Club PresidentLindsey Weber proposed the accessibleplayground project in 2010. “I imaginedan outdoor play space that everyone in thecommunity would enjoy. Soon, familieswill be able to enjoy a safe and engagingspace for physical activity and fresh air. Iam very excited to see the playgroundcome to fruition with the help of the LegoChildren’s Fund.”

“The Lego Children’s Fund is our wayof supporting organizations that promotechildren’s creative development,” saidSøren Torp Laursen, president, LegoSystems, Inc. and Lego Children’s Fundchairman. “We’re thrilled to award ourlargest grant yet to The Rotary Club ofEnfield, which has served our local com-munity for over 80 years. We look forwardto the implementation of the new play-ground, where all children and families inthe area will be able to play and enjoy timetogether.”


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Lego Fund Supports Enfield Rotary Club With $250,000 Grant

Awarding a $250,000 grant to the Rotary Club of Enfield for its accessible playground project are, from LEGO (l-r), Peter Arakas,Janice Favreau, Peg Parks, Mary Sutton, Brian Specht and LEGO Systems, Inc. President Søren Torp Laursen. Accepting the grantare Enfield Rotary President Michael Helechu, Accessible Playground Committee Chairman Ed Palomba, Past President LindseyWeber and Rotarian Scott Kaupin, Mayor of Enfield.


By Julie Cotnoir

ENFIELD - It was on January 16, 1938that Enfield residents Guillermo “Willie”and Virginia Recato took their vows asman and wife in their native Philippines.Asks.com says that only 1.2 percent of allcouples who marry will ever remaintogether for 65 years. Statistics are diffi-cult to find for couples celebrating a mile-stone like 74 years.

The world was a different place back in1938. Shirley Temple was on the bigscreen in “Little Miss Broadway,” NaziGerman troops were occupying Austriaand Howard Hughes set the record of com-pleting a flight around the world in 91hours. The young couple married andfound success in the Phillipines. Theyowned an operated a profitable slaughter-house in their homeland. Willie took careof deliveries and Virginia ran the business.They had a beautiful house and theyemployed help to take care of their needsat home. It was a good life.

Photo albums commemorating their25th wedding anniversary in 1963 show afashionably dressed Virginia, with herhandsome husband surrounded by friendsand family. A wonderful celebration, tocommemorate a significant milestone, wasphotographed for posterity. It was just oneyear later when a visit to the United Stateswould change the couple’s lives forever.

Willie traveled to the United States in1964 to visit a sister living in Connecticut.As part of the visit he had the opportunityto go to the 1964-65 World’s Fair inFlushing Meadows, New York. It was aspecial year for the fair. Walt Disney was

participating and many attractions, thatguests to his theme parks enjoy to this day,were unveiled during the fair. “GreatMoments with Mr. Lincoln,” an audio ani-matronic exhbit, was presented, along with“Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress” andthe ride “It’s a Small World.” Visitors paidjust $2 to visit the more than 150 pavilionsand exhibits at the fair. So impressed withwhat he saw Willie went back to thePhillipines and began the process to movehis family to the United States.Connecticut was a natural choice andslowly with the help of Willie’s sister as asponsor, a few family members at a timewould begin their journey to America.

It was a different life here. They did not

have servants and their own business, butthere was much more to life than that,according to the family. Willie became amachinist and Virginia a cashier at the air-port. One daughter says there was a free-dom to being able to do things on theirown, which they hadn’t experienced whenliving in a home with servants, who woulddo everything for the family. The familymoved to Windsor Locks, WarehousePoint and in 1980 to Enfield. They haveroots in the community. Anniversaryalbums, commemorating their 50th, 60thand 70th anniversary parties, show photosof the renewal of their vows at HolyFamily Church and large gatherings offamily and friends at La Renaissance and

La Notte. The couple, parents to three children,

grandparents to 10 and great grandparentsto still more, have gotten older and havehad their challenges. They now share theirhome with one of their daughters. Goneare the days when the couple visits the sen-ior center and dances with other couples.However, two years ago the couple tookthe 22-hour journey to the Phillipines, withtheir daughter, to visit family. Willie, 95,still loves to play pool on the billiard tableset up in the family garage. Virginia, 90,has been afflicted with Alzheimer’s for thepast 20 years and Willie is a little hard ofhearing. However, the couple seen danc-ing, in the photos taken over the years, stillshow the sparkle in their eyes that theyoung people who pledged their love toeach other 74 years ago had on that specialday.

Their time is now often spent at homesitting on the couch watching televisionbeing broadcast from the Phillipines.Virginia’s hands will take to a metalmanipulative on a television tray for a fewmoments but then she turns to Willie andthey stare into each other’s eyes. There isvery little verbal communication, butwatching the care Willie takes in holdingher hands and looking into her eyes isbreathtaking.

As they move from the couch to thebench, for their anniversary day photo, thetwo even do a little dance, bringing Willie,if not Virginia as well, back to the dancefloor on their wedding day back onJanuary 16, 1938.


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Couple Maintains Special Bond After 74 Years of Marriage

Willie and Virginia Recato, of Enfield, celebrated their 74th anniversary on January16, 2012.

Photo by Julie Cotnoir



EnfieldEnfield

Asnuntuck Students Help at Health FairAsnuntuck Community College’s Medical Assisting students returned to HallmarkCards’ Enfield distribution center in January to assist employees during the company’sHealth Fair. The students and their instructor provided blood pressure readings andBMI and weight checks to approximately 75-100 employees that day. Pictured in theback row, left to right, Hallmark Cards’ nurse Geri Kemp, RN, ACC student EdwardLaMothe, ACC instructor Michele Howard-Swan, ACC students April Withee, CyndiaPeres and Lynn Palmer. Front row, left to right, ACC students Barbara Johnson andMichael Castelvetere.

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ENFIELD - The public is invited to bea “Lunch Bunch” Valentine onWednesday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. at the homeof Stephen and Karen Jarmoc, 33 SchoolSt., Enfield. Businesses, individuals andguests are welcome. Refreshments will beserved; a $20 suggested donation would beappreciated. Hosted by Karen Jarmoc,board chair, United Way of North Central

CT; Roger LeBlanc, president – EnfieldFood Shelf Board of Directors and LunchBunch liaison; and Emily Happy Miller,community relations director – ShopRiteof Enfield.

RSVP by Monday, Feb. 13, [email protected] or 860-745-3714.

Inclement weather date is Thursday,Feb. 23.

Lunch Bunch Valentine Slated for Feb. 15

ENFIELD - GFWC/The Woman’s Clubof Enfield will hold its monthly meetingon Wednesday, Feb. 8, at noon at the HolyFamily Church Hall on Simon Road,Enfield. Following the lunch and businessmeeting, Alex Kozikowski, a retiredflorist, will present a program on “How toMake Something for your Sweetie forValentine’s Day.” Alex was active in theflorist business for 50 years, the last 15 ofwhich he was self-employed. Members arereminded to bring a non-perishable itemfor the Enfield Food Shelf.

The Enfield Club is a member of theGeneral Federation of Women’s ClubsInternational, the world’s oldest andlargest women’s volunteer organization,and a member of the Connecticut StateFederation who encourages its members totake part in many national and statewide

programs and projects. Anyone who isinterested in attending a meeting orbecoming a member of the Woman’s Clubof Enfield should contact Lorraine at 860-253-9163.

Florist Will Speak to Enfield Woman’s Club

Award Applicants SoughtENFIELD - The Woman’s Club of

Enfield/GFWC is accepting applicationsfor the Phipps Memorial ScholarshipAward and the Dorothy E. SchoelzelMemorial Scholarship Award. The maxi-mum amount of a scholarship in any oneyear is $1,000. An applicant must be anEnfield resident and must be workingtoward either a bachelor’s or master’sdegree.

Applications will be accepted until Feb.10 and may be obtained by calling Karenat 860-745-0875.



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SOMERS — Perhaps the sign out frontsays it all: “The building is gone — thechurch remains.”

Just before midnight Jan. 1, the Rev.Barry Cass got a phone call. The SomersCongregational Church was on fire.

“The whole side was on fire,” he said.According to the Somers Fire

Department, the call came in at 11:37 p.m.Jan. 1. The fire, which destroyed the 1842meetinghouse and the Pilgrim Hall por-tions of the church, was under control afterabout two hours. In addition to Somers, theEllington, West Stafford, Hazardville,Crystal Lake and Shaker Pines fire depart-ments responded. The cause of the fireremains under investigation.

“Even as it was burning, people werecoming,” Cass said, noting they werealready saying they would rebuild and help

was already being offered.Although the church buildings were

insured and the insurance agent has beenwonderful to work with, Cass said therewill be costs to the congregation forrebuilding.

But the congregation won’t be alone inits efforts to rebuild the church buildings.

“People just started offering us help,”Cass said. “Checks started arriving in themail.”

They came from “people from town,people we’ve never heard of,” he said,some from as far away as Michigan.

The church already has committeesworking on the rebuilding plans. “We wantto replicate what we had,” Cass said, butwith updates required by building codesand minor improvements to the facility.

“Though the heartbreak is widespread, Iwant to tell you about the amazing com-

munity spirit I witnessed firsthand when Itoured the church grounds withCongressman Joe Courtney and local offi-cials. I am proud to say that what I sawshowed me – once again – that people in

our region may be down, but we are cer-tainly not out,” said state Sen. John Kissel.


SomersSomers

An encouraging sign outside of Somers Congregational Church after the fire.Photo Linda Tishler Levinson

Support Strong in Wake of Devastating Church Fire

CHURCH/page 25


The community turned out en masse in support of Somers Congregational Church after is devastating Jan. 1 fire.Photo by David Butler II, Butler Photography


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SOMERS — Somers Vision Clinic hasa new outlook on the eye.

Dr. Steven Squillace O.D., of SomersVision Clinic on South Road, recently pur-chased a retinal imaging device, which formany patients will replace pupil dilation

with drops and the blurred vision and lightsensitivity that can result.

Dr. Squillace said, “The use ofEasyScan in many cases will be a welcomealternative to the dilation process.”

Known as EasyScan, the device, manu-factured by i-Optics, uses laser technology

powered by a laptop computer and is ableto scan through undilated pupils as smallas 2 millimeters. Pupils range in size from2 millimeters in older individuals to aslarge as 6 or 7 millimeters, Squillace said.Most retinal cameras require a pupil of atleast 3.5 millimeters in size to view up to45 degrees of retina.

The retinal images the device is able to

capture are up 60 degrees by 45 degrees,which encompasses the most importantanatomical landmarks in the back of theeye, Squillace said.

The laser is of low intensity because thedevice is powered by a laptop, so it willnot damage the eye. Because the scan is


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SOMERS/page 23



SOMERS — Two Somers firefightersare being honored by the American RedCross.

Deputy Chief Frank Falcone and volun-teer firefighter Keith Burger have beenchosen by the Red Cross as CommunityHeroes of Connecticut and will receive theFirefighter’s Award for saving the life of a

kayaker stranded in the Willimantic River.“I nominated them after learning about

the incident during a staff meeting …when the opportunity came to nominateindividuals for the American Red CrossCommunity Heroes Award, I couldn’t waitto mail in the nomination letter,” FirstSelectman Lisa Pellegrini said.

On Sept. 11, 2011, Falcone and Burger

both happened to be in Mansfield sepa-rately when they learned there was akayaker in trouble on the WillimanticRiver. Both men are rescue divers.

Along with other rescue divers, theyhiked for 20 minutes in swamp and heavybrush to find the kayaker, who was holdingonto his kayak, which was stuck on a par-tially submerged tree. His leg was trapped.

Working as a team, they were able tofree the kayaker.

“All members of the rescue party per-formed exceptionally well as a team, act-ing in a professional and well-organizedfashion. However, responding to a callfrom another town as they are passing

through on their time off says volumesabout Frank and Keith’s character as indi-viduals and firefighters,” Pellegrini wrotein her nomimation letter.

Transfer station hours

While the Board of Selectmen voted inDecember to reduce the hours of theTransfer Station, due to residents’ reac-tions to the proposal, the reduced hourswere never implemented, Pellegrini said.

“They want the service” and are willingto pay for it, she said.

As a result, the selectmen are consider-ing increased fees to offset the additionalcost. Under consideration are increasedsticker, contractor and bulky waste fees.


SomersSomers

Located 7 miles fromEnfield 749-2256

Corner of Route 190 & 83

www.somersinn.com

Lunch Hours: Wednesday-Friday 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.Dinner Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 4:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sunday Brunch: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday Dinner Hours: 12 noon - 8 p.m.

Open Valentine's DayEvening

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Join us to see what our school has to offer you, afforadable rates and excellent learning opportunities.

NEW LOCATION

Somers Cultural Commission Presents

Piedmont Percolator - Live Entertainment604 Main Street - Second Sundays - 7:00P.M.

Feb. 12th: Suzie Brown - Singer/Songwriter Lori Desrosiers & Oanagh Doherty - Poetry

Mar. 11th: Bob Messore & Alice Anne - Guitar/Duo Robert Bruey - Singer/Songwriter

Apr. 15th: Layah Jane - Vocalist Glen Roethal w/Gathering Time Trio

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done without dilation, patients can returnto work or school after the exam withoutblurry vision.

Squillace learned of the device last fall,while looking at larger and more expen-sive versions at a conference in Boston. Atthat time, the EasyScan had not yet beenapproved by the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration. It received that approvallater in the fall, and Squillace said he is thefirst optometrist in the United States toobtain EasyScan by i-Optics.

A retina scan is used to learn about theeye health. The service can be used todiagnose diseases of the eye, such as mac-ular degeneration, but also diseases of thebody, such as high blood pressure and dia-

betes, he said.Looking through an ophthalmoscope,

just a small portion of the retina is visible.EasyScan “gives us the big picture,” hesaid.

Originally from Schenectady, N.Y.,Squillace is a graduate of LeMoyneCollege in Syracuse, N.Y., and receivedhis professional training at the NewEngland College of Optometry in Boston.He did some clinical training at the JoslinDiabetes Center in Boston.

A Somers resident for 16 years, heopened his practice in town 10 yearsago in January 2002. He and his wife, Joy,have two daughters, Kathryn, a student atBentley College, and Sarah, a freshman atSomers High School.

Somers Vision Has New Technology(continued from page 22)

Two Firefighters Will Be Honored for Rescue of Kayaker

Valentine’s ‘Anything Chocolate’ Bake SaleSOMERS - The Somers

Congregational Church will hold its19th annual “Anything Chocolate”baked and home-made goodies sale onSaturday, Feb. 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.in the Town Hall basement. The saleoffers a choice of bars, breads, cakes,candy, cookies or pies decorated for thatspecial Valentine person. All items willuse some type of chocolate as part of the

recipe. Come for a breakfast treat of cinna-

mon rolls with chocolate served withcoffee, tea or hot chocolate. Join thechurch for a sweet morning out andbring your family and friends. The townauditorium is also handicapped accessi-ble.

Somers Town Hall is located at 600Main St.


111 Main St. (Rt. 190),PO Box 535 Somersville, CT 06072

(860) 749-4863 Open: Tues., Thurs., Fri. 9:30-5:30; Wed. 9:30-7; Sat. 9-3

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Allison Gingras and her daughters Elizabeth and Shelby watch as firefighters investi-gate the fire that destroyed the Somers Congregational Church.

David Butler II; Butler Photography



SomersSomers

(860) 749-0781 48 South Road, Somers, CT 06071

Dr. Fitzgerald graduated from theUniversity of Connecticut Schoolof Dental Medicine. He completeda residency in General Dentistry at Danbury Hospital and thenreturned to the UConn School ofDental Medicine for a Fellowshipin Periodontics.

Our practice utilizes currenttechnologies to make your carebetter and more comfortable.

We perform a wide range ofgeneral dentistry services, and havea focus on replacing missing teethwith crowns, bridges and dentureson dental implants.

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“And, most importantly, the church, ledby Rev. Barry Cass, has vowed to rebuild.This is going to be a Phoenix rising fromthe ashes. The process could take over ayear, but the rebuilding will take place.”

The congregation was formed in 1727,and the meetinghouse portion of the build-ing dates back to 1842. The Pilgrim Hallwas added in 1949, with the parish hall,the Bugbee Center, a separate building forthe church school, office space and alibrary added in 1960. An addition joiningthe buildings was constructed in the1990s.

Church services for the first few weeksafter the fire were held at Town Hall.Beginning Jan. 29 they were to be held atthe Community Education Building atJohnson Memorial Hospital. The churchoffices are now located in a trailer in theparking lot, and the church is returning toa nearly full schedule of activities, Casssaid. Information on church school isavailable on their website,www.somerscongregational.org.

Several fundraisers have already beenorganized, with some already havingtaken place Cass said. He said he wastaken aback by the generosity and saidthey fundraisers were almost too numer-

Church Rebounds from Fire with Support from Community

ous to keep track of. He mentioned fundraisers at Country

Diner, the United Church of Christ ofBelchertown, Mass., Pet City of Stafford,Beautiful Things and the Somers FireDepartment among those holdingfundraisers.

Dinner BenefitA murder mystery dinner benefit for the

Somers Congregational ChurchRestoration Fund will be held at 7 p.m. onFriday, Feb. 17, at Joanna’s Cafe, present-

ed by Bucc’s Playhouse. The cost is $35per person and includes dinner, dessert andcoffee.

For tickets call Dee Moak at 860-749-0245.

(continued from page 18)

Charred remains of the Somers Congregational Church after fire destroyed the building Sunday evening, Jan. 1.David Butler II; Butler Photography



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By State Sen. Tony Guglielmo

Do you know anyone who may havebeen wrongfully denied coverage for med-ical and mental health services?

If you answered yes to this questionthere is help.

The state has an office of the HealthcareAdvocate (OHA). The office is there tohelp consumers.

Its services include:Consumer education and assistance in

selecting a planHelp with denials of coverage With so many people taking a proactive

stance in their health care these days, it’simportant to know you have access to anadvocate who can help you get through thecomplicated web of insurance policies.

The OHA staff prepares cases thorough-

ly for appeals and appears in person toadvocate for consumers at administrativeappeals, and also prepares externalappeals. In 2011 the OHA saved con-sumers a record amount of money: $11.5million. I would argue they saved peoplea lot of time and aggravation as well.

The savings represents the costs ofhealthcare services, procedures and claimsthat would have been taken directly fromthe wallets of hundreds of Connecticutconsumers, had the agency not stepped in.

The OHA received a federal consumerassistance program grant to help pay forstaff.

The Healthcare Advocate, VictoriaVeltri has said the demand for her office’sservice keeps increasing. Even with thedoubling of the caseload, she says they are

only seeing a fraction of the true demandout there.

As a consumer, you can trust the HealthCare Advocate with intimate and complexphysical and sometimes mental health sit-uations. It’s nice to know there is a stateoffice out there, doing a great job for the

people.For free assistance, consumers can call

1-866-466-4446, or email OHA at [email protected].

For general information, consumers canvisit OHA’s website at www.ct.gov/oha.

How To Save Some Time and Aggravation With Health Services

EAST WINDSOR - People today out-live their ability to drive by six to 10 years.With ITNNorthCentral Connecticut, theyno longer need to be housebound.ITNNorthCentral Connecticut providesrides to seniors and the visually impaired24/7, 365 days of the year.

Walk for Rides provides the much need-ed funding to insure ITNNorthCentralConnecticut, continues the commitment tohave available dignified transportation forseniors and the visually impaired. Traineddrivers, provide rides for any purpose,including medical and hair appointments,errands and lunch or dinner dates. Itallows seniors to continue living an inde-pendent, connected life on their terms.ITN’s service area includes the towns ofBloomfield, East Granby, East Windsor,Enfield, Granby, Somers, South Windsor,Suffield, Windsor and Windsor Locks.

Walk for Rides will take place at Sport’sWorld in East Windsor on Saturday, April28, rain or shine (Sports World is an80,000 sq. ft. indoor facility, weather is notan issue). Registration begins at 9 a.m.with the walk scheduled for 10 a.m.

Joe Ravelese, owner of Country Dinerin Enfield, is a strong advocate for seniorcitizens and is Community Chairperson ofthe Walk. Ravales says, “I am honored toact as Community Chairperson of the ITNWalk for Rides. Providing transportationto seniors, keeping them social and givingthem the ability to be independent is soimportant to their health and well-being.”

For more information, or to register forWalk for Rides, please call 860-758-7833or email [email protected] donations are also accepted atwww.walkforrides.org.

Ravelese Named Community Chairperson for Walk-For-Rides Event



SomersSomers

Happy Valentine’s Day

11 South Rd., Lord Somers Center, Somers, CT 860-749-5101

February 14th

Hours: Mon. 8-1,

Tues. 10-7, Wed. 8-7,

Thurs. 9-7, Fri. 8-5,

Saturday 10-2

Product LinesGoldwell • Rusk •

Fairytales (all organic)

Paul Mitchell • Woody's Opi • ZoyaRedken

Celebrating 10th Anniversary!Customer Appreciation

Day Saturday, February 25

from noon - 2 p.m.

Gift Baskets • Gift Certificates

Cider Press Efforts RewardedPresident of clubs from Somers High School received checks from Walter KacmarczykSr., president of Somers Rotary and for their clubs’ work on the Cider Press in the cen-ter of town in Somers. Pictured, from left, Walter Kacmarczyk, Rene Pellissier, repre-sentative from Scriptura, SHS Literary Magazine; Katie Loughrey, president of BetaClub; Karissa Welch, president of National Honor Society; Angela DiLorenzo,President of Interact; and Sandy Doig of the Somers Rotary Club.

State Sen. John A. Kissel (R- Enfield) addressed the North Central ConnecticutChamber of Commerce’s breakfast on Jan. 19 at the Holiday Inn in Enfield. Kissel saidthat at the State Capitol this year he will continue to push for pro-business policies,including growing Connecticut’s manufacturing and agricultural industries and boost-ing small businesses. Kissel encouraged the public to contact him at 800-842-1421 orat [email protected]. He represents East Granby, Enfield, Somers, Suffield,Windsor Locks and portions of Granby and Windsor. Visit www.ncccc.org for informa-tion on the chamber.

Kissel Addresses

North Central

Chamber of

Commerce



All Nutrition Programs are FREE!!For adults age 18 and over

Program 1: Six Week ProgramHosted by the E. Windsor Senior Center

125 Main Street Broad Brook, CT 06016 Fridays, 12:30pm – 2:30pm March 2 – April 6th, 2012

Program 2: Six Week ProgramHosted by the Windsor Locks Senior Center

41 Oak Street Windsor Locks, CT 06096 Wednesdays, 5:30pm – 7:30pm, March 7-April 11th, 2012

All classes are taught by a Registered Dietitian and include lessons about the basics of nutrition, including the essential nutrients, and insights into how our daily behaviors impact the food choices we make. The program also covers the importance of physical activity

and provides hands on experience reading food labels during an onsite supermarket tour.

The six week program also includes a private one hour consultation with the dietitianTo Register Call: (860) 745-0383

Program funding provided by a Preventive Health and Human Services Block Grant from the State Department of Health Services.Program Sponsored by: North Central District Health Department

Nutrition Education and Weight Management Programs

NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

1000 Hall of Fame Avenue, Springfield, Mass. www.HoopHall.com • (413) 781-6500

February School Vacation Events

BUY ONE GET ONE FREEBring this coupon to the Basketball Hall of FameTicket Office and receive one FREE Adult (Ages 16 – 64)or Youth (Ages 5 – 1 5) Ticket when you purchase aRegular Priced Adult Ticket ($1900).Expires: March 31, 2012 Source: NCNCoupon has no cash value. Not valid for special events.Coupon cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.Valid during normal business hours only.

Teresa Edwards, Hall of Fame - Class of 2011

Meet and Greet

Boston Celtics Mascot Slam Dunk Show

Panini Day Trading Card Giveaways

RainbowThe King of Comedy

Basketball

Hall of Fame Contest Day – Scavenger Hunts, Shooting

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MON. FEB. 20th TUES. FEB. 21st WED. FEB. 22nd THUR. FEB. 23rd FRI. FEB. 24th

2012 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball ChampionshipsMarch 1 – 5 , MassMutual Center

Please visit www.maacachusetts.com or purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.


VERNON - The Rotary Club ofRockville recently inducted James D.

Walsh of Ellington as its newest memberof the club. Mr. Walsh is a financial advi-

sor with Merrill Lynch WealthManagement at CityPlace II in Hartford.He has also volunteered for other areacommunity organizations, includingHabitat for Humanity and United Way.The Rotary Club of Rockville, with manymembers who live or work in the Vernon,Tolland and Ellington area, is part of theworldwide organization RotaryInternational. Rockville Rotary’s primary

focus is to help those less fortunate andRotarians address many hunger, health,and humanity issues. Rockville Rotarymeets every Monday at noon at The RHouse Restaurant located at 520 HartfordTurnpike in Vernon. Visitors and newmembers are always welcome.

For more information, please visitwww.RotaryRockvilleCT.com.


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Jim Walsh (right) with current Rotary President Richard Bansavich after being induct-ed at a recent Rockville Rotary meeting.

Rotary Club of Rockville Inducts James Walsh as its Newest Member


As the chief instructor of IntegrityMartial Arts, it is a bit awkward for me tobe writing an article on how to choose thebest school because, of course, I want youto come to my school. That is because Iknow my school has the most to offer. Buthow can you decide for yourself what thebest martial arts school for your child is?

Who is karate for?

Martial arts are for anyone. There aremartial arts students who are underweight

and there are students who are overweight.Some martial artists are very athletic andsome start out as real klutzes, some areflexible and some are not. I have seengood martial artists as young as 4 and asold as 82. Both men and women, girls andboys all participate in martial arts classesaround the world. While practically any-one can do it (consult your physician ifyou have medical concerns), not everyonecan teach it.

Can my kid do it?

Research has shown that children derivetremendous benefits from doing karatesuch as: focus, self-esteem, discipline,increased responsibility and an ability toset and accomplish goals. It has also beenproven that children who are hyperactiveor have attention deficit often get break-through results through their participationin the right karate classes for them. With awell-trained instructor, they can alsodevelop a sense of self-determination anda thirst for excellence. On the other hand,if the instructor is abusive or obnoxious, itcan stress your kid out and cripple his orher self-esteem.

Not all martial arts schools are the same…

All our students feel that IntegrityMartial Arts’ programs are great for them.For some of our students, however, theprogram has become absolutely central to

their life. The martial arts and their partic-ipation at our school have become intrinsicto who they are and how they see them-selves. They have gained a personal confi-dence and power that they live with everyday. You don’t know whether or not themartial arts will affect you or your childthis way, but in case it does, it is worthfinding the right school. Doesn’t that makesense?

People ask me all the time about themartial arts. They ask how to find the bestschool in their area for themselves or theirchild. Let me share with you what I tell myfriends; this is also the advice I gave to myown brother:

First off, all martial artists think thattheir style is the best and most of themthink that other styles aren’t nearly as


RegionalRegionalHow to Choose the Best Martial Arts School for Your Child

HOW/page 31


good. As a 17-year Kempo stylist who hasstudied many different styles (Tae KwonDo in China, Shito Ryu Karate and WuShu with an Asian National Team,Shotokan, Shorin Ryu, Choy Li Fut KungFu, Jujutsu and Taichi), I like Kempo thebest. For you or your child, you can prettymuch ignore the style a school teaches.Do you care whether the style came fromNorthern Korea in the 18th century orfrom Okinawa, Japan in the early 20thcentury? If you are like most people, theanswer is probably no.

Second off, don’t pay careful attentionto who has the highest black belt.Unfortunately, there is no universal stan-dard for what a black belt is. In fact, if youwanted to, you could go get a black beltthrough a martial arts supply catalog, payfive bucks, put four rows of tape on it, andyou could be a fourth degree black belt inBob-Fu! Furthermore, you could haveyour friend start a club in which you andshe are the only members, give it animportant sounding name like “The WorldMartial Arts Association” and have herprint a certificate on her computer and thenyou would be a fourth degree black beltcertified by “The World Martial ArtsAssociation.” Does this sound ridiculous?It is. My point is that unless you really

know a lot about the martial arts, you can’ttell who is really good or not just by look-ing at their belt or diploma.

Is one school really going to be better

than another one?

Should you just go to the cheapest ormost convenient school? If it is not thestyle and it is not the degree of black belt,how can you tell which is the right schoolfor you?

I would recommend two methods.Method 1: Ask the instructor the rightquestions. What training do you have inteaching the martial arts? May I see somereferences? If you have any special con-cerns or considerations, ask that too. Forexample, “I have a bad knee, what wouldyou have me do differently?” or “My childhas been diagnosed with ADD. Have youworked with ADD before? What trainingdo you have in teaching ADD kids andhow do you handle them?” DON’T BEAFRAID TO ASK THESE QUES-TIONS!!! It is worth investing a little timebefore you invest your money just in casethe martial arts turn out to be somethingthat really affects your life.

The second method I would recommendis to try a free class. Don’t just watch aclass. You cannot tell if you want to playsoccer by watching ESPN and you can’taccurately decide from the sidelines ifkarate is something you want to do. So try

it! A good school will feel right. Theinstructors will do their best to make youor your child comfortable and will teach ina respectful and helpful way. If somethingfeels wrong for your body, you should nothave to do it. That is not smart or safe.

The best schools always have one thingin common: a great culture. People arefriendly and the instructors and studentsseem comfortable with each other. If theatmosphere is tense or rude, you are notgoing to be motivated to come back weekafter week, try another school.

Why do I think Integrity Martial Arts isthe best?

Integrity Martial Arts, LLC (IMA) is acompany committed to the positive devel-opment of the mind and body throughinnovative and educational programs. Wehave taken the time to expertly developcurricula and staff that will make a differ-ence for you. Whether you are interested ingetting in shape or learning effective self-defense or getting your child involved in


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How To Determine the Best Karate School for Your Child(continued from page 30)

PICKING/page 33



StaffordStafford

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A Christmas Visit with our Fresh Air Child is a wonderful time for all of us. TheMichaud family from Stafford has been hosting Shakeeya Smith, a 15-year-old fromBrooklyn, N.Y., since she was an 8-year-old girl. Shakeeya spent winter break with theMichauds, including Leone Mattesen (Grandma), Karen Michaud, Shakeeya Smith,Charlette Michaud and Cassie Welz, a friend from Brimfield, Mass., she met duringher summer visit. For over 133 years the Fresh Air Fund has been to sending NYCchildren to visit homes in 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada for a one- ortwo-week trip in the summer. Karen Michaud is the Fund Rep. for the Central and NEConnecticut area and is always looking for new host families. If you would like infor-mation on hosting a child this summer call Karen at 860-680-4126 or go to the FreshAir website. www.freshair.org

A Fresh Air Visit

STAFFORD - A Party-Lite Fundraiserwill be held 2 p.m., Feb. 26, at theAmerican Legion Post Home, 10 MonsonRd., Stafford Springs to benefit theAmerican Legion Auxiliary EmergencyFund.

When a sudden financial crisis befallsan eligible Auxiliary member, theAuxiliary Emergency Fund may be able toprovide temporary emergency assistancewhen no other source of help is available.

The AEF, on occasion, could be a helpinghand for a struggling member in need offood, shelter, or utilities for her familywhen a natural disaster or other calamitystrikes.

This is a program sponsored by theDepartment of Connecticut AmericanLegion Auxiliary and has benefited sever-al members of the Auxiliary throughoutthe State of Connecticut since its inceptionin 1969.

Party-Lite Fundraiser Helps Emergency Fund


an activity that is active, fun, and pro-motes respect, self-discipline, and self-control, we have the right program foryou.How can I tell if an instructor is truly

qualified to teach your child?

We want to make sure that you under-stand that our programs are designed togive you the best experience in the martialarts that you can have. We have focusedour energies into developing three primaryareas.

The first area is our staff. As presidentof this company, I can say that without adoubt, it is the people in our dojo thatmake it great. Our students, their families,and our staff work together like an extend-ed family with a level of support and carethat is extraordinary. Our staff is very welltrained. Over the last 17 years, I havetrained in many different schools, in manydifferent states and even different coun-tries. I have had the opportunities to trainwith an Asian national martial arts teamand the old masters in China. My point isnot to impress you, but to impress uponyou that I have seen a lot of teachers. Ican honestly say that I have never met abetter bunch of teachers than what wehave here at Integrity Martial Arts.

Our students are extremely goodbecause of the level of training our staffhas. There are only 10 people in the coun-try certified with a degree recognized by aHigher Board of Education (the peoplewho certify colleges) to teach martial arts.I am one of those 10. I share my educationin child development, psychology, teach-ing technique, and physiology with mystaff each week at our staff meetings. Wehave outside experts come in and train usin effective communication and teachingtechnique.

The second area is the curriculum andprograms. Our martial arts curriculum foradults focuses on fitness and self-defense

and is taught in a peaceful atmosphere.Our children’s curriculum activelyengages kids in fun exercises designed toteach them Respect and Discipline. OurIMAX-D program even picks children upat their schools and brings them directly toour facility where they can take class andbe picked up as late as 6 p.m. IntegrityMartial Arts is deeply committed to chil-dren. That’s why we consulted with a teamof experts to create the Powerplay™ pro-gram. It’s important that children learn todefend themselves, but for most children,self-defense is something that they willhopefully never have to use but Respect,Self-Discipline and Self-Control arethings they can use every day.

In the Powerplay™ program, childrenare allowed to punch, kick, jump, yell, andrun! They’re allowed to do the things thatthey generally aren’t allowed to do any-where else. This happens in a structuredenvironment, but the effect of all this free-dom and energy is that children LOVE tobe in our program. They get great exerciseand look forward to coming to class.

The Powerplay™ program harnessesthat excitement to accomplish its primarygoal: Character Development. We use theenergy used by the movement in class toteach respect, self-discipline and self-con-trol. This is done in such a way that nour-ishes the child’s self-esteem through posi-tive feedback, overcoming challenges,mastering responsibilities and achievinggoals. We utilize the latest educationaltechnology to develop these importantqualities in children using the most pow-erful methods available.

The best part of Integrity Martial Arts isthe people!

We know how powerful peer pressurecan be. It’s cited as the leading cause ofunderage substance abuse. Kids will dosomething like smoking or drinking,which they know is bad for them, upsetstheir parents, and breaks the law just togain the acceptance of their peers! At

Integrity Martial Arts, we use positivepeer pressure to accomplish amazingresults in children. Imagine a communitydesigned such that showing respect iscool! Let’s face it, this is probably the onlyplace in the world where your child canget high-fives from this kind of experienceand positive reinforcement has a hugeeffect on a child. This is just one exampleof how the Powerplay™ program useschild psychology to make a difference forevery student.

Sign up for your free class at IntegrityMartial Arts by calling: (860) 698-9226or emailing [email protected] can also drop by our facility inScitico Plaza at 585 Hazard Avenue inEnfield, CT.

- Jonathan Metcalf, Owner and Chief Instructor, Integrity Martial Arts


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Picking the Right Karate School for Your Child(continued from page 31)



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STAFFORD - At 7 p.m. on Feb. 26,Kristen Graves, one of the most popularmusicians to perform at Stafford ArtsCommission’s Coffee House series, willopen the program.

This CT singer/songwriter with excep-tional vocal and instrumental talent com-bined with her original folk and pop music

and lyrics, creates a comfortable connec-tion with any audience. Add to this mixKristen’s endearing personality and anoth-er outstanding performance will result.

Jesse Terry, singer and songwriter withdown-to-earth appeal and sharp songwrit-ing ability, will follow at 8 p.m. Also fromConnecticut, this talented musician and

graduate of Boston’s prestigious BerkleeCollege refers to the musical influence ofJackson Browne and James Taylor in hisformative years, but has developed hisown unique and personal style thatemerges in his self-described Americanamusic.

Coffee House evenings are located atthe Ben Muzio Town House (Old TownHall), 221 East St. (Rt. 19) Stafford

Springs.Refreshments are available.Additional parking will be available at

the Town Garage (Rt. 19) and MemorialHall (Rt. 319).

Please consider donating a non-perish-able food item for Stafford FamilyServices Food Bank.

For more information, call 860-684-9500.


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STAFFORD — First SelectmanRichard Shuck is looking for ways to makethe town run more efficiently.

As part of that effort, Shuck hasappointed Dennis Milanovich, the currenttown building official and town engineer,to the additional position of director ofpublic works.

The public works director’s positionwas eliminated several years ago, and thedepartment since then has not had anydirect managerial supervision, Shuck said.

“They’ve had working supervisors,” hesaid, adding that this made it hard for themto have enough time for the administrativeside. “I’m trying to give them a little moredirection and a little more help.”

Since building activity has been slow in

town, Milanovich seemed like a logicalchoice, he said. “My goal is to try to getpeople in the right positions where theycan focus on their job.”

It’s all a matter of trying to be more effi-cient, he said. “I know taxpayers areexpecting some cuts,” he said of the townbudget that is currently being worked on.“I don’t see where there are major cuts.”

He said the town budget has been cutyear after year, and while there may bemore efficiencies possible, they may notbe large.

One area he said he hopes to savemoney on is energy. He is trying to negoti-ate better prices for diesel fuel and gaso-line, which could mean a savings of$60,000.

One wild card remains the town grand

list, which has not yet been submitted bythe town assessor. The assessor has beengiven an extension until the end ofFebruary for the grand list due to therecent revaluation of town property.

Shuck also said he hopes to save somefunds through better maintenance of townvehicles. For example, he is asking towndrivers to take the time to wash their vehi-cles after plowing. While this does addsome to overtime costs, he said it will belikely be worth it in lessening wear andtear on the vehicles from the chemicalsused on icy roads.

He also is asking Milanovich to comeup with a plan for maintenance of townfacilities and roads, so that preventivemaintenance as well as repairs is beingdone.

Other matters facing the first selectmaninclude a charter investigation panel. Sincethe town currently has no charter, it is gov-erned according to state statutes. Shucksaid the town would be able to exercisemore control if it had a charter.

Shuck also is working on a presentationon pursuing plans to move all town officesto the Witt School building. That wouldallow the town to consolidate its opera-tions without having the expense of newconstruction. He said it would cost approx-imately $6 million to renovate the Wittbuilding, far less than the price of a newbuilding.

He also said he wants to see townoffices stay in the current town center. “Idon’t think it’s in the town’s best interestto create another center,” he said.

First Selectman Considering Various Efficiencies for Savings

Arts Commission’s Coffee House Features Two Popular Connecticut Performers



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Youth Center Turns 15The Stafford Youth Center celebrated its 15th birthday on Jan. 27 with KISS 95.7 play-ing music from 6 – 10 p.m.

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A lot of bright, shiny cars roll throughmy driveway and I get to see a lot more atvarious new car introductions. It's helpedme reduce my lust for a lot of cars, trucks,minivans, crossovers and SUVs and mademe appreciate good, basic transportation.

Every once in a while, though, alongcomes a set of wheels that get my heartspinning. And, in this instance,it's literally the wheels of theVolvo S60 R Design that getmy heart spinning. They're thecherry on this delicious hotfudge sundae of a performancesedan. The R Design is Volvo'sdesignation for its high-per-formance factory-authorizedperformance tuning. In addi-tion to the S60, it's going to be available onthe XC60, the XC70 (a hot stationwagon!), the C30 and the C70.

But I’m here to focus on the Volvo S60R Design. I'll be driving the other variantsat the end of February, but to my mindVolvo has set the bar pretty high.

The S60 R-Design features Volvo'smost powerful production engine ever. Itgenerates 325 horsepower at 5,400-6,500rpm and 354 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000-3,600 rpm. That low RPM number fortorque is what gives it such good accelera-tion. The S60 R-Design will reach 60 mphin just 5.5 seconds, according to Volvo.The S60 R-Design rockets to 60 mph 0.3seconds faster than the S60 T6 and pro-duces 8 percent more horsepower and 9percent more torque.

Of course, to be upfront, the S60 RDesign does cost $42,500 vs. $38,450 forthe T6. Is the extra $4500 worth it? I'm asfrugal as the next guy but it seems like a

fine price to pay for driving Volvo's mostpowerful engine ever and one of its bestsedans ever. It’s just that great a vehicle.

The six-speed automatic transmissionquickly fires off gear changes with theSport mode holding shifts deep for betterresponse from the torque power curve –basically the prime points for best pull and

acceleration. You can shiftmanually but you're nevergoing to do as well as this sec-ond-generation transmissioncan.

Handling is also superb withthe S60 R Design. Its electron-ically controlled all-wheel-drive system with InstantTraction and Corner Traction

Control with torque vectoring help thissedan maintain strong grip through thecorners. This sedan just always feels incontrol of its environments. I love the ideaof corner traction control where the insidewheel has the brake applied and the out-side wheel gets more power. It allows youto really push through curves.

I’m going to defer to Volvo’s explana-tion of its tweaking of the engine controlmodule for better performance. “Providedby Polestar, a Swedish racing and per-formance products company partneredwith Volvo Cars, the tuning optimizesengine output in a variety of ways. Moreair and fuel are funneled into the combus-tion chambers and spark timing isadvanced, creating the performance gainsdriving enthusiasts demand.”

Volvo says this is all accomplishedwithout hurting fuel economy. You're notgoing to pay a fuel premium for the addi-tional power of the R-Design over the

standard T6. They have the exact samefuel economy ratings of 18 mpg in the cityand 26 mpg on the highway, for a com-bined average of 21 mpg. In a week ofdriving in the model loaned to me byVolvo, I averaged about 22.4 mpg.

Inside, a number of new features help tofurther differentiate the S60 R-Design.(After all, you want to know what you paidthe extra money for.) The driver and frontpassenger are ensconced in sports seats.The highly supportive backrest from theS60 is matched by an all-new seat cushionwith deeper side bolsters. Being a man oflarge girth, I found the seats a little over-whelming at times but those of you of nor-mal size should not have any problems.

The standard upholstery is off-blackleather with contrasting stitching and asport-oriented textured leather accent withan embossed R-Design logo across thefront-seat backrests. The interior also fea-tures a sport steering wheel with R-Designlogo, gear selector, sports pedals, floor

mats and the iconic blue watch-dial instru-ment cluster.

So, is the Volvo S60 R-Design all itscracked up to be? Absolutely. Volvo hasmanaged to create a true Swedish sportssedan that combines power, agility andloads of safety into one package.

VITAL STATISTICSWheelbase: 109.3 inchesLength: 182.2 inchesWidth: 73.4 inchesHeight: 58.4 inchesCurb weight: 3835 lbs.Engine: 3.0 Liter, inline 6-cylinderHorsepower: 325 hp @ 5,400 rpmTorque: 354 lb.-ft. @ 3,000-3,600 rpmEPA estimated mpg city/highway:

18/26Base price: $42,500As-tested price: $46,000Also consider: (a comparative vehicle)

BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E Class, AudiA6


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