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Mild Winter Helps Some Businesses, Hurts Others By Linda Tishler Levinson
Splashing Around the Scantic River Swift Water Rescue team members enter the water at the start of the race in Somersville for the 21st annual Scantic Spring Splash Canoe & Kayak Race, which made its way to Enfield on Saturday, March 31vto benefit the Enfield Food Shelf. More photos on page 30. Photos by David Butler II
In This Issue • THE ARTS: Suffield Players mark 60th anniversary..........................p. 3 • EAST WINDSOR: Town seeks increase in spending..........................................p. 4 • EAST WINDSOR: Parks department offers long list of programs ........p. 4 • ELLINGTON: Residents can speak about budget increase....................p. 7 • ELLINGTON: March a busy month for high school arts......................p. 8 • ENFIELD: Budget increase for next year is minimal .........................p. 13
• ENFIELD: Field narrowed to 20 for Enfield Idol contest....................p. 15 • ENFIELD: Early indications are that new recycling program works ......p. 16 • SOMERS: Selectman calls budget ‘fiscally responsible’..................p. 18 • SOMERS: Honor roll students named at high school................p. 23 • SUNDAY DRIVE: A ‘chili’ reception & tale of two Kevins at Infinity ........p. 27 • STAFFORD: Budget grows..........p. 33 • CLASSIFIEDS:.....................pp.37-39
• NEXT ISSUE • DEADLINE: April 26, 2012 (860) 698-0020 www.thenorthcentralnews.com
Whether you are a skier who mourned the lack of snow this winter or a mild weather fan who warmed up to the virtually non-existent winter, there is no doubt the season brought unusual weather patterns. For businesses in North Central Connecticut, the unusually warm winter brought mixed results, depending on the nature of the business. Among the winners was Savage Motorsportz on Hazard Avenue in Enfield. “It’s been great for me,� owner Gregg Savage said. “Weather brought more people into our shops.� Savage said his company sells a lot of items for kids, and families were more willing to shop when it was comfortable for them to walk around outside. “I have no complaints,� he said. John Symasko, who along with his partner Rod Cameron is the chef and owner of Hazard Grille on Hazard Avenue in Enfield, said the weather was an asset for their restaurant as well. “Any time it doesn’t snow is good,� Symasko said. “We took a huge hit� with the Oct. 29,
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