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LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 3, Issue 3 - December 6, 2024

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KENTON

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3 — DECEMBER 6, 2024

THE VOICE OF NKY

linknky.com

Childhood ‘mess’ couldn’t stop this centenarian By Haley Parnell

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nita Ciafardini may have just turned 100, but she still lives alone and even voted in the 2024 general election.

Ciafardini, born in West Virginia on Nov. 22, 1924, is the youngest of nine children. Her mother died shortly after giving birth to her, and she and some of her siblings were placed in various orphanages. When asked what life was like growing up, Ciafardini said, “Oh, it was a mess.” Ciafardini’s parents were Italian immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island on April 23, 1908. Her family was scattered between West Virginia and Ohio. Ciafardini was around 6 or 7 when she left West Virginia for Northern Kentucky. She was eventually placed at St. Joseph Orphanage in Cold Spring, where she received her first communion. Cafardini said she would never forget Christmas at the orphanage. They got a stocking.

“I can still see that orange right on the top and a candy cane,” she said. “It was a big thing for us. It was some Christmas candy – no toys.” When she was 8, Ciafardini met her two sisters, Gilda and Gloria, during Orphanage Day at Coney Island. The three lived together at the Sisters of Good Shepherd in Fort Thomas until age 14, when another sister, Lena, took her into her care. Ciafardini eventually met the rest of her siblings at a family gathering. ‘Get her a job’ Ciafardini said she wanted to go to Newport High School but had to stay home to help her sister care for her niece and their home. After graduating from the eighth grade, Ciafardini never returned to school. At 17, she began working. “My sister Gloria was working at Wadsworth watch company [in Dayton, Kentucky], and Lena said, ‘Get her a job.’ And Gloria said, ‘I can’t. She’s not old enough.’ Lena said, ‘We’ll make it – she’ll get there.’ So, Lena lied. She was a sharpie.” Continues on page 3

Anita Ciafardini in 2023 at her granddaughter’s 50th birthday party. Provided | Ciafardini family

Brighton Center toy drive brightens holidays By Haley Parnell

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righton Center is helping to relieve the burden on families during the holidays.

The organization holds two annual events that assist families with getting toys under their trees and holiday meals on the table. Brighton Center’s used toy drive, started in 1969, and its holiday drive are opportunities for families to receive support and for the community to volunteer to make the events successful. The event is all about the kids. Children ages 2 to 12 can go in with their nickels, dimes and quarters and shop for gently used toys, including items as big as bicycles. Adults are not allowed to shop. Children shop with a Brighton Center volunteer or staff member.

“It’s not about the money; it’s really about the kids, empowering the kids and families,” said Eric Owsley. He’s the Brighton Center’s community resource center director.

The holiday drive allows needy families to get new toys through the organization’s Amazon wish list. The list includes items families have directly asked for. The holiday drive runs Dec. 16 through Dec. 20.

The used toy drive has hot chocolate, and Santa usually makes an appearance.

Companies can get involved with the holiday drive through a wish tree, which can be requested by emailing the Brighton Center; however, anyone can see the requested toys through the Amazon list.

Brighton Center collected toys until just before Thanksgiving. It does not accept puzzles, board games or stuffed animals. The toys are cleaned and double-checked to ensure all the pieces are there. The center also installs batteries if needed (donations of batteries also are accepted). “The money that we do raise, which is very minimal, goes straight back into the emergency system to be able to buy food and hygiene products to put back in the pantry,” said Brighton marketing and communications specialist Deana Sowders.

The families receiving the items must be enrolled in Brighton Center programming. Anyone struggling that is not enrolled in a Brighton Center program can go to 799 Ann St. in Newport. Walk-in times are Monday, Tuesday or Thursday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. “That financial shock during the holidays can have a ripple effect throughout the year for a family already struggling Continues on page 4

Motorcycle dealership to move into former gym p5 Covington sues Duke over franchise agreement p6 7 inducted into NKY Sports Hall of Fame p11


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