Volume 11, Number 52
cheshirecitizen.com
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Teachers reach kids through innovative means By Devin Leith-Yessian Record-Journal staff
Teacher Kristen Giuliano instructs a seventh-grade social studies class including distance learners, right, at Dodd Middle School in Cheshire, on Sept. 24. Teachers in Cheshire have been adapting to new high technology classrooms that have been outfitted with cameras, microphones and speakers retrofitted into the ceilings and laptops that show all the students in their virtual classrooms.
A month into the school year, teachers are finding creative ways to keep their students engaged in their lessons when they’re separated by screens while at home or by masks in the classroom. Teachers in Cheshire have been adapting to new high technology classrooms that have been outfitted with microphones and speakers retrofitted into the ceilings and laptops that show all the students in their virtual classrooms. Students at
Photos by Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
See Teaching, A13
Kids need coats, you can help
Pumpkin season’s here By Joy VanderLek The Cheshire Citizen
It’s October — the season of the pumpkin. Go to any of the local coffee shops, Main Street Caffe, The Bean Coffee Roasters or Cheshire Coffee and you will find pumpkin coffee, pumpkin lattes, and pumpkin muffins. Pumpkin spice is “absolutely” one of the most popular fall coffee flavors at Main Street Caffe, according to the staff. In fact, they say “anything pumpkin” is popular this time of year. If you check the menus of your favorite restaurant, there is certain to be an entrée, appetizer or dessert featuring pumpkin Looking for a pumpkin to take home? Hickory Hill, Drazen Orchards and Norton Brothers Fruit Farm are just a few of the places where you will see the pumpkins piled high for sale. Norton Brothers on Academy Road is doing a brisk business with a variety of pumpkins. Customers can choose from face pumpkins (ones used in
By Joy VanderLek The Cheshire Citizen
Sandy and Mark Wagner of Cheshire brought their grandchildren and friends for a day of pumpkin picking and fun at Norton Brother Fruit Farm on Monday, Sept. 28.
carving), sugar pumpkins (cooking pumpkins), and mixed specials, said Phyllis Perry, whose family has owned and operated the Norton Brothers Fruit Farm since the 1700s. Among the assorted mixed specialty pumpkins are pink-hued Cinderella, which has a squat shape and resembles a carriage and “We Be Little” a small compact pumpkin that usually is pre-painted, Perry said. While Norton Brothers has a small
field of pumpkins on site, it is mainly for ambience. “The wildlife like the pumpkins too much,” she said. Where do all the pumpkins come from? The state of Illinois leads in pumpkin production in the country, followed by Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York (not necessarily ranked in that order). The largest CT pumpkin grown was a title claimed by Alex See Pumpkins, A2
Before the snow starts to fly and the cold winds of winter blow, the Cheshire Community Food Pantry wants to get the word out about its annual winter coat drive. This year, the need is greater than in previous years. A total of 71 coats are needed for children this season, that is an increase of 21 more children who are in need of coats from the number of coats needed last year, said Kerry Walsh, CCFP director. CCFP seeks donations from the community, asking potential sponsors to shop for a particular child. For those interested, a “wish list” is See Coats, A2