Volume 29, Number 16
Friday, April 21, 2023
www.towntimes.com
Rockfall resident says church fest is all about tradition
PLAY BALL!
By Frank LoGiudice Special to Town Times
Rockfall resident Mario Mazzotta is among the tri-chairs of the 2023 Saint Sebastian’s Church “100 + 2” Festival in Middletown. The event will take place May 19 to 21. Joining Mazzotta as chairs of the annual church “feast” are Angela Magnano and Christopher Serra.
Coginchaug Little League held its opening day ceremony on Sunday, April 16. Along with the action on the field, business was brisk at the concession stand. Meanwhile, local Girl Scouts held a cookie sale, and the Middlefield Volunteer Fire Company was on hand with some of its equipment. Send your opening day photos to news@towntimes.com. Coginchaug Little League, Facebook
Budget meeting, vote set Press Release
Lane, for the following purpose: To present the Notice is hereby given to all amended proposed budget those eligible to vote in for the 2023-2024 fiscal town meetings in the mem- year as prepared by the ber towns of Durham and RSD13 Board of Education. Middlefield that the Annual Meeting of Regional School The moderator shall adjourn the Annual Meeting District 13 will be held Monday, May 1 at 7 p.m. in at its conclusion and the the Julian Thayer Auditori- budget shall be submitted um at Coginchaug Regional to a vote upon the voting tabulators in the district’s High School, 135 Pickett
member towns of Durham and Middlefield on Tuesday, May 2, in accordance with Section 10-51 of the Connecticut General Statutes, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., under the following heading: "Shall the proposed budget of $39,426,575 for the 20232024 fiscal year as prepared See Budget, A14
Mazzotta said he took on the leadership role in order “to continue the tradition of the St. Sebastian’s festival for future generations,” pointing Rockfall residents Mario and out that this year is the Nella Mazzotta. 102nd anniversary of the vegan versions of the dishes feast. I used to make,” the author The three-day event offers said. “[W]e will eat the vegan something for everyone. versions; no complaints.” Along with restaurants offer- On Sunday, the final day of ing “delicious Italian cuithe Saint Sebastian’s feast, sine,” Mazzotta said this before the 11 a.m. high year’s festival will feature a mass, about 100 people will vendor tent. gather at Saint Sebastian’s Church Cemetery in MiddleOne of the items available field for the “I Nuri Run.” there will be the Italian cookbook “Cooking From Run organizer Joe Spatola, Jr. The Heart,” by Mazzotta’s said when the “Nuri” leave wife, Nella. The book details the cemetery they will go traditional Sicilian recipes straight down Route 66 into along with their vegan verMiddletown and pause in sions. front of the St. Sebastian’s statue before turning right Nella Mazzotta wrote the book when her son Nicholas into Mellili Plaza and became a vegan. “The tradi- straight to the Sons of Italy Hall. There, they’ll wait for tional Italian food that he the signal to enter the used to eat and love, that church. had meat and fish, he couldn’t any more,” she said. “That is the way it has alAs a result, “I decided to be- ways been done historically,” Spatola stated. come very clever and make