Get Happy With It!
By the People . . . For the People Serving Central Connecticut www.peoplespressnews.com Wallingford Flower
& Gift Shoppe
190 Center Street. 203.265.1514 December 2009 • Volume 10, Issue 122
Photo by Ernie Larsen
STRESSES OF CHRISTMAS SEASON ARE WELL WORTH IT ON BALANCE By Phyllis S. Donovan With Thanksgiving now behind us, still warmed by memories of that special family day of conviviality and thanks hosted this year by our daughter and son-in-law, we reluctantly turn our attention to the next fast approaching holiday season. Looking at it from this prospective, we wonder if we will ever get through the next few weeks of stressful activities. I'm telling you right up front I am definitely NOT a shopper, never was. I would be the last person you'd find camping out from the wee hours in front of a store where I'd have to risk being trampled by a madding crowd just to get in the door and race around searching for bargains. In the first place, technology has long since bypassed me. I see my grandchildren immersed in hand-held video games, texting their friends on their phones (what ever happened to just dialing a number and talking in person?) and dancing around with a wii wand in front of a television set. (At least in the latter instance, they are getting some exercise!) Frankly, that's all beyond my ken. I will leave the purchase of electronic gadgets to their parents and opt to keep them supplied with more old fashion pleasures….like BOOKS, for instance. Always a voracious reader myself, I am still delighted that, in the face of all those modern-day distractions, all of my grandchildren love books. They actually seem pleased to unwrap the books they know they'll be getting from me each Christmas. It's become a family tradition. My greatest pleasure is picking out the perfect book for every one of the 22 people in our immediate family…including "the middle generation" as my daughter suddenly realized at Thanksgiving and reminded her siblings. At the moment, I am having the seasonal argument with myself as to whether I really want to take on the chore of sending out 100 Christmas cards again this year. It's one of those tasks that has become an obligation from which I derive little pleasure on my "Bah, Humbug" days. And yet, we are always pleased to hear from distant friends we've met along the way in our seven decades plus lifetime. Our very first Christmas card this year came from a Welsh gentleman and his wife whom we met on our trip to the Galapagos several years ago. A Barry Fitzgerald lookalike with a personality to match, he has become a favorite email correspondent ever since, giving us a candid look into how the US is viewed by citizens of the UK. Not sending Christmas cards is a good way of ending
cherished friendships like his…and so we get out the list, check it twice and settle down to the chore at hand. On a mild day last week, my husband decided we should get the outdoor lights down from the attic and put them up while it was still warm enough that our fingers didn't freeze doing the job. Reluctantly, feeling that we were rushing the season, I agreed and we spent a whole day hanging icicle lights from the back deck and fastening web lights to our front shrubbery. That meant I had to put the candle lights in the front windows and the artificial wreath between the garage doors. I still have to get a live wreath for the front door and we must remember not to wait too long before picking out a live tree. Last year we were late and there weren't many great specimens to choose from. There is nothing messier than a live Christmas tree dropping needles all over the place and it is an enormous chore to put it up, decorate it and take it down again in two weeks. And yet, we absolutely MUST have a live tree. One year we were going on a trip shortly after the holiday so sprung for an artificial tree. It was a really handsome (and expensive) tree but lacked the presence and scent of a real tree. We never put it up again. Our daughter now uses it as a second tree in her home, placed where it can be seen in its glory from the street on which they live while their "real" tree is in their cozy back family room. And I have to admit, once we put the undecorated live tree out on the back deck with treats for the birds, it is the center of feathered activity all through the winter. And let's not forget the parties! So far we have four marked into our appointment calendars…all taking place in the course of two weeks. I don't care how good my intentions are for not overindulging in empty calories during the holidays, I can not resist new and unusually delicacies laid out in front of me at these festive gatherings. Why can't it be as easy to lose those excess pounds as it is to gain them? It usually takes me to late spring to shed what I gain in those two weeks. Oh well, the camaraderie of those parties is priceless. All in all, I guess I can psych myself up to enjoying the holiday season. It's not the same as when we were kids and everything about it was simpler and geared to the real reason for Christmas. In those Depression times, it wasn't all about parties and gifts. It was about the birth of Christ. Our public school Christmas pageants revolved around the coming of the Christ Child. Our songs were all the classic Christmas carols about silent nights, angels and Bethlehem…no Rudolph, no Frosty the Snowman. Our only party was put on by the church and when we were old enough, we stayed up to attend midnight Mass. Christmas was a quietly holy and happy time of family love and devotion. Times have changed, and reluctantly, so must we. But I still want to wish everyone… A MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Page 2 December 2009
The Wallingford Family YMCA wishes you and yours Happy Holidays and a New Year filled with Health & Happiness!
WALLINGFORD FAMILY What’s New At The Wallingford Family Y!
New Cardio Equipment * New Programs * New Promotions * New YOU! sions. Subjects range from Math to English, Health and Wellness Coming by January 1st: brand new Life Fitness and Precor cardio equipment and some serious Hammer Strength free weight equipment!
from History to Science, and almost everything in between. Contact Cassandra Bromley at 2847448 for more information.
New Youth Sports Programs
Israeli Krav Maga training will be offered on Friday evenings from 6:00pm to 7:30pm starting January 8, 2010. Get in wicked shape, learn how to defend yourself, make new friends, have fun! Purchase a punch card at the Welcome Center and come as often as you choose.
Lacrosse--(ages 6-8)This program is designed to give your youngster an introduction to the wonderful game of lacrosse. Participants will learn proper stick handling techniques with emphasis on throwing and catching. Thursdays at 4:45pm or Fridays at 5:30pm.
Want to get the new year off to a great start? Join the Wallingford Family YMCA by January 31, 2010 and receive a free 2 session Get Me Started program with a trainer (normally$129). In this program you'll assess your fitness level for cardio vascular fitness, flexibility, muscular endurance and strength relative to your age group. Your trainer will provide you with a written report on your fitness level and will use this to develop a personalized fitness program base on your needs and goals. On the second session, your trainer will walk you through your program to make sure you are comfortable with each exercise technique.
Little Kicks Karate--(ages 5-9)Introduces kids to Shotokan Karate, a traditional Japanese karate, in a fun and supportive way. Focus will be on balance, coordination, endurance, and building self-esteem. Wednesdays at 4:45pm.
New Teen Programs Art Club--Monday nights at 6:30pm. Teens will explore different styles and artists each week, then try their hand at that particular style. Art that is created will be shared with the group, and may be displayed at the YMCA. Art Club is free, and you don't have to be great at art to have a great time. Private Tutoring--Tutoring is now available at the YMCA! Our tutor has over 8 years experience tutoring subjects in both private and group ses-
New Adult Leagues Adult Racquetball League--Begins January 11th, 2010 Adult Co-ed Volleyball League--Wednesdays beginning January 13th, 2010 For more information regarding Adult Leagues, please contact Mike Cristaldi at mcristaldi@wallingfordymca.org.
Aquatics Wallingford Family YMCA- Swim Lessons for all ages and skill levels! New classes begin January 4th. Small class sizes. Also Water Exercise classes Monday through Friday at 10:30AM, also Monday & Wednesday at 5:30PM. Try one! A great way to stretch and exercise with less pressure on your joints. Call 203 269 4497 to register. Check www.wallingfordymca.org for class times and fees.
Winter Program Registrations
December 7th- Current participants in swim lessons who are facility members December 14th- Facility Members December 21st- Community Participants The Wallingford YMCA All Day Kindergarten in Now Accepting 2010 Applications! 81 So. Elm Street, Wallingford 203-269-4497 www.wallingfordymca.org
MAYOR'S CORNER WALLINGFORD Dear Friends: We thank the Public Celebrations Committee and the Parks and Recreation Department for the wonderful Season of Celebration planned for December 5th. The Town is so fortunate that these organizations and employees are able to host and plan a fun filled time for all. We also thank Wallingford Center Inc. for the wonderful holiday decorations throughout the downtown area and our Public Works Department for all their help. Just think, out of 169 cities, towns and villages, we have Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Frosty, Rudolph, and Toy Soldiers all in Wallingford! Think of all the places they could be and we have them here with us. Incredible! This is a special time of year. We have so much to be thankful for that it is important to share our good fortunes with others. Whether in the forum of a gift or a smile, sharing is the key for everyone. To qualify as nice, you must share. So when the list of who is naughty or nice is completed, you can really add points for nice by sharing.
Barbara Bruce Wins a Blue Ribbon Barbara Bruce, Vice President of the Wallingford Garden Club won a First Place Blue Ribbon for her floral design at the Madison Garden Club flower show. Her design was entitled "Trick or Treat" and used bright orange Bird of Paradise flowers as well as black spider web and a treat bag. The show, entitled "Autumn in the Air", was held on Saturday, October 17, 2009. Bruce's primary interest lies in design and she has entered many flower shows. She is also the chairwoman of Flower Show School for the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut and teaches design classes at the Wallingford Garden Club. Bruce plans on having a flower show in Wallingford in the fall of 2010. The Wallingford Garden Club is a member of the Federated Garden Clubs of CT and National Garden Clubs Inc. Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority. ~W.J. Cameron
Celebrations of Life and Home Jonathan, I can't believe how fast you have grown. You are so amazing, creative, funny, and caring. Happy birthday to our wonderful son and terrific big brother. Love, Mom, Dad, and Joshua
Please have a very healthy holiday season, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. Sincerely, William W. Dickinson, Jr. Mayor
MAYOR'S CORNER MERIDEN You Can Help!
As the Holiday Season approaches, we are reminded of our own experiences of past holidays. Being the eldest of 4 children, I remember the excitement and suspense of all of us awaiting Christmas morning. Would Santa find us this year? Would we get our special wish? We were fortunate that in our household, we were never left disappointed. We were always blessed with an abundance of gifts and treats. That's why my siblings and I carry such fond memories of our past Christmases as children. But, there are many children and families today who will not experience joy but rather sadness and disappointment. They are not in the fortunate circumstances to be recipients of gifts they have longed for. Unless...generous individuals step up to put a smile on a child's face by donating a toy or gift to a needy child and family. Please consider donating to your favorite charity this Holiday Season or contributing to the Meriden Spirit of Giving Program, c/o Hunter's Ambulance, 450 West Main St., Meriden CT 06451. Thank you and may you and your family have peaceful, satisfying, and healthy Holiday. Also, please take the time to visit the spectacular Holiday Lights display at Hubbard Park featuring over 300,000 lights and wondrous animal displays and other high"lights" throughout the park. Mike Rohde, Mayor Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale
Chanel and PJ have been waiting and waiting for a long time to find their forever homes. They can't understand why no one has come to adopt them. Both of PJ's sisters have gone to live in a nice home together and now it is his turn. He is only 6 months old and is still considered a kitten. Chanel is about a year old and would love a quiet place of her own. Both are alteredm up-to-date on vaccinations, tested for feline aids and feline leukemia and have been treated for fleas, mites, worms and ticks! Please call Friends of Feral Cheshire Cats at 1-866-811-CATS for more information!
Don’t Go Over Empty Handed!
Torrone, Christmas Stollen, Struffuli, Panettone, Cookie Baskets, Miniature Pastries, Cannolis - Freshly Filled to order! Christmas Cookies, Pies and so much more! Call to place your order today! Open till 4pm on Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all your friends at
Marianna’s Belltop Bakery
212 West Main Street in Meriden 203-238-0159 Hours: Monday.- Friday. 7-6; Sat 7-4; Sun. 7-2
Page 4 December 2009
Christmas - what has it become? By Ernie Larsen Every year the 'Christmas Season' begins earlier and earlier - this year I was in a CVS pharmacy the day after Halloween and lo and behold, a display of Christmas chotzkie. I thought that was early and suddenly remembered a display of some holiday items at one of the big box stores almost a month earlier - just after school started. And then the mystical "they" are predicting a less than bountiful retail sales forecast for the holiday period. You know 'they' say that it is going to be a flat season for retailers. Didn't 'they' say that last year, also?? And now it seems that 'Black Friday' soon will become a recognized holiday. I've actually seen ads for the day and heard of people already planning to get out early to garner some of the 'bargains' offered by certain retail outlets. This week, in which falls Thanksgiving there have been TV and print ads touting the sales on the 27th. I think I saw mentioned that Radio Shack would be open at 4:00 A.M. WHY???????? Here it is a couple of days after turkey day and all that has been on the tube are reports and what seems to be critiques of how 'good' Black Friday was, well, no one is reporting on sales figures in dollars, just that everything went smoothly and some got a lot of bargains and some didn't. There were some eye-opening stories - a person claimed a place in line at a retail outlet at 10:15 AM on Thanksgiving Day. Let's see, right about then the Macy's parade was an hour old and I was prepping some turnips for dinner. The fellow in line would be the first one allowed in the store at 4:00 AM, well, whoop-de-do. Then again I guess we all have our own agendas. I had to work on Black Friday, took a few hours vacation in the morning and came in for noon. The person I was relieving was also up at 4:00 AM but didn't stay up all night for the privilege. She did get some good deals, purchased a major appliance and some things that were only on sale for a limited time that morning. And then my supervisor was another 4:00 AM shopper, must run in the department - she hosted a houseful of guests for T' Day dinner and said after clean up it was quite late so she just stayed up and met her shopping partner at the store and got her fill of bargains. Then there were the downsides of the whole B.F. experience, line cutters - people not getting discount fliers and an outright 'mugging' where some lowlifes driving by a line waiting to get into a store were relieved of their wallets and cash. But the good news was no one got killed - last year a retail worker was trampled by people rushing the doors of the store to get their bargains. And still today in between all the football games and other news - Black Friday still is being mentioned. I myself went shopping on Friday evening - when I was leaving work at 5:00 PM, I mentioned to the boss that I was going to be a Grey Friday shopper, well at that time of day - wouldn't it be somewhat grey? And even today, Saturday, a store where I was purchasing an item for my granddaughter has 50% off coupons from noon til closing - can't beat that, eh? So, is shopping and getting a "deal" the real 'meaning' of Christmas - not really! To save you the time and trouble of doing your own research I pulled out the 3rd Edition of the American Heritage College dictionary which offers this definition: Christmas (kris'mes) n. 1. A Christian feast commemorating the birth of Jesus, usu. celebrated on December 25. How many of those people in line waiting to buy that Wii could give this definition or really care about the same? If you watch Jay Leno and you see him on the street asking common questions about general information it would amaze you how uninformed people are and that's putting it mildly. Christmas has become and is getting more commercial - let's face it organized religion in
this country is not what it used to be. I really believe if you are a good person, have a good family life - do your best at what you do, are willing to help others in any way you can - that's what really counts. And I know I share these views with some of my family - and let's leave it at that. The religious aspect of Christmas exists in our in house via several Nativity scenes; all have special meaning; the oldest is carved from wood, purchased in Oberammergau, Germany during our honeymoon trip in 1969. We were looking for a certain sized scene and found a woodcarver's workshop, among the many in town, saw the set we wanted, talked with him for a while and made our purchase. The next set is by M.J. Hummel the figurine artists; it too is special and both of these sets are displayed in wooden stables hand-crafted by my father who was a whiz with wood. It is also quite striking. And the last scene is from Ireland is Waterford crystal; I remember the day I bought it at the Waterford factory store - while my wife was shopping I made my way to the mailorder desk and placed the order - it was a surprise Christmas gift that year. These three scenes represent our religious link to Christmas. As for the holiday itself we'll spend Christmas Eve at my brother's with my wife's side of the family - then Christmas Day at my daughter's with my son-in-laws parents and again my brother and sister-in-law, who by the way is my wife's sister. And maybe some unannounced guests - you never know who might show up. Did you ever notice how long the prelude to Christmas seems and then it's over in a flash? So, however you celebrate your December 25th - if you can, be with your family - remember we're not here on this earth for that long of a time and every moment spent with loved ones is precious (for the most part). If there are young ones about it makes it even more special - my granddaughter is 6 and some of her reactions during the season are priceless. If you are a shopper, churchgoer or just plain folk celebrating the holiday season, do it with a smile on your face with a good word for all. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
'Season's Eatings' 'Season's Eatings' - 4 Sweet Holiday Ideas Few people can resist the decadent temptation of chocolate. Because this treat has universal appeal, it can be used as a cornerstone in your holiday theme this season - whether in baking, gifting or entertaining. While you may need no added excuses for indulging in chocolate heaven, here are a few others to satisfy your sweet tooth. 1. Season's Eatings. Express your holiday sentiments in more than words. Chocolate bars can be customized with stylish wrapping, embossed with a greeting of your choice, and shipped to eager recipients. 2. Take a dip. You may have seen champagne and punch fountains that add panache to social gatherings. However, a new trend is the chocolate fountain, where warm chocolate cascades ready for dipping. Cubed pound cake, cookies, fresh fruit, and scores of other treats can be enhanced with a coating of chocolate. 4. Snack for Santa. Santa may be a little bored with the milk-and-cookie routine. Why not leave out a dish of chocolate-laden brownies and a warm mug of hot chocolate with fresh-whipped cream? Who knows ... you just might find more gifts placed under the tree as a result. Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! ~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836
Page 5 December 2009
MAX E. MURAVNICK MERIDEN SENIOR CITIZENS' CENTER The Max E. Muravnick Meriden Senior Citizens' Center is open to all Meriden residents age 55 and over. Membership is free of charge and new members may sign-up any weekday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. by presenting a driver's license or other proof of age. New members receive an information package about senior services and a coupon entitling them to one complimentary lunch in our Senior Community Café. Sign-up today and find out about all that is offered for Meriden seniors at the Max E. Muravnick Senior Center!
I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. ~Charles Dickens
Our 2009 Senior Center Holiday Fair and Bake Sale will be held on Wednesday, December 9 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the main hallway of the Senior Center. Handmade items will be available for sale by the knitting, sewing and ceramics classes and bake sales and raffles will also be held. The fair is open to the public and people of all ages are invited to attend!
Celebrations of Life and Home Junie: I can’t quite see.
Be sure not to miss the Red Hat Follies Holiday Show on Monday, December 7 at 1:30 PM in Willene's Place. Enjoy holiday music, variety acts and a salute to Pearl Harbor Day all rolled into one! The Silver City Red Hatters have worked hard to put the show together so please join us for the 5th annual Red Hat Follies! On Wednesday, December 16 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM ProShred will have their paper shredding truck parked in the Hanover Street Parking Lot for a free paper shredding event open to the public. Protect your identity and the security of your old records by disposing of old bank statements, bills, financial documents and other personal papers at this free paper shredding courtesy of ProShred. It is not necessary to remove clips or staples, the heavy duty shredding truck can handle it all! Just drive into the Hanover Street Parking Lot and look for the big truck to safely dispose of those unwanted papers you no longer need! On Thursday, December 10 at 10:30 AM we will offer a "Home Adaptations Workshop" designed to give you tips and suggestions for making your home safer and more user friendly as you age. The Rockfall Company will be here in the first floor meeting room to provide information to help you continue to live at home as long as possible with a few modifications. Learn how to improve your home with a few simple changes to make your life easier, safer and more secure and stay in your own home as long as possible! The program is open to all interested people and refreshments will be served. The Meriden Triad will sponsor another mini-bus to the Department of Motor Vehicles in Wethersfield for people who need a Non-Driver's License Photo ID on Friday, December 11 at 10:15 AM. The cost of the ID card is $22.50 in cash and you must bring a certified birth certificate or valid passport plus one additional form of identification like a Social Security card. Triad members Sgt. Darrin McKay and Sgt. Glen Milslagle will accompany the mini-bus and provide assistance at the DMV. The first 12 people to sign-up with Mini-Bus Coordinator Becky Racine in the Mini-Bus Office or by calling (203) 237-3338 will be able to take this trip to get the Photo ID card so sign-up today! Holiday entertainment at the Senior Center will include performances by Middi & the Country Gentlemen on Tuesday, December 22 at 10:30 AM for our Holiday Celebration Luncheon and Jill Riggles for a Holiday Sing-a-Long on Wednesday, December 23 at 11:00 AM. The Holiday Celebration Luncheon will feature roast turkey and stuffing with gravy, cranapple juice, cranberry sauce, mixed vegetables, dinner roll and holiday ice cream for dessert. To sign-up for the Holiday Celebration Luncheon please call our Senior Community Café at 235-8052 by December 17. Our Holiday Dinner Dance will be held on Thursday, December 17 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Entertainment will be provided by the Vinnie Carr Band. The dinner menu, served from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, will be fresh fruit cup, chicken marsala, baked potato with sour cream and chives, peas, dinner roll and strawberry layer cake. Tickets are available now at the Senior Center for $6 per person for Meriden residents. Get your ticket today and join us for our Holiday Dinner Dance!
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Our friends at the Meriden Kiwanis Club generously donated 100 free tickets for senior citizens for this year's Kiwanis Kapers Show at Maloney High School on November 6 & 7. We distributed the tickets to Senior Center members and, on their behalf, I would like to thank the Meriden Kiwanis Club for this outstanding donation - we appreciate your support! During December please consider being An Angel for a Needy Child by providing a Christmas Gift for a child through the Meriden Salvation Army. We have 15 cards with boys and girls names, ages and wish lists for Christmas gifts. If you would like to help out see me in the front office, pick a card of your choice, buy a gift by December 15, return it to the Senior Center and you will make a child happy this holiday season! Save the date for our next Weather Show with meteorologist Art Horn, "Weather Dominates our World" on Wednesday, January 13 at 10:30 AM in the First Floor Meeting Room at the Senior Center. Art will discuss how everything we do is affected by the weather. He always has terrific slides to go along with his informative presentation so don't miss Art Horn in January! Best wishes for a happy holiday season from the members and staff of the Max E. Muravnick Senior Citizens' Center! John F. Hogarth Senior Center Director
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Happy Holidays Happy Holidays to my Grandma, Grandpa, Mommy, Daddy and Bootsie too!!! Love, Alyssa
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Wherever you spend your holiday, know that our best wishes are on the way! With warm and glad tidings from all of us this holiday season. Thank you for allowing us to serve all of your travel needs in 2009.
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Page 6 December 2009
People’s Press Crossword by Ruth Gordon Look for the answers in this issue. ACROSS 1. "The _____ the limit!" 5. To the same extent or degree; equally 7. Made a map showing coastlines, water depths, and navigational info 13. Close by 14. Shipboard greetings 16. Astonishing, breathtaking, extravagant, greatest: slang 17. Most famous Boston Bruins player 19. An index reflecting Wall Street activity 20. Large, broad, endless 21. December 21st , the shortest day of the year: 2 wds. 25. An elevated railway 26. In or near the position of 27. Pallid, colorless 29. Totaled 32. Denver is the capital of this state 33. International Falls, Minnesota, USA (Airport Code) 34. ____ Temelkovski, Canadian member of Parliament first elected in 2004 35. An African-American cultural festival, celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. 37. A long narrow inlet of the sea in Scotland 40. Actor who received "best actor" Academy Award in 1996 for "Leaving Las Vegas" 41. To glide on ice 43. A large commercial ship 45. Gambino crime family boss, he was known as the "Teflon Don" 46. She was married to John Lennon 48. A series of motions and steps, usually performed to music 50. A wild, shaggy-haired ox of the mountains of central Asia 52. Opposite of off 53. Abdominal muscles: slang 54. Broccoli ____ , a vegetable plant related to the turnip and grown for its pungent leafy shoots; also called rapini 56. Section of hospital containing specialized equipment, medical staff, and monitoring devices to provide concentrated care 58. Goes with Boo to make a crying sound 59. Iwo ____, site of famous WW II American flag raising 60. To place in a grave 62. Small units of weight 64. Top officer of a Corp. 66. City located in Andrew County, Missouri, total population of 56. 67. Direction on a compass 68. Jewish Festival of Lights celebrated during 8 days in December Down 1. To grow rapidly in significance, importance, or size
2. ____ Lewis is the husband of Toni Braxton 3. A tall tale 4. Not a Jr. 6. A cartoon soldier character invented by George Baker in 1942: 2 wds. 7. Simon ____ , seen on "American Idol" 8. ___ Averback, director of the 1960's & 70's, directed many MASH episodes 9. To the same extent or degree; equally 10. An extremely small amount. 11. A state of rest, relaxation, or leisure 12. The widely used pesticide which was banned in the U.S. in the early 1970's 15. Large nocturnal predatory bird found in Eastern United States and Canada 18. Term for displays of players cards in Pinochle 20. Dec. 5th South Meriden will hold it's annual, "Christmas In The _______", a celebration which is free and open to all! 22. A small peg used in golf 23. Actor Michael J. Fox starred with Barry Bostwick and others in this ABC TV sitcom 24. A republic in eastern Africa 28. All the copies of a specified issue of a newspaper 30. Twosomes 31. Mayor of Wallingford 36. Air, atmosphere: prefix 38. Word to express surprise or triumph 39. Note on musical scale 42. Digit on a foot 43. Police officer one rank below a Capt. 44. Boise is the capital of this state. 45. A metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a kilogram 47. Capital city of New Caledonia 49. Approximately; nearly 51. A packaged set of related materials 54. To get out of bed 55. German composer, Johann Sebastian ______ 57. Largest county in Ireland 59. Prior to Brad & Angelina, it was Brad & _____ 60. An indefinitely long period of time 61. Part of Scrooge's favorite phrase 63. Initials of American tennis player who won women's singles titles at the U.S. Open (1975-1978, 1980, and 1982) and Wimbledon (1974, 1976, and 1981). 65. Being one of two or more considered individually: abbreviation
MERIDEN SOUP KITCHEN FUNDRAISER Twenty-six years ago, the Meriden Soup Kitchen was founded by Jane Goodstein, the organist at the Main Street Baptist Church on Crown Street, in downtown Meriden. She made the suggestion to the pastor of the church that a soup kitchen be started at his church. He gave her $200 to start the MSK. At first, soup and sandwiches were served two days a week. Today the MSK serves a principle meal at the mid-day, five days a week. No longer is soup and sandwiches the menu. An entrée is served along with soup and a salad, dessert and a beverage. In 1983 7,030 meals were served. In 2008 35,897 meals were served and for the first ten months of 2009 29,527 meals have been served. During the 26 years the MSK has been constantly growing and evolving into the institution it is today, In 1999 the MSK finally had all five days of the week covered by a group. Currently groups based in St Rose, St Joseph, St Andrew, Holy Angels and First United Methodist Churches as well as an ecumenical group and Bonnie's Angels cover the five days of the week. The original MSK was housed in the Main Street Baptist Church in downtown Meriden. It is now the guest of the First Baptist Church on Broad Street, its home for over seven years. Twenty-six years ago there were a handful of volunteers making the soup and sandwiches. Today there are over 150 volunteers who show up faithfully to mix, chop, stir, clean, wipe, serve, bake, dry and cut following a philosophy to make a meal "that you would serve your family". Financing the MSK is called "wing and a prayer". The financing has also evolved. For the year 2009, there has been funding from the federal government (EFSP), a bonus from the stimulus package, the city of Meriden (CDBG), the Napier and Farid Foundations, a small group of citizens, organizations and churches who send us a check monthly and random contributions from the generous citizens of Meriden. The MSK benefits from "in kind" donations from both Stop and Shops in Meriden, Panera Bread in Meriden, BJ's in Wallingford, the Middlesex Fruitery in Middletown and, of course, the First Baptist Church. For our silver anniversary the MSK missed a great opportunity for a fundraiser. It was missed because we didn't realize it was our 25th. So the MSK is going to have a 26th year fundraiser in tribute to Jane Goodstein. The MSK is asking for donations of 26. Make a contribution to the MSK in categories-------- 26 cents for a cookie, $2.60 for a bowl of soup, $26 for an entrée, $260 to pay for a day. Or a $2,600 corporate sponsor can buy new tables and chairs. Checks can be made to the Meriden Soup Kitchen, PO Box 2138, Meriden, CT, 06450.
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Page 7 December 2009
"Maggie's Corner" Words from my Mother are words well taught. By: Maggie Griffin There are places I remember through my life, although some memories have been lost and other memories live in my heart and mind forever. But all those places and those moments I have lived, heard, spoke and seen with family and friends, I reflect on them all. Through the years, I have lived to see some of my friends and family pass away and grateful to be a part of the friends and family that are still living. But regardless, if living or dead, I love them all. One especially of all the family and friends I have, nobody compares to my Mother. She makes sure special memories never lose their meaning. And when I think of my Mother, I think of love as something new every day. She is one person that will never lose love and affection for people and things that became a part of her life. When I often stop and think about so many, in my life I grew to appreciate the love and affection my Mother gave to me even more. A woman of strength and dignity, morals and faith; she taught me well. She taught me life becomes clearer as time brings us to one solitary life. That is, being a mother is a gift. And the greatest gift of all is life. As I reflected on memories and moments, I reflected on a true story my Mom told me, a story that I am now going to share with all Mothers who are new, old or expecting. In short of 5 minutes, this is a true story that my Mother told me when I was 22 expecting my first child: There was a baby who was born in an obscure village. As he grew, he worked in a carpenter shop and was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book, he never held and office. He did none of the things one usually associates with greatness. Several years have come and gone and today he is the central figure of the Human Race. But my Mother did not tell me the name of this baby; she said I knew the baby's name and to use the brain God gave me to figure out the name of this baby that I know. My mother is a very smart and wise woman. She knew I was going to figure out the name of the baby in this true story in a short time. Just like she knew I made copies of all her famous Italian recipe's before I moved out of my parents house (how she found that out, I'll never know). You see, I can understand why my parents worried so much about me. Maybe it had something to do with me being like the kids I complain about today when I was in my late teens and early 20's. Now that I think about it, it's no wonder my Dad took my driver's license away one time, then in my wedding video he just had to say to my husband "Good Luck Tom, you are going to need it". Those were good memories. Dad always had a way to make everyone laugh. And when I drive his Formula that was given to my son after my Dad passed away, I still hear him tell me "Don't drive on the sidewalk" like I did with the Camero. There is more, but I won't dare write anything I don't want my kids to see. After all, no matter how old my kids get, I want them to know I was raised with the help of Nuns. Getting back to my Mother, I look back at all the advice she gave to me since I was a kid myself. But being the youngest, when I announced I was pregnant, my Mother wanted to make sure I changed my ways. And she knew exactly what to say to get me thinking when she told me this true story. Therefore out of all the advice and true stories she gave me through my life, this is the one I treasure the most. Following this story, My Mother kept me seated and said to me; "Margaret Mary, you are about to become a mother now, it's not about you anymore, it's about the life God is putting His trust in you to care for. And being a mother is a lifelong job that comes with love, attention and affection. Appreciate and thank God for this child. Protect this child. Care for this child. A child is a gift, a gift that comes with NO conditions. As I was in labor with my first child, thinking about that true story my Mother told me, I suddenly knew the name of the baby my Mother was telling me about that was born in an obscure village. His name is Jesus. As I was in labor with my second child, remembering that same true story, got me through the pain of labor with a smile, knowing I was blessed with another gift of life, another miracle. You see, Christmas is a day that we celebrate God's greatest gift of all, the birth of Jesus, the gift of Life. And if some of you think I am "crazy" for writing this TRUE story, may I suggest you pick up a Bible and remain off the glue you are sniffing? Having God in your life WILL bring you peace, happiness and joy. If you don't go to God, He can't help you. Sort of like if you don't go to your hair dresser, you can't get your hair done and you may feel like blah. What I am saying is understand the importance of God, Life and Family. And don't talk dirt about anyone; that is pathetic and only makes you look like a fool. Eventually talking about others for NO reason in a bad way WILL come back to you in a full circle. When that happens, then you can ask yourself why? Please remember the unfortunate; donate to your local Food Drives, Toys for Tots, Clothing Drives, and families of our Military; remember the poor and the homeless. Every County has a list online where you can find where you can make a donation. Giving is a lot better than receiving, even if it's a simple hug or a hello, how are you? Happy Holidays.
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Our Christmas Tradition By Bonnie Kent Every year my daughters and I spend Christmas Eve at the Wallingford Emergency Shelter and watch Christmas happen from a different perspective. It seem that with everyone having family events that night someone is always looking for coverage and my daughter and I never have said no except last year and let me tell you we missed it. There was a time when a group used to make shoe boxes filled with everyday needs and a little something fun thrown in and we would hand them out to the clients and watch their faces as they open their gifts. For some this was the only gift they would get for this season of giving and their eyes have always expressed their gratitude. We love opening the door that evening because you are welcomed in and it is always festive inside and kind of like family. Those who came to drop off food, gifts, and cookies or just to wish everyone Merry Christmas are welcomed and wished a Happy Holiday as they arrive and leave. Some years we baked or brought in a Christmas movie to watch and one year we had caroler's come to sing with us. One of my fondest memories is of a family who came in to drop off a donation and asked what the clients were to be served for breakfast and I told them cereal, coffee, toast. Well this family asked if the overnight staff would cook breakfast it there were food to cook and the volunteer said yes. This family went to about three little corner markets and brought us eggs, bread, juice, bacon, sausage and about anything else you could think of for breakfast. I was amazed at the giving of this family and they have continued this tradition since that year and every Christmas Eve delivers breakfast to our Shelter.
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It seems that this time of year the giving spirit is upon everyone but we all need to remember that giving and caring for each other needs to be year round. We need to remember that everyday some family is deciding between electricity, heat, food and shelter. What can I live without and the decision should be none but as we all know that is not the case. A majority of our society is only a paycheck away from homelessness that can result from an illness, loss of a job or other life events. Please remember to give of yourself whether it is time, food, money, or one of the many other ways that you can help others. I hope this year my family will be at the shelter on Christmas Eve but if we are not they will be in out hearts and we will be stopping in to wish everyone a happy holiday Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! ~Author Unknown Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas
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Page 8 December 2009
Comfort Keepers celebrates the season of giving…. While interviewing prospective caregivers our agency discovered a local lady looking for a job, who stated to us, that she would take any hours available because with her husband out of work she could barely afford food for her 5 children. Then another employee expressed a great concern about her ability to by Christmas gifts for her children. Carol Carbutti, the owner of Comfort Keepers (which is an agency in Wallingford that provides homemakers and companions for the elderly) wanted to show the spirit of giving by adopting these local families for the holidays. Carol then enlisted the help of her children who also own local businesses in Wallingford. Attorney Mark Carbutti, of Carbutti Law Firm, Jonathan Carbutti, of Carbutti & Co Realtors, and Peter Carbutti of RCI Property Appraisal Company. After the gang was all here we discussed the situation and decided to adopt these two families who are in need of some holiday help. Our offices pooled our resources and went out to purchase groceries and a Thanksgiving dinner for the family of 7. When our car arrived in front of their apartment the whole family came down to greet us to help carry up the grocery bags. Their smiles, tears and hugs reinforced our efforts. As we departed we promised to be back for Christmas which will include these companies buying and wrapping toys for eight children and also providing a wonderful holiday meal for the families. We all are thankful for our blessings that we experience in our daily lives. By joining together to help others we are given an opportunity to share our blessings with others who are less fortunate ….. In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!' ~Dave Barry, "Christmas Shopping: A Survivor's Guide" Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. ~Janice Maeditere
Celebrations
Congratulations to the Meriden Raiders Cheerleadering Squad (Small Red 10 and under) for a Spectular Season and advancing all the way to Regionals. We love and are very proud of you!!!
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Peoples Press December 2009 South Meriden Volunteer Fire Department is its 101th year of service to the Village of South Meriden and the City of Meriden. The Officers and Members wish all of our friends and family member's health and prosperity this holiday season. We thank you all for your continual financial support over this past year. We look forward if necessary to serve you any way we can this up coming year. Now its time for a several safety tips for our neighbors. We hope you all have working smoke detectors in your home. Working Smoke detectors save lives. Please make sure that you changed your batteries in the detectors. The best time to remember to change the batteries is when day light saving time comes. When you change your clocks back or forth change the batteries for safety. Also if you do not have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in your home please purchase them. CO is a colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas that is produced by inefficient burning and incomplete combustion of fuel products in heating appliances, furnace, hot water heaters, and stoves. If you do not have efficient burning appliances in the home, over a period of time CO could be building up in the home which if unchecked could lead to medical conditions and even Death. Having your furnace cleaned and serviced each year will help keep the units running more efficiently. CO is the silent killer, please protect your family and yourself and purchase CO detectors for your home. CO is also produced by normal operation of your vehicles and comes out of the vehicles exhaust systems. Running your vehicle in the garage could cause CO to seep directly into the home. With winter right around the corner we are asking for your assistance with a little maintenance item. If you have a fire hydrant near the front of your property we need your help. When it snows it would be helpful; if you could clear the snow and ice away from the hydrant. In a fire emergency it is very important that we can hook our hoses to the hydrant as quickly as possible in case we need additional water to extinguish a fire. During and after snow storms we do try to get out and clear hydrants, but we do not always have time to get to them all. It would be very beneficial to all our neighbor to have clean and clear fire hydrants. If you can help us out with this maintenance item we would appreciate your assistance. Another health Tip. We urge all our residence to be careful during the winter months with shoveling snow. (That's if we ever get any) Take it easy do not over do it. Use a good shovel and do not over load it when you lift it. Also for those of you that have snow blowers please be extremely careful not to put your hands near the blades of the blower unit while it is running. You might say who would do that, but each year Meriden's emergency service responders respond to several of these calls each year and it isn't a pretty sight so please take precautions. If you can and have the time and the energy may be you can help a neighbor who is a little older or might be ill, give them a hand clearing away the snow from their walkways or driveway. It feels real good to be able to help them out during the winter months. Each year we lose friends and neighbors to heart attacks during the winter months from over exerting themselves shoveling snow. And one more health tip. If you are under a doctor's care and take certain medications keep a list of these medications handy just in case you have the need to call 911 for during a medical emergency. Also with this list you might want to give a little history of any medical conditions that you also might have. These are important things for emergency responders to have just in case you are unable to respond to our questions when we arrive at your home. A good place to keep this information is in an envelope on you refrigerator and note that it is Medical Info. Information about Membership Application Process: We are currently accepting applications for membership for individuals who live in Meriden over the age of 18 in good health and have a clean police records and can pass the application process. We are also accepting application for those individuals who might all ready be certified as a State of CT Firefighter/EMT and do not live in Meriden but are willing to fill night crew positions at our station. These individuals will need to meet our by-law requirements for drills, weekly night crew and duty crew assignments. We are one of the only Volunteer fire stations in the State that have sleep-in crews at our fire station we presently cover 6 out of 7 nights. Our nightly in-house status allows us to service our customers you our neighbors quicker. Being a volunteer fire fighter takes a lot of commitment and time. Our members make a lot of personal sacrifices to belong to our department, but they get great satisfaction of being part of terrific tradition of saving lives and property. We train and work hard but we love serving and protecting our friends and visitors. Applications can be picked up at our station at 31 Camp Street, South Meriden in the evenings. We are a DRUG FREE Department and we TEST all applicants. Good-bye for now, talk to you soon Stay Safe and healthy Keith Gordon, Chief South Meriden Fire
GIFT CERTIFICATES NOW AVAILABLE AT HELPING HANDS THRIFT STORE! Stop by at 22 No. Turnpike Road in Wallingford. Our regular hours are Tues.- Sat. 9a.m.- 5p.m.. Pay with cash, debit, m.c. or visa for all your shopping needs. New gift items, Christmas decorations for your home or tree, artificial Christmas trees are available for your Holiday needs. Kids bring in your Christmas list and place it in Santas special mailbox at the store and watch at the store for when Santa will be there to pick up your lists! Pick up a picture to color for ages up to 10 years old and return it before Dec. 15th to enter our coloring contest. Winner will be notified by phone on Dec.22. Remember Seniors ages 55+ get 20% off their total purchase EVERY TUESDAY! $5.00 BAG DAY IS EVERY WEDNESDAY(fill a bag we provide with CLOTHING ONLY!) EVERY THURSDAY THERE IS A "IN STORE SPECIAL SALE" such as Half off prices or a per centage off certain items,or Buy 1 get 1 Free. SPECIAL SALE GOING ON RIGHT NOW- ALL COATS HALF PRICE!! A VERY SPECIAL SALE DAY TO THANK ALL OUR CUSTOMERS WILL BE DEC.18TH WHICH WILL BE 20% OFF ANY 1 ITEM IN THE STORE(1 DISCOUNT PER ADULT). DEC. 22 ALL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND TREES WILL BE 50% OFF. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE STORE WILL BE CLOSING AT 3 P.M. ON DEC. 24TH AND WILL NOT REOPEN UNTIL DEC. 29TH. THE STORE WILL AGAIN CLOSE AT 3P.M. ON DEC. 31ST AND WILL NOT REOPEN UNTIL SAT. JAN. 2ND. COME CHECK OUT OUR CLOTHING, SHOES, LINENS, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, KNICK KNACKS, JEWELRY, NEW PORCELAIN DOLLS, NEW GIFT ITEMS, TOYS AND SO MUCH MORE TO HELP YOU SAVE MONEY! THE STAFF AT HELPING HANDS THRIFT STORE WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A SAFE, HEALTHY HAPPY NEW YEAR. OUR THANKS TO ALL THAT SHOP, DONATE AND OFFER THEIR HELP SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO HELP VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY.
Wallingford Junior Woman's Club WALLINGFORD JUNIOR WOMAN'S CLUB ANNOUNCES DECEMBER HOLIDAY MEETING The Wallingford Junior Woman's Club will hold its monthly meeting on December 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Lisa Ryan, WJWC Publicity Chairwoman. This is the club's holiday meeting, and members are reminded to bring an appetizer, dessert and/or drinks to share, and a grab bag gift. In addition, all toys, clothes, and other items for the Wallingford Youth & Social Services Adopt-a-Family and the Covenant to Care for Children, Inc., stockings are due that evening to WJWC members Lisa Hoover and Ann Whitman. WJWC is open to women with a desire to improve the Wallingford community through volunteering their time and talents, and provides opportunities for personal enrichment, and improve leadership skills and form new and lasting friendships. For more information, please call Jaime Bowen, Membership Chairwoman, at 294-0017. Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself. ~Francis C. Farley
Page 9 December 2009
DECEMBER EVENTS AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY MERIDEN-GIVE THE GIFT OF READING Bring In Your New Or Gently Used Books To Help Children Who Are Less Fortunate For The Holidays At The Meriden Public Library. The Meriden Public Library will be sponsoring our "Story Book Tree" which was established more than 20 years ago. These books will be given to various agencies that will be distrubuted to needy families. Drop off location will be the Meriden Public Library Children's Library by December 11th. For more information call us at 203 630-6347. WINTER WINE, CHOCOLATE, AND FOOD PAIRING SEMINAR DECEMBER 2 AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Join Klassic Kreations Gourmet on Wednesday, December 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Griffin Room of Meriden Public Library as they focus on wine, chocolate and food pairings to enhance our holiday table. They will highlight the history of chocolate, conduct a fun trivia quiz, have samples of a wide variety of Belgian chocolates to taste, and discuss fruit, cheese and food pairings. This program is free and all are invited. Reservations are requested. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 to reserve your seat. "FOOD FOR FINES" MONTH AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Meriden Public Library will hold its annual "Food for Fines" month beginning Friday, November 27 through Thursday, December 31. You may "pay" for your overdue fines by contributing one non-perishable food item for each dollar you owe in fines. For example, if you owe $3.00 in overdues, you must bring in 3 items. Food donations do not cover lost or damaged library materials. Bring in those long overdue DVD's cd's, books, etc. and clear up those fines. Borrowers must visit the Circulation Desk in person to take advantage of this opportunity. Please do not donate out-dated food items. All food collected will be delivered to local food pantries. Food items most needed are tuna and other canned meat, dry milk, canned vegetables and fruit, rice, dry and canned beans, canned soups and stews, boxed pasta products, tomato items, juices and cereals. Contact the Meriden Public Library at (203) 238-2344 or (203) 630-6349 if you have questions. WANTED: LEGOS FOR MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Meriden Public Library is looking for donations of new and used Legos to start a Lego club this winter for children of all ages and their families. We would like to have enough Legos for everyone who wants to join, so if you have Legos your children no longer use, drop them off at the library. Donations can be brought to the Children's Room of the Meriden Public Library. Your generosity will help ensure the success of this new program. If you have any questions about this program, contact Melissa in the Children's Room at (203) 630-6347. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT CIVIC YOUTH ORCHESTRA DECEMBER 12 AT MERIDEN LIBRARY The Meriden Public Library presents the Central Connecticut Civic Youth Orchestra (CCCYO) on Saturday, December 12 at 2:00 p.m. in the Griffin Room. The CCCYO is comprised of young musicians in grades 5 through 12 from towns in the central Connecticut area including Meriden, Southington, Wallingford, and Cheshire. Students meet weekly to rehearse mostly classical repertoire. This group, now in its seventh season, is a project of the Meriden Arts Trust. This concert will include works by Beethoven, Bach, Greig, and Offenbach. In addition, anyone who is interested in joining the musicians to play in the final number, which is a compilation of holiday favorites by composer Leroy Anderson, is encouraged to do so. Copies of the music are available for free at J.C. Music on West Main Street. Please join us for a wonderful afternoon of community music making. Contact Katrina Axelrod at (203) 235-7445 or see the CCCYO website at www.teacherweb.com/ct/cccyo/online for further details. We hope to see you there! FREE COMPUTER CLASSES IN DECEMBER AT MERIDEN LIBRARY The following free computer classes will be held in December at Meriden Public Library. Learn Microsoft Word on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. - December 5 Email Class on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. -December 12 Internet Class on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. -December 19 Class size is limited. Contact the library at (203) 238-2346 or (203) 630-6349 to register for any class. JOB SEEKER PROGRAM AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Meriden Public Library has a drop-in program to assist those who are out of work and need help using the internet for job searching and creating resumes. A skilled volunteer will assist library patrons on a first come, first serve basis each Tuesday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm in the Seminar Room. A sign-up sheet will be provided on Tuesdays - no pre-registration required. Depending on the need, a computer will be available for use by the volunteer and patron. Knowledge of a computer is required. The library offers separate computer classes to take prior to the job seeker program. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about the library programs. WRITERS NETWORK MEETS IN DECEMBER AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Meriden Public Library will host a Writers Network group on Wednesday, December 16 and December 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the Friends Room. We invite anyone who is serious about writing fiction or nonfiction, wants to learn the process of getting published, or needs support for writing a book proposal or query letter to attend. The Writers Network is for anyone who is looking for a support network to keep the motivation going, is interested in sharing their writing with others and is longing for the camaraderie of others who share a passion for writing. The group will be run by Roberta Dolan, a Meriden resident who is trained in group facilitation and is in the process of writing her first book. The Writers Network group will meet twice a month and will occasionally invite editors, published authors and people versed in the publishing process to speak to the group. If you are interested in joining the Writers Network, contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 or email us comsvc@hotmail.com. FREE SCRAPBOOKING WORKSHOP CONTINUES AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Meriden Public Library will host the final part of the free scrapbooking workshop series on Monday, December 14 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Griffin Room. Come have fun and learn about an exclusive page demo, organizing your photos, digital, and work on creating an album to share with your family and friends. Preserve your photos and get them out of the attic, out of boxes, display them and ENJOY them. They make great gifts for any occasion and Christmas will be here soon. There will be free handouts and demonstrations. Gather your supplies and come use some of ours. Please call or email to reserve your table at 203 630-6349 or comsvc@hotmail.com. ONCE BANNED, NOW CLASSIC BOOK DISCUSSION SERIES AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Meriden Public Library and Connecticut Humanities Council will begin the book discussion series "Once banned, now classic" in January 2010. A book, it is often said, reflects the society in which it was written. This may be especially true when the society denies the reflection and censures the book. The four works in this series, all banned at the time of publication, are now accepted as classics of American literature. Join moderator Marsha Bansavage on Tuesdays in the Griffin Room from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.. to examine questions about changes in attitude, what led the authors to create these works, censorship, rights and creativity. The schedule will be: January 26, 2010 - "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger February 23, 2010 - "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain March 23, 2010 - "Native Son" by Richard Wright April 27, 2010 - "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin The books will be available at the library. The program is free and all are invited. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 or email comsvc@hotmail.com to sign up for participation in the book discussion series. SCRABBLE AT MERIDEN LIBRARY The Meriden Public Library will be holding Scrabble sessions on the following Mondays at 2:00 pm in the Friends Room: December 14 December 28 January 11 and 25 February 8 and 22 Come to practice or learn the game. Everyone is invited. If you have any questions about this or other programs at the library, contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349, email us at comsvc@hotmail.com or stop by at any session.
ST. ROSE HISPANIC CHOIR TO PRESENT "THREE KINGS PROGRAM" JANUARY 9 The Meriden Public Library will host a Three Kings Day Program on Saturday, January 9 at 2:00 pm in the Griffin Room. The St. Rose Hispanic Choir will present a holiday concert for people of all ages. The St. Rose Hispanic Choir will present traditional Puerto Rican "aguisnaldos" or Christmas carols, followed by a visit from the Three Wise Men. Donations of unwrapped gifts, suitable for boys and girls up to the age of 10, will be collected at a specially marked box inside the library during the month of December. The event is free, but seating is limited. Contact the Community Services Department at 203 634-0524, email comsvc@hotmail.com, or log onto our homepage at www.meridenlibrary.org and click on "Adult events" to reserve a seat.
People’s Press Crossword December 2009 Answers. Puzzle by Ruth Gordon.
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Page 10 December 2009
Craft Fair Curves of Meriden will be holding a Holiday Craft Fair & Open House on Saturday December 12th 9am-4pm 477 South Broad Street Meriden, Blockbuster Plaza Our members amaze themselves everyday, come and let us amaze you with our hand-made items. Wreaths, Country Crafts, Cards & Magnets, Scarfs, Hats, Children's Sweaters, Rice Warmers, Jewelry,and more.... PLUS refreshments, raffles & a free gift just for stopping by! See you there! Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. ~Author Unknown
Celebrations
Christopher Michael Farrell, of Wallingford, recently received his Eagle Scout Award. Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouts. He was recognized for this achievement at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor at St Paul's Episcopal Church in Wallingford on Saturday, November 7th. Chris is the son of Michael and JoAnn Farrell, and is a member of Troop 4 in Wallingford. His Eagle service project was the restoration of Lyman Hall Memorial located on Elm Street across from Pat Wall Field. Lyman Hall was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Chris, his family, friends, and fellow Boy Scouts landscaped the memorial area making many improvements such as scraping and painting the fence and flagpole, installing a new sign, bench, flag, and brick walkway plus planting new shrubs and grass. Chris Farrell, a junior at Lyman Hall High School, began his scouting adventure as a Tiger Cub with Pack 26 at Highland Elementary School. On his way to Eagle Scout, Chris earned 29 merit badges and held leadership positions in Troop 4 including Den Chief, Historian, Patrol Leader, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Through Chris's scouting life, he has camped numerous times at Deer Lake and Camp Sequassen as well as other Connecticut State parks. In addition, he has been recognized with the Paruvei Dei Religious Award and the Hometown USA Award for the beautification of the YMCA Teen Center in Wallingford. Chris and his family would like to thank the members of Boy Scout Troop 4 and all those who helped support him throughout his years in scouting. Congratulations, Chris, on your advancement to Eagle Scout!
Dear Housewives - Central Connecticut's Know It All Gals Dear Readers, Do you have a question regarding family life, budgeting, customer service issues, DVD or book reviews, or home organization? We will give you our candid advise from a family perspective. Contact The Peoples Press by e-mail andy@peoplespressnews.com or phone with your confidential question and we will answer it in the next issue. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year Sincerely, June and Flora Dear Housewives, Holidays are here again. My husband is Jewish and I am Catholic. This is the first year we are married and I want a Christmas tree and he does not. How can we make a decision and stop fighting? Signed, "Oy Christmas Tree" in Cheshire. JUNE: Dear OY, I can't believe two people from different faiths did not discuss these types of issues before you got married. If and when you have children it will only get worse. I don't see why you can't do both. I think you can celebrate Hanukkah as well as Christmas in your house. Everyone is so uptight about offending other faiths this time of year that we incorporate all so I think you can do the same in your household. As far as I know, it is not against any religions to be near items of other faiths. Good luck when it comes time to raise babies. FLORA: My friend grew up with a Hanukkah Bush. See if that idea will fly with your Jewish husband. If not, let him have his way. You may be pleasantly surprised.... Dear Housewives, I have so many presents to wrap for family members. My nine year old daughter want to help me but I don't like the way she wraps. I feel like a bad mother to tell her I don't want her help but I want the gifts to look nice. What can I do? It's a wrap in Meriden FLORA: If you asked me five years ago, I would have her do another task. Today, I say, let her wrap and who cares how uneven or odd it looks; it was wrapped with love. JUNE: You don't have to let her wrap adult presents but if you want to let her help you can have her wrap the other kids' presents. If she had cousins you buy for or her friends she can wrap theirs. You can give her a different job like finding matching ribbons and bows too. It is okay to want your packages to look nice but at the same time she can help with other things to feel like she is contributing. Merry Christmas! JUNE: Hi Flora, I hope you have a Merry Christmas (dare I say it?). As always I recommend watching all of the Christmas favorites: "The Grinch", "Frosty", "Rudolph". Also, you should go to the movies to see "Scrooge" with Jim Carey, I hear it is great. FLORA: Hi June. I wish you a very Merry Christmas. I will see "Holiday Inn", "Elf", and "It's a Wonderful Life". The plan was to see It's a Wonderful Life on Thanksgiving but it never happened. This month I will see "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at the Thomaston Opera House. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to our Dear Readers. We love receiving your questions and answering them. Thank you for another year. Thank you Andy, Dawn and the most wonderful People's Press.
Winter Session at the Meriden YMCA
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The Meriden YMCA's winter session begins January 4th and continues until February 21st. Registration begins December 14th for swim lessons, swim team, gymnastics lessons and team, basketball, karate, racquetball, children's dance, hip hop dance, ballroom dancing, youth theatre, golf, adaptive sports, middle school strength training, hatha yoga, pilates, parent and child yoga, aqua aerobics, and more. For more information please call (203) 235-6386 or visit www.meridenymca.org About the Meriden YMCA Since1866 the Meriden YMCA has helped build strong kids, strong families, and a strong community. The Meriden YMCA is located at 110 West Main Street in Meriden.
Wallingford Rotary Club Making A Difference Wallingford Rotary President Craig Fishbein and other Rotarians presented a check to Nancy Freyberg, organizer of the Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner. A total of $6,887 was raised through the Rotary Wine Tasting Fundraiser on November 18th at Gouveia Vineyards, and Liberty Bank contributed to our proceeds, for a total of $9,182! The check was distributed to several worthy organizations in addition to the Community Day Dinner - United Way for Wallingford families, Holiday for Giving, Chrysalis for Wallingford families, Wallingford Emergency Shelter, Wallingford Day Care, and the Wallingford Emergency Fuel fund. Rotary President Craig Fishbein acknowledges the real need of some Wallingford residents, and has vowed to step up Rotary fundraising so that we can assist those that need it most.
Page 11 December 2009
NEWS FROM WALLINGFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY: LIBRARY HOURS Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday 9:30 to 5:00 p.m. Holiday Closings: December 24, 25, 26, January 1 Early closing on December 31st 203-265-6754 JOANNIE'S FOOD DRIVE In honor of "Joannie from Pringle," Joan Lewis, former WPL staff member, Wallingford Public Library employees have organized a food drive to benefit Master's Manna. You may bring your donations of non-perishable food items to the library through December. Please place them on the table at the top of the back stairway. HOLIDAY SHOPPING? YOUR AMAZON.COM PURCHASES CAN BENEFIT THE LIBRARY The holiday season is rapidly approaching. By entering Amazon.com through the Library's website: www.wallingford.lioninc.org, the Library will receive a percentage of your total purchase. Your support is greatly appreciated. Happy Shopping! HOLIDAY GIVING You can make the holidays special for a child in Wallingford by bringing new, or barely used, children's books to the Children's Library for the town's Holiday for Giving program. Please bring unwrapped books to the library by December 10. NEW BOOK SELLER The Library's used bookstore, the Book Seller has moved to a new, much larger, location. Look for the green striped awning behind the Library and stop by to browse the shelves full of hundreds of bargains: children's books, videos, cds, fiction, nonfiction, and books for teens. Pick up a gift for a friend or a popular paperback for your next vacation read! Book Seller Fall Hours are: Monday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CAN YOU HELP US? The library is in need of two high school yearbooks for our collection. We are looking for the Mark T. Sheehan High School 2007 and the Lyman Hall 1949 yearbooks. The nostalgic resources are great fun to browse through, as well as to mine for reunion information. The library keeps the yearbooks in our Connecticut Collection and may be used in the library. If should discover one of these volumes in your attic or closet, pleae bring it in to the library's Information Desk. Thanks! NEW HELP FOR JOB SEEKERS JOB NOW: Live Job Assistance Wallingford Public Library announces an exciting new service for job seekers and career changers: JobNow. This unique online service gives job seekers on-demand access to trained career coaches and job resources. JobNow's free professional services are available on any of our public Internet computers; ask for more information at the Information Desk. Wallingford Library cardholders can also access JobNow from home by linking to http://main.wallingford.clc.jobnow.brainfuse.com. Job seekers should register for an account after using their Wallingford Library card to enter the site. JobNow is the first service of its kind to provide live career coaching from any computer with Internet access. Services available are live interview coaching, with interview tips and resources; a resume lab with sample templates, along with resume analysis within 24 hours by a JobNow expert; assistance with writing cover letters; and a career resource library that includes links to current job openings locally and nationally, as well as career and personality assessment instruments. ON DISPLAY! You may have noticed that there are several new book display units near the Information Desk. We are delighted that now we can create pleasing displays of material we hope you will enjoy browsing through and checking out. One of those displays is devoted to "Staff Picks". Here you will find books of all kinds that various staff members have enjoyed and recommend. Take a look next time you are looking for something to read and are feeling adventurous! ADAPTIVE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY The Library now offers adaptive technology for our patrons with vision impairment. If you are interested in learning more, ask about the trackball mouse, large print keyboard, and iZoom screen magnifier/reader. They are available in the Adult Computer area. We also have an Optelec video magnifier for anyone wishing to manipulate the size of print while reading books, magazines, and newspapers. It is located by the Periodicals Area of the adult section. CELL PHONE RECYCLING AND DON'T FORGET THE EYEGLASSES! Remember that you can bring in your old cell phones for recycling. Drop them in the box near the copier across from the Circulation Desk. The Library receives a percentage for each phone. Thanks! Eyeglasses can be recycled too. The Lions Club collects all the eyeglasses collected at the library. JUST FAX IT! In response to popular demand, we have installed a self-service public fax machine next to the photocopier by the Circulation Desk. It transmits faxes for $1.50 per page with a credit or debit card, but does not receive faxes. Librarians at the Information Desk can help you get started. DECEMBER COMPUTER CLASSES: Excel 2007 Wednesday, December 16 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Board Room Join us to expand your spreadsheet knowledge with Excel 2007 Formulas & Functions. This hands-on class will cover common business calculations and conditional formatting. Register in advance by calling 203-265-6754 or online at www.wallingford.lioninc.org PowerPoint Thursday, December 17 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Board Room Build your digital presentation skills. You will create and modify a slideshow, as well as add graphics and automation at this hands-on class. Register in advance by calling 203-265-6754 or online at www.wallingford.lioninc.org COMPUTER TUTORING SESSIONS Thursday evenings: 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Computer novices are encouraged to sign up to learn keyboard or mouse skills, word processing, Internet searching, online job applications, or e-mail at these 1-on-1 sessions. Please contact the library to register or for more information. WALLINGFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY FREE MOVIE EVENTS FRIDAY NIGHT FLICS: HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE Friday, December 11 6:30 p.m. Community Room Rated PG FRIDAY NIGHT FLICS: JULIE AND JULIA Friday, December 18 6:30 p.m. Community Room Rated PG-13 SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS AT WALLINGORD PUBLIC LIBRARY: All of our programs are free, all of the time! Join the Discussion! Read the Book! Meet the Author! Please join us for any or all of our Book Discussion Programs and Author Events (and remember, a book signed by the author makes a perfect holiday gift!) * Book Discussion: A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, part of the Range of Realism: The Novel in the 19th and 20th Centuries book discussion series. All are welcome to any or all of this four-part book discussion series co-sponsored by the Connecticut Humanities Council. Beginning in the 19th Century, the novel emerged as the pre-eminent literary form for portraying the wide range of human possibilities to which we give the name realism. Using four different novels from the 19th and 20th Centuries, we will explore how realism is defined and treated within the different context of each story. Discussions will be led by Marsha Bonsavage, a discussion facilitator for the Connecticut Humanities Council. Books are available from the Library's Information Desk. All discussions begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Collins Room. Select books will be discussed on the following dates: December 9 A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving January 13 The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton February 10 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley This program is made possible by the Faustman Fund. The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. Thursday Night Book Club Discussion:Thursday, December 17 7:00 p.m. Collins Room When Queen Elizabeth's corgis stray into a mobile library parked near Buckingham Palace, the Queen feels duty bound to borrow a book. This novella is a funny and superbly observed commentary on the Queen of England and the subversive power of reading. Copies of the book are available from the library's Information Desk. Please join us for conversation and refreshments. Our informal book discussion group meets on the third Thursday of each month. All are welcome, no registration is necessary. Library News Continued on Page 12
CALLING ALL WWE FANS: WrestleMania Reading Challenge Now through January 19, 2010 Contest gives Teens a Chance to Win a Trip to Wrestlemania XXVI in Phoenix, Arizona! "Reading prepares you for being a successful adult in the real world. I wouldn't be here today had it not been for reading." That's what ECW champion Matt Hardy, MVP, said when asked why World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is co-sponsoring the WrestleMania Reading Challenge. Here's how the Challenge works: * Teens in grades 5-12 sign up for the program at the library and receive a WWE mini poster. * Read 10 items, whether they're books, graphic novels, or manga. * Turn in a completed reading log. * Then design a bookmark which includes a slogan that promotes reading. Wallingford Public Library staff will choose the best bookmark submitted from each age group: grades 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12. Winners will receive a WWE DVD. A panel of national judges will choose 21 finalists to go to Phoenix. Once at WrestleMania the finalists will compete for the grand championship by answering questions from Will Weaver (guest judge) and Jerri Spinelli books. Sign up now at the library's Information Desk. For more information please visit the library's web site at www.wallingford.lioninc.org or come in for a visit. Oh look, yet another Christmas TV special! How touching to have the meaning of Christmas brought to us by cola, fast food, and beer.... Who'd have ever guessed that product consumption, popular entertainment, and spirituality would mix so harmoniously? ~Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes
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Page 12 December 2009
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: ELDER LAW Thursday, December 10 2:00 p.m. Collins Room Elder law includes living trusts, Medicaid, health care agents, powers of attorney and general estate planning. It can get confusing and clarification is needed to plan responsibly for your future and the future of your family. Please join us for an informative program presented by the local attorneys from Farrell Leslie & Grochowski. SATURDAY MORNINGS WITH POETRY* Saturday, December 12 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *Note special location: Paul Mellon Art Center at Choate Rosemary Hall This month our poetry group will gather at the Paul Mellon Art Center to reflect on the art showcased in the First Annual Wallingford Artist Exhibition. Usually this group meets twice a month in the library's Board Room where fans of poetry are welcome to read original poems and share their writing experiences with fellow poets. All teen and adult poets and poetry lovers are welcome. WOMEN ARTISTS Monday, December 14 6:30 p.m. Community Room Join Maureen O'Shea and Linda Maier from the New Britain Museum of American Art for a program on prominent American women artists from the 19th century through the present. This program features the lives and works of artists Lily Martin Spencer, Harriet Frishmuth, Georgia O'Keeffe, Lee Krasner and Cindy Sherman, and more. All are welcome, advance registration is appreciated. Refreshments will be served. This program is co-sponsored by the American Association of University Women. GARDEN CLUB HOLIDAY TEA Tuesday, December 15 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Community Room Join us to celebrate the spirit of the season at a Holiday Tea, presented by the Wallingford Garden Club in cooperation with the Wallingford Public Library. Enjoy delicious homemade treats as you marvel at the splendid display of holiday decorations that adorn the walls of the Community Rooom. All of the decorations are designed and made by Garden Club members. Bring your neighbors, family and friends to share the warmth and beauty of this traditional holiday tea and learn more about the Garden Club from members of this 79-year-old community organization. BEAUTIFUL VOICES, BEAUTIFUL HOLIDAY MUSIC Wednesday, December 16 7:00 p.m. Community Room The library is delighted to present a special holiday celebration featuring some beautiful voices from Choate Rosemary Hall's a cappella groups and Chamber Chorus. Program selections will be presented by the Maiyeros and the Kaprophones (boys' groups), Lilith and the Whimawehs (girls' groups), and Stonatos, a coed student-faculty ensemble. In addition to these student-run groups, Choate's select Chamber Chorus, directed by Ralph Valentine, will round out the program. The Choate students and faculty are eager to share their voices and good cheer with all who attend and all are welcome to this free program! WALLINGFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY: TEEN ZONE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB Wednesday, January 6: All of the Above by Shelley Pearsall 7:30 p.m. Board Room The Mother-Daughter Book Club is a great way to meet new people, read the hottest new books, and spend some quality time together. The Wallingford group is the state's oldest; it has been in existence for almost 20 years! All teen girls in grades 6 - 12 are invited to bring their mother or other adult female friend to read and discuss the book. Refreshments are served and a great time is had by all. Sign up today! HARRY POTTER WEEK FOR TEENS DECEMBER 7 - 12 Celebrate the magic of Harry Potter at the library! Look for the display in the Teen Area. Come to any or all of the Harry Potter themed events.
* Trivia Fun - Do you have a ton of HP factoids rattling around in your brain? Well then, pick up some Harry Potter trivia questions in the Teen Area of the library for your chance to win a prize! *Harry Potter Wii Tournament Wednesday, December 9 6:30 p.m. Community Room All teens in grades 6 - 12 are welcome to participate in a Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince duel. Cast spells on enemies with your want (Wii remote). Choose among Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Ginny & Malfoy. Advance registration is required. Sign up in person, by phone, or online (www.wallingford.lioninc.org) *Harry Potter Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (see Friday Night Flicks) December 11 6:30 p.m. Community Room *Life-Sized Chess Tournament Saturday, December 12 10:00 a.m. Community Room The Wallingford Chess Club, directed by Wayne Aguiar, is a great way to learn how to play chess and meet new friends. The library's Community Room will be transformed into a huge chess board just like the wizards use in Harry Potter. Beginners are always welcome at any session. Open to all students in grades K - 12. You may sign up online (www.wallingford.lioninc.org), in person, or by phone. STAR2 (Science, Space, Technology, Telescopes, Astronomy, Aviation, Robotics, Rocketry) Saturday, December 12 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Community Room - The Wallingford STAR² Club, directed by Wayne Aguiar, is a community-based and family-oriented organization open to the youth of Wallingford. The purpose of STAR² is to excite students about science, mathematics, and technology. The club is divided into age appropriate groups and themed stations. The special interest areas are: Robotics & Technology, Rockets & Aviation, and Space & Astronomy. Students in grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12 work at each station for one hour. STAR² meets on the second Saturday of each month in the Library's Community Room from 1:00-4:00. Registration for each meeting is encouraged in order to assure that there are enough materials. This free program is offered with the support of the Wallingford Department of Youth and Social Services. A full schedule and description of the club's activities are available on our web site. You may sign up in person, by phone, or online. Please contact the Information Desk for more details.
What you need to know.
Wallingford Flower and Gift Shoppe
Julian Padowicz, author of Mother and Me: Escape from Warsaw 1939 and the sequel, A Ship in the Harbor spoke at Wallingford Public Library on December 3. Mr Padowicz spoke of his excape from Nazi occupied Poland and his perilous journeys and adventures that finally brought his mother and him to the United States.
What you need to know.
Wallingford Flower offers Tasteful Fruit & Gourmet Baskets!!
Send a Festive Holiday Gift
Wallingford Flower and Gift Shoppe 190 Center Street, Wallingford 203.265.1514
Place your order today and don’t forget - we can deliver a suprise gift after Christmas too.
Fall Work Parties The Wallingford Land Trust had work party at Shookies Pond in October to plant shrubs along the border area near Blossom Lane. The work party included David Ellis, Matt Caruso, Joe McLaughlin and Ellie Tessmer who brought the plants. Plantings were done at the Orchard Glen Sign and Kiosk in November with David Ellis, Ellie Tessmer, Matt Caruso, Robert Page, Ken and Caryl Ryan, Chris Zacarelli, Carole Borsari and Rich Daniels with plants provided by Ellie Tessmer and Caryl Ryan. For more information please contact David Ellis at 203-269-9779. Or check the website at: www.wallingfordlandtrust.org. Photo by Ellie Tessmer of Ken and Caryl Ryan planting at the kiosk with president David Ellis
Page 13 December 2009
Wallingford issues reminder on clearing walks
Take Time to Thank Others
Property owners, tenants or occupants responsible for the care of properties with sidewalks, are required by Municipal Ordinance to protect and maintain the sidewalk in a safe and convenient condition for use by the public. This Municipal Ordinance also requires that snow and ice be removed from the sidewalk following the end of the storm. In the event that the ice can not be removed, the sidewalk shall be made as safe as possible, including the placement of sand or other suitable deicing materials. Sidewalks must be cleared of any snow or ice, within eighteen hours after the end of the storm. If the storm ends at night, the deadline for cleaning the sidewalks is 18 hours after sunrise. The cleared path must be a minimum of three feet wide. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Ordinance can result in a fine and also the actual costs for the Town to clear the sidewalk. The Mayor has aked for everyone's cooperation on this important issue. For the spirit of Christmas fulfils the greatest hunger of mankind. ~Loring A. Schuler
This time of year the Wallingford Health Dept. office is very busy, especially with the added responsibility of the H1N1 flu, seasonal flu, health surveys, grants, and not to mention our routine work load! I don't want to sound negative, it's just the opposite. I really want to focus on the incredible knowledgeable and patient folks who make it all work and they do it with a positive attitude, the Staff of the Wallingford Health Dept. Thank you Lucille for being flexible in your work hours to cover when no one else is here and for being truly a wonderful resource for our residents; George and Wendy for investigating complaints and making sure our restaurants are clean, safe and following the "rules"; Steve for accommodating our weekend and evening health dept needs (there are many), Dr. Smith for your medical expertise; and last but not least Mary who is unfortunately home due to an accident but still in good spirits. These are very busy times, be it at work or at home. It's important that we take a moment to rest now and then and most important to be appreciative of all we have, including family, friends, co-workers and our military members where ever they are serving. As we enter into the holiday rush, stop to say "Thank you", "Please" and "You're Welcome". Kind words last longer than store bought gifts. Have a healthy and happy season. Eloise Hazelwood - Wallingford Director of Health
Celebrations
The Wallingford Family YMCA Dolphins Swim Team would like to congratulate 4 of their swimmers who attained a National Top 16 Time in the women's 11-12 year old Medley Relay. The relay team's time of 4:55.46 earned the team a 16th place postion out of all the YMCAs in the U.S. Pictured from L to R are Claire Anderson, Brittany Driscoll, Amber Albe, and Holly Driscoll.
H1N1 Flu Vaccine Available at the Meriden Health Department The Meriden Health Department is now offering both the injectable and nasal spray forms of the H1N1 flu vaccine at no cost to Meriden residents. Due to the limited supply of H1N1 flu vaccine, at this time the following vaccine formulations are restricted for the following priority populations: The nasal spray version (LAIV) of the vaccine contains a live, weakened influenza virus and should only be used for healthy individuals 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant and those who fall into one of the current priority populations: * Healthy children aged 2 years through 24 years of age * Healthy household contacts and caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age The inactivated, injectable H1N1 vaccine is available to: * Pregnant women * Household contacts and caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age * All children ages 6 months through 6 years of age * Children between the ages of 7 and 24 with high risk medical conditions Please note that the injectable form of H1N1 vaccine is in short supply and should not be used in healthy persons aged 2 years through 24 years if the nasal spray is available. All children under the age of 10 will need two doses of the vaccine scheduled 4 weeks apart. The H1N1 vaccine is only effective against the H1N1 virus and does not protect against seasonal influenza. Residents are encouraged to get their seasonal flu shot, as well as the H1N1 vaccination as it becomes available for them. H1N1 vaccines are given at the Meriden Health Department, 165 Miller Street. Please contact the Clinic office at 630-4234 if you have any questions. Residents can also call the H1N1 influenza hotline operated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health at 1-800-830-9426 or view information on the Meriden Health Department's website, www.meridenhealth.com.
MERIDEN-PRESCHOOL CLASSES WILL Be STARTING OUR WINTER SESSION AT THE MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Expert Custom Picture Framing 101 NORTH PLAINS INDUSTRIAL ROAD WALLINGFORD * CT NOW OPEN SUNDAYS NOON TILL 3 P.M. till the holidays.
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Attention All Parents, Grandparents, and Caregivers: Get Out Of The House This Winter And Give Your Children The Gift Of Early Literacy. The Meriden Public Library's preschool classes teach creative expression, social skills, listening comprehension, and the foundation for reading through letter and number recognition and vocabulary building. Registration for these FREE programs begin the week of December 21st. All first time participants must show proof of age. Our winter session will be starting the week of January 11th. Programs will be as follows: On Mondays at 6:30 pm. we will be having a program for children in Kindergarten through Grade 2 with stories and crafts. Tuesdays at 10:30 am. is for children 2 years old-learning independence (with or without an adult), 11:15 am. for children 3-4 years old, 1:15 pm. for children 3-4 years old, and at 6:30 pm. for children 3-4 years old. Wednesdays at 10:30 am. for 2-3 years with a parent or caregiver, 11:15 am. for children 3-4 years old, and at 6:30 pm. 2 years with parent or caregiver. We will also be featuring Early Literacy Programs for children under the age of 2 and their parent/caregiver on Thursday mornings at 10:30 am. Join us for stories, finger plays, music and abundant social interaction. These programs will be on the following dates: January 7 & 21, February 4 & 18, March 5 & 18. For more information please call us at (203) 630-6347.
Need a great holiday gift for your Sportsman?
Hunting and Fishing Licenses are now available at the Wallingford Town Clerk’s Office. Surprise that someone special in your life. To purchase a license stop by Room 108 in the Wallingford Town Hall located at 45 South Main Street. We are open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. If you have any questions please call 203.294.2145.
Page 14 December 2009
Send in a Story! Send in a Picture! Send in a Poem! Send in a Drawing!
The Kids Press!
Send to: The People’s Press Kids Press P.O. Box 4459 Yalesville CT 06492 sierra@peoplespressnews.com
Hey Kids - have fun with the games in this issue. For our January issue tell us all about your holidays and what made them special. Tell Mom and Dad the deadline is December 28th. Email to sierra@peoplespressnews.com.
Now is the time to book Ruth for all of your 2010 Events.
Winter Registration Now Taking Place!! Adult, Young Artist And Kinderartist Classes. Give the Gift of Art this Christmas! Gift Certificates Available
EASEL WORKS
Creative Art Studio & Gallery
294-1548
2 Quinnipiac Street, Wallingford
Page 15 December 2009
A Cup of Christmas Tea By Barbara Sherburne Photo by Vikram Nath
There is a simply wonderful book with that title written by Tom Hegg and illustrated by Warren Hanson, published in 1982. It is actually a poem with illustrations on almost every page, and although I cannot reproduce it here, I am going to share some of what it is about. I was so taken by this poem that one year I made audio cassettes for many friends and family members for Christmas, and I got quite good at reciting it. The poem begins, "The log was in the fireplace, all spiced and set to burn. At last, the yearly Christmas race was in the clubhouse turn." I don't know how many years ago I started saying to people on September 1st, "And now begins the race to Christmas." It seems to me that once September comes, Christmas arrives shortly thereafter. The author of the poem speaks about cards being in the mail and he has a month's reprieve before his
What you need to know.
8th Annual ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Community Celebration A Huge Success…. Over 225 young women ages 9 – 18, their mothers/caregivers, and other attendees participated in the eighth annual ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! (I am Unique! I am Latina!) Community Celebration on Saturday, October 17th at Washington Middle School. The event presented education and information on developing and maintaining healthy lifestyles while also building self-esteem. Guest speakers included Meriden Mayor Mike Rhode, Assistant Vice Principal, Lincoln Middle School, Lysette Torres and State Representative Cathy Abercrombie. The keynote speaker Ana Alfaro encouraged the group to seek role models and to network with people. She also challenged the young women to get an education. The celebration also featured 12 community agencies as part of the wellness expo that distributed information to the attendees. After lunch the girls and mothers/caregivers were treated to entertainment by five-year-old Miguel Cardona, Jr. and his three-year-old sister Celine. Other performances included local groups Xtreme Impact, Young Stars and Unique Stylez. These dancers also taught their moves to participants of all ages! The day ended with door prizes from a large number of area businesses and individuals. Special thanks to Matthew Fiderio for setting up his sound system. One participant wrote on her evaluation, “I think Soy Unica! Soy Latina! is a really great program for all girls because they can come together and just talk about anything. I’m looking forward to coming NEXT YEAR!! THANKS.” Major sponsorship for Soy Unica! Soy Latina! was provided by Cox Communications and the James H. Napier Foundation. Other sponsors included the Patricia Aubé Memorial Foundation, Cuno Foundation, Rushford, Inc., and MidState Medical Center. The Meriden and Wallingford Substance Abuse Council organized the event, along with an organizing committee from various agencies. The Meriden and Wallingford Substance Abuse Council is a regional action council that provides community-based education and information to children and adults on substance abuse, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and other addictive behaviors. For more information, contact Christelle Aubé at MAWSAC at 203-294-3591or go to our website at www.mawsac.org
credit card bills catch up with him. I guess even in 1982 that was the case. He received a letter from his great aunt a week before, and she invited him to visit her. "But if you find you have some time, how wonderful if we Could have a little chat and share a cup of Christmas tea." He didn't want to go. She had had a mild stroke that had crippled her left side, and he wanted to remember her as she once had been, vigorous and funny, and not crippled and old. He felt it would be depressing to see her, but he was also feeling guilty, so he put his excuses aside, and headed out the door. How many of us have put off visiting someone because it just seemed like too much of a bother, and boy, how boring it would be? I've done it. There are times I have dreaded something so much that I could have convinced myself not to go, and then wind up having a really good time. So he drives from the suburbs to the older part of town, parks his car, and doesn't know how he got up to her door. "I watched my hand rise up and press the button of the bell." And as he was waiting for her to come to the door, he thinks about leaving. And then, "I heard the rattle of the china in the hutch against the wall. The triple beat of two feet and a crutch came down the hall." She immediately took away his fears and invited him in with an upbeat sound to her voice. Then he steps into her house decorated for Christmas and smelling of oranges, cinnamon, and pine. She even had old Christmas cards displayed that he and his siblings had made as kids. They sat and talked about many things, and she was positive and encouraging and still had a sense of humor. And then she went to brew the tea. "I sat alone with feelings that I hadn't felt in years. I looked around at Christmas through a thick, hot blur of tears." He looks around at all the things she arranged on the shelves, the candles, the holly, the ornaments on the tree, a plate of homemade cookies on a table, and in thinking about his very real memories, he realizes that his great aunt, despite her stroke and frailty, had kept Christmas deep within, and she embodied "the triumph of a soul." This is the essence of this poem, I believe, keeping Christmas within, and not just on December 25th. I am sure that you see the same things I see: People who are angry, unhappy, stressed out, bitter, and just generally miserable. When I see a person with any of these traits in my job at the convenience store or elsewhere, I at least smile at them and try to find something to compliment them about and get them to smile also, but it doesn't always work. Some people are just determined to be miserable, such as Ebenezer Scrooge. I think we would have an almost ideal world if we were able to carry Christmas in our hearts all the yearlong. The more or less inevitable rush to Christmas is upon us, but wouldn't it be nice to slow it down, take time to visit an elderly relative or friend, and just be kinder than necessary? Remember that quote? "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." I wish people would carry that quote around with them, especially in the car. "She poured two cups. She smiled, and then she handed one to me, And then, we settled back and had a cup of Christmas tea." May you all be blessed with great health, a good job, much joy and happiness, and may you also share a cup of Christmas tea with someone you love. Barbara Sherburne barndt49@yahoo.com
Page 16 December 2009
NATURE AS A MIRROR By Dorothy Gonick CRANBERRIES Rooted in swampy bogs, Uniquely growing vines Bearing cranberries. The gleaming red of cranberries met my eyes as I entered the local grocery last week. Thoughts of Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts cheered me, and tempered the chilly weather outside. Visions of sauces, relishes, and varied cranberry desserts swam through my thoughts. The glossy berries soon winked up at me from the cart, ready to fulfill their destiny. These cranberries have had a unique growth period. Growing in sand-covered peat bogs, the woody vines may have been growing for over 100 years, yet still produce berries. The low-lying vines form a thick mat over the sandy bed, which may be flooded for harvesting. The berries will rise to the surface, then be scooped into bags and shipped for processing into beverages, sauces or other tempting treats. Other cranberries will not be flooded but harvested with scoops, then bagged and shipped for packaging, destined to supply grocery stores for us, the consumers. After harvesting, new flower buds form on the upright branches and lie dormant through the winter. Bogs are usually flooded to protect the buds from fluctuations of temperature. By late April or May, new leaves appear and the flower buds begin to grow and will open during the month of June. While blooming the petals open and twist back, revealing a part of the flower that looks like the head and bill of a crane; from which the berry received its name of cranberry. The bogs soon resemble a pink carpet at which time the growers introduce bees to pollinate the flowers. Tiny fruits form and the cranberries are on the way toward maturity.
It’s time to celebrate the good tastes of the Holiday Season! Rosa’s offers the best pies and treats for Christmas and New Years! Call now to place your order! Pumpkin, Apple, Apple Crumb, Cherry, Blueberry, Peach, Pecan, Lemon Merangue,Chocolate Cream, Pumpkin Cheese Cake, Cheese Cake with your choice of toppings. Also Italian Pastries from Milani’s!
The uniqueness of growth and harvesting of cranberries leads me to reflect on the many different forms of plant life and their pattern of maturation. The pine tree, the radish, the rose bush and grape vine each follows its set way of growth; each different yet each characteristic of its own species. God must have had fun creating all that surrounds us. Among our friends and associates we are aware that their life experiences have influenced their growth and outlook on life. We each have developed out own individual characteristics and outlook on life; weathering the chilly times and expanding in the sunny seasons, thus creating a diverse blend of humanity. Our lives are enriched by our friends, family and the daily events that fill our lives.
SANTA ON THE TROLLEY Ride the trolley to visit with Santa! Each child receives a gift. Toy train layouts to see and refreshments for all. Weekends starting November 28 through December 20 at The Shore Line Trolley Museum. Santa hours: Sat and Sun 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River St, East Haven. Adults $8, Seniors $6, Children (2-15) $4.
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NOW is the time to call Rosa’s for your Company or Family Holiday Party!!! Rosa’s Italian Deli, LLC imported and domestic foods party platters • hot and cold subs to go
Open Monday-Saturday 830-6 closed Sunday Tel: 203-265-1487 • 57 North Colony Street, Wallingford, CT 06492 •
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Page 17 December 2009
WALLINGFORD SENIOR CENTER SOCIAL SINGLES Thursday, December 3, 6:00 PM Social Singles is an independent group of single men and women aged 60 to 74, who meet socially to enjoy a variety of activities. Senior Center members are welcome to bring non-member friends. Social Singles meets on the first Thursday of the month at 6:00 P.M., at the Senior Center, to plan activities. This month's meeting will have a holiday flair! Please call for additional information and to make your reservation. COPING WITH THE HOLIDAYS Monday, December 14, 10:30 AM Do the holidays make you feel blue? Are you sad about losses in your life or do you have financial or other worries? Irene O'Brien, Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Visiting Nurse Association of Wallingford will offer ways to cope with the stresses that holiday time can bring. Please sign up if you plan to attend. CHRISTMAS PARTY with the LHHS CHORUS Tuesday, December 22, 10:30 AM Come listen to the wonderful sounds of the Lyman Hall High School Chorus at our Christmas Party on December 22. The students will perform selections from their winter concert and lead us in a carol-sing. You can also expect a few Christmas surprises! Make plans to enjoy a special holiday meal following the celebration. NEW YEAR'S PARTY @ ZANDRI'S STILLWOOD INN Wednesday, December 30, 1:00 - 4:00 PM Let's dress up and go out to welcome in the New Year! A delicious dinner (featuring your choice of Roast Beef, Stuffed Filet of Sole, or Stuffed Breast of Chicken), dancing music provided by the Stan Scott Band, and a cash bar will ensure a wonderful celebration. Tickets, which are $25.00 for members and $28.00 for non-members, are on sale through December 21. All are welcome - invite your friends! MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY VAN Monday, December 28 A mammogram is a vital step in a woman's overall preventive health care. Early detection is key in the fight against breast cancer. The Yale Digital Mobile Mammography Van will be at the Wallingford Senior Center on December 28 from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. If you have not had your annual mammogram, call 688-6800 to schedule your appointment. WSC GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE - Looking for that perfect holiday gift? Consider purchasing a Wallingford Senior Center Gift Certificate for a family member or friend. Our gift certificates, which are available at the front desk, may be used toward senior center classes, trips, special events, and Lake View CafĂŠ meals. Computer Learning Center of Wallingford Registration Date: Tuesday, December 8, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM WALLINGFORD SENIOR CENTER HOLIDAY HOURS OF OPERATION *December 24, Christmas Eve Day, Close at 1:00 PM * December 25, Christmas Day, Closed * December 30, New Year's Party at Stillwood Inn, 1:00 to 4:00 PM (Center closes 1:00 p.m.) * December 31, New Year's Eve Day, Close at 1:00 PM *January 1, New Year's Eve Day, Closed SOCIAL SERVICES IN ORDER TO SERVE YOU BETTER, PLEASE CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SOCIAL WORKER, EILEEN FLYNN, AT 265 7753. THANK YOU. LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP - THERE WILL BE NO LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP IN DECEMBER. VETERANS SERVICES Tuesday, December 22, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm George Messier, Veterans Services Officer for the Town of Wallingford, will be available to answer questions and assist with benefit information. An appointment is required. Please call 265 7753. ASK AN ATTORNEY Thursday, December 10, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Attorney Daniel O. Tully of Kilbourne & Tully, PC will be available to give free legal advice to those who have questions or need some direction with legal issues. To schedule an appointment, please call 265-7753. WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? INTERFAITH VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS TRAINING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Do you have some time and would like to make a difference in a person's life? Many seniors have no family in the area and are unable to get to doctors or shopping without someone to provide transportation. Other seniors who live alone are isolated and would appreciate someone to visit with and provide some socialization. You could make a big difference in their life just by offering a few hours to meet some of these needs. A training session will be provided by Barbara Barlok, from Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, on Tuesday, December 3. Please consider attending by registering at 265 7753. BENEFITS SCREENING Tuesday, December 15, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Do you often wonder if you might be eligible for any State or Federal programs? Benefits QuickLINK is a free and confidential program which can quickly screen for eligibility. Supporting Documents are not required, but please bring the following information with you to your appointment: 1. Monthly income (social security, pension, dividends and interest). 2. Monthly expenses (heating, fuel, gas, electricity, water, telephone, rent or mortgage payments and medical expenses not covered by health insurance). 3. Asset information (savings, estimated value of home and car, life insurance benefits). 4. A list of all current prescriptions. Registration required. Call 265 7753 now to schedule an appointment. DO YOU RECEIVE A PENSION? IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT PENSION WITHHOLDING Pensioners do not qualify for the Making Work Pay Credit unless they have earned income. However, the new withholding tables apply to all taxpayers, including pensioners. The withholding tables decreased Federal Tax withholdings on pensions, too. If you receive a pension, you may want to contact your accountant, tax preparer, go to your local IRS Office or use the IRS.Gov for help. The IRS has a withholding calculator that pensioners and others can use to make sure enough tax is being withheld from their pay. HELP WITH SNOW REMOVAL - Need assistance with snow removal? The YOUTH JOB BANK of Wallingford's Youth & Social Services Department can help. They will find a student from Wallingford to shovel snow for a fee you negotiate directly with the student. You can call the JOB BANK to request assistance before it snows, this way a student will be assigned to assist you prior to a snowfall. Please call 294 2175 to request a student or to get additional information. FOOD STAMP PROGRAM (SNAP) - The State Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly the Food Stamp Program) has changed its eligibility criteria effective July 1, 2009. Income limits have been increased and there is no asset limit when applying for this program. oSingle Income: $1,669.00 month oCouple Income: $2,246.00 month For more information or to schedule an appointment to apply for this program, please call Eileen Flynn, Social Worker at 265 7753. MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM - IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM The Medicare Savings Program assists individuals who meet the income and asset guidelines to pay their Medicare Part B premium. Effective October l, 2009 income limits greatly increased and there is no longer an asset limit for any of the programs. This change is especially important since there will not be any COLA in Social Security for 2010. Many individuals who did not qualify for this program in the past can now qualify. The income guidelines are as follows: INCOMEASSETS Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) Single $1,778.91 NO CAP Couple $2,393.55 NO CAP Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Single $1,959.51 Couple $2,636.55
NO CAP NO CAP
Additional Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (ALMB/QI) Single $2,091.67 NO CAP Couple $2,816.67 NO CAP If you fall within these guidelines, the State may be able to pay the Medicare Part B premium. Please call Eileen Flynn, Social Worker, at 265-7753 to schedule an appointment or to receive additional information. Continued on Page 18
The submission deadline for the January issue of THE PEOPLES PRESS is December 29th. Don't forget to send your holiday greeting. Email your stories, news, celebrations and photos to andy@peoplespressnews.com. Sign up to be a subscriber at www.peoplespressnews.com for updates, reminders and special offers. If we can help in any way please call 203-235-9333.
What you need to know.
The Wallingford Family YMCA Dolphin Swim Team recently held a twoweek long food drive in conjunction with Governor Rell's Connecticut Day of Caring and Compassion. The team brought in 268 non-perishable food items that were delivered to a local food pantry. Pictured is the Purple One practice group who managed to bring in 92 items!
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Page 18 December 2009
Sheehan Hockey Vs. Lyman Hall Hockey ALUMNI HOCKEY GAME SATURDAY, JANUARY 2nd - 5:30 PM AT CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL Proceeds to benefit ex-Sheehan Hockey Coach & Wallingford Firefighter Rick Garrison's Fight Against Cancer Monetary Donations Will Be Accepted at the Door --If you cannot attend but would like to make a donation, contact Bill Capozzi at wcapozzi@comcast.net. Sheehan vs. Lyman Hall High School Game immediately following at 7 PM. Tickets for this event are: $6.00/Adults & $4.00/Students to be purchased at the door. If you are interested in playing, please contact: Vin DiGioia at sheehan@sheehanhockey.com for Sheehan Brian Weir at brianweir16@comcast.net for Lyman Hall I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. ~Charles Dickens Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home. ~Carol Nelson
A Tradition that Suits you...
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Continued from Page 17 CT ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 2009-2010 HEATING SEASON **IMPORTANT: Please note New Opportunities of Greater Meriden has 45 days from the date of application to send a letter of certification to the individual. Please keep this in mind when considering when to schedule your appointment. The Wallingford Senior Center is an intake site for Wallingford residents, age 60 and over. The program provides financial assistance to income-eligible households to pay for a portion of their heating costs. Applications for deliverable fuel (oil and kerosene only) began Tuesday, September 8 and are ongoing. First day for fuel deliveries which can be paid for by CEAP is November 1. Gas and electric customers can call beginning November 10 for an appointment. Income limits are presently $30,485 for a single person and $39,865 for a couple. Asset limits also apply. Applications are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 265-7753. DAILY ACTIVITIES FOR INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM Do you have a loved one in need of socialization and guidance throughout the day? The Daily Activities for Independence program is a small, structured, social-model day program designed for seniors age 60 and over. With additional support of this type seniors can be highly active and independent. Program is open Monday through Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. with transportation available for Wallingford residents. Contact Melinda Welch, DAI Coordinator at 203-265-7753 Ext. 205 or e-mail mwelch@wlfdseniorctr.com. VISIT our website at www.WLFDSENIORCTR.COM!
Wallingford Powder Puff Where did the 2009 Wallingford's Powder Puff Senior Girls come from? By: Maggie Griffin The year was 1992, a year to remember. It was a year of tumult, a year of change, a year in which we could rejoice…1992! Washington beat Michigan 34-14 in the Rose Bowl; jockey Pat Day rode Lil E. Tee to the winner's circle in the Kentucky Derby, and the Pittsburg Penguins pirated home the Stanley Cup. The Toronto Blue Jays snatched the World Series from the Atlanta Braves 4-2. The Washington Redskins won Super Bowl XXVI over the Buffalo Bills. In 1992, it was a year of dramatic change, a year of endurance, a year that the Class of 2010's Wallingford's Lyman Hall High School and Sheehan High School Powder Puff Girls were born to play the 38th Annual Samaha Bowl on November 25th, 2009. A Wallingford Town tradition during the Thanksgiving Holiday since 1972, like all the events that took place the year the Powder Puff Girls were born, this event is not only a tradition, but an event that grew throughout the years where it brought unity between the two Wallingford High Schools, playing the all time American Sport of Football; and the Boys get to Cheerlead. Both teams from both High Schools in Wallingford, ready to play in a traditional rival game, learned the value of good sportsmanship. As quoted from many of the team players, they all said the same; "It doesn't matter if we win or lose, what's important is how we play the game and live to remember an experience that will last a life time". Just imagine this all began in 1972. 20 years later these players were born in 1992 to play the 38th Annual Powder Puff game in November of 2009, the year that the New York Yankees won the World Series for the 27th time. Congratulations on a year to remember to Sheehan and Lyman Hall Powder Puff Teams, Class of 2010!
The Meriden Fire Department Local 1148 The Meriden Fire Department Local 1148 would like to wish everyone a SAFE and HAPPY Holiday Season. We know this can be a difficult time for many people and that's why we want you to know there's help available to all who need it. The United Way has an outreach program to assist those in need of food, shelter, child care, energy assistance, suicide prevention, senior and veteran services and more. Your Meriden Firefighters' Local 1148 urges anyone in need of help to dial 2-1-1, a toll free, multilingual, confidential, 24-hour hotline. You can also visit their website, www.211ct.org, for more information.
December Events at the Augusta: The Augusta Curtis Cultural Center is located on 175 East Main Street in Meriden. Holiday Tree & Item Display Silent Auction will continue through and including Monday, Dec. 14th. Viewing times are as follows: Dec. 4th(11-3), 5th(5-9), 7th(6-9), 8th(2-7), 9th(10-4), 10th(2-7),11th(11-3), 12th(6-9), 14th(10-8). There is no admission to view the Holiday Display. Carabase Training's Fit Body Boot Camp Every Tue. & Thursday through Dec. in the Community Room If you are interested in joining this fitness training group phone Joe Carabase at 860-918-3057. Workout is taylored to each individuals needs. Casino Trip to Foxwoods/MGM Grand Trip to see Daniel Taylor perform in the finals of Talent show to be held at the MGM Grand. Departing the Center at 10:00am, Tickets are $40.00 and include $10 in food coupons, busdriver tip, busride, and $15 in gambling coupons. Bus will depart Casino at 5:45. August Curtis Concert Band Holiday Concert will be held on Monday, Dec. 14th at 7:00pm. Tickets will be $5.00 and they will be performing their annual Holiday Program of many Holiday favorites. Join us the ACCB for a wonderful Holiday event! This will also be the last opportunity to see the Holiday display at the Center and to bid on your favorite item! For more information on any of the above listed events or the ACCC's upcoming events visit the website at www.curtisculturalcenter.org or call 203-639-2856. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Reindeer Facts
While these animals may not be able to soar through the skies (without the help of the jolly fellow in red that is), there are some interesting facts about reindeer to enjoy. · Reindeer reside in the Arctic north. They can be found in North America, Asia and Europe. · These animals are cousins of the caribou, which are larger than reindeer. · Reindeer can pull a full sleigh at a speed of 12 to 15 miles per hour.
Page 19 December 2009
Before you call I will answer -Janet Althouse At the age of 52, I became a widow. I didn't know what I was going to do with my life. It seemed it was easier to be away from home than it was to be at home. I could pretend that my husband was just waiting for my return. So, I decided to travel. I had never done a lot of long distance driving, especially by my self, but from the beginning, I knew God was with me. I never had a mishap, never hit a deer or any other animal. Never got a ticket. I always felt safe. I would play my Christian tapes and the miles would fly by. I had a friend who lived in South Carolina and it was about a 12 hour drive. Being summer it stayed day light till around 9:00 in the evening, so I left home one Sunday morning about 9:00 a.m. headed for my friend's house. I was about an hour from her place and my car started to lose speed. I was low on gas and decided to get off and get the tank filled up. I stopped at the end of the off ramp and my car would not start. Of course, when the car started to act up, I started to pray. I asked God to help me and to ask my friends at home to pray for me. As I sat there not having any idea what to do, cars started going around me and some stopped and asked me if I needed help. One was a woman in her mid thirties, I would guess, and she was alone. She pulled off the road and asked if she could help me. Then this guy stopped and he said he would take a look under the hood. He pushed me off to the side of the road and checked under the hood. He said he was a mechanic and that I would need a tow. He pushed me across the street into a gas station and called a few tow trucks to see if someone could come get me. It was Sunday night and he had to call a couple before someone agreed. In the meantime, this lady stayed with me. The mechanic said he would have the tow truck tow my car to the garage where he worked. I said okay and the lady asked where I would stay. I said probably a motel. She helped me get my luggage out of my car and put it in hers. Then we followed the tow truck in her car. When we reached the garage, the tow truck driver wanted his money. I tried to give him a credit card, but he wanted cash. Fortunately, I had enough to pay him, but was left with about $5 in cash. The lady then decided I should go home with her and spend the night with her and her daughter. She took me to her apartment and fixed me a sandwich. I was going to sleep on her couch, but she decided that since her young daughter was out and would be coming home later, that I should sleep in her bed so her daughter would not be frightened to see a strange woman sleeping on the couch. She put clean linens on her bed and I slept in her bed. In the morning she had to leave early to go to work, but first took me to the garage where my car had been towed. I thanked her so much and got her name and address. Before she left, she gave me $5 to get myself some breakfast. Like the title of this story states, "Before you call, I will answer." God knew I would need an angel and he had a couple of them all primed to help me. The lady had been on her way home from church and felt God's nudge to give me a helping hand. The guy, too, was definitely an angel to give me all that help. I sat in that garage all day while they tried to find out what was wrong with my car. They did not want it to be the fuel pump because they would have to take off the gas tank to get at it, but eventually that's what they had to do. I enjoyed telling everyone there waiting for their cars, about my angels. One older man was a little upset because they broke down on the highway, too, and his son had to walk quite a distance to get them some help. I just smiled and kept on giving God all the credit.
"Sheltering an Animal's Perspective" by Gregory M. Simpson It was a banner first year for Connecticut Votes for Animals (CVA), for which I am proud to say I am a member of the advisory board. Under the leadership of ASPCA attorney Debora Bresch and Our Companions Animal Sanctuary CEO Susan Linker, CVA saw one of the first bills it lobbied passed and signed into law by Governor Jodi Rell on July 8th, the Puppy Lemon Law Bill. The Puppy Lemon Law Bill will provide greater protection for consumers and animals sold in pet stores. This new law encourages the sale of healthy animals in several key ways. It increases the potential veterinary reimbursement from $200 to $500 and allows this reimbursement for congenital defects without the need to return the animal. The law also increases the window for this reimbursement from 15 to 20 days. Critically, pet stores will now be required to purchase out-of-state animals only from USDA and state licensed breeders. As an important consumer measure, pet stores will be required to provide consumers with breeder/dealer information to fully disclose the source of the animals. Connecticut Votes for Animals is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(4) organization, whose aim is to mobilize the public to support animals through their political choices. It serves as the political arm of the state's animal protection movement by advocating pro-animal policies and engaging public support for the passage of animal friendly laws and opposition to proposals harmful to animals. CVA is Connecticut's only grass roots organization that gives animals a voice in the Legislature. Members are provided with political "scorecards" so that they can make a difference at the polls by electing animal friendly legislators. Connecticut Votes for Animals educates the public regarding animal protection issues and safeguards the interests of animals by making their well-being a priority for elected leaders. During this past legislative session, CVA tracked over 20 bills, ranging from acts concerning humane education and the treatment of elephants to an act requiring court ordered counseling for juveniles charged or convicted of animal cruelty. Most proposed bills do not become law, especially the first time they are raised. In the last legislative session, CVA also lobbied to pass a bill to prevent the constant tethering of dogs, i.e., chaining or confinement. The current law is vague and animal control officers are not able to enforce it. As a result, dogs in Connecticut can be chained or confined day and night. This is not only cruel to the dogs but also poses a public safety threat as chained dogs are three times more likely to bite people. Unfortunately, the draft Tethering and Confinement Bill required additional work. With your assistance as a CVA member, a Tethering and Confinement Bill can be passed in the next legislative session, ensuring that the outcome of cases like the one in Hartford, where dogs were found stacked in crates in a shed, are very different. Currently, excessive confinement alone is not sufficient to warrant charges under Connecticut's animal cruelty law. Next session, Connecticut Votes for Animals, with animal control officers and the ASPCA, will work to get the Tethering and Confinement Bill passed. But it cannot be done without grass roots power. As the anthropologist Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Animals don't vote, people do, so share your support by becoming a member of Connecticut Votes for Animals. A $25 non-tax deductible donation can be mailed to Connecticut Votes for Animals, P.O. Box 266 Cheshire, CT 06410. Or you may sign up on-line at: www.ctvotesforanimals.org For the animals, Gregory M. Simpson Gregory Simpson's animal welfare involvement spans over 25 years, having provided leadership for several Connecticut organizations, as well as having served as state advisor to the national Friends of Animals. Currently a Board member of Protectors of Animals, Inc., he was chosen by CAT FANCY magazine as one of the ultimate cat lovers in the U.S. He is also a member of the Cat Writers' Association.
To advertise with Wallingford and Meridens Community NewsMagazine, The People's Press - Call Andy Reynolds at 203.235.9333 or email him at andy@peoplespressnews.com. Experience the power of positive for the readers and writers you will sponsor as well as the return on your investment. Check out the paper in its many forms at www.peoplespressnews.com! The deadline for our January issue is December 29th..
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The Yalesville Volunteer Fire Department is hosting Our 8th Annual FILL A FIRE TRUCK WITH TOYS Event All toys and proceeds will be donated to and distributed by the Wallingford Holiday For Giving Committee. Please bring new unwrapped toys to the Yalesville Volunteer Fire Station at 143 Hope Hill Road, Yalesville. Friday December 11 from 4-8PM Saturday December 12 from 8AM-4PM
We have the BEST Birthday Parties!
Page 20 December 2009
There is a remarkable breakdown of taste and intelligence at Christmastime. Mature, responsible grown men wear neckties made of holly leaves and drink alcoholic beverages with raw egg yolks and cottage cheese in them.
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WALLINGFORD SELECTED FOR STATEWIDE POLICY CHANGE INITIATIVE TO REVERESE CHILDHOOD OBESITY EPIDEMIC One of 16 Communities to join YMCA of the USA's Statewide Pioneering Healthier Communities The Wallingford Family YMCA Joins a national movement to promote healthier options statewide YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the nation's 2,686 YMCAs, announced that Wallingford, CT has been selected as one of 16 communities in three states to build a statewide network for reducing childhood obesity through its Activate America®: Statewide Pioneering Healthier Communities (PHC) initiative. Y-USA will draw on its successful community-level PHC model, applying its experiences and existing networks of State Alliances to support policy, environmental and systems changes statewide. Through Pioneering Healthier Communities, launched six years ago, local YMCAs serve as "convenors," bringing together high-level representatives from the government, non-profit, and private sectors to drive meaningful change in each of their communities. PHC focuses on collaborative engagement with community leaders, how environments influence health and well-being, and the role that public policy plays in sustaining change. The Wallingford Family YMCA applied for this program, and was selected after competitive review process. As of this summer, there are 138 communities participating in Y-USA's Healthier Communities Initiatives. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) recently committed $6.8 million over five years to support the expansion of Y-USA's PHC initiative. Sixteen communities in Connecticut, Kentucky and Tennessee are the first group funded by RWJF, with communities in three more states to be selected in 2010. The Activate Wallingford team will receive funding over a two year period to cover training and seed the implementation of a community action plan. "The Pioneering Healthier Communities' team-based approach allows communities to provide a cohesive response to the lifestyle challenges facing our nation," said Neil Nicoll, president and chief executive officer, YMCA of the USA. "By connecting the leaders who can affect change, communities are helping to make healthy behaviors an easier choice, not just the healthier choice. These improved opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating are laying a foundation to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases that have taken such a serious toll on our community members." According to Nicoll, reducing childhood obesity will require the combination of policy and environmental changes. Therefore, the impetus is enormous for organizing at the local and state levels to develop policy strategies that will affect communities that are heaviest burdened by the epidemic. The Activate Wallingford team consists of community partners John Gawlak, Director of Parks and Recreation, Craig Turner, Director of Youth and Social Services, Mayor William Dickinson, Superintendant of Schools Salvatore Menzo, State Representative Mary Muchinsky, Jim Ieronimo, Executive Director of the United Way of Meriden/Wallingford, Lynn Faria, Community Relations for Midstate Hospital, Elouise Hazelwood, Director of Health, Larry Wood, Executive Director of Benhaven School, Blanca Santana, Executive Director of the Spanish Community of Wallingford, Peter Struble, Town of Wallingford Fire Chief, Mark Graham, YMCA Health & Wellness Director, and Sean Doherty, Executive Director of the Wallingford Family YMCA. The effective transition of the local PHC model into statewide policy impact will require the coordination and cooperation of many agencies and groups. At the state level, the State of Connecticut Alliance will engage a team of state policy-makers and leaders to examine existing policies and practices regarding childhood obesity, and to propose a state action plan to respond to the public health challenges of obesity, physical inactivity and poor nutrition. The statewide stakeholder team will work in partnership with the community leadership teams in Connecticut to ensure that each community action plan supports statewide efforts. Locally, Wallingford has sent its lead members from its PHC team, called coaches, to attend a Coaches Meeting in September 2009 in Washington, D.C., learning methods and strategies for building and facilitating community leadership teams. The complete leadership will return to Washington, D.C. in February 2010 for a conference at which it will learn strategies for policy and environmental change from the nation's leading experts in physical activity, nutrition and building healthy environments. For more information about this initiative please contact Sean Doherty, Wallingford Family YMCA, 269-4497 or sdoherty@wallingfordymca.org. You can also find more information about Pioneering Healthier Communities by going to www.ymca.net/activateamerica.
SANTA CLAUS AND THE LITTLE JEWISH GIRL UPSTAIRS
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Her name was Veronica O'Rourke. We were children together, long ago. And anything that is reminiscent of Christmas, from a paper napkin with his nibs, Santa Claus, on it, a popcorn ball, a package tied with red ribbon, the smell of pine needles, the merest suggestion of the season, brings back the whole lovely memory of the days when I was five years old and Veronica and her family reminded Santa Claus not to forget the little Jewish girl upstairs. Yes, Veronica and her entire family, her mother and father, her aunts, her uncle with the motorcycle, very kind elderly ladies who loved children, who spent a long time helping them make their selections. What fun we had when Veronica came upstairs with her mother during Hannukah, which occurred around the Christmas season. My mom served potato pancakes wiith confectionary sugar and apple sauce and sour cream. Our mothers had coffee but Veronica and I had tea and milk. Oh, how grown-up we felt! Then we played the dreidel games (Dreidel means top.) There were wonderful prizes. Veronica won a fake fur coat and muff for Big Doll which my mother had made. My prize was a quilted carriage cover for my yellow wicker doll carriage. I remember shivering with excitement and jumping up and down with my little friend. Before our guests went home, mother lighted the Hanukah candles--the menorah, she carefully explained, contained eight little Hanukah candles, and the shamas, and the holiday of Hanukah. Some Jewish children received a little present each of the eight days of Hanukah. But in my house, Mom promised to do special things, such as baking chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, stopping at Loft's for an ice cream soda, where I had my hair cut in the big department store down town. Or getting a nickel for five little penny dolls sold by the Behrendt sisters, for that was so impressive. All of the O'Rourkes, bless their hearts, put in a good word for me with Santa. And do you know, he never forgot me. One year I got my iron. What an unforgettable present. Just like mother's, only I could carry it all by myself. Another year it was a little painted metal tea set. Veronica and I played together many happy hours in our special place. Our piano had been delivered in a wooden box, shaped exactly like an upright piano. This was an ideal playroom for two very little girls. I remember the daily tea parties we had there, with water for tea, served in my little metal Christmas tea set, the cups holding a thimble full, but so good with the Johnny cake Veronica contributed. Veronica brought several dolls and mine were always present. And we talked to them as if they were human. To us, they were. My little brown baby doll was a favorite. She sat in the little high chair, a present from Santa Claus who was tipped off by the O'Rourkes. My Indian doll in full costume sat on a shoe box turned upside down. The little sailor doll was a darling, too. And just as cuddly as the others. Veronica had a smaller family, in numbers, that is, but her big doll wore clothes about size four. There were probably others in Veronica's family, but Big Doll is the only one that my memory can project. Our utensils, or silverware, consisted of toothpicks. And our serving dishes, little enameled pans, given to us by Mr. Halper, who lived on the third floor. He sold them in larger sizes but used these as samples. We got the obsolete. I don't suppose I could enter it at this stage of my life, but what wouldn't I give for a glimpse of our special place, Veronica's and mine, with all our furnishings in tact--the shoe box sofa, the little high chair that Santa Claus delivered himself while I was sleeping, the enamel pans, the toothpicks, the johnny cake, the gorgeous tea set. They're all gone now, of course, but in my memory they're as vivid as can be. And vivid also, is the memory of Veronica and all my O'Rourkes, who never forgot at Christmastime, to remind Santa Claus about the little Jewish girl upstairs. Selma Panthauer Nov. 27, 1912--Oct, 31, 1992 Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for - I don't know what exactly, but it's something that you don't mind so much not having at other times. ~Kate L. Bosher I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day. We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindliness and humanity of the whole year. As for me, I like to take my Christmas a little at a time, all through the year. And thus I drift along into the holidays - let them overtake me unexpectedly - waking up some find morning and suddenly saying to myself: "Why, this is Christmas Day!" ~David Grayson
Page 21 December 2009
INTRODUCTION TO SPRING BOARD DIVING SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2009 SHEEHAN POOL 3-4:30PM This 1 ½ hour workshop will present the basics of springboard diving. There will be demonstrations by current high school divers. Basic approach and entries will be taught and all participants will have the opportunity to practice each skill. The workshop will be conducted by Margie Rodgers, Cheshire H.S. Diving Coach. There will be a certified lifeguard on duty. Participants must be able to swim at a Guppy level or Purple 1. Participants must be 7-13 years old and able to do a standing dive off the deck. Registration is at the Wallingford Family YMCA or 203 269 4497. Space will be limited to 12 participants. YMCA Members: $20 Community Participants: $30 www.wallingfordymca.org 203 269 4497
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Healthy Eating Tips for Holiday Parties & Dinners 'Tis the season for holiday parties, fruit cake, and eggnog! We all tend to overindulge during the holidays, hoping our New Year's Resolutions last long enough to wipe out all the overeating and lack of physical activity that happened over the last month or so. Follow these tips from the Meriden Health Department to enjoy the holidays and still button your pants come January 1, 2010! 1. Focus on weight maintenance vs. weight loss during the holidays. If you are currently overweight and want to lose weight, this is not the best time to do it. Maintenance of your present weight is a big enough challenge during the holiday season. 2. Plan on NOT dieting after the New Year. Anticipation of food restriction sets you up for binge-type eating over the holidays ("after all, if I'm never going let myself eat this again after Jan. 1st, I might as well eat as much as possible now!") Besides, restrictive diets don't work in the long run. They increase your loss of lean body mass vs. fat, slow down your metabolism, increase anxiety, depression, food preoccupation, and binge eating, and make weight re-gain more likely. 3. Be physically active every day. Often, our busy holiday schedules bump us off our exercise routines. Physical activity, especially aerobic activities (like brisk walking, jogging, bicycling, and swimming) can help relieve stress, regulate appetite, and burn up extra calories from holiday eating. The Meriden Health Department has a limited number of pedometers to help you keep up (or start) your walking routine during the holiday months. Please call the Community Health Education office at 203-630-4238 for more information. 4. Eat a light snack before going to holiday parties. It is not a good idea to arrive at a party famished. Not only are you more likely to overeat, but you are also less likely to resist the temptation of eating the higher fat and higher calorie foods. Eating off of a small plate, or even a napkin, can help control portion sizes. 5. Make a plan. Think about where you will be, who you will be with, what foods will be available, what foods are really special to you (that you really want to eat) versus those that you could probably do without, what are your personal triggers to overeat and how can you minimize them. Once you've thought about all of these things, make a plan of action. It's much easier to deal with a difficult social eating situation if you've already planned for it. 6. Take steps to avoid recreational eating. While some foods are more calorie-dense than others, no food will make you gain weight unless you eat too much of it. At parties and holiday dinners, we tend to eat (or keep eating) beyond our body's physical hunger simply because food is there and eating is a "social thing." To avoid recreational eating, consciously make one plate of the foods you really want. Eat it slowly--enjoying and savoring every tasty bite. Then, when you're done, pop a mint or stick of gum in your mouth, get a tall glass of water and sip on it throughout the night, or position yourself away from the buffet table or food trays to keep yourself from overeating. 7. Reduce the fat in holiday recipes. There are plenty of low fat and low calorie substitutes that are amazingly tasty. Try using applesauce in place of oil in your favorite holiday breads; use egg substitutes in place of whole eggs; try plain nonfat yogurt in place of sour cream. Magazines and the internet are great resources for reduced calorie and reduced fat holiday recipes. Give them a try, and share your cooking creations with friends and family. 8. Choose your beverages wisely. Alcohol is high in calories. Liquors, sweet wines and sweet mixed drinks contain 150-450 calories per glass. By contrast, water and diet sodas are calorie-free. If you choose to drink, select light wines and beers, and use non-alcoholic mixers such as water and diet soda. Limit your intake to 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks per occasion, and alternate them with a glass of water. 9. Enjoy good friends and family. Although food can be a big part of the season, it doesn't have to be the focus. Holidays are a time to reunite with good friends and family, to share laughter and cheer, to celebrate and to give thanks. Focus more on these other holiday pleasures, in addition to the tastes of holiday foods. The important thing to remember is balance and moderation. It's OK to eat too much once in a while. Just relax, enjoy the holidays, and remember what the season is all about. 10. Maintain perspective: Overeating one day won't make or break your eating plan. And it certainly won't make you gain weight! It takes days and days of overeating to gain weight. If you over-indulge at a holiday meal, put it behind you. Return to your usual eating plan the next day without guilt or despair.
Holiday Gift Fair At Temple B’nai Abraham Meriden, CT—November 18, 2009—It’s time to shop for Chanukah gifts at Temple B’nai Abraham’s Holiday Gift Fair Sunday December 6th and Sunday December 13th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m, at 127 East Main Street, Meriden. We have everything you need for family and friends: cards, cd’s, candles, creative crafts, fun toys, kitchen items, cool mezzuzahs for kids, menorahs, adorable stuffed chanukah bears, and much more. Gift wrapping is available. For more information, please call (203) 235-2581. About Temple B’nai Abraham Temple B'nai Abraham is a Conservative synagogue which provides religious, educational and social programming for all age groups in a warm, extended family atmosphere. Services are egalitarian, and feature congregational singing. All are welcome.
COME AND JOIN US Bring an ornament to put on the tree.....Combined Service ( English & Hungarian) at 10am on December 20, 2009 at the Evangelical & Reformed U.C.C. 105 So Cherry St. Wallingford, Decorating the Christmas Tree and singing Christmas Carols followed by a Delicious Luncheon at noon. Donation $10.00 Call Esther for more information 203-269-2708
Filipek’s Kielbasa
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Makes The Holidays Special! You can taste the difference!
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*Smoked & Hot Kielbasa *Pierogies *Kellies *Summer Sausage *American Breakfast Sausage
*Italian Sausage - Mild, Sweet and Hot *Horseradish *Golomki *Old Style Dried Italian Sausage
262 Elm St., Meriden 203-237-3488
Now Available Personal Emergency Response System This wireless, house-wide monitoring system offers hands-free, two-way voice connection in the event of an emergency. Press “HELP” on the console, or neck or wrist pendant, to contact the monitoring station. Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, someone is always available when you need help. Comfort Keepers will install the system in your home and educate you on its use. We are an in-home, non-medical care giving, staffing agency.
Page 22 December 2009
'Tis the Season for Health Care On December 10th, Meriden Children First Initiative is hosting what it hopes to be the last ever pasta fundraiser needed to help a deserving person bankrupted by astronomical health care bills and our broken health care system. The pasta fundraiser will be held on Thursday December 10th, 6:00 p.m. at Hanover Elementary School in South Meriden. Proceeds to benefit Deb Hunsinger, former owner of Deb's Deli in South Meriden. Deb has lost her home and business due to astronomical health care bills for cancer treatment and lack of insurance. We'll talk about how through state and federal health care reform, people can get affordable quality health care so no one needs fundraisers to help pay medical bills, and patients can focus on healing instead of bills. Presenters will include Representative Christopher Donovan, Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, and Juan Figueroa, President of the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut. There is no charge for the dinner, please make a donation instead. Please RSVP by calling Marissa Cardona at 203-815-5680, Joan Goodman at 203815-0355, or Barbara Cockfield at 203-815-5758.
Mistletoe Origins Mistletoe is a plant that has a long history of use. It dates back to the ancient Druids who saw the plant as a sign of peace and goodwill. Warring parties would actually temporarily cease battle upon seeing mistletoe. Perhaps mistletoe is best known for love and fertility. In some European cultures, a kiss under mistletoe is a proposal of marriage.
Celebrations
Congratulations to Platt High School's Junior Varsity Volleyball Team on a great season. They were 17-1 during regular season and undefeated champions during JV Tournament play held at New Britain High School. Team members: Kim Arthur, Nicole Carbone, Louise Carroza, Vincenza DiDomnico, Jessica Gaj, Sammy Garlock, Erin O'Neil, Jill Pascale, Rachael Riello, Lindsey Santiago, Jayme Standish, Mamisha Trimmier. JV Coach: Erica Priebe, Head Coach: Lou Gianacopolos, and Assistant Coach Emily LaBissoniere
The Most Amazing Story By Dorothy Gonick Friends, I have the most amazing story to tell about what happened to us at our Inn recently while we were so rushed with all the travelers coming to register for the census that Rome had ordered. One day I was so very weary because so many families filled our Inn to overflowing. I had given our last mat and blanket to a family to use in a corner of the common room and told Stephen we could not possibly take in anyone else, when a couple arrived with the woman riding on a donkey. I saw that the young woman was almost ready to give birth and realized our noisy, crowded inn was certainly no place for birthing, but we thought of the stable where it is quiet with hay to rest upon. I gave Stephen my shawl to spread over the hay and he led them to the stable. While he was attending their donkey, Joseph the husband, spread hay into a thick mat and my shawl became the coverlet for his wife, Mary, to rest upon. When I came into the stable, Mary gave me the sweetest smile and I was glad to serve them some fishcakes, bread, and a handful of dates. Joseph blessed the meal and thanked us for the food and a place to rest their weary bodies, so we left them with a small oil lamp and went back to our Inn, for we too were very weary. In the nighttime, singing voices and footsteps on the roadway awakened us. We ventured out as shepherds came toward us asking us if we knew where the newborn babe in the manger was. At first we thought they were crazy but then turned to look in our starlit stable and were astonished to see Mary's newborn baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and cradled in her arms. The shepherds went in, knelt down and worshipped this tiny infant. We watched and listened to them tell Joseph and Mary about angels visiting with the news that our long-awaited Savior was born, and being told to search for him in a stable. They said a chorus of angels then sang, "Glory to God in the highest and peace to men of good will." The glory of God in our stable was overpowering and we dropped to our knees in wonder that this prophecy was fulfilled in our village. Stephen and I feel so blessed to have sheltered them in our humble stable. Blessed Mary and Joseph met our gaze with smiles of thankfulness for the kindness shown them in their hour of need. We felt that our simple gift of shelter and nourishment had become a most blessed gift, especially since it was done in our weariness. We asked God's blessing to be with them, with hope of seeing this long-awaited Savior again in days to come.
Wallingford Public Library Children's Library Presents December Programs Holiday for Giving You can make the holidays special for a child in Wallingford by bringing new, or barely used, children's books to the Library for the town's Holiday for Giving Program. Please bring unwrapped books to the Library by December 10th. The Following is a list of FREE programs available at the Wallingford Public Library this December. In keeping with the spirit of the season however, we ask that you try to bring a non-perishable food donation each time you attend a program if possible. The food will go to a local food pantry. Happy Hanukkah! Thursday, December 17th at 4:30 p.m. In the Children's Program Room Come celebrate Hanukkah through story, song and craft at the Wallingford Public Library. This program will be presented by Risa Walter of the Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven. Sign up for this program begins on Monday, November 9th. Christmas by the Fire Wednesday, December 16th 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. In the Children's Library at the Wallingford Public Library Join us by the light of the fire in the Children's Library where we will share Christmas stories and songs. This is a drop-in program and all are welcome. Films for Kids Friday, December 18th at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The following films will be shown in the Children's Program Room at the Wallingford Public Library. Great Joy Too Many Tamales In the Month of Kisleve This is a drop-in program and all are welcome.
Take Kwon Do Tournament Winners The tournament was held at the University of Mass: Lowell, on November 8th. Richard Ans' 5th annual International Championship. Shown in the photo are Joseph Gervasi (11) who won a Bonze medal in high jump 6ft 2in. in boys ages 11-13 and a Silver medal in board breaking, boys ages 1113. Also Daniel Gervasi (8) who won a Silver medal in Black/White form boys ages 8-10, a Gold medal in high jump 5ft. 8inc - boys 8-10 and 4th place good sportsmen medal sparing boys ages 8-10. They attend Cho's Champion Taekwondo, 970 N. Colony Road in Wallingford. I also want to congratulate Kyleigh Knoob of Meriden, Daniel Deberry and Katherine Kelly/ Watson both of Wallingford on their wins.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON THE TROLLEY Enjoy a cozy, heated trolley ride while viewing holiday light displays.. Weekends starting November 28 through December 20 at The Shore Line Trolley Museum. Evening hours: Sat and Sun 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. . The Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River St, East Haven. Adults $8, Seniors $6, Children (2-15) $4. For additional information contact The Shore Line Trolley Museum at 203-467-6927 or www.bera.org.
Mark T. Sheehan High School Wallingford, Connecticut Sheehan seniors, Leann Bickford, Janet Early, Elizabeth Kadow, Michael Kadow, Laura Kinkead, Seth Ravid, and Tori Sheldon, have been named commended students in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. This honor is in recognition for their exceptional academic promise as demonstrated by their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Commended students represent the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who took the test. The Church does not superstitiously observe days, merely as days, but as memorials of important facts. Christmas might be kept as well upon one day of the year as another; but there should be a stated day for commemorating the birth of our Saviour, because there is danger that what may be done on any day, will be neglected. ~Samuel Johnson If "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts, wouldn't it be a Merry Christmas? ~Don Meredith
Page 23 December 2009
Our Year of Living Dangerously by Katrina S. Axelrod It all started so innocently. He was so cute and soft and cuddly. He did as you asked, most of the time. Then he got bigger, next I knew, he was in school and then another school and yet another and then BLAM he is finishing it! Phase 1 College thoughts, college thoughts, college thoughts. College sight-seeing trips-oh, heavens, there is no getting around it, he wants to go away to college. Away, like, really, away. Steel yourself Mom, his older brother is fine at UCONN. ROTC Cadet, in the Neag school of Education, he'll graduate as an Army Second Lieutenant with his Master's degree in teaching high school biology- that's a good place to be. But he's just a short ride away. I can have dinner with him or lunch, even. He went "Early Decision" to his only choice. That was over in a snap! But this is my, well, younger one- aaaaaaaaaakkkk, he wants to go away to college. Oh, this is gonna hurt. I have to learn all about "Putting On the Brave Face." Other Moms have done it for many, many years. It is new to me. ("I'll get his room after he leaves, right?") Nope, even that doesn't help, I'm still "an outsider" to the process. I have been living with two male teenagers- and gotten the "Mo-om!" that comes with frustration and/or embarrassment, or merely because it is Tuesday and he feels like it, but this is different. This is like walking on nuclear-tipped egg shells. NO Mom opinions needed, NONE wanted. OK, close the mouth, make no judgments, go along for the ride. Smile when you can. We are on our way; Dad, Mom, and Student, to Washington D.C. to George Washington University and then to American University, then to George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, then to Pennsylvania, (no not Transylvania, much closer than that) and Bucknell University. What goes through a Mom's head during the five hours of car travel …"What really matters?" "What can I get away with saying? "What kind of advice can get slide in under the radar?" "I miss him already" strange, but true. "Why am I always sitting in the back seat?" Ah, so many questions. Your mind wanders again… Daydream is over and we arrive at School Number One- we walk and then we walk some more and then we take a tour and them we walk until I just have to sit down. Repeat this for each school. Lots of parents are sitting down, at each school! Some are even breathing hard, ahhh my peeps, I am back in my old-geezer comfort-zone. Most of the parents are friendly enough to talk and compare college-sight-seeing tour stories. One family has visited 35, yes 35 colleges in the last year. (I quietly make a note to thank my Student and remind him what a great human being he is.) Note to Self: "I need different shoes." While Mom is on campus, the strain brings up "Issues" in Mom's life . This brings up issues-oh, dear, dear, I warn you, this process brings up issues such as 1) One's own education or lack thereof and what you have always wanted for your Student from the time before he hatched; 2) Your own likes and dislikes of the present institution of the moment, from school food to architecture, all of which must remain unspoken until the Student is ready to listen, which may be never or maybe at some really awkward time such as your favorite TV special you have been aching to watch and will now gladly sacrifice for the Student's benefit because you know you'll never get this moment back; see *Brave Face* above. 3) Parent talking-to-each-other-time while on campus is limited. Talking becomes a 'code language-talking' together about 'Parent Things' and has to be rammed into student tours and maybe, if you are lucky, while he is in the hotel pool, because you can't say 'certain things.' 4) The unstoppable comparisons of how People, (Other People) "do" things these days, and how it was very different in 'your' day and then fairly and with impartiality, being able to sift through the brave and brilliant things your Student will to do versus what the "others," will be doing and still not change your *Brave Face*. You eat the food and look at the architecture. (see above.) Phase 2 You start to think of the town you're in as a travel destination. "This was a nice ride", "I would like to have dinner at that restaurant someday", "the hotel wasn't that expensive", "I could take the train…" You are "making accommodations", you are "getting into the spirit of the thing", you are finally being a "mature adult" about this. No Brave Face needed any more, you LIKE this place". "What if he doesn't get in? I'll never get to that restaurant "dammit- work your butt off-I want to visit this city /(restaurant) again and I never will if you don't go to school here!" You now have a stake (or a steak) in this process. You are "all in". And, as you return home, and sift through the five pounds of slippery, four-color, glossy magazine-like brochures beckoning your Student, you think back, your mind wanders… "Leaving him 12 years ago fake-crying at day care in the morning was 'a piece of cake' compared with this…" and you wait for that moment when the discussions begin. Next time: The Discussions!
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WALLINGFORD COMMUNITY DINNER Come celebrate the holiday with us! Enjoy turkey and all the trimmings - with music, laughter, and a good time for all! WHEN: CHRISTMAS DAY NOON - 2PM WHERE: FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WALLINGFORD 23 S. MAIN ST. TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED MEALS WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE HOMEBOUND DON'T SPEND THE HOLIDAY ALONE!! FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: Nancy Freyberg at 284-8299 Sponsored by: Parents & Kids Foundation, Inc. and First Congregational Church of Wallingford
2009 Food Drive by Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Southington, Wallingford, Meriden, North Haven and Hamden Exceeds Previous Year's Totals Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from Sleeping Giant District (Southington, Wallingford, Meriden, North Haven and Hamden) recently collected over 35,980 pounds of non-perishable food items as part of their 21st annual "Scouting for Food" program to collect food for the needy. This community service project is also part of the activities to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America. "This was an incredible year!" said Garry Desjardins, chairperson for the event. "Last year the District total was about 26,343 pounds. Scouts in Meriden, Southington and Wallingford increased the amount collected by 3000 pounds in each of these towns." Scouts distributed notices to homes in their area and then picked up the donations the following weekend. Boy Scouts and their families sorted the food by categories at central collection sites. All food collected was donated to a local town food bank. The receiving organizations are Southington - Bread for Life; Wallingford - Master's Manna Food Pantry; Meriden - Salvation Army; North Haven - North. Haven Food Pantry and Hamden - Hamden Food & Fuel Bank. Forty Cub Scout and Boy Scout units and over 540 people volunteered for this community service project. Participating in this annual food drive is part of the Sleeping Giant District's commitment to the Good Turn for America program. This program is a national call to service by the Boy Scouts of America to address the issues of hunger, homelessness, and poor health in our country. For more information about the food drive, please contact Garry Desjardins at desjardins1@comcast.net or 203623-9601. For more information on Scouting, please visit http://www.ctyankeecouncil.org or call the Connecticut Yankee Council, Boy Scouts of America at 1.800.333.7905.
Did You Know? Kwanzaa is an African holiday that is celebrated each year between December 26 and January 1. It was created by Maulana Ron Karenga in 1966.The term Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili words meaning, "fruits of the harvest." Celebrants of Kwanzaa are encouraged to decorate their homes in the colors of Kwanzaa, which are black, red and green. Traditional African decorations, such as baskets and harvest items, can also add to the festivities. During Kwanzaa, gifts are mainly given only to children. What must be included in these gifts are books, which foster the Kwanzaa tradition of education, and a heritage gift, which denotes the connection to African history and culture.
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Page 24 December 2009
The Path of Self-Transformation By Jennifer Jenkins We all have the power to transform ourselves as the divine creative spirit is instilled within our souls. It is the awareness and belief of this power that helps set us free from the limitations we have imposed upon ourselves. Once we become aware of these self-imposed thoughts, we can begin to transform our thoughts about ourselves and our lives in a more positive light. Of course, the hardest part is making the decision to do so and sticking with that decision, which requires effort and self-discipline. But, once made, your life will never be the same. It may sound trite, but by changing our thoughts we do change our lives. It's amazing how the simplest affirmations we can say and/or write down for our selves can work their power in our lives. For instance, by saying, "I am smart and capable," helps one to believe in one's self, which is one of the essential keys to self-transformation. Listening to the divine voice within is another key to self-transformation. When we quiet our minds to meditate and let go of all the chaotic and negative thoughts, we can tune into who we really are. We can pray for guidance and true understanding of our potential and then stop and listen, which is the heart of meditation - heartfelt communion with the divine. Once we truly become aware of who we really are and what we want to create in our lives, we can set goals to accomplish this. I often find that by setting realistic goals, and sometimes even small ones, helps to build confidence in myself and my dreams. By setting simple goals and realistic deadlines to accomplish them, we all can embark on a firm path to achieving these goals. Remember when you embark on this transformational path that you are never alone. We all have Angels around us and who are there to help us. All we have to do is ask for their help, and it is given. You see, they, are in our corner to work toward fulfilling our highest potential. So, if, for instance, you feel it is your mission in life to become an inspirational speaker, you can ask your Angels for help in accomplishing this. Of course, the more specific you are in your requests, the easier it is for the Angels to help you, as set forth in the following example: "My dear Angels, please help me to connect with individuals and organizations that will play an instrumental role on my path to becoming a powerful inspirational speaker to help motivate people transform their lives for the better." By applying these personal and spiritual tools, one can positively transform one's life. It begins with a simple decision, a decision that can profoundly change your life and, by ripple effect, the lives of others.
WALLINGFORD JUNIOR WOMAN'S CLUB ANNOUNCES "LUNCH WITH SANTA" Santa Claus will make a special visit to town for lunch with families at the Wallingford Junior Woman's Club's "Lunch with Santa" at the Wallingford Parks and Recreation Department on Sunday, December 13, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will include pizza, drinks, and doughnuts. There will be time for children to visit with Santa Claus. Families must bring their own cameras to take photos. Reservations for "Lunch with Santa" are required, and can be made by contacting Jaime Bowen, Membership, at 203-294-0017. The Wallingford Junior Woman's Club (WJWC) is a non-profit civic and community service organization open to any Wallingford woman. WJWC's diverse membership includes single women, stay-at-home moms, professionals, and retirees with a desire to improve the Wallingford community through volunteering their time and talents. The club provides members with opportunities for personal enrichments, and to improve leadership skills and form new and lasting friendships. WJWC was incorporated in 1954 and is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization, and a member of the Connecticut Junior Women, Inc. www.cjw.org. WJWC projects include the annual Townwide Spelling Bee; the Children's Game Area at Celebrate Wallingford; co-sponsoring Candidate's Forum with the League of Women Voters; adopting a local family during the holidays; Cell Phones for Soldiers; the new Little Miss & Mister WJWC announces "Lunch with Santa"
What you need to know.
XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL! If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them. This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's.
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Kiwanis of Wallingford Installs New Officers & Recognizes Kiwanian of the Year Congratulations to Jan Donahue, President, Kiwanis Club! Joining her team are: Diane DeLibero, Secretary; Toni Walker, Secretary; John O'Brien, Treasurer and Charlie Flynn Treasurer. In addition - board of directors include: Cindy Semrau, Kelly Morrison, Bill Cook, Tim Wall. Congratulations to Kelly Morrison - Kiwanian of the Year! Kelly has been instrumental with the organization and success of the Annual Turkey Trot Road Race as well as the Kiwanis liaison to the Cook Hill K-Kids. Kiwanis meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday nights from 6-7:30 at KT Baxter's Restaurant. For more information call Cindy @ 269-9891. Join us! Pictured left to right: Tim Gallogly; Past President, Jan Donahue, President, Kelly Morrison, Board member,. Cindy Semrau, Board member; Tim Wall, Board member; and Charlie Flynn, Treasurer.
What you need to know.
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Charles Uznanski Trail at Orchard Glen The Wallingford Land Trust has named the main trail at Orchard Glen in honor of Charlie Uznanski who has been instrumental in many WLT projects at various sites. He has been a Board member for many years and was steward of many Land Trust sites. Family members who came to the dedication were his wife Helen, son Richie and his wife Sue, daughter Sue Zoni and her husband David, grandsons Dan and Will Uznanski. Land Trust members attending were president David Ellis, vice president Debby Voelker, Caryl and Ken Ryan, Robert Page, Carol Borsari, Mary Heffernon, Joyce Kowalczyk as well as Kathy Granucci of Quinnipiac River Linear Trail and volunteer Matt Caruso. This trail includes a woodland walk with wildflowers, birds and streams. Orchard Glen can be accessed from Barnes Road North at cul-de-sac. For more information on the Land Trust, please check out the website at www.wallingfordlandtrust.org. Photo by Ellie Tessmer of Charles Uznanski putting up his sign.
Page 25 December 2009
Old Man
Announcing The Book Seller
By Chris Randolph "Old man look at my life, I'm a lot like you were." Just one simple line from the Neil Young song, "Old Man," from his Harvest album. I look back at the seventies and the promise I made to myself that this would not be the case. It was wrong of me to think that, but such is the ignorance of youth. It was an interesting time with the Vietnam War and the rebellion against past generations in full force. My father was a good man. He cared about others. He befriended all those he met, and even if he disagreed with them, he kept it to himself and focused on what they agreed on. Why he became a target for my rebellion is clear to me now - he was an easy target. He often hid from the world. The moments that he went out and showed his positive side were rare. It was almost as if he had to recover for a while, rebuild his confidence, and then he could face the world again. This cycle is what I promised myself I would not do. I never attacked him directly, except to push him out of these hiding periods he had. He also was obsessive/compulsive. He would check the front door to the house 10 times before he could leave. This compulsive checking and rechecking always happened while I was waiting frustrated in the car. The frustration grew 10 fold as I got older and his OC increased, as well. I remember quite clearly how checking the front door became checking all the doors in until he could finally go to the car, and shortly after he would leave again to double check if the stove had been turned off. There are times I laugh about this. There are times I cry about this. What could I have done for him? How could I have helped him more? Normal reactions I suppose. Ones that all of us go through when faced with any type of problem a loved one faces or is challenged with. Now I realize that there is nothing I could have done. He had his demons as we all have. Like him, I now focus on the positive that we shared. His love of people. His gregarious nature. His charity. Mostly it was his ability to communicate with children that I strive for the most. Even in his darkest hours he was liberated by his grandchildren, and it was so beautiful to see the smiles that he brought to their faces. Our relationship grew much better over time. I began to understand both his problems and my own. I never stopped pushing him, though. When he did not want to attend a family event, I sometimes would wait till I forced him to come with me. Sometimes this worked and sometimes it didn't. I don't regret those efforts at the end of his life as he changed into the gregarious man once he finally did arrive. I am still traumatized by the very ending of his life, though. The pain and suffering he felt against a losing battle with Melanoma. The anger I felt towards him for not getting it checked as recommended after he had a successful surgery to remove his first case of it. I thought that his obvious lack of care for his health was just another way of hiding again. Maybe death would be the best way to end the suffering he faced his whole life. The time came when I had enough and forced him to go to the hospital. The disease had come back of course, just as I knew it would. It had spread far into his body. Again, when offered with the hope of an extensive program to fight the disease, he refused. The trips became more frequent to the hospital, as his lungs would often fill with fluid. I still remember the traumatizing moments for me. He was so ill and his lungs had filled again. I rented a wheelchair and insisted on bringing him to the hospital - again. He refused to be seen in a wheelchair when he left the house. So he made me check 5 times to be sure that no neighbors were out. He had become so week that I had to carry him to the car. The anger that showed on his face was piercing. He made me stop the car before I drove off, he looked at the house for a moment and then said simply but with frustration, "Just Go, Chris." He knew that was the last time he would ever see his home, where he had hoped to die instead of a hospital.The hospital knew as soon as he came in that the time was near. He was transferred to the Branford Hospice and was coherent for a few days more as he said goodbye and spoke with all our family with kindness and love. But he never spoke to me at the end. I know why, and I understood. I stayed day and night as did most of my family, especially my Mom. Mom would climb into bed with him when night came and hold him close. He surprised even the staff of the Hospice as he clung onto life even when he no longer spoke and was no longer coherent. I knew he was afraid of death at the end. I remember my last words to him: "It's alright Dad. It's a beautiful place you are going to. Your loved ones are waiting for you. Just let go. Let go of the pain and find peace." I walked out of his area for a moment as the nurse came in to clean him and change his bedding. Seconds later came that last horrible rattling breath and he was gone. I know I am left to deal with those last months, and I try the best I can. It's funny though, that I have become so much like him. There are many times that I hide from the outside world to recover and then go out again. There are times I check the door a few times. I get a good laugh out of it, actually. I understand him so much more now. So as I hear those words, "Old man, look at my life, I'm a lot like you were," I know that I am and that's o.k. with me.
The Book Seller is a wonderful new book store at the Wallingford Public Library. Gently used books, CDs, DVDs, videos and other materials are available for children, young adults, and adults. For the month of December, all holiday items are two for the price of one. In January, we will be having our "snow day special" offering paperback books at 3 for $1.00, a great time to stock up for winter! The store is located in back of the library, look for the green awning. Hours are Mondays 10:00 to 6:00, Wednesdays 1:00 to 8:00 and Saturdays 10:00 to 2:00. Book donations are taken upstairs during library hours, or large donations can be taken on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For information, call the library at 203-265-6754.
Three Aunts, Eighteen Cousins, and One Very Special Tradition By Bill Mercuri "Okay, everyone. Time to eat!" These are the much-anticipated words my cousins and I have looked forward to every New Year's Day for more than a quarter century. The words are clear and crisp, just like the January day on which they're spoken. They ring from the mouth of a small, silver-haired Italian woman who proclaims this good news standing in the wood framed doorway that leads from the dining room to the kitchen of her Grove Street home. Her name is Violet; with her sisters Madeline and Rose, together they have always been known to us all as "the aunts." The aunts gave birth to a family holiday tradition, which we have come to call the annual niece and nephew dinner. While I've never asked any of them why they decided that it would be a good idea for them to bring together 18 or so of their brothers' and sisters' children and their spouses once a year for an afternoon of family fellowship, I have a theory. There has always been a very strong and loving bond among the aunts and all of us cousins. I include the husbands and wives as part of our direct relationship because this family is so close that there can be no distinction. The relationship that the aunts have always had with us goes well beyond the obligatory birthday card or Christmas present. These extraordinary women immersed themselves into our lives and were active participants in our childhoods and as we became young adults. They helped mold us into the people we are today. As we grew up and started lives and families of our own, the cousins drifted a bit apart and didn't see each other as much, if at all, during the year. The aunts, in their usual selfless manner, wanted to see us all together at least once a year to catch up with one another and share life's ups and downs. And, while this certainly isn't their motivation, it provides us all a chance to express our thanks and love for these special ladies. This mini family reunion is carried out in the usual aunts' fashion meaning that everything is carried out with extreme care right down to the smallest detail. There is no mistaking that this event is about the affection that they have for their family. There are handwritten invitations and individually wrapped favors at each place setting. Homemade ravioli and meatballs and wine served in a small carafe highlight the meal. Auntie Rose's world famous dessert and fresh perked coffee serves as a reminder for us to save room. "Come on, eat! We've got plenty. Bill, you'll have more, right? Sure, you'll have more!" The wine flows much like the Sinatra and Bing Crosby coming from the old-style radio sitting on the shelf in the kitchen where it's always rested. As the afternoon progresses, I become absorbed in the picture of which I'm very fortunate to be a part. I look around the small but comfortable room and think of the many rich memories we all have of this house. I take in this scene with all of my senses. I see smiles and hear laughter. There's no bickering or hard feelings. I feel the warmth of what a genuinely loving and caring family is; and I can taste the wonderful food, not only that which is before us but all of the meals we've enjoyed here over the years. Most memorable are gramma's Sunday macaroni lunches after church, complete with fresh Bonazinga bread. Much has changed over the years. We've lost loved ones in our lives, even auntie Rose. I can't believe that it's been ten years. I think of her often, not only on the day of our annual dinner but whenever I'm at the house with aunts Vi and Mal. The three of them were inseparable, making it nearly impossible to see the two without my thoughts turning toward the third. A fourth sister, and just as special of an aunt, Faith, now shares New Year's Day with us. She takes a good-natured ribbing from us as she tries to keep our "orders" straight while playing the part of waitress. In the end, this dinner is so much more than a meal. It's a celebration of family and tradition in an age where those two things are nearly extinct. It's about the remarkable giving spirit of these aunts who themselves live life to the fullest and in many ways are people for others, bringing light to the lives of the many they touch throughout the year. So from all of us to you, aunts Vi, Mal, Faith and Rose, much love and thanks for all that you have meant to us and continue to mean to us and our families, now and always. Boun Natale!
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Page 26 December 2009
For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home. ~W.J. Ronald Tucker Even as an adult I find it difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve. Yuletide excitement is a potent caffeine, no matter your age. ~Carrie Latet
ROCK OUT! HAVE FUN!
PLAY DRUMS!
Does Anyone Have A Box Truck? All of us at Master's Manna continue to pray for a 10 - 14 foot box truck which is desperately needed for food pick ups at the Connecticut Food Bank. It is very difficult to coordinate these tasks as efficiently as we'd like to without a Truck. Masters Manna serve's the Communities of Wallingford ,and 10 other Communities in the area.The Pantry is open 3 days a week from 9- Noon Tuesdays, 9-noon Thursdays and on Fridays 4 PM-8PM. and for all other community business between 9 AM-4 PM Weekdays Serving over 300 families a week during Pantry hours and growing. Its one of the largest Food Pantry's in New Haven County. So if you have a Box Truck that is a few years old and in good condition .This holiday season you can donate for a good community cause. Please contact Masters Manna Food Pantry at 203-678-3042 Monday Through Fridays .Or stop in at 45 North Plains Industrial Road here in Wallingford during our open hours 9 AM-4 PM Monday Through Friday's .You will be contributing in helping others in need in these hard times ahead.
MOCKTAILS & MORE
DRUM LESSONS Attention Parents I give your child focus & confidence! Students are welcome from beginner to advanced by Jon Peckman, author of the nationally renowned book “Picture Yourself Drumming.” Lessons are held conviently in the center of Wallingford.
Call 203.537.4112 or visit www.myspace.com/jonpeckman
This edition of “The People’s Press, Your Town, Your News, Your Views” serves the needs of the communities of Wallingford and Meriden, Connecticut. For safety reasons we do not publish the last name of artists/writers under the age of 15. 5% of all annual net proceeds are donated in kind or in financial donation to local charities and organizations. This newspaper is not affiliated with any other newspaper.
With the holidays quickly approaching, it's time to entertain. Are you looking for a special drink or appetizer that everyone can enjoy? The Meriden and Wallingford Substance Abuse Council has their annual MOCKTAILS & MORE booklet ready with all new recipes to add to your holiday parties. All of the drink recipes are alcohol free and have been contributed by local friends and colleagues of the Council. For a free copy of the booklet you can call 203-294-3591 or email mawsac@aol.com. The recipes are on the MAWSAC website at www.mawsac.org. The Council reminds our friends that if you drink this holiday season, drink responsibly and make this a healthy and safe time for everyone. Here are a few recipes you can try: HOT CHICKEN SALAD 3 cups cooked chicken, diced ¾ tsp. salt 1 ¼ cups mayonnaise 2 ¼ tbsp. Onion, chopped 3 tbsp. Lemon juice ¾ cups almonds, sliced 3 cups celery, diced 1 cup cheese, grated 2 cups potato chips, crushed Mix all ingredients, except cheese and potato chips. Place in baking dish, top with cheese and potato chips. Bake for 10 minutes or so in a 450 degree oven. This is a very flexible dish and amounts can be increased or decreased. NOTE: With a salad and hot rolls, it makes a very satisfying meal and can be made ahead and refrigerated and popped into the oven when needed. MOLDED CRANBERRY WALDORF SALAD 2 cups hot water 1 large pkg. Lemon Jello 1 pint Cranberry Cocktail ½ tsp. salt 2 cups chopped apples 1 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup nuts, broken (Walnuts, Pecans) Mayonnaise for garnish, Optional Dissolve gelatin in water; add cranberry juice and salt; chill until partially set; stir in apples, celery and nuts; pour into 2 quart mold. Chill until set. NOTE: For a fluffy dressing for fruit salad, blend 1 cup of softened vanilla ice cream with 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise. Elaine Murphy - MAWSAC B.A.B.E.S. Volunteer Freshing Raspberry Daiquiri
Good fences make good neighbors...Surveys from Stone Wall Boundaries, LLC make even better ones.
Andrew& Dawn Reynolds peoplespress@peoplespressnews.com Managing Editor Dawn A. N.-Reynolds dawnwork@peoplespressnews.com Copy Editor Dawn A. N.-Reynolds dawnwork@peoplespressnews.com Advertising Andy Reynolds andy@peoplespressnews.com Web Site Web Solutions, LLC Writers YOU WRITE IT....WE PRINT IT!!!
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publications are published by: DNA, LLC P.O. Box 4459, Yalesville CT 06492 peoplespress@peoplespressnews.com www.peoplespressnews.com • Phone (203) 235-9333 Advertising (203) 235-9333 • Fax Number (203) 294.8808 The People's Press,Your Town, Your News, Your Views and all versions or portions of said name are ©Copyright DNA,LLC. 1999-2009 All Text, Logos, Images and other content in print, web or in any way or form are ©Copyright DNA, LLC 1999-2009 All Rights Reserved The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher and DNA, LLC. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisements or submissions. All items contained herein, including advertisements or portions thereof, may not be reproduced in any way, shape or form without the written consent of the publisher. All submissions whether by mail, fax, email or any other means become the property of The People’s Press and DNA, LLC and may be used in any media it so chooses. By submitting to this paper you agree to these terms and release The People’s Press and DNA, LLC from any financial obligations or notifications for any future use of any of said submissions. The People’s Press will make every effort to see that all advertising copy is correctly printed. The publisher assumes no responsibility for typographical errors in advertising, advertising inadvertently left out; but will gladly reprint, without charge, that part of an advertisement is which any error may have occurred, provided that a claim is made within five days of publication. The publisher takes no responsibility for statements or claims made in any advertisement. Any copy or images designed or developed by The People’s Press are ©Copyright DNA,LLC and may not be used in any other medium. All Rights Reserved By advertising within The People’s Press, you agree to these terms.
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203-889-8564 P.O. BOX 4256 YALESVILLE, CT 06492
2 ounces Sweet & Sour mix 2 ounces Sierra Mist Soda 4 ounces of Raspberry puree Whipped cream. Place ingredients in blender and add ice Mix until desired thickness. Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream. Craig Turner Wallingford Youth and Social Services
PRAYER TO The Blessed Virgin: Never known to fail. Oh most beautiful power of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me that you are my mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly seek you from the bottom of my heart to secure me in my necessity. (Make your request). There are none that can withstand your pwer. Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish it and it will be granted to you. Grateful Thanks. S.B.
Page 27 December 2009
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Celebrations
Santa’s got nothing on Grandma Rosebud! Yes, Roz Gallagher, we mean you. Christmas besos to the best grandmother in Wallingford. Love you, Jameson and Charlotte. xoxo
Photo by Amanda Kelley
Celebrations
From All Of Your Friends At Hazelwood Excavating!
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Complete Residential & Commercial Excavations Septic Systems, Cleaned, Installed & Repaired Water & Sewer Connections - Installed & Repaired Screened Topsoil & Grading New England Turkey with the best host ever! Donnie Porto
Call 203.269.0135
Page 28 December 2009
MERIDEN FEED FARM • GARDEN • PET SUPPLIES
1107 Havover Avenue, South Meriden 203.634.9811 The Bronze Wash
$180
400 Gallon Pond Kit Includes pump, filter, fountain, and liner. Reg. $240 WITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/09
Buy One...Get One
50% OFF DOG, CAT & BIRD TOYS WITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/09
$5 OFF
ANY BIRD FEEDER PURCHASE OF $30 OR MORE
WITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/09
$2.00 OFF!! Regular Price - $8.00 Includes: Exterior Wash and Towel Dry
A M A Z I N G S AV I N G S ! Limit one coupon per customer. No other coupons or discounts apply. Coupon must be submitted for this offer. Coupon expires 12/31/09
The Gold Wash
$2.00 OFF!!
Regular Price - $14.00 Includes: Exterior Wash, Under Carriage Wash, Wheel Brite, Sealer Wax, Triple Foam and Towel Dry
H U G E S AV I N G S !
$5 OFF
ANY DOG BED PURCHASE OF $30 OR MORE WITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/09
Gift Cerificates
for the pet lover in your life.
$25.99
BS ADULT DOG 40LB COMPARE TO IAMS & PURINA ONE! WITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/09
Limit one coupon per customer. No other coupons or discounts apply. Coupon must be submitted for this offer. Coupon expires 12/31/09
The Silver Wash
$2.00 OFF!! Regular Price - $9.00 Includes: Exterior Wash, Under Carriage Wash and Towel Dry
I N C R E D I B L E S AV I N G S ! Limit one coupon per customer. No other coupons or discounts apply. Coupon must be submitted for this offer. Coupon expires 12/31/09
The Wheel Deal
$2.00 OFF!! $40
FRONTLINE PLUS ANY 3 MONTH PACK WITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/09
$42.99 NUTRO LAMB & RICE ORIG ADULT 35LBS WITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/09
$15.99
SONGMAKER WILD BIRD SEED OR BLACK OIL 40LB WITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/09
Regular Price - $11.00 Includes: Exterior Wash, Under Carriage Wash, Wheel Brite, Sealer Wax and Towel Dry
FA N TA S T I C S AV I N G S !
Limit one coupon per customer. No other coupons or discounts apply. Coupon must be submitted for this offer. Coupon expires 12/31/09
Interior-Exterior Detail
$5.00 OFF!! Includes: Vacuum, Vinyl Cleaning, Shampoo Carpets and Window Cleaning
C A N ’ T B E AT T H E S AV I N G S ! Limit one coupon per customer. No other coupons or discounts apply. Coupon must be submitted for this offer. Coupon expires 12/31/09
$9.99 THISTLE SEED 10LB WITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/09
$8.99
ASPEN SONG VALUE BLEND 30LB
WITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/09
$11.99 HEATH SUET CAKES CASE OF 12EA (D4,15,14&18) WITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/09
846 Old Colony Rd., Meriden 203-237-4414
Bumper to Bumper Detail
$15.00 OFF!! Includes: Exterior Wash, Wax, Vacuum, Vinyl Cleaning, Shampoo Carpets and Window Cleaning! Monday Friday Only
T H E W O R K S AT T H I S P R I C E ? Limit one coupon per customer. No other coupons or discounts apply. Coupon must be submitted for this offer. Coupon expires 12/31/09