Page 27 October 2010
A Ghostly Tale It didn't look so bad. Oh, there were a lot of loose boards hanging down from the edge of the roof, a few broken windows, fence gate askew, and weeds were sprouting up in the cracks along the walkway. In the daylight it looked like any other old abandoned house. They all said that at night the wind could be heard whistling through the cracks and crevices of this once beautiful mansion. It was also said that weird noises could be heard coming from the second floor window. Well, it sure didn't appear to be scary to me…at least not until the night of the dare. "Come on, show us that you're not a chicken….just stay the night." Dared Larry and Ken. "We'll be out here in the gazebo, safe and sound in our sleeping bags." "I wasn't afraid."…I touted. "I'll stay in there 'til the sun comes up in the morning." I could see by the way they smirked that they took my words as being an empty bag of braggadocio. "Well, I'll show them," I murmured assuredly to myself. The Octoberness of the day was creeping in, oh so steadily……and, soon, the daylight had evaporated. The house loomed a little bigger, darker, and scarier now with out the rays of the sun streaming down upon it. So, now I had to make good on my boastful utterances. "Here's a couple of candles and matches." They handed them to me, shoved me in through the door, closed it behind me, and left me there….all alone, to fend for myself. The moon was shimmering brightly on that October eve, and I was able to barely make out things that lay all around. The candle helped a little, but it kept flickering out as I walked towards a bed that I guessed would be okay to sleep on. I placed the candle on the nightstand, laid down, and soon began to doze off……..and then…I heard it….a muffling sound, a dire squeaking of floorboards, a sound that made my heart quiver, and with it, the smell of wretched things. I felt a brushing along my arm, and quickly, I yanked it back and under the musky smelling blanket. The room loomed in murky pith as though the ground beneath it was gurgling it up. "EEEE, Yikes." There, at the foot of the rusty bed frame, stood a black monster from the deepest depths of Lucifer's realm. "What are you…who are you ?", I managed to mumble aloud. It, this thing, this fiend, vanished in a blue-black haze into the dreariness of that room. Soon, another sound came from the corner behind the ragged remnants of what used to be curtains. The flimsy cloth billowed as a low guttural noise blew forth. It was an eerie, tortured sound of something, or someone that seemed like death wailing. There was a seething outline moving towards me, a somber shadow of an unknown beast, coming slowly…creeping toward my stiffened body. Hands…hands with bony fingers, were reaching for me….stretching out to take me, to take me to some un-Godly place. My heart's thumping could be heard as an echo inside that stark dungeon of a house. The candle had dimmed, and now my world was as black and grim as a graveyard at midnight. The harsh touch of this apparition, this wraith, was cold, and decaying to my sanity. I frantically got out from under the cover. I had to escape…I had to survive…I had to get out of there…get away from its presence. And with the fleetness of an impala, I ran, stumbling, tripping, gasping, grabbing for anything that would get me away from its grasp. The dimness mattered not as I ran down the stairs……I could feel the cold dark ugliness moving with me……ever swifter I ran, never stopping to look back to see if it was there, there behind me in its pursuit to swallow me alive, or some terrible unimaginable thing. I was at the door, fumbling for the knob, trembling, I turned it…..it opened, and I was outside…outside hollering…. "HELP! HELP! I shrieked. "There's a ghost, a monster, or some horrible thing in there." "Where are you guys?", I bellowed out. I looked over at the gazebo where only two crumpled up sleeping bags lay…….."Well, I'll be dogged." I thought to myself. "I guess I must have scared them off with all my yelling." The moral of this……..never be a braggart, because you just might have to face something unearthly, such as I did. - George Arndt -
2010 Central CT Pet Fair, Dog Walk 5k Road Race A Resounding Success! Submitted by the Meriden Rotary The Central CT Pet Fair had an unbelievably beautiful fall day for everyone to enjoy the Pet Fair yesterday at Meriden's Hubbard Park sponsored by Northstar Wealth Partner's financial advisor Marc Sack and the Record-Journal. The event was held to benefit the Meriden Humane Society and the charities of the Meriden Rotary Foundation. The day started with Steven Bucchieri of Meriden winning the 5k road race in a blistering 18:37 which equates to a 6:00 minute/mile pace! Jackie Montclair of Cheshire took home the women's first place marble trophy. The road race was well attended and aided by the great weather had dozens of walk-ups to enjoy the run through the park. All racers received a doggie bag of goods along with a maroon t-shirt detailing the event and its sponsors. The trophies for the road race were given out by State Senator Tom Gaffey and race director Brian Daniels, himself a Meriden City Councilman. Event Director, Dave Lake kicked off the Dog Walk which, similar to the road race, saw dozens of walk-ups to enjoy the Walk along with their canine friends. The Dog Walk was led by local celebrity Rocky the Rock Cat. It was overheard that a few walkers walked faster because the dogs (and a miniature pony!) were walking faster in an attempt to catch Rocky. Dog walkers were also given doggie bags of goods, treats from Meriden Feed & Supply and a bandanna for the dogs to wear during the walk and to take home with them. There were many other events that were enjoyed by all including a hip-hop dancing performance by Beat the Street's players. There was also a Pet Look a Like Contest sponsored by New Concepts Plumbing of Cheshire, a dancing dog performance and a Best Pet Trick contest. Children also enjoyed the Moon Bounce provided by the Meriden YMCA. The event was estimated to have roughly 2,000 people take part in the event. Race Director Dave Lake was very happy with the event. Lake was heard to say "We exceeded all of our goals that we set for this the 2nd year of the event. We are already looking at how to improve next year's event!"
Local Band Review A new monthly feature for The People's Press By Wayne Montefusco Friday night Oct 1st Westbrook Lobster with Brian Jarvis and Keith Kane Everyone that knows me knows I support local artists, musicians and bands. Andy has been asking me for a write-up all year for he knows I'm out in the clubs and the arenas of the state seeing the best of the best out there. I have gotten to know some really good people over the past year and it all comes from Brian Jarvis. Brian is a really down to earth person that I know everyone likes and wants to work with. He has shown me that there is some really good music out there that's up and coming. Most of the music I have listened to all year is from artists that you have never heard of because they are unknown to FM radio. Brian stands out to me as different because he is know and liked by everybody. He is a really down to earth guy to get to know personally. He threw a fund raiser last Christmas that had artists coming from all over to play at. It was a Toy for Tots show at the Bushnell. The talent in that room was amazing. Brian Jarvis I have heard that Brian plays out at the local place in Wallingford called the Westbrook Lobster. This was a night that had some magic to it. There was a woman singer there from Oregon playing shows for gas to get to the next place. Check out Sharaya Mikeal on Facebook and Twitter. Keith Kane from Vertical Horizon was there also. Keith was Wallingford resident for the past few years. He comes back to Wallingford every so often and plays the Westbrook to hang with friends and family. Brian plays there every few weeks. Brian played an acoustic set on the deck with his bass player Jon Coates. There is a new song called "On and On" that you can hear on Reverb Nation. It's going to be on the new CD called the Warehouse Sessions. They played a short set and one U2 song. Mike P who was in Brian's band was in the audience and came up and sang on a few songs. There wasn't a big crowd but it was still great. Go out and see some of the local artist in the area. There is tons of local talent that have better music then what FM radio plays. I have bought CD's this past year that are way better than anything on the charts at this time. It's all I have listened to all year. Someday someone is going to discover some of the local artists and they will be the next best thing. I have noticed that they all do acoustic shows and with play with a full band. There is many venues in the area that are now having live entertainment as another way of bringing revenue into their establishments.
Dear Housewives - Central Connecticut's Know It All Gals Dear Readers/Writers, 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 (peoplespress@peoplespresnews.com or phone (203-235-9333) with your confidential question (or answer for this special issue) and we will answer it in the next issue. WE HAD SOME VENTING NEEDS FROM OUR WONDERFUL READERS. THEY ASKED IF THEY COULD JUST VENT. THIS IS OUR FIRST VENT COLUMN. This is time for our readers to respond to some questions. Your answers will be in a future Dear Housewives column. - June and Flora Dear Housewives,I need to vent! What is it with employees of stores parking CLOSE TO THE STORE ENTRANCE? It makes me nuts. I see them walking all slow in uniform, smoking (some) in parking spots designated for the customers. Thanks June and Flora for this venting opportunity. - Fed Up in the Lot everywhere Readers? Send your answers to peoplespress@peoplespressnews.com Dear Housewives, My friend constantly is on her phone when we are out at a restaurant or just over watching a game on TV. I don't know what to say without sounding rude. But she is the one being rude. I need to get this off my chest. Any advice? - Phone seems to rule in Wallingford, CT Readers? Send your answer to peoplespressnews.com. Thank you Peoples Press for ten wonderful years! You provide our community with the good news that we all need. We are grateful for the opportunity to write Dear Housewives each month. You are a blessing to so many. Here's to another decade of news worthy stories and information!
Annual Augusta Curtis Auction Saturday, November 13th - 7:30p.m. The Event is FREE to attend and this year features a Wedding package worth $10,000 and includes, wedding gown, groom's tux, facility for 8 hrs for up to 120 people, dj/photographer/lighting package for 7 hrs., wedding cake for 80, bride's bouquet/10 centerpieces/cake flowers, and limo for 2 hrs. Minimum bid required $2500. Of course, that’s not all. There is a huge selection of items for you to view and bid on. This major event is a great way to get holiday gifts for loved ones or even yourself and it also supports our ongoing efforts to bring arts, culture and so much more to the area. Please join us! If you would like to donate an auction item for our cause - it would be deeply appreciated. Please call 203-639-2856