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PAIDGLASTONBURY CITIZEN, INC.

Volume 34, Number 10                                                  Published by The Glastonbury Citizen                                                                             May 29, 2009

RIVEREASTRIVEREAST

See Development on Page 2

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5095 Chaplain Ron Christopher salutesduring East Hampton’s Memorial Day service on Monday. See Ceremonies on Page 2

East Hampton HoldsMemorial Day Ceremonies

larger-than-life American Flag.The fourth and final section of the parade

was heavy on youth, and was ushered in by theEast Hampton Middle School Band. Groupslike the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, CubScouts and YMCA Adventure Guides then fol-lowed. Perhaps most striking, however, wasthe rainbow sea of kids and their parents, don-ning T-shirts of all colors, representing EastHampton Little League.

The parade caboose was brought up by theEast Hampton Ambulance Unit and Fire Appa-ratus.

By around 10:30 a.m., the parade had fin-ished up in front of the Congregational Churchof East Hampton, and the crowd gathered inthe grove between the church and the CenterBoulder Monument for the service, which wasled by Charles Walton.

The service began with a medley called “Sa-lute to Freedom” by the East Hampton HighSchool Band. Then, speakers reminded attend-ees that Memorial Day was about more thanleisure and barbecues.

The first of these sentiments came by wayof Reverend Thomas Kennedy of the Congre-gational Church of East Hampton. During hisinvocation, he called the day “not just diver-sion, but painful memory.” He also prayed thatcitizens might be “proud, but not arrogant; loyal,but not blind; dutiful, but not slavish.”

In between the music and speakers were reci-tations of “In Flanders Field” and theGettysburg Address, which were read by An-drew Briere and Reilly Price, vice president andvaledictorian, respectively, of the East Hamp-ton High School Class of 2009.

The service’s guest speaker was William

by Michael McCoyAs always, the streets were lined with people

in East Hampton Monday, as the town honoredthe fallen during their Memorial Day parade.

The parade stepped off at 9 a.m. from thehigh school, proceeding up Route 66, and even-tually down Summit Street.

The East Hampton Police Honor Guard ledthe charge with the parade’s first display of “OldGlory.” They were followed by Grand MarshalJarvis Barton and Parade Marshal ArthurJacobson – both World War II veterans – whoeach cruised down the route in classic cars.

Next, on foot were Town Council membersTom Cordeiro, Bill Devine, Melissa Engel,Christopher Goff, John Tuttle and SueWeintraub. Town Manager Jeff O’Keefe alsowas present, celebrating this occasion for thefirst time with the town. Police Chief MatthewReimondo and Fire Marshall Phil Visintainerfollowed him.

The order of the parade was broken into foursections. Section I featured local Veterans ofForeign Wars (VFW) Post 5095, which waswell-represented as always, including a colorguard/firing squad and the Color Guard Auxil-iary. The VFW also had an austere float, recre-ating tombstones of soldiers. Section I was con-cluded with the East Hampton High SchoolBand.

Next came Section II, which featured veter-ans in cars. Vets from World War II, Korea andVietnam all rode in style, as did the Sons ofUnion Veterans Auxiliary.

Section III included members of the Con-necticut 3rd Regimental Fife and Drum, the EastHampton Fire Department and Auxiliary andthe VFW Cobra Post. The highlight was An-chor Lodge 112, whose members showcased the

Proposed Portland Development Draws Historians’ Ireby Michael McCoy

Portland Town Place, a proposed mixed-usedevelopment that has been greeted with mostlypositive responses, recently received some de-cidedly less favorable attention from membersof the town’s historical society.

The development is proposed for the land intown commonly referred to as the Elmcrestproperty. On that site, located on the southeastcorner of routes 66 and 17A, are three homesthat date back to the 19th century. They areknown as the John H. Sage House (or the‘Marlborough Building’ on the site plan – whichwas also how Elmcrest referred to it), theErastus Brainerd Jr. House (a.k.a. the WagnerBuilding) and the Hart/Jarvis House (a.k.a. theManor Building).

The first home is a Queen Anne Victorianstructure. The Brainerd home is notable for itsstuccoed brownstone, as well as its Italianatestyle, while the Hart/Jarvis house is a GreekRevival Temple Mansion.

In May 2007, the Portland Planning and Zon-ing Commission (PZC) granted a text amend-ment that would allow mixed-use development

in the general business zone. Though thatchange was not site-specific, Portland TownCenter (the applicant for Portland Town Place)did apply for it. Planning and Land Use Ad-ministrator Deanna Rhodes said that during thatprocess, the applicant said they would leave oneof the homes (the John H. Sage House) andmove the other two elsewhere on the property.

However, when the site plan came throughin February, it called for the two homes thatwere to be moved to be demolished instead,with replicas built.

Portland Historical Society President ClaireFrisbie said she found out about the site planchange in late March. Shortly before the PZC’shearing on the proposal earlier this month,members of the historical society took a sitewalk at the property. At the conclusion of theMay 7 hearing on the project, PZC membersrequested a site walk of their own, which wasopen to the public. The walk occurred this pastTuesday evening and was attended by about 30people, Frisbie said, including town officials,PZC members, historical society members,state experts and residents.

Frisbie said the houses are “unusually largestructures for this town” and figuring they wouldbe more common somewhere like Middletown.

Also, she said, “The three houses all have avery strong historical presence.”

Erastus Brainerd Sr. was the co-founder ofthe Brainerd Quarry Company in town. In 1852,when he moved into the Hart/Jarvis Home, hisson, Erastus Brainerd Jr., built his own home.

Frisbie said both the Erastus Brainerd Jr.House and the Hart/Jarvis House (which wasconstructed in 1829-30) are unique for beingbuilt on a Brownstone foundation.

“Because of their owners,” Frisbie said, “theyhave a great link to the brownstone industry inthe Town of Portland.”

What’s more, the Erastus Brainerd Housewas designed by the prominent architect HenryAustin, whose work litters New England.

Frisbie said John H. Sage was a prominentbanker in town, treasurer of the Freestone Sav-ings Bank. He also became director of Schallerand Hall Quarry Company, another prominentPortland business. The home that would be

Historic preservation andarchitectural experts check out theErastus Brainerd Jr. House in Portland.

East Hampton held its Memorial Day parade on Monday. At left is a member of the East Hampton Middle School band, all smiles, as the group walks in the parade. Atright are members of Anchor Lodge 112, who showcased a larger-than-life American Flag.

Hornok, 56, who racked up 20 years in activeduty for the U.S. Navy. His deployments in-cluded being assigned to the East Mediterra-nean Task Force during Operation DesertStorm.

Hornok grew up in Clifton, NJ, but has beeninvolved with the Groton VFW Post 1673 since1997. He is currently the Senior Vice Com-mander for the state VFW, as well as a chiefpetty officer for the U.S. Navy.

Hornok said he believed it was important toset aside Memorial Day every year. He listed

named for him was built in 1884.Despite their history, none of these homes

were ever registered as national historic land-marks, which, Frisbie said, is “one of the rea-sons we’re working so hard to preserve them.”

As the owner of the homes, Portland TownCenter needs to be on board with such a regis-tration process. Frisbie said that inclusion wouldgrant the owner financial breaks, such as taxesand even potential stimulus money. However,she said the applicant has been unresponsive toinvitations for discussion by the historical so-ciety.

“The incentives can easily make this worth-while,” said Frisbie, adding that the homes arestill in good condition.

The attorney for the applicant did not returna call seeking comment for this story.

Ultimately, Frisbie said of the homes slatedfor demolition, “They are historically and ar-chitecturally significant, and important to thetown of Portland.”

Portland Town Place is a long-gestatingproject that has endured several name changes.In February, after much anticipation, the townreceived a site plan for the development, whichsits on 14.89 acres. If approved, the develop-ment would include10 buildings, which would

Ceremonies from front page

Development from front pageblend residential, office and commercial space.The commercial space would include a restau-rant, Walgreens, and a 65,000 square-foot gro-cery store.

The May 7 PZC public hearing featured bothpositive and negative comments about the pro-posal, with most of the criticism came in theform of concern for the historical homes. Sincethen, Frisbie said of the developer’s attitudetoward the homes, “It seems as if they’d bewilling to talk.”

The PZC hearing was continued to June 4.However, First Selectwoman Susan Bransfieldsaid Thursday the hearing would likely be post-poned until late June or early July. The is a re-sult of questions town specialists have concern-ing issues like water, sewer and traffic, andBransfield seemed doubtful that the applicantcould address these by next week’s hearing.Bransfield said she hoped Rhodes would knowfor certain about the continued hearing by nextMonday, and directed interested residents tocontact the planning department to confirm thedate.

Whether the meeting is held next week or ata later date, it would take place at BrownstoneIntermediate School, 314 Main St., due to alarge anticipated turnout.

holiday weekend sales at places like Stop &Shop, Wal-Mart and Auto Zone, as well as tra-ditions of yard sales and the Indianapolis 500,saying they “are synonymous with the holidaythat we stand here to remember.”

Then, beginning with the American Revolu-tion and ending with Operation Iraqi-EnduringFreedom, he juxtaposed the aforementioned listwith one comprising all the country’s wars andthe casualties suffered.

“Give them, our veterans, the support andrespect they have earned,” he commissioned.

Hornok also reminded attendees that the holi-day began on May 30, 1868 as Decoration Day,as per General John Logan’s General Order No.11.

The day was perhaps no more solemn thenwhen Walton read the names of the veteranswho have passed away since last Memorial Day.Each name was followed with a “ruffle ofdrums” by Matt Roberts. This was immediatelyfollowed by salute by the VFW Firing Squad,“Taps & Echo,” performed by Owen Jensen and

Adam Guy, and a prayer for the deceased vet-erans by VFW chaplain, Ron Christopher.

VFW Auxiliary Chaplain Laura Schactnerended the ceremony with a brief benediction.

And with that, East Hampton’s ceremoniesfor Memorial Day 2009 came to a close, andattendees scattered, off to barbecues and otherfamily gatherings. But the ceremonies servedtheir purpose – reminding people that Memo-rial Day is about more than having a long week-end.

Thousands Turn Out for Colchester Memorial Day Ceremoniesby Sarah McCoy

Meteorologists were calling for rain and inthe early evening on Sunday the skies openedup with a heavy downpour and booming thun-der. But, just two and a half hours prior,Colchester residents and visitors were treatedto a nice breeze and sunny skies for the annualMemorial Day parade.

Thousands packed the parade route alongMain Street and Norwich Avenue to watchscouts, athletes, town officials and, of course,veterans march. The parade kicked off with afly-over by two military helicopters that broughtmost everyone to their feet.

Robert Woltag, who grew up in Colchesterbut now lives in Massachusetts, said the paradeis something he looks forward to each year. “Ithasn’t changed in all the years I’ve been com-ing. There are just more people,” he said. “It’sa great day to honor our veterans and to teachmy kids what the day means.”

Woltag said he makes a point never to miss

the Colchester parade and enjoys watching hisfather, Harold, and uncle, Max Gilbert, march.Both are Korean War veterans.

The Woltags were just one of the hundredsof families who came out to this year’s celebra-tion. Melody Vernali of Colchester sat on theside of Main St. with infant son, Evan, in herlap as the two watched her daughter, Natalia,2, waved a flag to the parade marchers. “Thisis our first year coming out to the parade,”Vernali said. “It’s a fun environment and I knew[Natalia] would just love it.”

Down the street a little, Theresa and MarkNoel of Colchester took turns giving their 3-year-old daughter Amanda bites of ice creamas they waited for the parade to start. The fam-ily comes every year but this year they werethere specifically to watch their son, andAmanda’s brother, Dylan march with his scoutpack.

At the conclusion of the parade on-lookersfilled the Colchester Green area as Veterans of

Foreign Wars (VFW) Quartermaster ChuckSavitsky emceed the Memorial Day ceremony.He introduced this year’s parade grand marshal,Joseph Burba.

Burba has served as the American LegionPost 54 commander for the past six years, butstepped down from his post after the MemorialDay ceremony. He is a World War II veteranserving in the Invasion of Sicily, the Invasionof Italy and on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day in June 1944.

Lt. Col. Scott Panagrosso, the incomingAmerican Legion Post 54 commander, spokeSunday at the conclusion of the parade. He de-scribed for listeners the inspiration for thisyear’s Memorial Day theme, “Home of the Free,Because of the Brave.”

Panagrosso didn’t limit that sentiment to justmilitary personnel. He spoke of the individualson United Airlines flight 93 who silently bondedtogether to develop a plan to take back theirplane that had been hijacked as part of the ter-

rorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. “They foughtall the way,” he said. “They were a just a groupof people but none of them were going to letthe terrorists destroy America. We are free be-cause of those on that plane.”

Afterwards, First Selectman Linda Hodgeannounced the winners of this year’s paradeawards. William J. Johnson Middle School wasnamed as the Best Marching Band. Cub ScoutPack 109 won the award for Most PatrioticFloat. And, Grange Post 78 won the award forMost Original Float.

Members from Girl Scout Troop 3050 es-corted Colchester veterans to lay wreaths at themonuments on the green in the center of town,and the Boy Scouts offered assistance in thehoisting of the American flag. The AntiqueVeterans’ Rifle Squad fired shots into the air.In closing the trumpeters from Bacon Academyplayed taps and the parade visitors filed backto their cars to continue their Memorial Dayfestivities.

Colchester’s annual Memorial Day parade was held Sunday. Clockwise from top left, members of the Bacon Academy marching band walk through Main Street at theend of the parade route; members of the Bacon Academy Class M Girls’ Basketball Championship team ride in a parade float; Natalia Vernali, 2, holds a flag alongsideMain Street as she watches parade marchers; and members of the Connecticut National Guard Marching Unit receive a round of applause as they walk in the parade.

AP Students in Colchester to Receive Cash for High Test Scoresby Adam Benson

Starting next year, Bacon Academy studentscan cash in on strong Advanced Placement testscores in English, math and science.

On Tuesday, the Board of Education unani-mously voted to enroll the high school in aunique program that rewards each student with$100 for every qualifying test score of 3 points(out of five). Students will get $200 for fourpoints, and $300 for five points.

“This is exactly where we need to be headedto raise the bar,” Superintendent of SchoolsKaren Loiselle said.

Known as Project Opening Doors, the two-year-old partnership between the ConnecticutBusiness and Industry Association and publicschool districts aims to increase student par-ticipation in AP courses and put students acrossthe state in a better position to excel in theirpost-secondary careers, its chairman told boardmembers.

“An AP course is a universal metric, so thecolleges and universities know what they’regetting,” said J. Camille Vautour.

In addition to providing cash incentives toindividual test-takers and their teachers (who

will get $100 for each student that posts a quali-fying score), Vautour said Project Open Doorswill earmark $525,000 to the district over thenext five years to provide training, tutoring andcurriculum programming in an effort to increasestudent interest and success rates in AP courses.

“We want to expand the number of studentswho are eligible, Vautour said. “Historically,AP courses were often thought of as only forthe cream of the crop.”

Through the program, Vautour said educa-tors will be able to identify non-traditional APstudents as early as seventh and eighth grades,allowing them to enter high school with a strongfoundation for thriving in the rigorous courses.

“We work with the staff to identify kids whoare capable but perhaps not yet prepared to takeAP courses,” Vautour said. “The mantra we helpteachers think about is, ‘once in, never out.’”

As part of the program, all sophomores willbe required to take the PSAT to help officialsidentify students that demonstrate potential tothrive in AP courses.

Last year, just 73 10th grade students tookPSATs, said Thomas Racine, a Bacon Acad-

emy guidance counselor.“All the AP teachers are on board with this,”

Racine said. “It’s really exciting.”Project Opening Doors came to life in Sep-

tember 2007, when the state was awarded a$13.2 million grant by the National Math andScience Initiative to address the underachieve-ment of American students in English, math andscience and the lack of adequate training formath and science teachers.

Connecticut was one of six states to receivemoney in the initative’s first year, and nineschools were selected to take part.

Vautour said among those, enrollment in APcourses jumped by 53 percent. The goal is tohave 25 schools on board by September andtally 1,248 qualifying scores on AP tests acrossthe state by 2015.

Board members said they were impressed bythe program’s ambitious scope and attention todetail. Last year, Bacon Academy posted 57 APqualifying scores in target areas. Vautour saidhe’d like to see that number quadruple withinfive years, with the goal to reach 150 by the

end of the 2009-10 academic year.“I am so excited I can hardly sit in my chair,”

school board member Mary Lynn Burke saidTuesday. “My personal opinion is that we notputting our kids in a position to compete glo-bally, let alone locally, and for ones who wantto, we need to do more.”

Loiselle said teachers tapped to take part inthe program were carefully selected and inter-viewed by project staffers. She also said thedistrict’s teachers’ union won’t block the pro-gram with arbitration, despite the bonuses someeducators likely will earn.

Board of Education Chairman WilliamHettrick said he was attracted to the initiative’smulti-faceted approach and proven success ratein other communities.

“We’ve been working very hard on gettingthese AP courses. What I like about the pro-gram is not only the tutoring for the kids, butalso the teacher training,” he said Wednesday.“Once again, Colchester is at the cutting edgeof the state, and for [Loiselle] to push for thisprogram is very pleasing for the board to see.”\

Portland Vocal Chords Gearing Up for 20th Spring ShowBy Michael McCoy

Year after year, the Middlesex Hospital Vo-cal Chords perform to packed houses. Portlandresident Joyce Ghent, who founded the group,expects this weekend’s show at Portland HighSchool to be no different.

The performance, the Vocal Chords’ 20thspring concert, will be held Saturday, May 30,at 7:30 p.m., at the high school, located at 95High St. The show is titled “When You Believe.”

Ghent is a registered nurse who has workedfor Middlesex Hospital for over 50 years. Bythe late 1980s, she and another nurse had madea habit out of humming Christmas music to theirpatients. After seeing the effect the music had,Ghent began looking for ways to spread thatjoy more broadly.

So, Ghent spent about three months research-ing how much it would cost to hire a directorand accompanist and stage concerts. “I spoketo people in the know,” said Ghent, explainingthat her sources included musical directors atYale and Wesleyan universities.

But Ghent herself was far from clueless. “Ihad a strong musical background,” she said. “Iknew what people liked.”

Ghent wrote up a proposal, and the hospitalboard agreed to fund half the money, if the groupraised the other half. So, the group began re-hearsing with 25 members. Today, there are90.

“We’re totally sold out at every concert,”Ghent said (don’t worry; as of press time, seatsfor Saturday’s show are still available). Eachyear, the Vocal Chords play a spring concertand Christmas concert. However, other perfor-mances have been at Foxwoods, Disney World,in front of the White House, Montreal, and atthe Vatican for the Pope in 1996. During theirWashington, D.C. visit in 2004, the group per-formed for Senators Dodd and Lieberman.Each November, the Vocal Chords also performa hospice memorial service at Mercy HighSchool.

In March of 2002, six months after the 9/11attacks, the Chords put on a free concert atMiddletown High School. The show consisted

exclusively of “patriotic” songs.The majority of the group has also turned

out for short-notice performances, includingfunerals for children of group members, as wellas the service of a group member.

“You can feel the vibes form the group. It’sjust amazing; it just blows me away!” Ghentsaid. Ghent was diagnosed with cancer threeyears ago. When asked if the group’s music hashelped her through this ordeal, she blurted,without hesitation, “Definitely!”

“The camaraderie and the love is breathtak-ing,” exuded Ghent. “I don’t think I’ve everworked with such a wonderful group of people.”

Ghent has lived in Portland since she was 3years old, and she and her husband Paul havebeen married for 46 years. She has five chil-dren and 10 grandchildren. Though said admit-ted leading the group for the past 19 years hasbeen hard work, she seems to have no regrets.“You give 100 [percent], you get back 200,”she said, of the group’s efforts.

Ghent said those who see a show for the firsttime are always impressed to say the least. Shealso pointed out that the performers are not paidand are not professional musicians. Most areretirees, and secretaries, teachers, firefightersand, of course, nurses, are just some of the back-grounds members come from.

Ghent said anyone is welcome to join thegroup, as long as they love music, enjoy sing-ing, and are willing to make the commitment.(The Vocal Chords practice each Tuesday dur-ing its spring and fall seasons, which typicallyrun January to May and September to Decem-ber, respectively.)

Current performers come from all over thearea, including Portland, East Hampton,Cheshire, Meriden, Middletown, Farmington,Haddam and Cromwell.

Ghent said people have occasionally told her,“You people are too good for this area,” to whichshe responds, “Oh, no we’re not! This is ourcommunity, and this is where we belong.”

The goal of the Vocal Chords “is strictly tolift spirits and heal souls with music,” Ghentsaid. “And believe me: it works.” However, each

The Middlesex Hospital Vocal Chords will have their 20th spring concert thisSaturday at Portland High School.

year, the group awards scholarships to area se-niors who are going to study either nursing ormusic. At this weekend’s concert, the group willhand out five $1,000 scholarships, which willbring the total to $42,000 since it began dis-tributing scholarships.

Ghent promised Saturday’s show will be“phenomenal” and said it is “a tribute to ourpast 20 years.”

Ghent asked Vocal Chords members to sub-mit their favorite songs from past shows, andthe set list for Saturday includes titles like“When the Saints Go Marching In,” “The BattleHymn of the Republic,” “Showboat,” “YouRaise Me Up” and a medley of songs from WaltDisney movies.

The ensemble also published a new cook-book this year. Titled Rhapsody of Recipes, the

book – which is dedicated to Ghent – features300 recipes submitted by group members, aswell as their friends and family. The group hasalready sold 260 copies, and more will be avail-able at the concert. Books may also be pur-chased by calling 347-2787. Proceeds from thesale will go toward next year’s scholarships.

Tickets for the spring concert run $18 foradults and $15 for seniors and students under12. A limited number of tickets will be sold atthe door, and they are also available by calling342-3120.

“I love people, and I love seeing them happy,and there’s nothing more rewarding,” Ghentsaid.

She should get more of the same Saturdaynight.

Hebron Resident Making MovieDocumenting Peters Saga

by Sarah McCoyLately the name ‘Peters’ has been associated

with controversy in Hebron. Resident MattTroy, a 2004 RHAM High School graduate,hopes to change that.

Troy and a crew of 15 were in the area thepast week filming a short film on the captureand rescue of Caesar and Lowis Peters. Accord-ing to historical documents, in the late 1700sthe Peters, free African-Americans, were nearlysold into the slave trade before their fellowHebron residents traveled down to Norwich tosave them under the guise that the Peters werewanted on trial back in Hebron.

The story is one of hope and courage. It’snot a story of a house.

For the past three years Hebron town offi-cials have struggled to decide on a future forthe Peters House, located at 150 East St. Theoriginal part of that structure may or may nothave been the home of Caesar and Lowis Pe-ters but, for Troy, it doesn’t matter. “This is awonderful Hebron story and not enough peopleknow about it,” he said. “What I didn’t wantwas to create a movie about the house. The storyof Caesar and Lowis is so much richer.”

Troy, working in conjunction with theHebron Historical Society, was able to secure$60,000 of grant funding for his film from theConnecticut Commission on Culture and Tour-ism to go towards the film. While final num-bers have yet to be calculated, Troy is confi-dent he and his crew stayed within budget. “Onenice thing is that we developed our budget basedon last year’s gas prices,” he said. “Now thatgas is half the price I think we did a good jobcontrolling cost though not to the detriment ofthe film.”

In total Troy has over two hours of footage,shot over the course of seven days in Hebronand surrounding towns. In the next few monthshe will work closely with the film’s editor, EricaTachoir, to develop a final product. Troy saidhe plans for the final film to be between 18 and25 minutes.

Largely, filming went off without a hitch. OnSunday, May 24, the crew worked diligentlyon set in Bolton, only for torrential downpourto hit right before the big shot. “It was the mostdramatic thing I’ve ever seen in filmmaking,”Troy said. “All of a sudden we were looking atthis wall of dark clouds. Thankfully we goteverything secured before the rain hit.”

As it turned out, the rain actually benefitedthe film later on that night, when the cast andcrew set up on the Hebron Fairgrounds to filmthe scene where Caesar and Lowis were beingtransported down to Norwich. The mist that hadcome in with the rain painted a dramatic back-drop for the shoot. “It was epic,” Matthew Chao,sound recordist for the film, said of the shot.

Crews worked for nearly five hours to set upthe shot in the mist, which will equate to onlyabout 20 seconds of the finished product.

The short film, titled Testimonies of a QuietNew England Town, is scheduled to premiereSept. 27 in the auditorium at RHAM HighSchool, 85 Wall St.

While there is still a lot to do before the filmis completed, Troy is breathing a sigh of reliefnow that filming has wrapped. “I think it’s bet-ter than I thought we were capable of,” he saidof the film thus far.

Troy bubbled over with gratitude for all thelocal residents who pitched in to make filminggo as smoothly as it did. “The community re-ally embraced us,” he said. “For the most partwe’re just a group of new college graduates wholove making movies and the amount of supportwe received was incredible.”

Charles Goon, from New York, served asproducer for Testimonies. He said he wasbowled over by how much people bent overbackwards to help the film crew. “It started todrizzle on Saturday and we got all worried thatwe didn’t have enough room under our twotents,” he said. “Within a half hour people fromthe area had rushed out to bring us four moretents. It was incredible.”

Perhaps no one deserves more kudos for theirhard work than Troy’s mother. The Troys’ housewas transformed into a hotel, hosting nearly allof the 15 crew members.

“I have a laundry list of chores to make it upto her,” Troy said. “It will be at least a weekbefore I’m off the hook. Next time, though, Ithink it would be better for everyone if our bud-get includes a few hotel rooms.”

Jessica Troy, Troy’s sister and writer for thefilm, estimated that it will take Matt a littlelonger to repay their mom. “He’ll be sayingthank you and doing chores all summer,” shesaid.

“That’s OK,” Troy said afterwards. “Wemade a movie. That’s the exciting part.”

Even though filming is complete, Troy hasno intention of slowing down. He’s waiting tohear if he landed a position working on the crewof a full-length film set in New York that’s be-ing directed by one of his professors at college.

Troy will be back in the area in the fall whenhe works to complete his senior thesis project.He will return with nearly the same crew to filma short movie about a paramedic who eventu-ally has to choose between saving his life orhis patient’s. With an estimated cost of $43,000,Troy said he will be saving every penny he hasas well as hunting for donations and grants tofund the project.

“I have to do it,” he said. “They’re holdingmy degree captive until I make this one lastfilm.”

Resident Matthew Troy watches a tiny monitor while the cast and crew film ascene from Troy’s new short movie documenting Cesar and Lowis Peters.

Marlborough Budget VoteComing Monday

by Adam Benson Next Monday, June 1, Marlborough tax-

payers will return to the polls to vote on a pro-posed $20.98 million fiscal year 2009-10 bud-get that includes lighter education cuts.

And First Selectman Bill Black is hopingthose compromises will be enough to get thespending plan in place, bringing an end to oneof the town’s most heated budget cycles ever.

“Will it pass overwhelmingly? Probablynot. But I believe the Board of Finance hasput together a budget that’s acceptable to botheducation and the general populace,” he said.

The proposed budget represents a 1.43 per-cent increase in spending over the current year.It also calls for the mill rate to increase by .92mills, which translates to a tax increase of 3.56percent.

Taxpayers shot down a proposed $20.96million budget by a 188-171 vote on May 11.(The budget voters will see next Monday it isactually a little higher, due to money beingtaken out of the town’s undesignated fund bal-ance and put into the local Board of Educa-tion budget. However, the proposed tax in-crease remains the same as what was proposedat the May 11 vote.)

Monday’s vote is set for 7 p.m. in the com-munity room at Elmer Theines-Mary Hall El-ementary School, 25 School Dr. And, in addi-tion to the slightly revised budget, voters willsee some changes from the May 11 meeting.

Participants must register at the door andprovide evidence they’re a taxpayer in town –a process that officials skipped during the pre-vious town meeting, leading some residentsto openly question whether the original votewas valid.

“There seemed to be a level of concern thatsome people had about others trying to doublevote, although I don’t really believe that to bethe case,” Black said. “People generally do theright thing.”

Black said town officials are prepared toonce again use paper ballots during Monday’smeeting.

“A town meeting is generally a smaller au-dience and dependent upon the recognitionof your neighbors,” he said. “It’s a much moreinformal process and based on a mutualknowledge of who is a taxpayer and who isnot.”

In light of the tense, protracted negotiationsthat defined this year’s budget cycle, Blacksaid providing paper ballots remains a likeli-hood – though officials are hoping the check-in will help expedite the process.

“If the majority of those in attendance wantto do it on a paper ballot, we’ll be preparedfor that,” Black said.

Since the May 11 budget defeat, the townboards of finance and education havescrambled to present a new plan – and onethat both sides have publicly endorsed.

The new $6.96 million education budgetforced the school board to slash $28,000 fromits bottom line but allowed it to avoid reduc-ing contributions to AHM Youth Services andpreserve the district’s summer reading pro-gram.

Board of Education members bridged thegap by reducing instructional supplies by anadditional $2,000 and cutting teachers’ class-room budgets from $300 to $200. The districtwas also helped by an employee who submit-ted a letter of retirement to Superintendent ofSchools Sal Menzo – resulting in a savingsnext year of more than $20,700.

The Board of Finance had initially directedthe school board to cut $48,000, but then optedto take $20,000 from the town’s undesignatedfund balance.

Black said he hoped the latest round of talksbetween the sides will help convince votersthe new budget was crafted in the spirit ofcompromise.

“From a practical standpoint, we need toput in place a mill rate that supports a bud-get,” he said.

For details about the new budget, visit thetown’s website at www.marlboroughct.net.

Colchester School Board Adds AnotherHalf-Day Kindergarten Course

by Adam BensonSpurred by a record number of registrations,

the Board of Education Tuesday night votedto add another half-day kindergarten unit toits slate for next year.

“We certainly anticipate next year’s kinder-garten class being larger than this year,”Colchester Elementary School PrincipalJacqueline Somberg said.

This year, the district saw 206 children inits part-time kindergarten program. But al-ready, 207 are signed up for next year, andofficials expect that number to jump evenhigher by the time school starts again in Sep-tember.

“We don’t know what we’re going to endup with. It’s already going over projections,”Board of Education Chairman WilliamHettrick said.

Currently, the district offers 10 half-day andone full-day kindergarten program with a to-tal of 227 students. Officials said adding an-other part-time slot can be done at no cost tothe district, because of $315,000 in unusedfederal stimulus money that will cover extracosts.

Still, if registration continues to swell, itcould present a problem before the calendarturns over. Superintendent of Schools KarenLoiselle said Tuesday that adding more thanone additional half-day kindergarten sessionwould “be a budgetary problem.”

However, Hettrick said he’s confident theearly planning will be enough to ward off thatprospect.

“We have to plan for it financially, but we’rein good shape,” he said.

Somberg said she was glad to see so muchinterest in the district’s kindergarten program,and credited the early sign-ups in helping toalleviate logistical challenges.

“It allows us to look at those numbers and

begin to see where the families live, and al-low us to enroll children in the morning orafternoon,” Somberg said. “We’re going to beable to get those letters out soon, and that’sgoing to be so important.”

Despite the influx of new children, the dis-trict has no plans to expand its full-day kin-dergarten because children in both programsare meeting or surpassing state-mandatedlearning thresholds. Somberg said Tuesdaymore than 75 percent of all kindergarten stu-dents this year met or exceeded benchmarkstandards.

“What I was afraid to do tonight was inany way say that any program is better thananother, because I think we have done so muchgrowth that we feel passionate that we’re go-ing in the right direction,” Somberg said.

The district’s full-day kindergarten pro-gram is designed to aid children with severelearning disabilities, though officials integratenon special-education students into the mixto create an inclusive atmosphere for children.

This year, the district’s full-day kindergar-ten class of 20 was composed of 55 percentspecial education students. In 2007-08, theclass of 22 was 36 percent special education.

Loiselle said special education studentswill continue to be given top priority in thefull-day kindergarten program, despite theadditional part-time offering.

“By the nature of the program, the needi-est kids will be recommended, so we will al-ways be serving those with the greatestneeds,” she said.

A lottery will be held June 8 at 5 p.m. atColchester Elementary to round out the ros-ter for full-day kindergarten next year. Thedeadline to register a child for the lottery isJune 5. To register and for more information,call the school at 537-0717.

East Hampton Car Dealer Keeping Family Tradition Aliveby Michael McCoy

When he opened Lake Pocotopaug Auto lastfall, Ted Trudon was following in the footstepsof both his father and his grandfather.

Trudon’s grandfather owned TrudonVolkswagen in Vernon, while his father ownedTrudon Ford in Bristol. It was at the latter deal-ership that Trudon got a job at the age of 13,washing cars. By age 17, he was a salesmanand eventually moved on to other dealerships,like Hoffman in his hometown of Manchester,and built a career in car sales.

For some time, Trudon, 52, had the itch tostart a dealership of his own, though he neverdevoted his full energy to making it happen.Then, in the summer of 2007, he was lookingfor a house in East Hampton, as he had spenthis childhood summers on Columbia Lake andwas hoping to live near a lake once more. Whilehouse-hunting, he noticed a business spaceavailable for lease right on Route 66, and vir-tually sealed the deal immediately.

Since the 259 West High St. location hadbeen previously used for trailer and campersales, it was basically primed for a dealership.All Trudon had to do was get his inventory,which he retrieves at auctions, primarily in EastWindsor.

“My motto is ‘premium, affordable ve-hicles,’” Trudon said, adding that his cars are“older with high mileage” and are priced ataround $5,000. (The car list on LakePocotopaug Auto’s website,www.lakepocotopaugauto.com, shows a rangeof $3,500 to $8,500.)

Though the exact number varies, Trudon said

he keeps around 50 cars in stock.“Anything that leaves here is sound,” Trudon

promised. “I stand behind everything for 30days, even if it doesn’t come with a warranty.”

While the dealership sells everything fromFords, Toyotas and Subarus to BMWs,Volkswagens and Lincolns, Trudon said he“kind of specialize in Saabs and Volvos,” andsaid he’s a Saab driver himself. He also saidthat one of his mechanics is a Volvo factorymaster certified technician.

Also working at Lake Pocotopaug Auto areTrudon’s wife, Christine, and his daughter, Tay-lor, a student at the University of Connecticut.“The girls do administration,” he said. “It’s afamily.” Trudon also has a daughter namedAlexa and two sons, Alex and Ted. The chil-dren range in age from 16 to 23.

Just this April, Trudon added a full-servicegarage to the dealership, along with two me-chanics. Lake Pocotopaug’s garage welcomesall customers, not just their dealership patrons.

Trudon said he decided to add the garagewhen he realized a trend in people hanging ontotheir cars longer, thanks to the recession.“People aren’t buying anything unless they haveto,” Trudon figured. The garage fields all me-chanical issues, “from minor to major,” Trudonsaid. He also said serviced vehicles are allwashed and vacuumed prior to pickup.

Trudon said he’s “sold a lot of cars to a lotof people in town here,” but added that he’sdrawn customers from all around the area.

Trudon reflected on what has changed over35 years of selling cars. “The dirty guys havegone away,” he said of the stereotypical slip-

pery used car salesman. “Those days are gone.”However, he said the ebb and flow of sales

is less measurable. “There’s actually no logicto it at all,” he said, figuring that there is no onetime of year where sales can be counted on tobe heavier than another time of year.

Lake Pocotopaug Auto, located at 259 WestHigh St. (Route 66), is open Monday throughSaturday, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., or by appoint-ment. Its sales department may be reached at985-2427, while the phone number for serviceis 267-2200.

Lake Pocotopaug Auto is truly a family affair. Pictured, from left, are the Trudons:Alexa, Christine, Ted and Taylor. Not shown are the Trudons’ two sons, Alex andTed.

Andover Veterans and Residents Gather for Memorial Dayby Adam Benson

It was a festive scene in Andover Mondaymorning for the town’s annual Memorial Dayparade – but for one man, the holiday beganhours earlier under a much more somber back-drop.

“At sunrise, I was at my flagpole, as is cus-tomary,” said 80-year-old Ylo Anson, whoserved in the Army for 35 years. With a lonesalute and a slow lowering of the flag from full-staff to half, Anson’s tribute to his fallen com-rades ushered in a day of remembrance rife withsomberness and symbolism.

“The world situation is different today. It’staken on a different dimension,” Anson saidlater in the day at the gates of Center Cemetery,where fresh American flags laid at the weather-beaten headstones of Andover’s military veter-ans.

The town’s Memorial Day parade normallyattracts large crowds because it’s the onlytownwide parade of the year, but dozens of

people like Anson make sure the meaning be-hind the celebration is not forgotten.

“This is for the guys now and the people thatdied,” said Manchester resident Bill Winnie,who served in the Navy from 1961 through1967. “It’s a good thing.”

Wearing a U.S. Navy ball cap, Winnie madethe trip to watch his grandson – a member ofthe Andover Elementary School marching band– take part in Monday’s festivities.

Up and down Route 316, from School Roadto Hebron Road and leading to Memorial Park,hundreds of people – and patriotic pets –cheered, sang and saluted the town’s veteransmarching in front of them.

“We had a good representation of veteransshow up, which is always nice to see happen,”John McCall, the town’s Memorial Day Com-mittee chairman, said Wednesday. “I think wehad a good year for our parade and our celebra-tion.”

In addition to all Andover armed forces mem-bers, Monday’s parade featured an array oftown, regional and local youth groups includ-ing members of Andover Little League,Andover Youth Soccer, the town’s CommunityEmergency Response Team, the Andover Se-nior Center and Boy Scout and Brownie troops.

There were also performances by the RHAMHigh School and Middle school bands, theRHAM color guard and the Andover VolunteerFire Department’s marching unit.

“Things went pretty well,” McCall said. “Wehad great weather. In our town, it’s the onlyparade we have for the whole year and I knowthat plays a big part in the enjoyment.”

The parade touched off from Andover El-ementary School at 9 a.m. and ended about 30minutes later at Memorial Park.

Girl Scout Meggan Hatch and Cub ScoutCaled Smith were chosen as this year’s memo-rial wreath bearers while the RHAM High

School Band performed the national anthemand taps.

Following the service, McCall and hundredsof people gathered along Cider Mill Road inthe shadows of the town’s old cemetery for aservice that included a reading of the GettsyburgAddress by AES sixth-grader Mary McBride.Fellow sixth-grader Carson Verona recited “InFlanders Fields,” a famous World War I-erapoem by Canadian John McCrae.

By 10 a.m., the town’s annual service hadwrapped up, but for veterans like Anson, theday would stretch at least a few hours longer,when he removed the flag in front of his homeaccording to custom.

Anson said honoring the lives and service ofhis military colleagues is a part of his daily rou-tine – minus one key feature.

“I don’t feel like marching,” he said. “I’vedone enough marching. Let somebody youngerdo it.”

Andover held its annual Memorial Day observances this past Monday. Pictured at left is Memorial Day Committee Chairman John McCall offering a few wordsfollowing the morning parade; at center are fresh American flags and wreaths that were placed at the foot of Andover’s war memorial; and at right, Judah Bradley, 3, sisterAudrey, 7, and brother Jeremiah, 5, waved the Stars and Stripes proudly at passing veterans while the children’s mother Joyce looked on.

Hebron Residents Remember Their Own at Memorial Day Serviceby Adam Benson

Joan Tooney was a little girl when her unclewas killed during the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.

But she remembers clearly the honor the 26-year-old Marine was afforded by Hebron resi-dents during a Decoration Day service later thatyear.

“It’s instant recall,” Tooney said. “I can re-member very vividly as a young child whenthey were paying tribute to my uncle. I can seemy aunt standing there.”

More than 60 years later, the event that be-came known in 1967 as Memorial Day stillholds a special place in Tooney’s heart. Herhusband Robert is a World War II veteran, whilea son and several other of her uncles have alsoserved their country.

So the eye-catching display in front of herHebron home that featured an Army dress capdraped atop a white cross in front of a sign thatsaid “My Son!” was meant to be more than justa temporary patriotic display.

“I don’t think that young people in schoolare educated about what Memorial Day means,

and I think there’s a general lack of educationabout it,” Tooney said. “Maybe out of the met-ropolitan area, we seem to have a better under-standing of it.”

Under a clear sky and with temperatureshovering in the low 70s, hundreds of Hebronresidents turned out for the town’s MemorialDay parade, which touched off from RHAMHigh School at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May25.

“The weather was every bit as extraordinaryas the turnout. I think it was the best we’ve everhad,” said John Tuttle, commander of HebronAmerican Legion Post 95 and the parade’sgrand marshal. “I was so grateful for the turn-out and the cooperation. All the units werewonderful and the music was great.”

For all the casual conversations, family gath-erings and picnic brunches that dotted theparade’s route, Tuttle and other military veter-ans spoke poignantly about the meaning of theday at a service in the center of town.

Hebron counts 263 deceased veterans in its

cemeteries, and Tuttle said in the history of thenation, more than 1.25 million soldiers havebeen killed in action.

“America has paid a dear price indeed, andso has our little town of Hebron,” Tuttle said.“For each one lost in battle, irreplaceable in andof themselves, their loss represents a family thatwas instantaneously and irrevocably shattered.”

Ron Winter, a Vietnam War veteran, urgedthose in attendance to also remember service-men and women classified by the federal gov-ernment as missing in action.

“We must all ensure that future generationsknow without asking that their lives and actionswill never be sacrificed for political expedi-ency,” he said. “We must ensure that no Ameri-can serviceman or woman is ever left behind inanother country’s prisons, abandoned by thegovernment that sent them there.”

Monday’s service was highlighted by theceremonial raising of the American flag. Thisyear, the task fell to honorary grand marshal

John Meli, a World War II veteran who servedwith the 90th Division 3rd Army and saw ac-tion at the Battle of the Bulge.

Meli arrived back to his Lebanon home justdays before the parade, following a trip toFrance, where he developed a respitory ailment.Tuttle said Meli was determined to be atMonday’s ceremonies and raise the banner tothe top.

“He used all his strength to raise that flag,”Tuttle said. “This guy is a wonderful testimonyto his generation, because he never talks muchabout his service and his experience.”

And despite the pageantry on displaythroughout the day, Tuttle said he’s quick toremind people the reason behind it all.

“It is not just all ruffles and flourishes onthis day. This is the result of lot of blood beingspilled,” he said. “We don’t take a great amountof vanity in dressing up like soldiers. We’re onlyhere for one reason, because of the guys whocan’t march and never came back.”

Memorial Day was celebrated with a parade and ceremony in Hebron Monday. At left are members of Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 8776 taking part in the parade,while at right, the Hebron Elementary School band participates.

Hebron Police News5/13-Brian Kieffer, 29, of 34 Hillside Rd.,

was charged with third-degree assault and dis-orderly conduct, State Police said.

5/15-Joseph Lanford, 18, of 444 West St.,was charged with disorderly conduct, criminalmischief, interfering with a police officer andpossession of alcohol, State Police said.

5/20-Danean Petow, 42, of Glastonbury, wascharged with driving while intoxicated, evad-ing, and following too close, State Police said.

Andover Police News5/17-Jessie Tarr, 18, of 163 Lake Rd., was

charged with two counts of sixth-degree larceny,State Police said.

5/24-Ryan Piscatelli, 23, of Manchester, wascharged with driving under the influence andfailure to drive upon the right, State Police said.

MarlboroughPolice News

5/26-Justin Ruffino, 22, of 271 S. Main St.,was charged with two counts of second-degreefailure to appear, State Police said.

Colchester Police News5/12-Magdalena Maymon, 44, of West

Warwick, RI, was charged with driving underthe influence, State Police said.

5/14-William Marshall, 19, of Enfield, wascharged with third-degree burglary and sixth-degree larceny, State Police said.

5/15-Nicholas Dugan, 22, of Enfield, wascharged with reckless driving and failure tomaintain the proper lane, State Police said.

5/18-Roberta Spinnato, 54, of Wallingford,was charged with driving under the influenceand failure to maintain the proper lane, StatePolice said.

5/18-James Tattersall, 36, of Plainville, wascharged with engaging police in pursuit, StatePolice said.

5/19-Frederick Hoyle, 56, of New London,was charged with sixth-degree larceny and writ-ing a bad check, State Police said.

5/19-Jonah Pionson, 35, of Glastonbury, wascharged with interfering with police, drivingunder the influence, evading and driving toofast for conditions, State Police said.

5/20-Shannon Pipicelli, 33, of 331 AmstonRd., was charged with possession of drug para-phernalia and possession of narcotics, StatePolice said.

5/22-Terry Faipler, 19, of 639 WestchesterRd., was charged with reckless driving, StatePolice said.

5/22-Rose Olearnich, 51, of Norwich, was

charged with driving under the influence, StatePolice said.

5/23-Carl Smith, 52, of Preston, was chargedwith violation of a restraining order, State Po-lice said.

5/23-Helena Wilson, 42, of Moodus, wascharged with failure to have a headlight, driv-ing while intoxicated and drinking while driv-ing, State Police said.

5/24-Richard Miller, 49, of 280 NorwichAve., was charged with third-degree assault anddisorderly conduct, State Police said.

5/24-Marilyn Saltus, 42, of 280 NorwichAve., was charged with third-degree assault anddisorderly conduct, State Police said.

5/24-Johnny Nieves, 38, of Waterbury, wascharged with driving under a suspended license,State Police said.

5/25-Brittany Carpenter, 22, of 27 Vicki Ln.,was charged with driving under the influenceand failure to have a headlight, State Police said.

5/25-Adrian Pompei, 19, of Willington, wascharged with possession of heroin and posses-sion of drug paraphernalia, State Police said.

5/26-Zigmund Dziedziak, 52, of Columbia,was charged with driving under the influenceand disobeying a stop sign, State Police said.

5/26-James Tedone, 46, of Cromwell, wascharged with third-degree larceny, State Policesaid.

Portland Police News5/22-Claudia Trudell, 35, of 27 Chatham Ct.,

was charged with operating a motor vehicleunder license suspension and seatbelt violation,Portland Police said.

Students from Kristina Frazier’s second-grade class at Andover Elementary havebeen exchanging letters, e-mails and even videos with Wethersfield resident BobLayman since last September. On May 8, “Trucker Bob,” as the kids call him, stoppedby the school for a face-to-face meeting with the class.

Andover Students MeetTheir Pen Pal, ‘Trucker Bob’

by Sarah McCoyStudents in an Andover Elementary School

second-grade class got a visit from their penpal earlier this month.

Kristina Frazier’s class has been exchangingletters, e-mails and even videos withWethersfield truck driver Bob Layman all year.On May 8 “Trucker Bob,” as the students callhim, visited the class, giving them a tour of histruck and even bringing spare keys for the stu-dents.

Last summer, Frazier was looking for a wayto get her students to practice writing. Shestumbled across the Trucker Buddy programand inquired about getting partnered up with adriver. “It seemed like a good way to practiceletter writing and communication skills whilelearning about other parts of the country,”Frazier explained.

The Trucker Buddy International program isa volunteer pen pal program where professionaltruck drivers can communicate their experi-ences to students. The program began over 15years ago and, according to the program’s web-site, has reached more than 100,000 students.

Frazier’s class was matched with TruckerBob, who lives in Wethersfield. Layman worksfor LJ Kennedy Trucking transporting buildingmaterials typically on the eastern side of thecountry.

Every week since September, Layman hascommunicated with Frazier’s class about wherehe’s traveled to, what his load consists of andother facets of his job.

Students would respond back, asking morequestions and describing what their weeks arelike. “My favorite part is learning about wherehe’s gone and seeing the post cards from faraway,” second-grade student Maggie Veronesisaid.

Not only did students get to practice theirletter-writing skills but they also learned newtechnologies. Last fall, the class made a movietaking Trucker Bob on a tour of the school. “We

thought it would be nice for him to know wherewe are because we’ve been following him wherehe goes,” Frazier said.

Layman responded with a video of his owntaken from the cab of his truck and set to thetune of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Coun-try Roads.” Now the 7- and 8-year-olds inFrazier’s class can’t get enough of the 38 year-old song.

Each week the students would look forwardto tracking where Trucker Bob had traveled.During the course of the year he went as far asFlorida; he covers thousands of miles eachweek. Using mapping programs from theInternet students would discuss Trucker Bob’sroute and what they knew of that part of thecountry.

Also, one time Layman sent a photo of wind-mills used to collect energy for electricity. Thatphoto turned into a classroom science discus-sion.

Students also learned about Layman’s sched-ule. “He can’t drive more than 11 hours a dayand has to stop by 6 [p.m.],” Scott Butler, astudent in Frazier’s class, reported. “And, heonly gets to see his family on the weekends andsometimes he doesn’t even get that if he’s toofar away.”

Layman has been driving for 25 years,though he’s only been a long-distance driverthe past two years. He was a truck driver be-fore then, but just did local routes.

Throughout the year Layman took photos ofMiles, a stuffed mouse, at different parts in histrips. When he came last month Laymanbrought with him a matching stuffed mouse forthe class. Frazier’s class named him Mr.Squeaks and he now sits at the front of the class-room, reminding students of their pen pal.

Frazier said she’s pleased that the project notonly got her students writing but also gave thema better appreciation of geography and what itmeans to have a career. She plans to run theprogram again next year.

New Water Main ConstructionUnderway in Hebron

by Sarah McCoyConstruction has begun for a water main

to service contaminated properties in the MainStreet area.

The main comes as the result of a consentorder handed down by the Department of En-vironmental Protection (DEP) to the ownersof the two Hebron gas stations for contami-nation that dates back over 25 years.

According to Bill Richards, environmentalanalyst with the Remediation Division withinthe Bureau of Water Protection and Land Useat the DEP, the first contamination release wasfound at one of the gas stations in town in1983. Over time there have been more releasesthat have necessitated the need for the watermain.

In 2007, according to Richards, the DEPissued Drake Petroleum, owners of the gas sta-tions, a unilateral remediation order for theground water pollution that had been created.Drake Petroleum appealed the decision butreached an agreement with DEP before thematter went to the next step in the administra-tion process.

The agreement, spelled out in a consent or-der, was received by town officials at the endof March. It calls for the laying of a watermain to reach four properties located in theMain Street area. Hebron Town Planner MikeO’Leary said the properties are Raney Orth-odontics on Wall Street, Patti Dunne’s Gym-nastics on Pendleton Drive, and the Fire De-partment and the Hebron Center Commonsstrip, both on Main Street.

In addition to the hook-up to public waterthese four sites will also receive compensa-tion for their water bills for the next 10 years.Drake Petroleum will be required to pay thesebills, Richards reported, as a way of makingamends for the inconvenience of the contami-

nation.O’Leary and Richards both reported that

Drake Petroleum is currently providing filtra-tion and bottled water to the properties affectedby the contamination.

The consent order also calls for continuedmonitoring of 12 additional sites at risk forcontamination in the future. However, DrakePetroleum has opted to go ahead and hookthese additional properties up to the new wa-ter main in lieu of the costly testing. “Whatwe see is the respondent taking a proactiveapproach to remediate the contamination,”Richards said.

These additional properties include Dou-glas Library and New Alliance Bank on MainStreet, AHM Youth and Family Services onPendleton Drive and businesses located in theplaza with Subway and the Greenleaf Café,also on Main Street.

Richards said gas station contaminationsare fairly common in the state, and praisedDrake Petroleum for its handling of the situa-tion. “I believe all parties involved are satis-fied with the agreement that’s in place,” hesaid. “That’s not always the case.”

In addition to the water main and hook-upsto individual properties Drake Petroleum willalso be required to install four fire hydrantsper the guidelines set forth by the Connecti-cut Water Company, who provides water ser-vice to the town.

Construction on the water main began lastweek. O’Leary said he expects the project towrap up by the end of June. It is being done atno cost to the town.

Interim Town Manager Andy Tierney saidlast week that he’s “thrilled” to see the projectgetting underway. “It’s great to put the matterbehind us while making sure the residents andbusinesses of Hebron are protected,” he said.

East Hampton Police News5/9-Luis A. Santos, 42, of 34 East High St.,

was arrested for operating under the influenceof alcohol and/or drugs, illegal storage of nar-cotics, possession of controlled substance andpossession of narcotics, East Hampton Policesaid.

5/15-Robert M. Mongiat, 52, of 6 Byron Rd.,was issued a ticket for passing in a no-passingzone, police said.

5/15-Mark Rohdem 49, of 15 Hayes Rd., wasissued a ticket for allowing a dog to roam, po-lice said.

5/16-Theodore R. Tester, 50, of 172 MiddleHaddam Rd., Portland, was arrested for oper-ating under the influence of alcohol, police said.

5/17-Jason M. Thomas, 34, of 64 West HighSt., was arrested for disorderly conduct, third-degree assault, interfering/resisting an officerand third-degree criminal mischief, police said.

5/17-Michelle Paquette, 17, of 8 GlenwoodRd., and Lori Lacroix, 25, of 78 Needle TreeLn., Glastonbury, were involved in a two-caraccident on Route 66 at Route 196, police said,and added that Paquette was issued a ticket forfailure to obey a stop sign.

5/18-Robert Makris, 20, of 66 McDonaldRd., Colchester, and Dorothy Streich, 45, of 4ABellevue St., were issued tickets for failure to

wear a seatbelt, police said.5/19-Daniel Mudgett, 29, of 131 Wellesville,

New Milford, was arrested pursuant to a war-rant for failure to appear, police said.

5/20-Eric Lafountain, 27, whose addresspolice listed as Hartford Corrections Center,was arrested on a habeas and charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree larceny and con-spiracy to commit third-degree larceny, policesaid.

5/20-Frank Turner, 55, of 23 Young St., wasarrested pursuant to a warrant for accessory tolarceny, police said.

5/20-Holly Turner, 45, of 23 Young St., wasarrested pursuant to a warrant for sixth-degreelarceny, police said.

5/21-Bruce Heller Jr., 32, of 26 Lake Blvd.,Evan Rea, 22, of 63 Blue Heron Dr., andRaymond Gaylord, 25, of 2 Whittier Rd., wereall issued tickets for failure to wear a seat belt,police said.

5/21-Justin Barall, 19, of 44 Emily Ln., wasarrested for possession of less than four ouncesof marijuana, police said.

5/22-Seth Hall, 18, of 126 Bear Swamp Rd.,was issued a ticket for failure to wear a seatbelt, police said.

From the Editor’s Desk

Observations & Ruminationsby Mike Thompson

What a series!I’m not a fan of interleague play (more on

that later), but exciting baseball is excitingbaseball, and last weekend’s Mets-Red Soxseries up at Fenway certainly had its share ofthrills. For the Mets, the series marked thefinal three games of a road trip that had startedthrillingly (three straight wins over the Gi-ants) but quickly turned sour (a loss in theirfinal game in San Francisco, followed by anembarrassing three-game sweep by the Dodg-ers, which included one utterly humiliatingloss in which the winning run of the ballgamewas voided because the runner didn’t touchthird when he was rounding the bag). The triphad also seen injuries really take a toll on theMets’ roster. As they limped into Boston, Iwasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I wasn’toverly optimistic.

By Sunday, I was thinking sweep.The Mets didn’t play great defense in

Friday’s opener. In fact, it was pretty lousy.But they had Johan Santana on the hill, andSantana didn’t let the errors behind him getto him. He never lost his concentration and,while I’ve seen better stuff from him this sea-son, he pitched quite well, giving up threeruns – two earned – in seven innings.

Saturday’s game proved to be a rather un-expected pitchers’ duel, with the Mets’ MikePelfrey taking on Boston’s Josh Beckett, andthe two of them turning in great performances(Pelfrey gave up two runs on six hits in seveninnings, striking out six; Beckett was a littlebetter, giving up one run – unearned – on fivehits in eight innings, striking out five).Papelbon pitched the ninth with the Metsdown, 2-1. He issued a leadoff walk but thenstruck out the next two, and it looked like theseries might be even, a game apiece. Thensomething strange and wonderful happened.

Catcher Omir Santos hit a fly ball to deepleft field. Was it high enough, and far enough,to clear the Green Monster? Well, it hit offthe top of it, bounced back into the field ofplay, and umpires ruled it a hit — nothingmore. Gary Sheffield (who’d been walked tolead off the inning) stopped at third, whileSantos stopped at second. Sheffield beganimmediately twirling his finger in the air, in-dicating the ball was a home run. And thequestion began to circulate: was it? The re-play shown on TV seemed to indicate yes,that the ball just cleared this very small railon top of the Green Monster before comingback onto the field. And to their credit, theguys broadcasting the game for NESN (whichis, of course, the Red Sox channel) alsoseemed convinced it was a homer. The um-pires talked amongst themselves for a bit, thencrew chief Joe West went down into a tunnelby the Red Sox dugout to do something theycouldn’t have done at this time last year –watch an instant replay.

Late last season, Major League Baseballinstituted an instant replay rule. If there is aquestion as to whether a ball is a home run ornot, the umpire staff can review video andsee. It was a change I was 100 percent be-hind. Few things can change a game as muchas a home run, particularly when the game isclose (and the hit by Santos – if ruled a homer– would have turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2lead). In those cases where it’s not clear rightaway if a ball is a homer, then I believe um-pires should be able to review it. Umpiresaren’t perfect, and sometimes, depending onwhere a ball is hit, it can be very difficult in-deed to make a judgment call when you’rewatching it live and with your naked eye.

(Another note in instant replay’s favor:Major League Baseball limits its use to de-ciding home runs. You can’t use it to see if adouble down the line is fair or foul, or to seeif that guy sliding into home plate really didbeat the tag. While those are important playstoo, if you let instant replay be used for any-thing, baseball games could drag on for fartoo long. Plus, at some point you have to relyon the umpires to do their job.)

After viewing the replay, the umpires ruledthat the ball was indeed a homer, so the Metsgrabbed the lead, and Papelbon had a rareblown save. With the help of some sparkingdefense in the bottom of the ninth (includinga terrific stretch by second baseman LuisCastillo to save a ball from going into the out-field – and oh yeah, he got the out too), theMets held on to win.

It was an amazing outcome. The replay to-tally turned that game around. A year ago,

perhaps the Red Sox win that game. It wasfascinating. While I know it wasn’t the firsttime instant replay was used in a game, Sat-urday marked the first time it had been usedin a game I was watching (and, I later learned,the first time it was used at Fenway Park).Which made it all the more surprising whenit was used again the very next day.

Sunday’s instant replay, used to determineif a potential home run hit by Kevin Youkaliswas fair or foul, didn’t come in the same typeof situation. It was the fifth inning, and theMets were up 5-3, and there was no one onbase. Nor was the outcome the same. The re-plays they showed on TV were inconclusive,and indeed that’s what the umpires felt too.So, lacking concrete proof that the ball was ahomer, the umpires ordered it to remain a foulball, and Youkilis went on to fly out.

That kept the Mets up 5-3, but things didn’tremain that way for long. Three straight Bos-ton hits with two out in the fifth chased Mets’starter Tim Redding. He left with the lead –albeit a slim one, at 5-4 – but the bullpencouldn’t stop the bleeding and by the end ofthat inning the Mets were down 6-5. Thebullpen then went on to have a mini-implo-sion, and Boston wound up winning 12-5.

So, in the end, there was no sweep, but theMets still won the series. I’ll take that.

Now, since the Mets were playing the RedSox, that means I was able to watch all threegames on TV. Typically, only one Met gamea week is shown on TV in this part of the state;on Sundays, WPIX in New York carries thegame, and Channel 20 here in Connecticutusually simulcasts those. But because theywere playing Boston, NESN was showing thegames too, so that meant Friday’s andSaturday’s match-ups were on TV. I took fulladvantage, and watched all three games.

The games marked the first time I’vewatched Red Sox broadcasts on NESN for anextended period of time, and I have to say,they did a good job. The play-by-play teamof Don Orsillo and Hall of Famer DennisEckersley was entertaining and informational,and didn’t leave me with a desire to mute theTV. There were occasional moments when I’dwished they were paying a little more atten-tion to the game on the field, but for the mostpart it was enjoyable. Plus, I discoveredNESN’s on-field reporter, Heidi Watney.Yowza. Unfortunately, she seemed to only bethere for Friday’s game; they didn’t show heron Saturday. Still, she was quite the sight. Youmale fans in Red Sox Nation are pretty lucky.

Heidi might have been back for Sunday’sgame, but, like I said, Sunday’s game was onChannel 20 so I watched it there, with theMets’ broadcast team of Gary Cohen and RonDarling. Like I said, I only get to see Metbroadcasts once a week, so I’m going to watchthem when I can – Heidi or no Heidi.

Watching the games, I noticed just howmany Mets fans were present. There were alot of them, seemingly in all corners of theballpark. And during the games you’d hear“Let’s Go Red Sox!” chants, immediately fol-lowed by “Let’s Go Mets!” chants (whichweren’t as loud, since there were more RedSox fans there, it being Fenway). However,the Mets fans and the Red Sox fans did seemto agree on one thing, anyway. They’d all jointogether for the occasional “Yankees Suck!”chants.

Another thing I noticed was the fans’ treat-ment of David Ortiz. Ortiz has had an awfulseason, and looked just dreadful this week-end. He struck out almost every time hewalked up to the plate, and in fact by the endof the day Sunday his average had dipped be-low .200. And yet, the fans never booed him.It was quite remarkable. Perhaps they’re stillappreciative of all that Big Papi did in 2004and 2007. But they never booed. Having beento many Mets games in my life, I can tell youthat wouldn’t have happened in New York.When the performance isn’t there, the fansboo you; it doesn’t matter who you are. ButOrtiz, even though he looked terrible, wasgiven a pass by the fans. It seemed prettyclassy.

Now, back to the point I made wayyyy backat the beginning of this column. While Iwatched all three of the games, and enjoyedthem, I’m not a fan of interleague play. I’lladmit there was a certain novelty to it when itstarted in 1997, but that novelty has long sinceworn off, and now I just want it to go away. Ibelieve it really does cheapen the World Se-ries. When two teams meet for the first time

on baseball’s biggest stage, it’s exciting. It’sthe thrill of baseball’s best from one leaguemeeting baseball’s best from another league.It’s a little less thrilling when the two teamshad just played each other a few months be-fore.

For example, think of 2000, when the Metsplayed the Yankees in the Fall Classic. It wouldhave been the first Subway Series of any kindin New York since the Giants and the Dodg-ers bolted for California in the ’50s. Imaginethe excitement. And while it was exciting – itwas the World Series after all – the Mets andthe Yankees had already played each other sixtimes that season. The Mets had already com-peted against the Yankees’ players, had alreadybeen in a jam-packed Yankee Stadium, andthe same thing with the Yankees, and their

familiarity with the Yankees players and SheaStadium. Had the two teams – and their ul-tra-passionate fan bases – truly been meetingeach other for the first time, it would haveadded a whole other layer of excitement tothe series.

I know I’m very much in the minority. Thefans seem to love interleague play, and as longas they keep flocking to the games, MajorLeague Baseball will see no reason to end it.But I’d rather interleague games not takeplace until the World Series. There are somechanges Major League Baseball has made tomy beloved game over the years that I’vecome to embrace, like the three-division, wildcard format. But on interleague play I’m de-cidedly old-school.

See you next week.

ColchesterWilliam Francis Kaik Sr.

William Francis Kaik, Sr., 61, of Colchesterand formerly of Branford, beloved husband ofDonna (Hawtin) Kaik, passed away unexpect-edly Friday evening, May 22, at home. BornJan. 18, 1948 in New Haven, he was a son ofMary Evelyn (Harris) Kaik of Hamden and thelate Edward S. Kaik Sr.

A 1964 graduate of North Branford HighSchool, he enlisted in the Navy and followinghis honorable discharge, he attended flightschool and went on to own and operate the Pio-neer Gun Stock Co. in Guilford before joiningSubaru of America in their sales force for 25years before his retirement. Over the years, heenjoyed flying as well as gardening andantiquing.

In addition to his mother and his loving wifeof 30 years, he is survived by two children,Beverly Mott of Rochester, NY and William F.Kaik Jr. of Monroe, NC; his sister, ValerieAndree of Rhinelander, WI; a brother, EugeneKaik of Haddam; and numerous extended fam-ily members and friends.

In addition to his father, he was predeceasedby a brother, Edward S. Kaik Jr.

Friends gathered Tuesday evening, May 26,at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 OldHartford Rd., Colchester. A memorial servicefollowed.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memorymay be made to the American Lung Associa-tion, 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT 06108-3272.

For online condolences, visitwww.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com.

HebronHelen Macrina

Helen Macrina, 82, of Hebron and formerlyof Brockton, MA, widow of the late George J.Macrina, passed away Saturday, May 23, at theWm. W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. BornMay 17, 1927, in Stoughton, MA, she was adaughter of the late Samuel and Mary (Prodouz)Klimchuk.

On Nov. 6, 1949, she and George were mar-ried in Brockton and shared nearly 57 years ofmarriage before he predeceased her on Oct. 6,2006. Over the years, Helen enjoyed cookingand baking, as well as tending to her gardensand watching the birds in her yard. Later on,she and George loved spending their winters inFlorida and summers in Maine. Most impor-tantly, she will be missed and remembered forher undying devotion to her family.

She is survived by her five children and theirspouses, Jon and Kathie of Willimantic, Rich-ard and Jody of Hebron, Jim and Ann ofMarlborough, Jennifer of Hebron and Francisof Willimantic; two sisters, Virginia Beaulieuof New Hampshire and Christine Allaire ofFlorida; eight grandchildren, Samantha,Heather, Jonna, Matthew, Mark, Nicholas,Julieann and Tiffany; three great-grandchildren,Jered, Christopher and Allie Rose; and numer-ous extended family members and friends.

In addition to her husband, she was prede-ceased by two brothers, Andrew “Sonny” andWalter.

Friends called Wednesday, May 27, at theAurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 OldHartford Rd., Colchester. A chapel service wasobserved that evening. Committal will be pri-vate and at the convenience of the family.

Donations in her memory may be made tothe American Lung Association, 45 Ash St.,East Hartford, CT 06108-3272.

For online condolences, visitwww.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com.

AndoverBrenda Bendza

Brenda (Jerome) Bendza, 51, passed awayMonday, May 18, in her home in Naples, FL,following a long-term battle with cerebellardegeneration.

Brenda was the daughter of Roger andCatherine Jerome of Andover, mother of Mat-thew Bendza of King Salmon, AK, and of Cap-tain Christine Sulentic (US Army), and wife ofJames Bendza of Naples. Brenda’s brother,Bruce, lives in Glastonbury, her sister, Diane,in Andover, and her brother, Michael, inRockville. She never met anyone who did notgrow to love her more every day. She was es-pecially fond of her grandchildren, AnthonyMichael Sulentic, and Gabriel Sulentic, of Sa-vannah, GA.

Having graduated from RHAM High School,she pursued careers in health care, includingresidential care at the Mansfield State TrainingSchool.

She will join her father at the Andover Me-morial Gardens. Her life was celebrated at theHoly Family Church in Hebron Saturday, May23.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests dona-tions to the charity of your choice.

East HamptonJosephine Gondek

Josephine “Jay” (Zawisza) Gondek, 96, ofEast Hampton went peacefully to her eternalreward on Thursday, May 21. Josephine wasthe wife of the late John C. Gondek. She wasalso preceded in death by her son, Thomas.

She was born in Colchester in 1912, but livedmost of her life in Middletown. For the goldenyears of her life, Jay lived in East Hampton withher loving sister, Geneveve Rankl. They werea comfort to each other with their care, com-passion and devotion.

Josephine is survived by her son, John F.Gondek and his wife Patricia of Rocky Hill;her daughter in law, Pauline C. Gondek of Port-land; her sisters, Frances Robinson and herhusband Connie of East Hampton; PaulineGamache of Columbia; her brother-in-law,Frank Gondek of Portland; her granddaughter,Molly Savich and her husband Christopher ofGlendale, NY; her grandsons, Thomas of Port-land, Michael and his wife Diane of Higganumand Matthew and his wife Julie of Portland.Babci, as she was known, leaves three great-grandchildren, Kristen, Aimee and Alex, andnumerous loving nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Nicole Cook andthe staff at Maple View Manor as well as Hart-ford Hospital and the Hospice Care Team.

Funeral liturgy was held Tuesday, May 26,at St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, SouthMain Street, Middletown. Family and friendscalled at the Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St.,Middletown, on Tuesday morning. Burial at St.John’s Cemetery.

East HamptonPhyllis Krzeminski

Phyllis B. Krzeminski, 94, of East Hamptonand formerly of Maryland, widow of the lateMichael J. Krzeminski, died Sunday, May 24at Middlesex Hospital. Born May 5, 1915 inBethel Maine, she was the daughter of the lateWilliam and Ethel Burhoe.

She is survived by her two sons, MichaelKrzeminski of East Hampton, and PhilipKrzeminski of Moodus; three daughters,Lezette Wise of California, Lydia Krzeminskiof Ohio and Emily Court of Maryland; and fivegrandchildren.

Funeral services will be private at the conve-nience of the family.

The Spencer Funeral Home, 112 Main St.,East Hampton, has care of the arrangements.