Bee IntellIgencerBee IntellIgencerInforming the towns of Middlebury, Southbury, Woodbury, Naugatuck, Oxford and Watertown

Volume X, No. 14 Friday, April 4, 2014AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

FREE

Prst. Std. U.S. Postage PaidNaugatuck, CT

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“Progress always involves risks. You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.” ~ Frederick B. Wilcox

Adoptable Pets ............... 8

Book Review .................. 2

Classifieds ...................... 7

Community Calendar ...... 2

Fire Log .......................... 3

In Brief ........................... 4

Legal Notices ................. 7

Library Happenings ......... 2

Library Lines ................... 2

Obituaries ...................... 5

Region 15 School Calendar ...3

Senior Center Events ...... 3

Sports Quiz .................... 6

Varsity Sports Calendar ... 6

Inside this Issue

Published weekly by The Middlebury Bee Intelligencer Society, LLC - 2030 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT 06762 - Copyright 2014

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Panthers’ softball team balances youth, experience

page 6

connecticut cactus and succulent society show and saleWhat: Plant show, plant auctions, plant sales, lectures, vendorsWhen: Saturday 10 a.m to 5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Naugatuck Valley Community College at 750 Chase Parkway in WaterburyInfo: Free admission; free parking. 50 free plants given away each day.

public Hearing on proposed middlebury town budget What: Public presentation of the Board of Finance’s proposed 2014-2015 Middlebury budget When: 6:30 p.m.Where: Tucker Hill Road Firehouse, 65 Tucker Hill Road, Middlebury

public Hearing on proposed Region 15 budget What: Public hearing and adoption of Region 15 Board of Education’s proposed 2014-2015 budgetWhen: 7:30 p.m.Where: AP Room, Pomperaug High School

saturDaY& sunDaY

april 5 & 6

monDaYapril 7

Greenway remindersWith the weather improving,

Middlebury Police would like to remind users of the greenway and parks to leave their valu-ables at home. Every year people come to the greenway and the parks and lock their valuables in their cars. Additionally, some people open their car trunk by using the trunk release in the car and then place their valuables in the trunk.

The person then walks away, and the criminal breaks the win-dow to take the valuables from the car or use the trunk release to get the valuables out of the trunk. This is a statewide prob-lem.

Most of the time the stolen credit cards are used right away and, by the time the victim gets back to the car and calls the po-lice, the damage has been done. If you see suspicious people

hanging around the parking lots along the greenway or at the parks, be sure to report them to the police.

Police also remind people out jogging, walking or walking their dogs to wear reflective clothing or bright colors to be more vis-ible.

Alleged stalkingMiddlebury Police were called

Saturday, March 29, at approxi-mately 10:24 a.m. by a woman who said she was being stalked by a old boyfriend. An incident had taken place at the Blast Gym on Straits Turnpike in Middle-bury, where the complainant was working out. She observed her ex-boyfriend watching her.

After receiving the complaint, Middlebury and Naugatuck Po-lice went to 560 North Church St. in Naugatuck and arrested Carlos Filipe Pascoal, 29, in a bathroom at the residence. He

had locked himself in the bath-room in an attempt to avoid being arrested.

Pascoal was charged with third-degree stalking, a violation of C.G.S. 53a-181e, and interfer-ing /resisting arrest, a violation of C.G.S. 53a-167a. Pascoal was held on $50,000 bond and was arraigned in Superior Court GA#4 Monday morning, March 31. The court raised his bond to $150,000 and instructed him to appear again in Superior Court Tuesday, April 29. Police said there had been previous inci-dents between the victim and suspect in the past. Officer De-mers was the investigating offi-cer.

Domestic disturbanceSunday, March 30, at about

7:30 p.m., police responded to the former Golden Age of Truck-ing Museum at 1101 Southford Road in Middlebury to investi-

gate a domestic dispute. Police determined the dispute had started in Southbury, and South-bury Police also conducted an independent investigation.

Michael Zuraitis, 51, of Water-town, Conn., was charged by Middlebury Police with criminal violation of a protective order, a violation of C.G.S. 53a-223. Jen-nifer Posegate, 45, whose last known address was 192 Heritage Village in Southbury, was charged with third-degree assault, a vio-lation of G.G.S. 53a-61, and dis-orderly conduct, a violation of C.G.S. 53a-182.

Zuraitis was relased on a $5,000 non-surety bond and turned over to Southbury Police. Posegate was released on a writ-ten promise to appear. Both were due in court for arraign-ment Monday, March 31. Officer Marcantonio was the investigat-ing officer.

police matters

Warmer weather with temperatures in the 50s had melted most of the winter ice on Fenn Pond Tuesday, giving residents hope the long, cold winter was finally coming to an end. Over on Route 188, however, ice still covered most of Turtle Pond.

(Marjorie Needham photo)

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

The Regional School District 15 Board of Education (BoE) will host a public budget hearing on the proposed 2014-2015 school budget Monday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the AP Room at Pomperaug High School. The proposed $64.2 mil-lion budget is 3.67 percent higher than the current budget, but it is $154,000 lower than the original $64.4 million budget proposed by Superintendent of Schools Regina L. Botsford. Her budget reflected a 3.92 percent increase over the current budget.

During budget workshops Feb. 26 and March 5, the BoE shaved $154,000 off Botsford’s budget. Four budget workshops were scheduled, with two more to be held March 13 and 24, but the last two were canceled when the BoE determined they were not needed.

BoE member John Cookson explained the cuts. He said the BoE decided to reduce the cost of in-service training by using Title I grant money and reduced the ref-erendum budget by limiting it to two referendums. Cookson said historically there have not been more than two referendums for taxpayers each year they have voted on the Region 15 budget.

Another cut was possible be-cause new software for the School Messenger program that informs parents costs less than the current software. The BoE cut its own bud-get, too, reducing it to $3,000 from $10,000. The costs of inventory management were cut by moving the hiring of an outside inventory management company to every other year instead of every year. A final cut was made in the copier budget by delaying purchase of a new copier at the high school.

Last year, between the time the 2013-2014 budget was proposed and the time it went to the polls, it was reduced $1.04 million. Asked why this year’s reduction was $154,000, Cookson said, “There is nothing to cut. You have to pay your debt and the increases in sal-aries and pensions.”

The Region 15 website has a summary of the results of a budget survey conducted by the BoE. At its March 24 meeting, the BoE con-sidered the results of three areas of the survey considered essential or very important to those partic-ipating in the survey: smaller class sizes, up-to-date technology and advanced placement courses. These were valued by parents, fu-ture parents and staff at 87 percent, 90 percent, and 91 percent, respec-tively. In contrast, non-parents valued them at 53 percent, 73 per-cent and 79 percent, respectively

Cookson declined to comment on the proposed budget, saying he first wanted to hear what the pub-lic had to say Monday night. Asked if people are approaching him as a BoE member, he said, “I’m not really hearing anything at the pres-ent time. It’s very quiet out there.”

BoE member Fran Brennan said he is still deliberating and has not yet made up his mind about the budget. Asked if he was concerned about the budget increasing as enrollment is dropping, Brennan said, “I’m more concerned about the impact of common core long term. I think it is a major element

in increasing our budget. I can see it as a long-term expenditure.”

BoE member Dick Spierto said, “My mind probably won’t be made up until Monday night after the final presentation and the public presentation.” Spierto said he knows from experience that you don’t know until the last minute what the final budget number will be because funds from the state or from grants can unexpectedly change the numbers.

A slide in the budget presenta-tion available on the Region 15 website (www.region15.org) under “Budget Info” lists budgets for a four-year period. For 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, there were zero increases. The current budget, 2013-2014, increased 2.82 percent, and the proposed budget is a 3.67 percent increase. On the slide, the four years are averaged to give an annual increase of 1.62 percent. Since the effect of the proposed 2014-2015 budget will be a 3.67 percent increase, the relevance of the 1.62 percent average is unclear.

If the budget total remains un-changed Monday night and the budget passes May 7, Middlebury taxpayers will pay $20.1 million, or 31.33 percent, compared to the current budget, for which Middle-bury is paying $19.8 million, or 31.87 percent, and Southbury tax-payers will pay $44.1 million, or 68.67 percent, compared to $42.2 million, or 68.13 percent. It’s pos-sible Region 15 revenues from other sources may lower the amount each town has to pay.

The change in percentages at-tributable to each town is based on enrollment numbers on Oct. 1, 2013. Middlebury had 1,257 stu-dents compared to 1,309 on Oct. 1, 2012, a decrease of 52 students. Southbury had 2,755 students compared to 2,798 on Oct. 1, 2012, a decrease of 43 students. Overall there are 95, or 2.4 percent, fewer students in the 2014-2015 fiscal year than in 2013-2014.

Savings in the proposed budget will come in part from having four fewer full-time effort teachers due to lower enrollment and savings from 23 teachers taking an early retirement incentive. Three of those 23 positions will not be filled. The district also will save the cost of four full-time effort teachers for at-risk students because they will be funded by a Title 1 grant. Per-sonnel-related savings total $537,000.

The unavoidable increases Cookson referred to total $1.1 mil-lion, or 1.84 percent after the offset of the $537,000 in personnel-re-lated savings. This is due to con-tract, Social Security and Medicare increases and also $125,000 in additional pension obligations.

Taxpayers will have one final opportunity to address the pro-posed budget with the BoE at the Monday night public hearing. It is unclear whether or not the BoE would make further changes to the budget as a result of public input Monday night, but following the public hearing the BoE will vote on adopting the proposed budget. The next budget action will be the Wednesday, May 7, referendum for voters in Middlebury and Southbury to accept or reject the proposed budget.

Region 15 budget hearing monday

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

The Middlebury Board of Finance (BoF) will host a public hearing Monday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the firehouse at 65 Tucker Hill Road in Middlebury to present the proposed 2014-2015 Middlebury town budget. This is the same night Regional School District 15 has scheduled a public hearing for its 2014-2015 budget, which will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in the Pomperaug High School AP Room.

The proposed town budget stands at $9.98 million compared to the current town budget of $10.1 million. However, BoF Chairman Michael McCormack said taxes will increase 2.8 percent due to a revenue shortfall for 2014-2015. For the 2013-2014 budget, $518,000 was taken from the unassigned fund balance and used as revenue. For 2014-2015, $95,000 from the unassigned fund balance was counted as revenue.

Although the total tax increase cannot be determined at this time, the proposed 2014-2015 Region 15 school budget of $64.2 million is a 3.67 percent increase over the current school budget and may increase Middlebury’s contribution to $20.1 million compared to its current $19.8 million if the Region 15 budget passes at the polls on May 7. If both the town and school district budgets pass at their cur-rent levels, Middlebury’s total town and school budget will likely be $30.1 million compared to its current $29.8 million.

Middlebury First Selectman Edward B. St. John said Wednesday residents aren’t saying much to him about the proposed town bud-get. “I think it is as bare bones as your going to get when it comes to an operating budget,” he said. “There’s not much meat to pick off the bones.”

The Region 15 budget, however, is another matter. “I’m not getting negative comments

on the town budget, but I am on the school budget,” St. John said. “People are concerned the school budget is going to be more than we can afford.”

Chief Financial Officer Lawrence Hutvag-ner said some of the biggest changes made to the town budget included removing $10,000 for the Lake Quassapaug Association. Hutvagner said the money would have gone towards a project dealing with invasive weeds in the lake.

The removal of police department over-time money was done without the BoF de-fining which of the overtime categories was to be lowered. Hutvagner said there are three police overtime categories: regular overtime, school security overtime and special duty paperwork overtime. Hutvagner said the BoF reduced the amount $15,000 below the

middlebury town budget hearing monday night

– See Budget on page 5

2 Friday, April 4, 2014The Bee-Intelligencer

By DONNA HINE

We have “sprung for-ward” and are eagerly anticipating the first

brave crocus of a belated spring. After such a long, cold winter we deserve a real springy spring this year. If only spring would come! Hopefully the weather will co-operate, and soon we can go outside in just a light sweater. In the meantime, we can read, read, read and read some more!

I am a big fan of Rhys Bowen’s series featuring Lady Georgiana Rannoch as “Her Royal Spyness,” but have not yet tried her “Molly Murphy” collection. “City of Darkness and Light” (BOW) is the newest in the “Murphy” se-ries and is a very promising ad-dition. Set in Paris, the tale cen-

ters on the artistic world (wait, doesn’t this sound like the book from last month, “I Always Loved You”?). It is actually set in the same time, and Mary Cassett is again a major player! However, the story is much different, and while Molly flees New York City to Paris with her infant son when her husband is threatened, she finds even more danger. With engaging characters and a fast-paced plot, this adventure with Molly and her family can be read quickly.

“Boy, Snow, Bird” (OYE) by Helen Oyeyemi is a modern re-telling of “Snow White” – an unintentional evil stepmother tale. Boy marries Arturo and hap-pily becomes the stepmother of Snow. Then she delivers Bird – and it is revealed that both she

and Arturo have been living as light-skinned African Americans passing for white. Snow is sent away while Boy dotes on her new, darker-skinned baby, Bird. The character names alone are food for a lively discussion, as well the author’s loose interpre-tation of “Snow White.” Mirrors are in abundance as well – this would make a terrific discussion book!

Maria Hummel was inspired to write “Motherland” (HUM) through her own personal his-tory found in letters between her grandparents during the war. At first she wanted to know how much they knew of events in Nazi Germany, but changed her per-spective of writing to wanting to know what they loved and feared. Stories from her own father filled in some gaps, and a book was born. Intensely emotional, the story she writes is of Liesl, hired to care for three boys – one an infant - when Frank’s wife dies in childbirth. Frank is drafted into medical military service, and Liesl is left to care for the children under increasingly dif-ficult war-induced conditions. This thought-provoking tale forces one to confront terrible circumstances, sometimes be-yond our control.

OK, I started reading this and had to force myself to put it down – I would have read all day and night to finish “Shotgun Love-songs” (BUT) by Nickolas Butler. Why is it that certain books snag us, shake us and won’t let us go? The language is gorgeous, the characters believable and the story speaks to us of home, friends and family forever. Many books are made for movies or are even better when listened to while driving (note especially any Janet Evanovich tale is ter-rific to laugh with during a long car trip!). This book was written to be read. Period.

We are fascinated with any-thing British royalty. We may not always admit it, but I would bet

that many people watched the royal wedding of William and Kate – and followed news of the birth of baby George. “The New Royal Family: Prince George, William and Kate, The Next Gen-eration” (941.08 JOB) by Robert Jobson will satisfy even the most avid royal watcher. We follow the royal couple from their initial meeting through their wedding and to the birth of Prince George. This is an intimate look at the royal family and includes many photos.

“American Mirror: The Life and Art of Norman Rockwell” (B ROCKWELL NORMAN SOL) by Deborah Solomon is a new bi-ography of an American icon. As a biographer as well as an art critic, Solomon writes from an educated viewpoint with integ-rity and a depth of knowledge, creating a readable history of a complex artist. Rockwell’s art may have defined a simple and wholesome scene of Americana, but behind those folksy pictures was a deeply depressed artist.

Ann Rule is the queen of true-crime novels. Her newest, “Prac-tice to Deceive” (364.152 RUL), is a “did-she-really-do-it?” and “how-could-she-do-it!” about murder on an island in Puget Sound. Russell Douglas is found dead – shot in the center of his forehead – and naturally his es-tranged wife is the first suspect. But did Brenda’s good friend Peggy Sue “arrange” the killing? And many more killings of in-convenient husbands? Can the former beauty queen actually be that connected and evil? Follow the trail and the trial along with Rule and find out what was per-ceived as the truth!

We have been hearing so much about traumatic brain in-juries lately in the news – espe-cially involving multiple sports injuries. “Coping with Concus-sion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury” (617.481 STO [pbk]) by Diane Roberts Stoler and Bar-bara Albers Hill is a “guide to living with the challenges asso-ciated with post-concussion syn-drome and brain trauma” ac-cording to the book jacket. Divided into six sections, the book describes how the injury affects the brain and why, the physical symptoms, problems with thinking, emotional and academic skills, as well as finan-cial and insurance issues. You will read real-life stories linked to each area and finally explore the direction care will be taking in the future.

These are just a few sugges-tions available in the new book area. Pop in and see many more!

Adult Services Librarian Donna Hine writes Library Lines once a month. If you have a topic you’d like her to cover, contact her at the library at 203-758-2436.

Library Happenings

Library Lines

Books to help us wait for spring

“The Daring Ladies of Lowell”

by Kate Alcott

(Doubleday, $25.95)Reviewed by Ealish Waddell

America of 1832 doesn’t offer many opportunities for a girl to make her own way, so farm girl Alice is elated to snag a sought-after position in one of New En-gland’s new cotton mills. For the first time she is truly indepen-dent, earning her own money and able to spend her free time however she likes. And she’s de-lighted to find a family in her fellow workers, especially the spirited Lovey, whose humor and boldness inspire all her fel-low mill girls.

But mill work is hard and hours are long; dangerous ma-chinery and even the scraps of floating cotton that fill the air constantly threaten life, limb and lungs. Forthright and outspoken, Alice soon becomes a voice for the rights of the mill girls. And for a while it seems like someone is actually listening: Samuel, the son of the mill owner, with whom she finds a surprisingly deep connection.

But tragedy shatters this life when Lovey is found dead, an

apparent suicide that is quickly found to be murder. Intent on justice for her friend, Alice de-terminedly defends her against all the sordid accusations and scandalous revelations of the ensuing trial, especially once a prominent member of the com-munity is implicated. But the longer the trial continues, the more Alice feels the pain of her divided loyalties, until finally she must make a choice between her conscience and her heart.

“The Daring Ladies of Lowell” delves into elements of a little-known chapter of American his-tory – and a real-life murder trial – to create an enthralling fic-tional tale of life in the rapidly changing social and economic landscape of 19th-century Amer-ica. Life in this era was difficult for girls like Alice and Lovey, but the courage and zeal with which they pursued their own destinies is still an inspiration nearly 200 years later.

(c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

Book review

Community Calendar

Middlebury Road (Opposite the Shell Station)Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Anthony Calabrese 203-758-2765

Deer Corn • Livestock & Poultry Feed

Bird Seed Headquarters Black Oil, Premium Mix, Sunflower Hearts,

Niger Seed (thistle for finches)

Firewood available in bins and bags

Your Hometown Pharmacy.Your Hometown Pharmacist.Come and meet your friendly

Hop Brook Pharmacy staff.Flu shots available every day,

no appointment necessary

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900 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT 06762

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we gladly welcome all Nelson’s Pharmacy customers

Monday, April 7Board of Selectmen5 p.m. .................................................Town Hall Conference Room

Proposed Middlebury 2014-2015 Budget Public Hearing6:30 p.m. ....................................... Fire House, 65 Tucker Hill Road

Tuesday, April 8Democratic Town Committee7:30 p.m. ....................................................... Shepardson, Room 27

Republican Town Committee7:30 p.m. ....................................................... Shepardson, Room 26

Library Board of Directors6:30 p.m. ................................................Middlebury Public Library

Wednesday, April 9Board of Finance7 p.m. ............................................................ Shepardson, Room 26

Land Preservation & Open Space6 p.m. .................................................Town Hall Conference Room

Thursday, April 10Retirement Plan Committee1 p.m. .................................................Town Hall Conference Room

Parks and Recreation7 p.m. .............................................................. Shepardson, Room 1

Calendar dates/times are subject to change.If your organization would like your event included in the community calendar, please email the information to beeintelligencer@gmail.com.

kin Room at the library. Follow-ing a brief business meeting, Marian Wood will present a pro-gram on “Using Genealogy Mes-sage Boards and Blogs.” Wood will show a variety of tips and tricks for searching different on-line message boards (Ancestry, Cousin Connect, and GenFo-rum) to find information on an-cestors and the places where they might have lived. She also will discuss how to write an ef-fective genealogy query.

Wood is a professional mar-keter turned textbook author who has been tracing her family tree for more than 15 years. The public is invited and admission is free. For more information, visit the club website at www.naugatuckvalleygenealogyclub.org or call Dick Kreitner at 203-881-8181.

Preparing to gardenKimberly Kent will discuss

preparing the earth for spring planting Tuesday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m. She will cover simple soil tests, amendments and tilling and will bring an assort-ment of perennials with her. Kent has been an associate of The Garden in Woodbury for 14 years. Kent also maintains and designs gardens for her com-pany, Wild At Heart. Call the library to register for this pro-gram. Light refreshments will be served.

The Middlebury Public Li-brary is at 30 Crest Road. The

telephone number is 203-758-2634, and the website is middle-burypubliclibrary.org.

naugatuckMeditation

The ongoing meditation prac-tice will meet Tuesday, April 8, from 6 to 6:45 p.m. in the Reading Room. It consists of periods of meditation with time for discus-sion. Please arrive by 5:50 p.m. as they start on time.

Book sale The Friends of the Whittemore

Library book sale will be in the Nel-lie Beatty Room at the library on the following dates and times: Thurs-day, April 10, from 3 to 7 p.m. ($5 admission); Friday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m (free admission); and Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (free admission). Books will include adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction with a large selection of science fiction and fan-tasy (1950s to the present).

The Howard Whittemore Me-morial Library is at 243 Church St. in Naugatuck. For information, call 203-729-4591 or visit whitte-morelibrary.org.

southburyIntroduction to Reiki The library will offer “Introduc-

tion to Reiki” Thursday, April 10, at 6 p.m. in the Kingsley meeting

room. Eileen Gorham, of I Bring The Calm in Southbury will lead the event. When the body goes through a traumatic experience, the body’s energy can stop flowing correctly. Reiki can be used to coax the body’s energy to begin to flow correctly again. You don’t have to believe in Reiki for it to work. As long as the person receiving Reiki does not fight the Reiki energy, the energy has the ability to help calm a person’s stress and more. The practice of Reiki is very calming and it cannot harm you. Interested participants will have a chance to experience this practice at the end of the talk.

Gorham has lived in Southbury since she was nine. She has three children and has been married to the same man for 36 years. She also holds a degree in special education but works with adults with intellec-tual disability.

Registration is required. Call the library at 203-262-0626, ext. 130, to register.

Photography exhibitThe photography show/exhibit

series “Our Natural World – A World Like We’ve Never Seen” by Jeff Pudlinski will be on display in the Gloria Cachion Gallery in the Southbury Public Library until Sunday, May 4. Pudlinski is an award-winning self-taught pho-tographer who has won more than 275 awards along with two inter-national features for his photog-raphy.

For more information, call 203-262-0626 or visit www.south-

burylibrary.org. The library is at 100 Poverty Road in Southbury.

WoodburyEssential oils in your

medicine cabinetTuesday, April 15, 7 p.m. Mi-

chelle Wenis will discuss the ben-efits of essential oils. Learn how you might improve your health with the use of certified pure, ther-apeutic-grade essential oils. We-nis has incorporated essential oils into her business and has learned a lot about their benefits. See www.greenwomanvc.wordpress.com or www.facebook.com/likeg-wyc.

Art exhibitBarbara Rose Romaine’s first

public art show is the April exhibit at the library. Her art is vivid, col-orful, and entertaining to the eye. Her two collections being shown are “Dancing People,” and “Hu-mans in The Wild.” Most of her pieces are on felt mat board done with pen and chalk pastel; other works are done in watercolor and ink. See her work at www.bar-bararoseromaine.com.

The opening reception will be Saturday, April 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, call the library at 203-263-3502.

For more information, call 203-263-3502 or visit www.wood-burylibraryct.org. The library is at 269 Main St. S. in Woodbury.

middleburyBest governor discussion

Thursday, April 10, at 6:30 p.m., Fran Brennan will lead a discussion, “Best Governor Con-necticut Ever Elected.” Please preregister by calling 203-758-2634 or stopping by the library.

Disaster preparednessMary Keating from the Con-

necticut Department of Public Health will lead a workshop on disaster preparedness Friday, April 11, at 10:30 a.m. Learn about planning and recovery for all types of disasters. Preregis-tered participants will receive a free survival kit. Space is limited;

call 203-758-2634 to register. The workshop is sponsored by the Connecticut Community Foun-dation.

Social Security information

Derek Dickson and Ted Koppy, financial advisers with Waddell and Reed Inc., will dis-cuss the Social Security program Friday, April 11, at 11:30 a.m. Call the library at 203-758–2634 or stop by to sign up.

Naugatuck Valley Genealogy Club meeting

The Naugatuck Valley Gene-alogy Club will meet Saturday, April 12, at 10:30 a.m. in the Lar-

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Friday, April 4, 2014 The Bee-Intelligencer 3

region 15 school Calendar

Falls avenue senior Center Events

Friday, April 4All State Festival, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Cromwell, CTLMES PTO Scholastic Book FairLMES PTO Bagel Buddies ......................................................7 - 9 a.m.PHS Fourth Marking Period Begins ..........................................7 a.m.PHS Dodge Ball for Diabetes, National Honor Society...........6 p.m.

Saturday, April 5All State Festival, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Cromwell, CT

Sunday, April 6NEASC Visit ................................................ PHS auditorium, 1 - 6 p.m.

Monday, April 7NEASC Visit ..............................PHS auditorium, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.Talent Show Auditions ................................................. 2:45 - 4:30 p.m.PHS Third Quarter Ends ....................................................... 3 - 4 p.m.BoE Budget Public Hearing .........................PHS AP Room, 7:30 p.m.BoE Meeting on Budget ..........................................................8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 8MES Kindergarten RegistrationNEASC Visit ..............................PHS auditorium, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.PES PTO Meeting ....................................................................9:30 a.m.RMS National Spanish Exam ...............................................10:23 a.m.Talent Show Auditions ................................................. 2:45 - 4:30 p.m.RMS 8th grade Washington trip meeting ..................................7 p.m.LMES Grade 4 Choral Concert ...................................................7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 9MES Kindergarten RegistrationNEASC Visit ...................................PHS auditorium, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.RMS National Spanish Exam ...............................................10:23 a.m.French Honor Society Induction .....................PHS AP Room, 6 p.m.GES Grade 5 Chorus Concert......................................................7 p.m.

Thursday, April 10MES PTO Spring Clothing Donation DriveMES Kindergarten RegistrationPES Kindergarten Registration ................................ 9:30 a.m. - 3p.m.MES PTO Meeting ...................................................................9:30 a.m.RMS PTO After School Tennis ....................................................3 p.m.RMS Tri-M Induction ...................................................................6 p.m.PHS Senior Collage Workshop ............ Southbury Library, 6:45 p.m.MES Grade 4 Choral Concert ......................................................7 p.m.

Friday, April 11MES PTO Spring Clothing Donation DriveMES Kindergarten RegistrationRMS Lifetouch Spring Picture DayPES Kindergarten Registration ............................... 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 12No Events Scheduled

Region 15 website: www.region15.org

waterburyhospital.org

Healthgrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ places Waterbury Hospital in the Top 5% of Hospitals Nationwide

The only Connecticut hospital to receive the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence 2014

We promise to keep you first

Waterbury Hospital received the Healthgrades Critical Care Excellence Award™ for 2 Years in a Row (2013-2014)

And, one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Critical Care in 2014

Free tax helpFree income tax assistance is provided at

the senior center by the AARP Tax Aide pro-gram for low- to moderate-income taxpay-ers of all ages, with special attention to those 60 and older.

Call 203-577-4166 to obtain additional information or schedule an appointment with a certified AARP Tax Aide counselor.

Computer classesA computer class for beginners started

Tuesday and will meet Tuesdays at 10 a.m. for four weeks. The introductory course ex-plains the different parts and uses of the computer. Learn to use the mouse, access programs, use Word, Internet, email, etc. The fee is $25.

An eight-week “Introduction to Personal Computers” class began Wednesday and will meet Wednesdays at 10 a.m. The class introduces students to the Internet and ex-plores Windows 7. The fee is $35.

One-on-one lessons also are available Thursdays only between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30

p.m. by appointment only. The fee is $15 per hour.

A course also will be offered for those interested in learning basic fundamentals on the Apple Mac. This is subject to avail-ability of time. The fee is $15 per hour.

Those interested in classes should call 203-577-4166 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Trade in your goldMonday, April 7, from 9 to 11 a.m., Pros-

pect Jewelers will be at the senior center buying gold. Bring in jewelry you no longer wear or want, and get paid cash for it. They also do free appraisals, so if you want to know how much your family heirlooms are worth, bring them in. Call 203-577-4166 for more information.

Ask a pharmacistMatt Carrano of Hop Brook Pharmacy on

Straits Turnpike in Middlebury, a certified pharmacist and Middlebury resident, visits the senior center each month to meet with individuals and answer questions. This month, he will visit Tuesday, April 8, from

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will discuss medica-tion compliance.

Spring fling luncheonEnjoy lunch and a spring fling party

Wednesday, April 9, at 11:45 a.m. There will be entertainment and door prizes. The menu will be Hawaiian fruit cup, marinated chicken, barbequed ribs, gourmet potato salad, Italian-style green beans with red pep-pers, and ice cream. The cost is $8 per person. Call 203-577-4166 to reserve your seat.

Trips

IKEAThe Middlebury minibus will go to IKEA

in New Haven Thursday, April 24. IKEA offers its customers a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possi-ble can afford them. There is a café in IKEA, so you can have lunch right inside.

To reserve your seat, call 203-577-4166.

Falls Avenue Senior Center events for area adults 55 and older follow. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 860-945-5250. Please speak with a staff member when calling as the senior center does not accept voice-mail reserva-tions. The center is at 311 Falls Ave. in Oakville, Conn.

Strength, sculpt and tone

The center’s free, 30-minute strength, sculpt and tone exer-cise class meets each Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. While sculpting and improving strength and balance, participants work muscles to tone them and get some cardio-vascular training at the same time. Kimberly Johnston of Fit-ness at the Edge in Middlebury teaches this class. Please register by the Monday before each class. Apple Rehab of Watertown spon-sors this 10-week class.

Senior Center Book Club

The center’s book club will review “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein Monday, April 7, at 10 a.m. New members are welcome. Joanne Pannone facilitates the group. Contact the center at 860-945-5250 for more information.

Ask the Physical Therapist

Kathy Andres of Beacon Brook Health Center will present “Ask the Physical Therapist” Tuesday, April 8, at 2 p.m. Andres will ad-dress questions about joint pain, mobility and balance. Reserva-tions are needed by April 7.

Preparing the soil“Preparing the Soil Before

Spring Planting” will be the topic of a gardening class Wednesday, April 9, at 2 p.m. Kimberly Kent will offer instruction on simple soil tests, amendments and ways to till.

Kent owns Wild at Heart, a landscape maintenance and design company, and has been an associate with The Garden in Woodbury for the past 14 years. Reservations are needed by April 8.

Financial fraud protection

Thursday, April 10, at 9:30 a.m., Donna DellaCamera from Webster Bank will present “How to Protect Yourself from Finan-cial Fraud.” Reservations are needed by April 9.

Online banking basicsLearn the basics of online

banking Friday, April 11, at 2 p.m. Patrick Quinn of Thomas-ton Savings Bank will introduce participants to online banking and discuss the safety of trans-actions. Reservations are needed by April 10.

Bible studyNew Hope Anglican Church

offers a nondenominational Bi-ble study every Friday at 10 a.m. at the center. Join other seniors for the study and discussion. Reservations are not required.

middlebury senior Center news

Date Time Address/Incident03-27 13:09 900 Straits Turnpike. Fence on fire. Extin-

guished on arrival. Used booster line to cool fence off.*

*This is the 100th fire call answered so far in 2014.

middlebury volunteer Fire Department call Log

4 Friday, April 4, 2014The Bee-Intelligencer

9 Lives Club meetingThe next meeting of the 9 Lives

Club will be Saturday, April 5, at 2 p.m. in Middlebury. This is a monthly, no-cost educational program for those interested in cat care, behavior and training, and it is open to the public. April’s forum will be an open floor dis-cussion and Q&A on problem behaviors and how to resolve them. Space is limited; please RSVP to Jane or Arthur at 203-695-9993. Additional details will be provided.

Cactus and Succulent Show

For the 31st year, the Connecti-cut Cactus and Succulent Society is having a show and sale Satur-day, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event includes a judged show featuring hundreds of cactus and succulent plants from all over the world.

Entrance is free, as is parking. Each day, 50 free plants, one per family, will be given away. Ven-dors will come from as far away as Florida and will sell a broad selection of plants and related gardening materials. Plant auc-tions will be held at least twice daily. Twenty-minute lectures will focus on growing and caring for the plants. Lecture topics in-clude “Hardy Cacti for the Con-necticut Garden,” “Raising Suc-culents from Seed,” and “Growing Succulents Under Lights.”

Find the show and sale at Nau-gatuck Valley Community College at 750 Chase Parkway in Water-bury in the fifth-floor cafeteria of the Art and Music Center build-ing. The show is handicapped accessible. See ctcactusclub.org.

Beekeeping 101Have you always wanted to

keep honey bees but didn’t know how to get started? Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Woodbury Recreation De-

partment will host a beekeeping class instructed by Mike Rice of Mike’s Beehives LLC. Rice will go over the beginning steps of honeybee keeping, which in-clude an explanation of each hive part, installing bees into the hive, feeding your bees, the life cycle of a bee, how to register your bees with the state of Connecti-cut and why they should be reg-istered, the different roles of each bee, and some of the typical problems you might encounter in beekeeping and harvesting honey. Mike will bring all the equipment needed to cover all aspects of beekeeping.

The class will be held at the Rec. House at 7 Mountain Road in Woodbury. The cost is $25 for residents; $35 for nonresidents. Register at www.woodburypark-sandrec.org. For more informa-tion, call 203 263 3113.

Master Chorale concertThe Connecticut Master Cho-

rale’s spring concert will be Sun-day, April 6, at 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church at 164 Deer Hill Ave. in Danbury. Under the direction of Tina Johns Heid-rich, the chorale will perform “Stabat Mater”by Rossini along with Puccini choruses. Featured singers will be soprano Louise Fauteux, tenor Juan Andreu and bass-baritone Edwin Kotchian.

Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Call 203-743-0473 for tickets. For more information, visit www.cmchorale.org.

Langstroth bee hive assembly

Sunday, April 6, at 3 p.m., at the Flanders Sugar House on Church Hill Road in Woodbury, Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust is offering a “hands on” workshop on the assembly of a deep-frame Langstroth bee hive. Participants will help wire the frames and embed the pure bees’ wax foundation. A discussion on suggested finishes and best place-ment for the hive also will be cov-ered. The cost of the workshop is $12 for Flanders members and $17 for nonmembers.

In addition, those interested may purchase for $56 the materi-als needed to create a beehive using this method. Call 203-263-3711, ext. 10, to register.

Chocolate Lovers’ vendors

The 21st Annual Chocolate Lovers’ Spring Expo to benefit Easter Seals will be held Sunday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 1284 Strongtown Road in Southbury. Sample the finest chocolate de-lights and specialty food items from a wide variety of exhibitors and culinary schools. Enjoy a si-lent auction, door prizes, special drawings, and demonstrations as well as music by Excite Disc Jockey Entertainment and Bella Winds Woodwind Ensemble as you shop for chocolate goodies, unique gifts, products & services.

Tickets are $25 in advance ($30 at the door). Children’s tickets (ages 5 to 12) are $5. For tickets

or exhibitor information, call 203-754-5141, ext. 251 for Faith Hull or ext. 243 for Carolee Kalita.

Proceeds benefit the programs and services of Easter Seals, which serves the special needs of infants, children, and adults with disabilities in greater Waterbury and central and northwestern Connecticut. www.waterburyct.easterseals.com

Alzheimer’s, related dementias support

group The monthly support group

for friends and family of people with Alzheimer’s disease and re-lated dementias will meet Thurs-day, April 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut at 444 Main St. N. in Southbury. There is no charge for this open and ongoing group, whose purpose is to provide emo-tional, educational and social support for caregivers through regularly scheduled meetings.

The group helps participants develop methods and skills to solve problems. It also encourage caregivers to maintain their own personal, physical and emotional health, as well as optimally care for the person with dementia. Patty Gibbs, a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association, facili-tates the group. For more infor-mation, call Debby Horowitz, Brownstein Jewish Family Service director, at 203-267-3177, ext. 310.

Spring rummage saleThe Women’s Fellowship of the

First Congregational Church in Watertown will have its spring rummage sale Thursday, April 10, from 12 to 8 p.m. in the Fellow-ship Hall. Included will be cloth-ing for men, women and children; household goods; small appli-ances; jewelry; toys; dishes; books and baskets. Especially fine items will be found in Annie’s Treasures.

Friday, April 11, from 9 to 11 a.m., sales will be $5 a bag. Pro-ceeds from the sale benefit the fellowship’s outreach programs. The Fellowship Hall is at 40 De-Forest St. in Watertown.

Chase Collegiate School to host college fair

Chase Collegiate School will host a college fair Thursday, April 17, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Goss Field House on the Chase Colle-giate School campus at 565 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. Approxi-mately 100 colleges and univer-sities will be in attendance, in-cluding Boston University, Car-negie Mellon University, the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Con-necticut and Vanderbilt Univer-sity. For a complete list of attend-ees, visit www.chasecollegiate.org.

High school students and their parents from all area schools are welcome to attend this informal opportunity to speak with college admission representatives from across the country to learn more about their academic programs, admissions process and oppor-tunities for scholarships and fi-nancial aid. This event is free and open to the public. For more in-formation, call the Upper School Office at 203-236-9534.

Bee IntellIgencerin•tel•li•gencer: n. One who conveys news or information

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th ed.

Issued by:The Middlebury Bee-Intelligencer Society LLC

Bee-Intelligencer Staff:Editor-In-Chief/Publisher: Marjorie Needham

Contributing Writers: Mary Conseur, Terrence S. McAuliffeArt & Production: Mario J. Recupido

Advertising Consultant: Diane M. Brousseau

- Submit press releases in person, by mail or email -

The Bee-Intelligencer welcomes news, press releases and advertising from all surrounding communities

Editorial Office:2030 Straits Turnpike, Suite 1, Middlebury, CT 06762

Direct mail to P.O. Box 10.Telephone: 203-577-6800 • Email: beeintelligencer@gmail.com

Advertising Information:Telephone: 203-577-6800 • Email: mbiadvertising@gmail.com

Copyright © 2014 by The Middlebury Bee-Intelligencer Society, LLC.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Deadlines:Display Advertising: 5 p.m.

Friday preceding publicationClassified Advertising: 5 p.m.

Monday preceding publicationEditorial/Press Releases: Noon Monday preceding publication

In Brief

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Contact us for your Upcoming Parties & Get Togethers

Kaiser Health News recently took a look at some of the possi-bilities of remote monitoring by high-tech health gadgets. These devices can fit into your cellp-hone and allow your doctor to keep track of your health, even if you’re not in his office.

For example, if your heart rate accelerates while you’re doing your daily errands, the doctor will know it when he reads the information. Some devices can tell whether we’re taking pills on time. Others fit under the mat-tress on our bed to check breath-ing and heart rate. Still others can check our glucose levels or blood pressure.

That’s not to say most doctors are jumping on these devices as being the latest and greatest. While they like the information that can be gathered, some doc-tors are concerned about patient privacy. The information doesn’t go straight into patient records, but the day eventually will come when it will.

At this point, patients must give permission for their infor-mation to be taken and must go into the doctor’s office to have the data transferred. Soon pa-

tients will be able to send it them-selves over the Internet.

In a preview of coming events, one device developer already is hooked up with advertisers and labs. Insurance companies are encouraging patients to upload their information from other de-vices. Many of the devices aren’t yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Are you nervous about this yet? What if you knew your informa-tion would go over the Internet, or if you knew it wasn’t always covered by health privacy laws?

If you’re asked to wear one of these new gadgets, ask questions about where the information goes ... lots and lots of questions.

Matilda Charles regrets she cannot personally answer reader questions, but she will incorpo-rate them into her column when-ever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.

(c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

High-tech gadgets track our health

Beekeeper Kevin Barry is shown with a Langstroth-style beehive. Sunday, April 6, Barry will lead a Flanders Nature Center workshop on building Langstroth bee hives. (Submitted photo)

Friday, April 4, 2014 The Bee-Intelligencer 5

Obituary PolicyPlease ask your funeral director to send obituaries and photos to

us at beeintelligencer@gmail. For more information, call 203-577-6800. The Bee-Intelligencer runs obituaries and their accompanying

photos free of charge. We do this as a community service to honor the deceased and the family and friends who love them.

obituaries

It’s spring ... time to see just what Mother Nature has done to your house and yard over the winter. Here’s your to-do list for spring fix-up.

Outside:• Clean out gutters and check for

loose attachments. Look for leaks at the seams. Consider installing gutter screens.

• Check the foundation of the house to be sure there are no depressions in the ground where water can accumulate. Aim downspout water divert-ers and splash guards away from the house.

• If you have a shed, check for water damage. If it’s on blocks, determine if it needs to be raised or leveled. (The higher it is off wet ground, the longer the shed will last.)

• Clear leaves and debris from in and around your air condi-

tioning compressor. Be sure the supports underneath haven’t shifted.

• Look for exterior damage to paint and trim.

• If you have a deck, check for loose railings, splintered wood, raised nails and rotten step treads. If you replace wood, remember you might not be able to paint it for up to a year.

• Check walkways to be sure pav-ing stones haven’t lifted. Check driveway for cracks.

• Power wash the exterior of your house.

• Consider whether window aw-nings would help keep the summer sun off your windows and keep your house cooler, especially on the south and west sides.Inside:

• If you have a basement, go all around the interior walls and look for evidence of water.

• Do the same with interior walls at the ceiling to be sure your house didn’t develop a roof leak. Don’t forget the ceilings in closets.

• Take down the clear plastic you put on windows and get out your sunblock curtains.

• If you’ve had air leaks you didn’t get around to fixing, fix them now. Once the window frame is warm enough, apply caulk and weather-stripping. Buy electric-plug air insulator blocks.

• If you use a window air condi-tioner, make sure it still works. Then vacuum the evaporator fins and condenser coils, wash the filter screen, and be sure the drainage hole isn’t plugged with debris. (Use a paper clip to clear it.)

• Consider whether you need a dehumidifier for moist sum-mer air. Buy now before they’re gone.

• Replace furnace filters if you have central air.

• Check fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.David Uffington regrets he can-

not personally answer reader questions, but he will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to column-reply2@gmail.com.

(c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

spring fix-up

Accepting new patients

COMPLETE TREE REMOVAL

Brush ChippingStump GrindingHedge TrimmingFree Estimates

JARED KOLLER203-509-5274

Fully Insuredcjkoller13@gmail.com

Armand I. CalabroBrother of

Sebastian Calabro

Mr. Armand I. Calabro, 77, of Pros-pect passed away peacefully, sur-rounded by his lov-ing family Monday, March 31, 2014, at Hartford Hospital.

He was the devoted husband of the late Josette (Klem) Calabro.

Mr. Calabro was born Oct. 3, 1936, in Waterbury, a son of the late Joseph and Carmella Calabro. Armand was a project manager of information systems at Associated Spring Head-quarters for many years until his retirement in 1994. He was a past president of the Association for Sys-tems Management. He was also the past president and active member of the New Haven Horse Shoe Club and a member of the Lakewood So-cial Club.

Armand was a kind and caring man, who was always happy and outgoing. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, and spending time with his family was the true joy of

his life. He lived life to the fullest and reminded his family that every day is a gift.

Armand is survived by his daugh-ter, Deborah A. Kotomski and her husband, David, of Lebanon; his son, Steven A. Calabro and his fiancé of Edgewood, Fla.; and his beloved grandchildren, who were his world. Armand also leaves behind his brothers: Sebastian Calabro of Mid-dlebury, Dino Calabro of Ridgefield, Joseph Calabro of Waterbury, Fred Calabro of Somers and Dennis Calabro of Roxbury and his sisters: Carmie Calabro and Linda Guerrera, both of Waterbury, and Mary Bourke of Somers, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Josette, Armand was predeceased by his brother, Edward Calabro.

There are no calling hours, and all services are private. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Maiorano Funeral Home has been entrusted with all arrangements.

Memorial contributions in Ar-mand’s name may be made to Pro-tectors of Animals, 144 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118, or online at www.poainc.org. For more informa-tion and online condolences visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.

Public works task forceThe Southbury Board of Se-

lectmen plans to form a task force to study Southbury’s De-partment of Public Works and benchmark its various activities and expenditures with other, similar-sized towns. The charge to the committee may include assessing the town’s vehicle re-placement reserve funding plan, comparing work done in-house by town employees versus con-tracting out to other companies, or doing a cost-benefit analysis of renting/leasing equipment versus purchasing.

Findings and recommenda-tions are to be presented to the board of selectmen within six months of committee formation. Southbury residents who would like to serve on this committee should contact the first select-man’s office at 203-262-0647 or by email at selectoffice@south-bury-ct.gov to express their in-terest, offer their qualifications and/or experience and to ask any questions on the proposed study.

Emerald Ash Borer foundThe Emerald Ash Borer has

been reported in Southbury and

has been detected by the town’s tree warden in trees on Luther Drive and Bucks Hill Road. This tiny, bright green Asian beetle was identified in July 2002 as the cause of widespread ash tree de-cline and mortality. Larva feed-ing in the tissue between the bark and sapwood disrupt the trans-port of nutrients and water in the tree, eventually causing branches and the entire tree to die.

As part of their ongoing tree maintenance program, South-bury’s Department of Public Works will monitor the health of ash trees on town property, es-

pecially those that are close to roads or public access areas. In addition, the ash trees that are part of the Streetscape along both sides of Main Street South will be treated with trunk injec-tions to prevent them from being destroyed by this pest.

Residents are advised to con-tact a licensed arborist to inquire about treatment or care for ash trees in their yards or on their property. More information about the Emerald Ash Borer can be found at www.emeraldash-borer.info.

southbury news

amount submitted by the Board of Selectmen and $50,000 below the police department’s budget request. He said the BoF said it is up to St. John and Acting Police Chief Wildman to decide which overtime amounts will be re-duced.

Also taken out of the budget, although not completely, was

$50,000 for snow removal. Hut-vagner told the BoF the amounts spent on snow removal the pre-ceding two fiscal years were lower because the town received Federal Emergency Management Agency funds towards snow removal those years, and he pointed out the snow removal budget this year is already $50,000 over budget. The BoF re-moved the money, but placed it in a contingency fund so the pub-lic works department can access the funds if they are needed.

Also taken out of the budget was $35,000 for contract negoti-ations. Hutvagner said the town is currently negotiating with the police union and negotiations with the other three unions – the teamsters, the supervisors and the clerical workers – are in the near future.

In the building department, $5,900 designated for a leased vehicle for Building Official Ollie LeDuc was removed. Hutvagner said LeDuc is driving a 2001

Crown Victoria with 123,202 miles on it that was formerly the police chief’s car. LeDuc told the BoF at its March 18 special meet-ing that the car needs a new ex-haust system.

Hutvagner said budget cuts made by the BoF total $362,000. To learn more about the pro-posed 2014-2015 budget, attend the public hearing Monday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the firehouse at 65 Tucker Hill Road in Middle-bury.

Budget -Continued from page 1

6 Friday, April 4, 2014The Bee-Intelligencer

Life is still good without an appendixDEAR DR. DONOHUE: My 13-year-old son went to band camp for five days. On day three, he had terrific stomach pain and started to vomit. The instructors were alarmed and took him to the local hospital, where doctors diagnosed appendicitis. We had to give phone permission for him to have an operation. Everything went fine, and he recovered quickly.

My wife and I have a few ques-tions. Could he have eaten some-thing that caused appendicitis? What does not having an appen-dix do to people? No one in my wife’s or my family has had such an operation. We’re ignorant about all this. – G.G.ANSWER: The appendix dangles from the first part of the colon in the lower-right side of the abdo-men. It looks like a slender worm and has an average length of 3 inches (8 cm). The function of the appendix isn’t clearly de-fined, but it might have a role in body immunity. Life without an appendix goes on as normally as life with one.

The appendix has a hollow core, which is lined with lym-phoid tissue, the same kind of tissue found in lymph nodes. Bacteria from the colon can in-vade the hollow core and cause the lymph tissue to swell. Swell-ing cuts off the blood supply, and the appendix begins to disinte-

grate – appendicitis. Undigested food or hard fecal material also can block the appendix’s core and lead to the same situation. Nothing your son ate is likely the cause. All the other campers ate the same food as he, but he was the only one to develop this problem.

The pain of appendicitis most often starts in the area of the na-vel (bellybutton) and works its way toward the lower-right cor-ner of the abdomen. Tempera-ture rises. Vomiting is common, and sometimes diarrhea is part of the picture. A doctor, by what he or she hears from the patient, along with the examination of the abdomen, usually can make the diagnosis. In confusing cir-cumstances, an ultrasound is most helpful.

Millions of people worldwide live without an appendix. They do quite well. So will your son.DEAR DR. DONOHUE: When I was about 10 years old, I got the

mumps. Now I am 30 and have been married for three years. My wife and I want to have a family, but we aren’t having any luck.

Do you think the mumps made me infertile? – J.Z.ANSWER: In around 40 percent of males who get the mumps af-ter puberty, the virus also travels to the testicles. That results in impaired fertility in only 13 per-cent. Sterility almost never hap-pens. If both testicles are in-fected, then sterility might be a problem.

Before puberty, testicular in-volvement is rare, and infertility isn’t a problem. You were only 10. It’s highly unlikely the mumps caused you to be infertile.

You and your wife shouldn’t have to handle this problem on your own. Why not consult a doctor so both of you can be ex-amined? An answer to the ques-tion why you aren’t having the family you want will be found, and a solution, if possible, will be suggested.

Dr. Donohue regrets he is un-able to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853–6475.

(c) 2014 North America Synd., Inc.All Rights Reserved

Pomperaug High school Varsity Games

1. Dave Stewart (Oakland) and Fernando Valenzuela (Los Angeles Dodgers).

2. Four times – George Brett three times (1976, ’80, ’90), and Willie Wilson once (1982).

3. The 2005 Orange Bowl fea-tured Southern Cal’s Matt Leinart and Oklahoma’s Jason White.

4. Jalen Rose (2000), Jermaine O’Neal (2002) and Danny Granger (2009).

5. It was the 2006-07 season.6. Switzerland’s Vreni Schneider.7. Ray Floyd had a 271 total in

1976.

(c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

1. In 1990, two major-league pitchers, one in each league, tossed a no-hitter on the same day (June 29). Name the pitchers.

2. How many times has a Kansas City Royals player led the American League in batting average for a season?

3. Name the first college football bowl game in which two Heis-man Trophy winners faced each other.

4. In 2013, Paul George became the fourth Indiana Pacer to be named the NBA’s Most Im-proved Player. Name two of the first three.

5. When was the last time before the 2012-13 season the Phil-adelphia Flyers missed the NHL playoffs?

6. In 2013, Austria’s Marlies Schild became the all-time leader in World Cup slalom victories (35). Who had she been tied with?

7. Which golfer had the lowest four-round score in winning the Masters during the 1970s?

Answers

April 4 - 12, 2014BaseballSaturday, April 5 .................. Jamboree, Weston (A) ......................... 10 a.m.Wednesday, April 9 .............. Ridgefield (A) .................................. 4:15 p.m.Friday, April 11 .................... New Fairfield (A) .............................. 4:15 p.m.Saturday, April 12 ................ Holy Cross (H) .................................... 11 a.m.

GolfWednesday, April 9 ..............Weston (A) ........................................... 3 p.m.

Boys’ LacrosseSaturday, April 5 ..................Watertown (Scrimmage) (A) ................ 11 a.m.Wednesday, April 9 .............. New Milford (A) .................................... 6 p.m.Saturday, April 12 ................ Stamford (A) ........................................ 1 p.m.

Girls’ LacrosseFriday, April 4 ...................... Farmington (Scrimmage) (H) ................ 5 p.m.Saturday, April 5 .................. Hamden Play Day (A)............................ 8 a.m.Wednesday, April 9 .............. Immaculate (A) ............................... 4:15 p.m.Friday, April 11 ....................Weston (A) ...................................... 5:30 p.m.Saturday, April 12 ................ Bethel (H) ............................................ 4 p.m.

SoftballSaturday, April 5 .................. Nonnewaug (Scrimmage) (H)................ 1 p.m.Wednesday, April 9 .............. Ridgefield (A) .................................. 4:15 p.m.Friday, April 11 .................... Joel Barlow (H) ................................ 4:15 p.m.Saturday, April 12 ................ Lauralton Hall (H) ............................ 3:30 p.m.

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The Pomperaug High School softball team went into last season at less than full strength but gained valuable experience for the younger players as the Lady Pan-thers reached the post season for the sixth straight year under head coach Paul Masotto.

The 10-12 Panthers were with-out starting pitcher Lauren Reilly and infielder Erin Ruggerio, but Pomperaug managed to continue a streak of 22 straight seasons in the CIAC state tournament.

“The younger players gained a lot of experience due to the num-ber of injuries we encountered last year,” Masotto said. “Lauren and Erin missed all of last season due to injuries. They will both be key contributors on offense and the defensive side of the game.”

Pomperaug went through some growing pains last season as the younger players took on larger roles. The Panthers started the year with a win in the season opener, but then dropped three straight. That was followed by a four-game win streak, but a five-

game slide had Pomperaug in danger of missing the post sea-son.

A combination of a lack of runs resulting in six shutouts and a defense that allowed double dig-its in six losses had the Panthers looking for answers. Pomperaug managed to recover, going 4-4 down the stretch to reach the post season.

“Overall we should be very competitive with a better bal-anced roster,” said Masotto. “Our offense is well balanced with the experience gained last year and the senior leadership we have coming back.”

Leading the way for the Pan-thers will be three senior cap-tains: Kennedy Gibson, Lauren Reilly and Jessica Eisenbach. Gibson is a multi-position player at catcher, first base and the out-field as she collected 15 hits last season and led the team with eight stolen bases.

Reilly brings experience to the pitching circle and solidifies the defense in the infield. Eisenbach at third base and the outfield swung a productive bat last year,

panthers’ softball team balances youth, experience

Pomperaug High School’s softball senior captains are, left to right no. 34, Kennedy Gibson; no. 38, Lauren Reilly; and no. 7, Jessica Eisenbach. (Ken Morse photo)

belting 15 hits, scoring 13 runs and driving in 12 runs.

What will make the Panthers better than a year ago is the con-tinued improvement by last year’s leading hitter, junior Brianna An-tonazzo, who swung a .431 aver-age with a team-leading 28 hits, 19 runs, 17 RBI’s and three home runs.

Sophomores Rebecca Meyer and Annabella Pastorok played pivotal roles last season and made significant contributions to the offense. Meyer, with 19 hits, 16 runs and 15 RBI’s, led the team with four home runs, and Pastorok was solid behind the plate with a .927 fielding percentage while col-lecting 14 hits and scoring 10 runs.

“Although we are still a very young team, the experience gained from last year is a key benefit to our continued success,” added Masotto. “We have three freshman, Kaela Harris, Laurel Williams and Ashley Antonazzo, that will strengthen our defense and should also add some offensive punch to further balance our attack.”

Having Ruggerio back in the infield gives the Panthers a much stronger defense. There is added depth with junior Lauren LaCava and sophomore outfielders Annie Yacavone and Anna Castle.

Junior Isabella Bunosso gained experience in the pitcher’s circle, compiling a 5-4 record. With the return of Reilly and the depth of freshman Ashley Antonazzo, coach Masotto will have options in a much-improved pitching game.

“The players are focused and excited to start the season,” said Masotto, who is entering his sev-enth season at the helm. “We will be tested by teams like Masuk, Oxford, Newtown, Lauralton Hall and Brookfield.

“We have several players that have the potential to be All-Con-ference as well as All-State. We are always focused on being compet-itive with goals to qualify for both the conference and state tourna-ments.”

Pomperaug will get the season under way Wednesday, April 9, at Ridgefield at 4:15 p.m. The Lady Panthers will have their first home game Friday, April 11, at 4:15 p.m. against Barlow with a Saturday, April 12, showdown at home against league powerhouse Lau-ralton Hall at 3:30 p.m.

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Friday, April 4, 2014 The Bee-Intelligencer 7

Easter Egg HuntThe annual Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 3

to 10 will be Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m. at the Shepardson Community Center field. (Rain date will be April 26.) This event is sponsored by the Middlebury Police Social Club and the Parks and Recreation Department.

ZumbaInstructor Shelagh Greatorex will teach Zumba

to those 12 and older Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 22 to June 24, from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. at Shep-ardson Center. Zumba is a fun and effective form of cardiovascular exercise moving and dancing to Latin music. The fee is $55 for residents; $65 for nonresidents.

KarateMaster Mathews will teach Intermediate Karate

(blue and purple) Thursdays, April 21 to June 23, from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 28 at Shepardson Com-munity Center. There will be no classes May 26 and June 16. The fee is $45 for residents; $55 for nonresidents.

MRA beach passesBeach passes for the Middlebury Recreation

Area (MRA) are on sale in the Parks and Rec office.

Residents and property owners must provide a copy of their car registration and proof of residency or real estate ownership. Photo ID required.

The fees are $125 for a family pass, $30 for a senior pass, $68 for a single pass and $10 per ad-ditional sticker for family or single-pass holders. Seniors 65 and older are eligible to receive ONE pass for the senior fee. Only household residents age 65 and older are eligible to use this pass. There is a $125 charge per extra car sticker per senior.

MRA boat racks, lockersEntry forms for the MRA boat rack lottery are

available online and in the Parks and Recreation office. Racks can accommodate Sunfish, Sailfish, wind surfers, kayaks and canoes, and there are six spaces for standard-size rowboats. The limit is one rack per family at a cost of $50 per rack.

Boat rack lottery requests must be received in the Parks and Recreation office no later than Friday, April 25. The lottery will be held Wednesday, April 30. Winners must pay for their rack by Wednesday, May 14, or their rack will be offered to the next person on the wait list. Residents must have a valid MRA pass before renting a boat rack.

A limited number of wooden storage lockers that rent for $50 for the season are available to pass holders on first-come, first-served basis. Limit one locker per family. No phone reservations accepted

Host families neededHave you made your summer plans? Would you

think about hosting a Fresh Air Fund child from New York City? This summer, The Fresh Air Fund needs more host families to carry on its great sum-mertime tradition of sharing the joys of suburban and small-town life with youngsters from New York City – picking berries straight from the vine, chas-ing fireflies for the first time or walking barefoot through a grassy meadow. For more information on how you can volunteer this summer, contact Heather Roy at 203-758-1351 or HeatherRoy74@gmail.com or visit www.freshair.org.

Course registrationOnline Registration: Register online at www.mid-

dlebury-ct.org. Online registration accepts payments in the form of MasterCard or Visa credit and debit cards. If you previously registered for a Parks and Recreation program in the office, call the office at 203-758-2520 and request your household ID num-ber. Households new to Parks and Recreation pro-grams can create a household account on the website. All programs have registration deadlines. Please register early.

In-Office Registration: All registrations must be received in the Recreation office BEFORE the regis-tration deadline. The Recreation Department reserves the right to cancel any program due to lack of partic-ipation. Please register early.

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This publication does not know-ingly accept advertising which is deceptive, fraudulent, or which might otherwise violate the law or accepted standards of taste. However, this publication does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of any advertisement, nor the quality of the goods or services advertised. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all claims made in any advertisements, and to use good judgment and reasonable care, particularly when dealing with persons unknown to you who ask for money in advance of delivery of the goods or ser-vices advertised.

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My next-door neigh-bor informed me yes-terday he intends to set up a beehive in his

yard. Is he even allowed to do this in a populated area? We both have half-acre lots, and he says the hive likely will be lo-cated in a far corner, but I see nuisance and even disaster ahead. What if the bees swarm? What if they sting a child and, God forbid, that child is allergic? Should I contact the city about this? – Claire S., via e-mail

Believe it or not, bee-keeping can and does take place in suburban

areas – and even in the middle of the city. I understand your concern, however.

Take heart in the fact your neighbor came over to tell you about the planned hive before it arrived. That gives you the op-portunity to ask some questions about the hive, the type of bees and so on. I encourage you to keep it polite. For now, just ask questions and listen to your neighbor. There’s a very good chance he has been researching beekeeping for some time and he even knows the municipal

ordinances regarding the activ-ity.

If he already has some home-steading activities going on, such as keeping a few chickens, and those activities haven’t been a nuisance to you or others, it’s likely the beehive will make little to no difference in the neighbor-hood – other than the flowers in your garden perhaps blooming bigger and better than ever be-fore, thanks to nature’s best pol-linators living nearby.

After talking to your neighbor, do some research of your own. MAAREC (Mid-Atlantic Apicul-tural Research & Extension Con-sortium) has a good pamphlet available to download as a PDF about suburban beekeeping, and a number of websites are avail-able under that search term. There are many ways for bee-keepers to reduce the possibility

of nuisance and stings in the neighborhood.

You also can contact your mu-nicipality about whether bee-keeping is allowed. If it is specif-ically permitted, there are usually rules about how big the hive can be and whether it needs to be registered with the state’s agri-cultural office.

Above all, give it a chance. The dwindling bee population world-wide is greatly concerning re-searchers, so homesteaders’ beekeeping can be a small but helpful contribution toward solv-ing the problem. And, being on friendly terms with a successful beekeeper can have the positive side effect of receiving an occa-sional, and perhaps steady, gift of honey.

Send your questions or home tips to ask@thisisahammer.com.

(c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

By SAMANTHA MAzzOTTA

Backyard beekeeper has neighbor buzzing

Interested in bee-keeping but don’t have a lot of money

or space? Look up local bee-keeping groups online or consider starting one at a community garden or other open space.

Q:

A:

Legal NoticeTown of Middlebury

Democratic Party-Selected Delegates to Conventions

A certified list(s) of party-selected candidates for the Democratic Party in the Town of Middlebury for participation as DELEGATES to the convention (s) of said Party specified below is on file in my office at 1212 Whittemore Rd., Middlebury, Connecticut and copies are available for public distribution:

CONVENTION(s)State Senate District 32Congressional District 5 Senate District 15State Assembly District 71 Judge of Probate

Dated at Middlebury, Connecticut this 4th day of April, 2014.

Edith SalisburyTown Clerk of Middlebury

Legal NoticeTown of Middlebury

Republican Party-Selected Delegates to Conventions

A certified list(s) of party-selected candidates for the Republican Party in the Town of Middlebury for participation as DELEGATES to the convention (s) of said Party specified below is on file in my office at 1212 Whittemore Rd., Middlebury, Connecticut and copies are available for public distribution:

CONVENTION(s)State Senate District 32State Assembly District 71 Senate District 15 Dated at Middlebury, Connecticut this 4th day of April, 2014.

Edith SalisburyTown Clerk of Middlebury

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8 Friday, April 4, 2014The Bee-Intelligencer

Well, it has been a very long winter, and I am just getting a glimpse of some of my earliest bloomers. The first are the “Snow drops,” also known as galanthus. These beautiful white-flowered bulbs are planted in the fall. They are great, especially in woodland gardens or underneath decidu-ous trees. They are deer resistant.

Another of the early blooming bulbs is the crocus. These are also planted in the fall. Crocus come in shades of purples, blue, yellow and white. These are very easy to plant as they only need to be planted 2-3 inches deep. You can plant 100 of them in less than an hour. They can be natu-ralized in lawns or grouped un-der deciduous trees. They grow 2 to 5 inches tall. The only draw-back to crocus is the flowers last only a few days.

One of the earliest perennials to bloom are hellebores, also known as Lenten Rose or Christ-mas Rose. These are wonderful

flowers. They bloom in March, and the flowers last for weeks. Once the flowers die back later in spring, the leaves will emerge. The foliage is a beautiful green, and they add texture and depth to the perennial garden all sum-mer and through winter. Helle-bores can be planted in the spring or fall. They are deer and

vole resistant. It is best to cut the foliage in late winter (March) just before they bloom. They do best in shade or part shade.

The earliest shrubs to bloom are the witch hazels (hammame-lis), which are native to Con-necticut. They can grow 15 to 20 feet tall. They bloom from late January to March. The flowers are yellow in color. The foliage turns yellow to yellow orange in the fall.

Start looking for your early bloomers, and enjoy your time in the garden!

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: Can I give my dog and cat the same herbal supplements and vita-mins I take? It seems a lot of medicines prescribed by the vet are just pet-sized doses of human medication. – Tanya G., via emailDEAR TANYA: Some pets can take vitamin supplements simi-lar to those used by humans, but as you noted, the dosages can vary greatly between humans and pets, and among different sizes and species of pets. Dogs and cats and other mammals are most likely to be prescribed med-icines humans also take. Lizards, fish and non-mammals are far less likely to take the same things.

It’s really, really important to talk to your pets’ veterinarian about giving them vitamins or herbal supplements, in addition to doing your own research on natural pet health. Many vets recommend certain supple-ments for dogs and cats, usually added to their food or given in pill form. Some advocate homeo-pathic remedies. All vets will tell you what not to give your pets, and you should take heed.

Additionally, your pet’s food may already contain some vita-min supplements. Be aware of

what they’re already eating be-fore adding more of the same.

What kind of supplements are commonly given to house pets? Some of the more popular ones include vitamin C, which is pur-ported to reduce inflammation; fish oil, which improves skin and hair; and glucosamine (along with chondroitin), which many owners say has reduced the se-verity of arthritis in their older dogs.

Again, do your research and make sure the supplement or vitamin you want to give your dog or cat is safe for them. Make sure they’re getting the right dose for their weight, as well. With vitamins as with everything else, there can be too much of a good thing.

Send your questions or com-ments to ask@pawscorner.com.

(c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

can pets take human vitamins?

Adopt A Rescue pet

Your pet could be featured as “Pet of the Week” on this page. Send us your pet’s photo by email to mbisubmit@gmail.com or by regular mail to P.O. Box 10, Middlebury, CT 06762 along with your pet’s name, your last name and your town. 

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PET OF THE WEEK

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For more information on these animals, as well as others at Meriden Humane Society (MHS), email meridensociety@sbcglobal.net. MHS is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., and volun-teers can be available to meet with you through an appointment. MHS is at 311 Murdock Ave. in Meriden.

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Poached Salmon with Cucumber Dill SauceRosemary Roasted Potatoes

Glazed Carrots

For complete Easter and Passover menus, visit www.bobadelmarket.com

(StatePoint) Warmer weather is just around the corner, which means higher temperatures. But does it have to mean higher en-ergy bills too? The answer is no. There are numerous ways to keep your home cool and bills low this summer.

After a few months off, it is vital to check that your air con-ditioning system is still working in an efficient and optimal man-ner. If you have a central air con-ditioning system, for peace of mind, you might want to have your system checked by an HVACR (heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration) professional. In order to save, be sure to shop around for special deals, which are not difficult to find for seasonal preventive maintenance. Understand how-ever, that the proficiency of HVACR technicians differs greatly.

When searching for the right HVACR technicians for your home, one way to make certain the job will be done properly and effectively is by hiring a profes-sional certified by North Amer-ican Technician Excellence (NATE), the nation’s largest in-dependent, nonprofit certifica-tion body for HVACR techni-cians. NATE-certified techni-cians are qualified to properly install and service equipment, which means maximum home comfort and energy savings.

Once a NATE-certified HVACR technician has inspected your system for efficiency, there are a number of things you can do to keep energy bills low:

• Clean your air filters. Check them every couple of weeks, and change them at least twice in the season, or as directed by the manufacturer.

• Don’t obstruct airflow around air conditioner units – keep them clear of plants and debris.

• Raise the thermostat about five degrees, because each degree you raise the thermostat will save you a percentage off your cooling energy bill.

• Compare energy bills from last year. If your costs have signifi-cantly increased, contact a qualified HVACR technician – they can help determine the source of the problem.

Remember, just because you have an energy-approved, ecofriendly, high-efficiency product, it does not mean auto-matic money and energy savings. For substantive results, proper installation, service and mainte-nance are important too. So do yourself a favor – request the service of a NATE-certified tech-nician. To locate a contractor that employs certified technicians, look for the NATE logo or go to www.HVACRAdvice.com.

By taking preventive mea-sures, you can rest assured that this season you will be cool while saving money and energy.

Is your home prepared for warmer weather?