Thursday, December 19, 2013
Consumer Alert: AG, DCP Offer Immediate Steps for Shoppers Concerned About Target Data Breach
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Thank you for our freedom
I was going through a box of things in a storage space under the stairs in my home and I found (among other things) a photo copy of an op-ed piece that I wrote and submitted to the Record Journal. It was printed on September 4, 2000. I couldn’t know at the time that a year and a week later it would be Tuesday, September 11, 2001 and my perspective would shift once again.
Below is the text of what I wrote that day. Today as the snow falls I think of the holidays.
To every enlisted individual that cannot be home because they are serving and protecting as well as to those that made the ultimate sacrifice and will never come home again, from my family to yours, thank you for the gift of freedom that I can never repay.
Thank you for our freedom - Jason Zandri, Special to the Record-Journal
Wallingford resident Jason Zandri, 31, is a computer engineer at Tek Systems in Windsor.
I am sitting here trying to figure out what it is I missed from the movie "Saving Private Ryan." Don't get me wrong. I am an avid fan of movies, I have a personal collection of over 2,400. I thought the movie was well-written, well-acted, and looked very authentic. What I tried to get out of it was the realism of the film that everyone was always talking about. It captured the atrocities of the military landings and the war itself so well, that it caused some veterans to have flashbacks of their own experiences.
I just didn't get that type of "movement" from the film. It didn't cause me to enjoy it any less, but it did make me think about some things. As I sit here between two holidays, Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, honoring all of those who served our country, I felt guilty about not getting the "movement" out of the film that I had heard and read about from so many different people.
I felt that I should have been able to.
I then suddenly began to realize why I could not get the depth of emotion out of the movie that so many others did. I really do not have a strong enough connection to ANY war to have any solid emotion for it, one way or the other.
I have worked so many hours straight and been so busy that I didn't have enough time to stop and eat, and although I was "starving," I really, truly don't have a clue what it is to be hungry like someone that has no food. I have no proper point of reference for the tragedies of any war that had transpired.
I was born in 1969. Even though I was a child during the last chapters of the Vietnam War, my earliest recollections of it were from reading the veteran's stories about it in the newspapers that I delivered. To me, that was the last "significant" war we were really involved with as a country, heart and soul, for or against. Everything after that, our true involvement was limited. The losses and the sacrifices were the same, it's just that our involvement as a nation was not as strong.
I still was trying to figure out why I was not as sensitive to the images.
There had to be a little more to it than just "no proper point of reference." A new movie has come out that answered that question for me - "The Patriot." Most Americans would be forced to admit that they view the Fourth of July as a holiday of picnics and fireworks. Yes we all know it is in celebration of our independence, but its meaning today is far different than what it was. That is not because it is not important to anyone but more so the fact that all of us are so far removed from the horror, tragedy and loss of THAT war, that while we celebrate our freedom we FORGET what was involved to secure it.
I am almost certain that as we moved away from that period in time, the veterans of that important war felt the same way that today's veterans think; people today just don't seem to realize just exactly what we went through to secure the freedoms that we enjoy and take for granted.
I am not justifying the reasoning behind it, but coming to realize the error.
Allowing myself to put my mind in a place where I forget what was really involved. I also allowed myself a little bit of "slack" due to the fact that all the while I was growing up I never had to worry about the possibility of losing my freedom or going to war, but I quickly pulled that slack back. It is exactly because of the dedication and sacrifices of the men and women of the armed forces, and their families, that I could be granted the luxury of not having to worry.
To every veteran of any war I say this. On behalf of Generation X, and the Boomers too, thank you for our freedom. A freedom so well fortified that I believe in my heart and soul we will never lose it.
Rest well, knowing that our ignorance is mainly due to the fact that you have all done your duty fighting for our country so well that we will probably never again have to work that hard or bear that much personal cost to maintain our freedom.
Thank you for securing a peace, while fragile, so well-balanced that I will probably never have to live through any true hardship. Thank you for making America what it is today, more so than any politician ever did, "...land of the free and the home of the brave."
Copyright 2000, 2006 Record-Journal
Saturday, December 14, 2013
An opportunity to support a Wallingford student and promote our children's desire to read
Please consider going to https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=548976308530216&id=101660376595147 on Facebook and hitting LIKE on the page for “Tony Sitro” from a Tim Green post.
RJ was named the lead character in renowned Author Tim Green's book a few weeks ago. Tim continues to promote our children's desire to read and making them a PART of it. Another Wallingford student has been named a finalist this weekend.
In addition to hitting LIKE I would ask you to consider posting a link on your own Facebook wall and encourage our community to support our children.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sylvia Leonardo-Bernard
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Board of Education Budget Presentation 01/13/14
On Monday, January 13, 2014, there will be a presentation of the 14/15 central office budget proposal to the Board of Education. This meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Lyman Hall High School VoAg Community Room. Please feel free to attend. If you are unable to attend and would like to learn more about the budget, the complete PowerPoint presentation will be posted the next day on the district website.
On Saturday, January 25, 2014, the Board of Education will hold a budget workshop for discussion and development of a budget to be presented to the Mayor. This meeting is at 8 a.m. at the Lyman Hall High School VoAg Community Room. Again, please feel to attend.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Sal Menzo, Ed.D.
Superintendent – Wallingford Public Schools
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
UPDATE from Master's Manna - we are officially out of debt for 2013
Without a doubt 2013 has been a year of HOPE and ENOUGH. With today's deposit of $9,900 we are officially out of debt with ALL of our financial responsibilities met. All future donations and funding will be held for relocation and/or to prepare and provide for 2014. This is the 7th year of having all of our obligations met with funds in the bank for the next year... for which we are grateful.
Master's Manna, Inc
http://www.mastersmanna.org/
cheryl@mastersmanna.org
203.678.3042
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Quinnipiac River Linear Trail Advisory Committee's Holiday Celebration
Linear Trail Holiday Celebration previously scheduled for Sunday Dec 15 has been postponed to Sunday, Dec. 29, 1-4 p.m. due to the snow storm. It will be a family friendly event, so please mark your calendars for Dec 29th.
Free event but donations are welcome.
Thanks--Mary Mushinsky
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Scanning in an old Wallingford Map
Some folks were in the Wallingford CT Community Forum and sharing an image of a 1905 map they found online and I thought I might take mine off my wall and get it scanned in to share with folks.
Each of the images below is linked to a larger shot – click on the image to get a better view.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Benjamin F. Klimczak – OBITUARY
Mr. Klimczak was my 5th grade teacher at Pond Hill Elementary (1979 – 1980 school year if I remember correctly); he was one of the few teachers that “got me”. I last saw him in October while campaigning for Mayor – I am glad I had the chance to speak to him one more time before he moved on to bigger things.
WALLINGFORD - Benjamin F. Klimczak, 85, of Yalesville, died peacefully at his home Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. He was the loving husband of 40 years of the late Theresa L. McKinnon Klimczak.
Ben was born in New Haven, Aug. 1, 1928, a son o f the late Benjamin and Frances Jaworska Klimczak. He was a graduate of Hillhouse High School, Yale University, S.C.S.U., and Fairfield University. One of his life’s greatest memories was while playing baseball for Yale he was given a game ball from Sid Rosner for his recording a save as a relief pitcher against U.NC. He was a teacher for the Wallingford Board of Education for 37 years before retiring in 1989 having taught at Washington Street School and Pond Hill School. He found teaching a very rewarding career. He volunteered countless hours during his life, many at the Wallingford and school libraries. He was a member of many organizations including, W.E.A., C.E.A., N.E.A., the Ferdocs, the Wallingford Historical Society and the Polish Falcons.
He is survived by his brothers-in- law and sisters- in-law, Patricia Emery, of Cheshire, Mary and Dick Stedman, of Massachusetts, and David and Mary McKinnon, of Maryland; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Frank, Walter, Edward, Stephen and Joseph Klimczak.
His family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., Sunday, Dec. 8, , from 3 until 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. directly at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Interment will be in In Memoriam Cemetery in Wallingford. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent Perkins School for the Blind, Perkins Trust Office, 175 North Beacon St., Watertown, MA 02472.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Wallingford Christmas ornament for the 2013 Holiday Season
Located on North Whittlesey Avenue, the school is celebrating is 100th anniversary in 2013. With over 200 students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade, the school is affiliated with Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, also in Wallingford.
This year's ornament was designed by architect Steven Lazarus and depicts the school as decorated for Christmas. Each year, the students of the school decorate the large windows of the school with white paper images of Christ's birth, which Lazarus was able to work into the ornament design.
The ornaments sell for $9 each, with the proceeds benefiting Holy Trinity School and the Wallingford Preservation Trust. The trust has sold a different Christmas ornament each year since 1991. Many local landmarks have been featured over the years.
Ornaments can be purchased at:
- Holy Trinity School, 11 North Whittlesey Avenue, during school hours (830am-230pm);
- Holy Trinity Rectory, 68 North Colony Street, during office hours (9am-4pm);
- Wallingford Lamp and Shade, 124 Center Street
Monday, December 2, 2013
Informational Hearing - Covanta Projects of Wallingford, LP
Please note this is the Wallingford Trash burning plant located on 530 South Cherry Street Wallingford CT. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the plant owners Covanta will be at Town Hall December 11 2013 at 6:30pm to make a presentation and answer questions.
Informational Hearing - Covanta Projects of Wallingford, LP
| Description: | Hearing to provide information and receive public comment concerning the renewal of Covanta's Title V air permit. |
| Date: | 12/11/2013 |
| Time: | 6:30 pm |
| Location: | Wallingford Town Hall |
| | 45 South Main Street, Wallingford |
| | Hartford |
| Accessibility: | Contact Wallingford Town Hall at (203) 294-2145. |
| Directions: | |
| Contact: | Office of Adjudications at (860) 424-3037. |
| Details: | The hearing will be held in the Council Chambers at the Wallingford Town Hall. |
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at (860) 418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to any agency hearing, program or event.
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 / Phone: 860-424-3000
Home | CT.gov Home | Send Feedback |
State of Connecticut Disclaimer and Privacy Policy. Additional DEEP Disclaimers. Copyright © 2002-2013 State of Connecticut.
Presentation by the Connecticut Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association
@ 7PM
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Wallingford Electric and my bills since 2008
When I review my electric bill from Wallingford Electric one of the interesting things I always consider is what they presume is average use for a Wallingford resident. They have it listed as 700 kWH. I realize that I have electric heat and electric hot water so I don’t know what a more “nominal” use might be but I presume they would know that better than me. I can also “see” the possibility of that number by my use when the heat and AC is off AND when the kids are away in the summers (every year in the charts below except 2012; in 2008 they were gone in October and November).
At any rate – while my average use has been about twice that and a little more at 1,500 kWH a month over six years and my annual amount is 18,000 kWH I am always impressed by both the service I receive and the comparatively low cost as compared to other providers.
I will also say that personally blowing extra insulation into my attic (in 2010) and installing a pellet stove the same winter has paid dividends as my use dropped and shrank my monthly costs despite upward pressures for the cost of generation, operations and maintenance.
Your mileage may vary but this has been my experience. It will take me another 24 years to “recover” the costs of the insulation and the stove (with static pricing, as costs rise the amount recovers faster – basing on 3% inflation that window shrinks to 17 more years) but when I can turn the stove on, on a cold December morning, and leave all the rest of the electric heat in the house off on the upper floor and have the house be 76 degrees, I simply smile and take in the warmth.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Friday Flicks at the Wallingford Public Library
Friday Night Films - December 2013
Community Room, Lower Level - Admission: Free
| The Wolverine: December 6, 6 pm |
|
|
| Planes: December 20, 6 pm |
|
|
| For more information on Library programs, visit our website at www.wallingfordlibrary.org. |
Free family events at the Wallingford Public Library
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Wallingford Center at rest on Thanksgiving
I have this up on my Facebook wall but I wanted to post it here as well for “safe keeping”
Of the many things I am thankful for, today and any day, is one certainly worth highlighting:
Not everyone can be home for the holidays - especially those who protect and serve, those who keep us safe from harm, and those who fight and defend our nation’s honor.
To them all, from my family to yours - thank you.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Knockout Game hits New Haven, six allegedly attacked
I am posting this for awareness. While I seriously doubt this will happen in Wallingford there is also always the possibility.
At the same time, many of us, like myself, go into New Haven either for work or to commute to work as well as to go to eat or enjoy other entertainment.
With darkness falling so early this time of year and the fact that one of these attacks took place just ahead of evening at 5:30PM I wanted to make sure as many people were aware of it.
Please see the New Haven Register Article “Knockout Game hits New Haven, six allegedly attacked” for the additional details.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Lighting of the Wallingford Christmas Tree / Seasons of Celebrations
WALLINGFORD — Seasons of Celebrations will take place Saturday, Dec. 7, from 1 to 5:45 p.m. with the lighting of the tree at the gazebo.
Events are as follows:
1 to 4 p.m., visits with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus
1 to 3 p.m., Yalesville Volunteer Fire Department toy drive;
1:30 p.m., while supplies last, cocoa and cookies to keep you warm;
1 to 4 p.m., animals at the petting zoo;
2 to 3 p.m., Yankee Chorus will sing holiday carols;
2 to 5 p.m., photo booth pictures of Show Stopper Entertainment, sponsored by WCL;
1 to 4 p.m., horse and carriage rides in front of Town Hall;
1:30 to 4:30 p.m., chestnuts roasted on an open fire by Little Portions Acre Farms;
5:15 p.m.,
Frosty Parade led by Lou Ferrara from Town Hall, down Carter Street to the Johanna Fishbein Park joined by Frosty and Rudolph;
5:30 p.m., holiday carols at the gazebo followed by a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” by the mayor;
5:45 p.m., lighting of the tree.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Urgent message from Cheryl Trzcinski of Master's Manna
It is 12:25p.m., Nov. 20, 2013. I sit at my desk rereading a letter dated Nov. 19, 2013 from the realtor handling this property for the owner. In essence, unless Master’s Manna agrees to sign a lease by Dec. 1st which mandates that Master’s Manna, Inc. will:
- occupy the entire building (11,600 sq. ft.) at a cost of approx. $6700 per month
- pay past due rent of $13,167.16
- provide 2 mo. Security deposit at new rate
- OR VACATE CURRENT PROPERTY BY DEC. 31, 2013
- 1194 from Wallingford
- 1507 from Meriden
- 15 from Cheshire
- 11 from Durham
- 38 from North Haven
- 14 from West Haven
- 34 homeless
- 22 from other towns
Hundreds of other local residents utilize other services provided on-site at Master’s Manna such as:
- Shower/laundry facilities
- Hot meals
- Access to primary care through the Community Health Center
- Substance abuse/domestic abuse/mental health counseling
- Access to Rushford’s staff and services
- English as Second Language
- Clothing and housewares
- Educational and vocational training
We have served faithfully and sacrificially.
PLEASE DONATE AS YOU ARE ABLE TO ENSURE OUR DOORS REMAIN OPEN
NEEDED: $50,000 through the end of the year
Checks made out to Master’s Manna, Inc., use PayPal through our website
http://www.mastersmanna.org/, or bring us cash.
ALL DONTATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTABLE
God bless you,
Cheryl A. Trzcinski, C.E.O.
May 2013 bring HOPE and ENOUGH~
Cheryl Trzcinski, C.E.O.
Master's Manna, Inchttp://www.mastersmanna.org/
cheryl@mastersmanna.org
203.678.3042
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Saturday, November 2, 2013
An effort begins to save the old Csenge Market
This appeal is going out from some people affiliated with the effort to save the old Csenge Market
PLEASE ACT NOW TO SAVE HISTORIC BUILDING!
Urgent! An historic building in Wallingford is in danger of being torn down. It is located on the corner of Ward and South Orchard Streets. Built in 1923, this building has a distinctive yellow brick façade, with decorative geometric elements all along the cornice.
Known to older residents of Wallingford as the “Csenge Market,” it is of great local and state significance, representing the story of European immigration during the first half of the twentieth century. Exemplifying the now vanishing full-service corner grocery, for decades the market offered fresh produce and meats from surrounding farms, as well as other supplies from the docks in New Haven. Of the three storefronts in the building, the “Economy” grocery predates the Csenge Market, and is believed to form part of the business which later became the First National Stores. Other historic family-run specialty stores at this site include a candy, soda fountain and ice cream store. Until recent weeks, this building has housed commercial businesses.
An application has been filed with the State Historic Preservation Office to place this building in nomination for the Connecticut State Register of Historic Places. (A successful nomination will document this part of Wallingford history, plus make the building eligible for certain restoration grants.)
Your voice matters! The more individuals who speak up, the more likely the success of the nomination petition for the Register of Historic Places.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
If you would like to see this building preserved, please email or call:
1) Jerry Farrell, Jr., President, Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust. Please send email through his website: http://ctliquorlaw.com/contact, 203-804-9188; and
2) The State Historic Preservation Office, Daniel Forrest, Director of Arts & Historic Preservation & State Historic Preservation Officer, Daniel.Forrest@ct.gov, 860-256-2761.
You may wish to cut and paste a statement to the state office along these lines:
_____________________________________________________________________________
We urge you to place the building known historically as the “Csenge Market” on the Connecticut State Register of Historic Places (location: 157 South Orchard Street, Wallingford). It deserves preservation and recognition based on its significance to social history, ethnic heritage and American architecture.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for trying to make a difference in the quality of life and legacy of Wallingford!