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Mailed free to requesting homes in Thompson Vol. VII, No. 39 Complimentary to homes by request (860) 928-1818/e-mail: [email protected] FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2012 THIS WEEK’S QUOTE “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” George Burns INSIDE A8— OPINION A12 — SPORTS B1 — HOT SPOT B5 — CALENDAR Under sunny skies, graduates marched to their seats. Kerensa Konesni photos B3— OBITS Two friends hold hands on their way to commencement. B3 — RELIGION LOCAL Summer Reading on the right track Page A2 LEARNING One of many emotional hugs last Thursday. MOVING ON THOMPSON — The 102nd Tourtellotte Memorial High School gradua- tion ceremony was held Thursday, June 14. For more photos, turn to page A6! For photos from Tuesday’s com- Two graduates pose with their diplomas. Quinebaug Middle College graduates 37 County closer to ‘Bike & Build’ team makes at ceremony Page A3 SPORTS ‘HEARTsafe’ first stop in region status STUDENTS BIKE BY KERENSA KONESNI VILLAGER STAFF WRITER CROSS-COUNTRY Windham County is on its way to becoming the first in the state to FOR AFFORDABLE have all of its municipalities desig- nated as “HEARTSafe” communi- HOUSING ties, under the Connecticut Department of Health’s BY KERENSA KONESNI HEARTSafe program. VILLAGER STAFF WRITER “We’re talk- POMFRET — Thirty young adults ing 50 more slept in the pews of the First people, and Congregational Church of Pomfret, the entire Saturday June 16. Rocco goes from last to county would “By the end of the day,we’re so tired first in exciting Sunoco be certified,” we’d sleep on concrete,” laughed Dan said Killingly Halpert. Modified feature town coun- The Fairfield native is just one of Page A12 cilor and reg- the 30 young people who are riding istered nurse cross-country with Bike & Build Inc. Tammy this summer. A non-profit organiza- Wakefield, tion, Bike & Build sends out eight who has vol- OUR COMMUNITY groups of young people, mostly col- Kerensa Konesni photos unteered her lege students and recent graduates, PLANNING Rachel Debaun, Sam Wood and Maggie Lange of Bike & Build arrive at their first stop Turn To BIKE, A14 at the First Congregational Church of Pomfret. PAGE A5 Turn To HEARTSAFE, page A11 page OPINION GET YOUR Statewide emergency preparedness exercise announced POINT ACROSS PAGE A8 BY KERENSA KONESNI three day supply of non-perishable “People felt that they were well vital that people consider what VILLAGER STAFF WRITER WHAT TO DO food, flashlight, batteries and a first prepared and then found gaps in worked and what didn’t, for the next The 2012 Atlantic hurricane sea- aid kit – as well as a battery powered planning – like reaching for the flash- weather-related disaster. A CALENDAR son began June 1, and with Tropical or hand cranked radio, something of light that you thought you had but “You need to replenish what you OF AREA EVENTS Storm Irene still fresh in the memo- particular value in northeastern found out it had no batteries or a used. Look back on what you didn’t PAGE B5 ry of Connecticut residents, Connecticut when electricity went radio you thought you would use, but have — did you not have a radio — Department of Emergency Services down for more than a week last then you remember that it plugs in,” things like that, review the event.” and Public Protection Commissioner August. May said. The same goes for planning, Reuben F. Bradford has released a Northeast District Department of While having an emergency kit is a according to May. new list of Hurricane preparedness Health Emergency Management necessity, May says that residents “Did you have problems with com- tips. Coordinator Derek May said that need to assess the state that kit is cur- municating with family – whatever The Atlantic Hurricane season Tropical Storm Irene was an incon- rently in. gaps there were, they were very obvi- runs through Nov. 30. Bradford is venient, but real way for area resi- He stresses the NDDH mantra of ous and recent, so go over them,” he urging residents to create emergency dents to learn what is really neces- “Replenish, Review, Improve” — said. kits with one gallon of water per per- sary to have on hand, in the event of with Tropical Storm Irene still fresh son per day for at least three days, a a major disaster. in the memory the community, it is Turn To EMERGENCY, page A16 A2 • Friday, June 22, 2012 THOMPSON VILLAGER Summer Reading on the right track ‘BOXCAR CHILDREN’ TAKES SPOTLIGHT BY KERENSA KONESNI dren get a stamp and prize – including VILLAGER STAFF WRITER coupons from local businesses including PUTNAM — Henry, Jessie, Violet and Phyllis’s Bakery,Jessica Tuesday,Wonderland Benny Alden — and yes, faithful dog Watch — Comics, Victoria Station Café, Deary Bros., remain alive and well in the hearts of local Wonderland Books, Martha’s Herbary and children, as Gertrude Chandler Warner’s McDonald’s. famous “Boxcar Children” young adult book “I couldn’t do this without all of those nice series takes front and center for the Putnam people,” said Aubin. “This is a very generous Public Library’s annual Summer Reading community.” Program. The Putnam Public Library’s Summer A Summer Reading kick-off event was held Reading Program is not limited to the youth at the Putnam Public Library Saturday, June set — Teen Librarian Jen Lamoureux has 16, where more than 70 local children had designed a program specifically for children signed up for the summer program by 1:30 in the 6th through 12th grades. p.m. “Our teen program is a project were the par- Equipped with a banjo, guitar, harmonica, ticipants get points for the amount of time spoons – and a wicked funny bone – Davis and they read,” said Lamoureaux. At the end of Roger of the “Davis Bates Duo” entertained the program they can use those points toward children Saturday with train themed songs a raffle, she said. and stories during the kick-off event. Earlier Many of the books that will be raffled off in the morning, children had their faces paint- were received directly form publishing hous- ed by Gillian Norman, while library patrons es, and have yet to hit store shelves. perused an outdoor book sale. “You can’t get them anywhere else. We also According to Children’s Librarian Tina have some books that were signed by popular Aubin, the program usually sees the participa- authors, like Rick Riordan of the ‘Percy tion of approximately 250 Putnam youngsters Jackson’ series.” throughout the summer months. Teens can also participate in two books “It’s independent reading that the children clubs that the teen program is offering. do at home,” said Aubin. “This year we have a Kerensa Konesni photo While signups official kicked off Saturday, theme of ‘All Aboard Read!’ with the Boxcar Equipped with a banjo, guitar, harmonica and spoons, Davis and Roger of the “Davis Bates Duo” entertained Lamoureux said that kids can join the pro- Children.” children Saturday with train themed songs and stories during the kick-off event. gram at any time. Aubin said the children’s series, created in Either stop by the Putnam Public Library,or 1942, remains popular with readers to this day. email questions to Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm” is set to be MacLachlan will make her way to Putnam In celebration of 70 years of the series, [email protected]. released in the fall, however the Putnam this autumn during the 2012 Great Pumpkin “Boxcar Children” publisher Albert Whitman The Putnam Public Library’s Summer Public Library obtained two early release Festival, where she will sign copies of the new & Company has debuted revamped cover art Reading program will continue through Aug. copies, signed by the author, that were given “Boxcar Children” book. for the classic books, and commissioned 31. Calendars of events are available at the out as raffle prizes Saturday. Children participating in the “All Aboard Newbery Award-winning author Patricia library. As the voices of children and the Davis Read!” program follow an itinerary that MacLachlan to write a prequel to Warner’s Kerensa Konesni may be reached at 860- Bates Duo harmonized to “I’ve Been Working requires them to read for 30 minutes everyday. series. “The Boxcar Children Beginning: The 9281818 ext. 110, or at kerensa@villagernewspa- on the Railroad,” Aubin noted that For every 210 minutes of reading logged, chil- pers.com. NEWS BRIEFS the legislature and signed by the Regents President Robert A. in machine technology and CNC Jodi Calvert (General Inquiries) Manufacturing Governor last year. Kennedy. “Following the successful manufacturing environments. Manufacturing Centers “Last year on my Jobs Tour, I vis- Asnuntuck model, these three new Additionally, credits earned in this Coordinator centers now ited dozens of businesses in our centers will serve more students certificate may be applied to the 860-885-2601 state and one constant refrain I from across our state and ensure College of Technology’s (COT) [email protected] enrolling students heard was the need for an educated that they are ready to compete in the Technology Studies Advanced Housatonic Community College: and skilled workforce, particularly 21st century global economy.” Manufacturing degree option, Bill Griffin for fall within the manufacturing sector. If Students who earn their 16-credit which may be used for seamless [email protected] we’re going to increase job growth Machine Technology Level I transfer to several four-year univer- 203-332-5056 HARTFORD — The three new and remain competitive, we must be Certificate will receive a primary sities including Central Connecticut Naugatuck Valley Community community college manufacturing aware of how critically important it level of essential skills and knowl- State University and the University College: centers – in addition to the existing is for manufacturers to have access edge in the machining area of man- of Hartford.