7/13 Tribune Copy 1

Vol. V, No. 1 Complimentary (860) 928-1818/e-mail: [email protected] ‘The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.’ Friday, October 2, 2009 Walking through Back to agricultural roots October BUYING, 100-PLUS EVENTS OFFERED THROUGH EATING THE LAST GREEN VALLEY’S ‘WALKTOBER’ LOCAL BY OLIVIA BRAATEN “It’s sort of like the last hur- VILLAGER CORRESPONDENT rah,” The Last Green Valley Nineteen years ago, Walktober Executive Director Charlene PROMOTED began. Cutler said of the nonprofit’s pro- Since then, what was a weekend gram. “People want to get out and AT EVENT of 25 free, guided walks has grown do these things before winter sets into more than 100 walks, paddles in.” and special events throughout all A 20-page brochure maps out BY MATT SANDERSON VILLAGER STAFF WRITER of October and, this year, even spilling into November. Turn To WALKTOBER, page A13 WOODSTOCK — The ninth annual Celebrating Agriculture event kicked off on a gorgeous Saturday, Sept. 26, at Woodstock Fairgrounds, where there was a Beckenhaupt resigns logging competition, quilt dis- plays, antique tractors, a horse demonstration, an egg cooking demonstration, live entertain- as NDDH director ment, and other agricultural and environmental related exhibits. This time of year marks the CCEPTS JOB real essence of what northeast- A ern Connecticut, its agriculture, its wilderness and the AT CDC Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor is all about. Celebrating Agriculture at BY MATT SANDERSON Woodstock Fairgrounds brings VILLAGER STAFF WRITER the focus of an agricultural BROOKLYN — The outgoing event back to its roots, back to director of the Northeast District its basics. A free event to all, Department of Health has weath- Matt Sanderson photo Celebrating Agriculture’s only ered significant changes in the Patricia Beckenhaupt, director of the guise is to educate those about public health field and reflected Northeast District Department of Health, what grows in their own back Matt Sanderson photos last week on how she has reached a has accepted a position at the Center for yards, as well as to provide activ- point in her career field where the Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Amy Gronus, a cook from Ashford, makes crepes with peaches and other local Ga. Her resignation from NDDH is effective fruits during the egg cooking demonstration at the ninth annual Celebrating Turn To AGRICULTURE, page A14 Friday, Oct. 16. She came on board as the Agriculture event at the Woodstock Fairgrounds last Saturday, Sept. 26. Turn To BECKENHAUPT, page A15 NDDH director in October 2000. Local team raising money for Why Me WINE TASTING BENEFIT TO BE HELD OCT. 15 BY STEPHANIE JARVIS In 1993, David Hagan and his struggle, she provided inspiration VILLAGER STAFF WRITER wife Elizabeth moved to Woodstock to other children who were diag- WOODSTOCK — When the from New York, shortly after their nosed with cancer. In the last Hagans’ son was being treated for son Ben, then 19 months, was diag- months of her life, she founded leukemia at the University of nosed with leukemia. While Ben Why Me with the help of her father, Massachusetts in the 1990s, they was undergoing cancer treatment so that other children’s suffering often took advantage of the ser- at the University of Massachusetts, could be eased on a more lasting vices and emotional support pro- the Hagans learned about Why Me basis. vided by Why Me. Although their (Worcester Help for Youth, “It was what we had been looking son passed away at age 5, today Memories Everlasting), a nonprofit for at the time,” Hagan said of the they remain heavily involved and organization created in 1985 by organization, adding that having a are helping to raise much-needed Sherry Shepherd, who was then 13 child suffering from cancer is Courtesy photo funds for the organization and its years old and battling cancer. “pretty daunting in the begin- Team Body by Design is running the Bermuda Marathon in January to benefit Why Sherry’s House, as well as to spread When the University of ning.” But through Why Me, he Me and Sherry’s House, a nonprofit organization to help children with cancer and the word that these services are Massachusetts Medical Center said, “Parents meet other parents; their families. Pictured left to right are Erica Kesselman, Elizabeth Hagan, Marion available to residents of opened its pediatric oncology kids meet other kids. Through the Mauro, Linda Magee and Caroline Chute. Not pictured are Lenore Beloin, Crista Connecticut, not just those who department, she was its first Durand and Jennifer D’Abramo. The women are hosting a wine tasting fund-raiser live across the border. patient, and through her four-year Turn To WHY ME, page A14 Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Inn at Woodstock Hill. J.D. Cooper’s opens off-track betting parlor RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY HELD FOR ‘WINNERS’ BY MATT SANDERSON With close to 20 televisions total, VILLAGER STAFF WRITER Winners offers two teller windows PUTNAM — J.D. Cooper’s for patrons to place wagers on spe- Restaurant hosted the grand open- cific horse races taking place daily ing and ribbon cutting of its off- at racetracks throughout the coun- track betting parlor called try, as well as three self-service “Winners” last Thursday, Sept. 24, wager machines for cash. with many invited guests, live bet- Winners now adds to J.D. ting, an introduction to the facility, Cooper’s dining room, Boar’s Head and a lively array of hors d’oeuvres Tavern and its sports pub. The off- Matt Sanderson photos and drinks. The formal ribbon cutting of J.D. Cooper’s “Winners” off-track betting facility was last Thursday, Sept. 24. Turn To J.D., page A13 A8-9 — OPINION LOCAL SPORTS A12 — SPORTS PUTNAM, VILLAGER TRIVIA ORRS OFFER SECT. B — HOT SPOT TOURTELLOTTE/ELLIS What was the only Major AMAZING TIME TECH PREP FOR League season in which Ted SECT. B — OBITS RIVALRY GAME AT FARM William failed to post a batting SECT. B CALENDAR average more than .300? PAGE A3 PAGE A12 Answer on page 2. INSIDE SECT. B — RELIGION A2 • Friday, October 02, 2009 PUTNAM VILLAGER Districts utilizing ARRA funds for IDEA VILLAGER ALMANAC BY MATT SANDERSON $205,415 for IDEA and $8,133 for already during last spring’s budget VILLAGER STAFF WRITER preschools; and Eastford, $33,112 for process to offset the proposed ter- QUOTATION OF THE WEEK HARTFORD — Although all 169 IDEA and $1,312 for preschools. minations of various special educa- school districts, state departments “These funds address critical spe- tion positions. “This is one cruise where we’re all and organizations applied for and cial education needs in our schools “Our public school districts make winners because all of the money received federal stimulus funds for and also will help put money back a major contribution to the public special education during the budget into local economies by hiring staff welfare by preparing thousands of goes to the kids.” and purchasing new equipment,” exceptional persons to participate season early last spring, Gov. M. — DICK SALVAS, OF THE TRI-STATE CRUISERS, WHICH PRE- Jodi Rell announced last Tuesday, Rell said in a statement. as citizens of this state and as mem- “Municipalities and school dis- bers of society,” Rell added in her SENTED AN $8,576 CHECK TO THE HOLE IN THE WALL GANG Sept. 22, that those cities and towns CAMP DURING ITS SEPT. 26 GATHERING IN PUTNAM have received that $138 million in tricts are operating with bare-bones statement. “These funds will pro- funding to improve their special budgets in this recession, and these vide a much needed injection of education programs. funds will certainly provide some cash into our towns so that local OPEN TO CLOSE The funding, slated for the cur- relief without having to shift the special education needs will not go PUTNAM TOWN HALL (963-6800) rent 2009-’10 school year, is broken burden to local taxpayers. The flexi- unmet.” Monday through Friday.................................8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. down into Individuals with bility of these grants will allow The grants were offered through Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) most districts to use some of the the U.S. Department of Education Town Clerk (963-6807): American Recovery and funds to offset local costs in other through the 2009 ARRA. The special Monday through Friday.................................8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds educational programs.” education funds are awarded Recordings accepted until 4 p.m.; office occasionally closed and preschool ARRA funds. Eastford Elementary School through a formula grant applica- between noon and 1 p.m. Killingly received $606,873 for Principal Linda Loretz said they tion administered by the state’s Water Pollution Control Authority (963-6819): IDEA and $24,155 for preschools; utilized their stimulus funds last Department of Education. Monday through Friday .....................................8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Putnam, $332,759 for IDEA and spring into this year’s Board of Education budget. Matt Sanderson may be reached at $13,181 for preschools; Woodstock, Veterans Services ................................................9 to 11 a.m. Friday $415,964 for IDEA and $16,467 for “We hired an extra special educa- (860) 928-1818, ext. 110, or by e-mail preschools; Thompson, $349,618 for tion teacher,” she said. at [email protected]. Killingly Superintendent of PUTNAM PUBLIC LIBRARY (963-6826) IDEA and $13,854 for preschools; Monday through Thursday ..............................10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Brooklyn, $217,921 for IDEA and Schools William Silver added that they used the stimulus funds Friday .............................................................10:30 a.m.

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