ERSAR IV Y N N A A A N N N N I I V V Y Y E E R R R R A A S S WOODSTOCK VILLAGER Mailed free to requesting homes in Eastford, Pomfret & Woodstock Vol. X, No. 31 Complimentary to homes by request (860) 928-1818/e-mail: [email protected] Friday, April 29, 2016 THE MINOR Breaking down barriers DETAILS ADAM for women’s health MINOR DANIELSON Birthday NURSE USING namedropping RESEARCH TO TACKLE My wife’s birthday is next week! Don’t tell her I told ALCOHOL USE you. And no, I’m not telling you how old she is. I don’t DISORDERS IN have a death wish, man! Throughout the years, as WOMEN this time of year has come upon us, I always joked with BY JASON BLEAU her about her birthday, NEWS STAFF WRITER because she shares her day DANIELSON — The Photo courtesy Renee Graham of birth (May 2) with Dwayne issues of drug use and “The Rock” Johnson, one of Danielson nurse Renee Graham shows off a poster displaying alcohol dependence and the findings of her master’s degree research project at the my favorite action heroes. addiction have become I would always tease her Eastern Nursing Research Society’s 28th Annual Sessions. some of the most con- The URI student, who will graduate as an Advanced Nurse that it’s “almost The Rock’s cerning and heavily Practitioner in May, focused on the barriers and limitations birthday,” or “Time to wish debatable societal prob- of women with alcohol and substance abuse disorders in The Rock a happy birthday!” lems in today’s world, the Untied States. It goes over like a lead bal- Jason Bleau photo with cities and states loon, but I still try the lame throughout the country research for her mas- incorporating research attempt at humor. To quote FUTURE STARS working hard to tack- ter’s degree to become into her education as The Rock, she does not quite le the problems with and Advanced Nurse well. For her master’s smell what I’m cookin’. WOODSTOCK — Despite a rainy night and respect to the privacy Practitioner through project at URI, Graham I’m not one to get caught wet morning, the Woodstock Little League’s and limitations of those Rhode Island College. decided to focus on the up in the royal family drama opening day festivities were a big success last afflicted. After around 30 years of substance abuse issues of England like most of the weekend, with players, parents and fans filing Here in northeastern nursing, Danielson res- in the United States world seems to be, but we in to the Roseland Park fields for the annu- Connecticut, one indi- ident Renee Graham is and what she found is were pleased to see that al parade and opening ceremony Saturday, vidual has done her taking the next step in both enlightening and Princess Charlotte was born April 23. Pictured, players eagerly await their part to put the focus her career by exploring a concerning, especially on my wife’s birthday last moment in the spotlight. For more photos, on some of those lim- new level of commitment in regards to the limita- year, so as my wife celebrates turn to page A17! itations through her to her patients while also her [age redacted]th birth- Please Read GRAHAM, page A10 day this year, little Charlotte will be celebrating her first. David Beckham will also be turning 41 this year; Ellie Kemper (of “The Office” and Putnam filmmaker brings ‘Blues Legend’ to life Netflix’s “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” fame) will BY JASON BLEAU by a local custodian who with a former class- documentary direc- close friends as his be turning 36; NASCAR driv- NEWS STAFF WRITER made a dream come true mate at the University tor left McGinley with crew and music from er Kyle Busch will be turn- PUTNAM — They say by bringing four years of of Rhode Island, David praise for his idea and musicians like Tavana ing 31; and singer Engelbert sometimes the journey hard work together into Bettencourt known for implored him to create Mcmoore of Hawaii Humperdinck will be turn- is more important than his first feature film, his documentary work, the film himself. and YouTube artist ing the big 8-0. That’s some the result, but once in a which was recently con- who read McGinley’s Titled “Blues Legend,” Danny James, McGinley pretty eclectic company while the path to success sidered for the Cannes screenplay and decid- the film is based on an worked for around four right there! and the outcome at the Film Festival in France. ed to use it for his first old legend of a blues art- years to bring his vision As I looked up these end of that road are both Dan McGinley, of feature length produc- ist who sells his soul for to life. celebrity birthdays, I was worth the blood, sweat Quiet Corner Films, tion. McGinley said fame and fortune only to “There’s a million intrigued, so I popped in my and tears to make it all said his journey to cre- Bettencourt’s involve- suffer the consequences spins on the story. The own birthday (Oct. 7, in case happen. ating his first feature ment later ended due as his family and sani- legends down in the any of you wanted to send This is a lesson learned length production start- to bigger and better ty begin to deteriorate. me a present in the fall!) just ed during conversations opportunities, but the Using local actors and Please Read FILM, page A11 out of curiosity. Some inter- esting names came up. For example, I share a birthday with “American Idol” legend Simon Cowell, as well as sing- Hitting the er Toni Braxton, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tampa Bay Rays third base- man Evan Longoria, rock ground running legend John Mellencamp, Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts, recently retired football player Charles HACHEY SETTLES IN AS NEW Woodson and Christian music legend Michael W. THOMPSON REC DIRECTOR Smith. I had remembered the Simon Cowell one, but BY JASON BLEAU I was surprised that I share NEWS STAFF WRITER a cake-eating day with the THOMPSON — With president of Russia. Life is longtime Thompson weird, sometimes. Recreation Director Anyway, the happiest of Renee Waldron moving birthdays next week to The into the Town Clerk’s Rock! I mean, er…my wife! It Office following the 2015 still isn’t funny, is it? Maybe Charlie Lentz photos municipal election, a next year… Barry Vincent, back, Tony Ferraro, left, and Dylan Vincent, right. new face has joined the Before you stop reading Thompson Town Hall as this column, the following Recreation Director. people are celebrating a In January, longtime birthday today (April 29) — recreation volunteer actress Uma Thurman, coun- Angela Hachey was try legend Willie Nelson, announced as the Jason Bleau photos comedian Jerry Seinfeld, successor to Waldron. Chicago Bears quarterback ON THE Angela Hachey, a lifelong Now a few months into Jay Cutler, actress Michelle Thompson resident and the job, Hachey sat down Pfeiffer, actor Daniel Day- devoted recreation volun- with Staff Writer Jason Lewis, tennis legend Andre SIDELINES teer, was named the new Bleau to talk about recreation director for the Agassi, actress Megan Boone her new position and town in January after long- (of CBS’ “The Blacklist”), what it has been like time Director Renee Waldron and actress Kate Mulgrew PUTNAM — Softball fans to make the jump from moved on to become town (best known to me as came out to Owen Tarr Field volunteer to boss in the clerk. Captain Kathryn Janeway last Saturday morning, April Recreation Department from “Star Trek Voyager”) 23, to watch a game between in Thompson. — so wish them a hearty backyard rivals Putnam High and Tourtellotte Memorial. “Well, I was born and happy birthday! What’s your history raised in Thompson and when it comes I’ve been here forever. Adam Minor may be For more photos, turn to page A16! to recreation? Is I love the town and reached at (508) 909-4130, or Thompson your first always have, and started by e-mail at aminor@stone- Front, from left, Miranda Magalhaes, Tyler town where you’ve working for the summer bridgepress.com. Niemiec, Crystal Parmentier; back, Angie served in this kind of camp through this Vanzile. role? Please Read HACHEY, page A10 A2 • Friday, April 29, 2016 VILLAGER NEWSPAPERS Center Street and the sale of the Orpheum Marilyn Labbe has begun shop, a specialty store, a printer An October 1911 Transcript reported “The new extracting interesting tidbits and stationer, a popcorn stand, a Orpheum Theatre on Center Street was opened by from the 1933 Windham County KILLIngLY drug store, meat markets, a hair William S. Brown with a concert by the Boston Transcripts. The following pro- dresser, music teachers, a law- Philharmonic Orchestral Club on the first night fol- vides much food for thought and at 300 yer or insurance agent on Center lowed by a performance of the popular play, The Man hopefully brings back some fond street. Truly, for a little street, it is on the Box.” memories for the older readers. the center of much activity.” (WCT I’m sure many of you have fond memories of the “Center street is one of those lit- MARGARET 8/10/1933) Orpheum so please take the time to share them with tle thoroughfares, none too prepos- WEAVER One thing that quickly caught family and friends. Feel free to email me or call sessing in appearance, which my eye was the mention of a the- the Killingly Historical Center.