Mailed free to requesting homes in Thompson Vol. VII, No. 32 Complimentary to homes by request (860) 928-1818/e-mail: [email protected] FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2012 THIS WEEK’S QUOTE Committee to search for grants to fund mill clean up SELECTMEN HOPEFUL PROPERTY MAY SEE NEW LIFE AS PARK “Self-development BY KERENSA KONESNI ble left behind after a series expressed by what is now the – as is the case with the is a higher duty VILLAGER STAFF WRITER of owners removed the valu- Department of Energy and Belding site, the corporation THOMPSON — After clean able portions of its construc- Environmental Protection that retains responsibility than self-sacrifice.” up efforts were derailed by tion, leaving piles of bricks (DEEP) drew the process out, for the clean up and remedia- the downturn in the econo- and concrete behind a chain and with trucks on the tion of a site is often not pres- my, the site of the Belding- link fence near the heart of ground ready to begin clear- ent, if it exists at all. Corticelli Mill on Route 12 in the town. ing debris, the money to com- “The town is willing to find Thompson may be back on According to First plete the project privately ways to be creative but not to track to see clean up, remedi- Selectman Larry Groh, the ran out. According to Groh, take on the liability,” said ation and a change in the current owner of the site Scott owns the Belding- Kennedy. “So right now the INSIDE landscape. Andy Scott has said that he is Corticelli Mill free and clear. town is looking for a way to Long an eyesore to neigh- willing to work with the town “There are no liens on that create a temporary solution A8-9— OPINION bors and residents, the site of to get clean up of the site property,” he said. until the property gets the former mill is well known restarted. Previously, Scott Town Planner Kevin cleaned up or sold.” A12 — SPORTS to those traveling on had negotiated plans with Kennedy said there’s a rea- That solution could be, B1 — HOT SPOT Riverside Drive; its lone the town to begin clearing son projects involving old tower stands among the rub- the site, however concerns industrial sites can hit snags B3— OBITS Larry Groh Please Read MILL, page A11 B5 — RELIGION B5 — CALENDAR Best selling LOCAL author speaks to TMHS students KERSHAW WEAVES TRUE TALE OF THOMPSON FIGHTER PILOT Cultural concert BY KERENSA KONESNI VILLAGER STAFF WRITER praised THOMPSON — “There’s Page A2 no difference between the ‘Greatest Generation’ and yours. You have it in your- Meryl E. Willett photos SPORTS selves to do great things.” CEO James Morton and COO Jim Shear present a new schematic of the YMCAs design. That was author Alex Kershaw’s message to Tourtellotte Memorial High School students Wednesday, April 25. Kershaw, the ‘The YMCA will be a author of several New York Times best selling books, visited Thompson last week to discuss his book “The lot more then a building’ Few,” in which former Thompson resident Andrew Alex Kershaw “Andy” Mamedoff is fea- and in many cases their OFFICIALS UPDATE QUIET CORNER ON STATUS OF tured for his contributions lives — to become fighter as a fighter pilot in World pilots for the Royal Air FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN Clang’s commitment War II. Force in World War II, before the U.S. had officially Board of Education mem- BY MERYL E. WILLETT update them on the learning how to become Page A12 entered into the war. VILLAGER STAFF WRITER ber and TMHS alumnus Joe progress of the upcoming more physically active Thompson’s Mamedoff Lindley introduced PUTNAM — On Saturday, YMCA project in Putnam. every day, and featured was one of these “Knights of Kershaw as one of the “most April 28, at the Putnam YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day activities to engage families the Sky,” engaging in dog- prolific World War II Middle School, the Greater is the nation’s largest in physical activity such as EVERDAY ECOLOGIST fights with German soldiers authors, in my opinion.” Hartford YMCA hosted a health day for families. The Family Olympics with the from the cockpit of a PAGE A5 Kershaw’s “The Few” Healthy Kids Day — and free event was designed to Y, Family Walk with Dr. Spitfire, and ultimately highlights the handful of surprised residents with a help families address barri- helping the British to over- ROUND ROBIN RELAYS brave Americans who gave host of special guests to ers to living healthier by up everything — their Turn To YMCA, page A10 PAGE A7 United States citizenship, Please Read AUTHOR, page A13 Larned Memorial Museum Open Air Fair a to open for season success a QVCC BY MERYL E. WILLETT VILLAGER STAFF WRITER DIORAMA ON DISPLAY ALONGSIDE DANIELSON — In honor of Earth Day and Earth Month, HISTORICAL SOCIETY FAVORITES Quinebaug Valley Community College held its BY KERENSA KONESNI Open Air Fair last week, an Visit our website with VILLAGER STAFF WRITER annual event started by stu- your smart phone or tablet THOMPSON — The dents of the college six years device! doors of Thompson’s first ago who were concerned with Just scan the “QR code” library building will open sustainability and the envi- below with your device and again to the general public ronment. instantly be linked to our Saturday, May 5. “It was started by a group website, www.villagernews- Saturday marks the kick of students who not only papers.com, where you can off of the 2012 season at wanted to commemorate read the PDF versions of the Ellen Larned Earth Day, which is why it’s Meryl E. Willett photo our newspapers! It’s as easy held during April, but also Memorial Museum, where Nikki Merrill, of Nikki’s Organics, as that! wanted to bring awareness to the Thompson Historical and spouse Zach at the Open Air sustainability,” said Director Society has preserved and Fair. showcased artifacts, his- of Transitional Services Pam torical information and Brown. groups, clubs, and other lore born from the town’s Last week, on Wednesday, humanitarian initiatives, all 10 boroughs for just under April 24, and Thursday, April of which were displaying a decade. 25, the hallways and several their passion for going green Built in 1902, and rooms in the college were and being sustainable stew- restored lovingly by Beth Courtesy photo lined with various booths ards for the environment. Greene and Barbara that featured local artists, One booth featuring past The Civil War Exhibit contains artifacts from local residents who QVCC student Zach Merrill, fought, including Henry Brown. jewelry, precious stones, Please Read MUSEUM, page A11 beads, eco-friendly hair and cosmetic products, school Please Read QVCC, page A13 A2 • Friday, May 4, 2012 THOMPSON VILLAGER Cultural concert praised by local schools BY MERYL E. WILLETT Concert. structured similarly in that there VILLAGER STAFF WRITER The in-school teachers from the are school previews for all partici- WOODSTOCK — Performing orchestra go to the schools prior to pating schools, and the opera Arts of Northeast Connecticut pre- the performance. There are three singers and pianists will educate sented a performance by the New members of the orchestra who the students, showing background Haven Symphony Orchestra at the visit about 30 schools per year on the opera, explaining art form, Hyde Cultural Center on Tuesday, doing a 45-minute educational ses- and the story of the magic flute. May 1, to a room full of 2,000 third sions with the students. Students will be introduced to graders representing 26 schools “You can tell the kids who had a operatic voices and the teachers across the region. prep can relate because they know will get a study guide to go along The New Haven Symphony — they know the music and they with the program,” said Paul. Orchestra’s Young People’s know some of the members from In addition to the programs Concerts are 55 minutes in length the orchestra, it’s exciting for designed for students the arts designed for students in third them. We gave a special introduc- organization also hosts at least one grade, that are supported by a cur- tion program at each school to ticket-based show per year, with riculum guide with references to introduce the kids to the music and this past year’s show being “The the National Standards of Music the symphony,” said Coyle. Nutcracker,” which went up in Education, as well as the All three members of the December. In years past, perform- Connecticut State Department of Education Program also play in the ers like Judi Colling, Arlo Educational framework. symphony. Gutherie, and the Preservation This year’s Young People’s “We meet with classes of any- Jazz Hall Band have all come to Concert featured a repertoire of where from 20 to 100 kids and we Meryl E. Willett photos perform in the NECT. patriotic music by some of bring our instruments, talk about Volunteer members of the organization pose with members from the orchestra. “We have different but always America’s most well known com- the program and demonstrate professional performers come, the posers and featured musical selec- some excerpts. We have a Q&A and objective is to make professional tions such as Aaron Copland’s get them ready for the perform- tional component,” said Eggert. There are two flagship programs performing arts accessible to the “Lincoln Portrait,” as well as ance, there is a wonderful educa- Performing Arts of Northeast put on annually — the Symphony northeast corner,” said Paul.