Mailed free to requesting homes in Eastford, Pomfret & Woodstock Vol. V, No. 40 Complimentary to homes by request (860) 928-1818/e-mail: [email protected] FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2010 THIS WEEK’S Academy graduates 272 seniors QUOTE Domestic ‘Too often we enjoy the STUDENTS violence comfort of opinion without ENCOURAGED TO TAKE the discomfort of thought.’ THEIR OWN PATHS, law INSIDE MAKE MISTAKES BY RICH HOSFORD VILLAGER STAFF WRITER A8-9 — OPINION passed WOODSTOCK — Woodstock A12 — SPORTS Academy proudly graduated 272 B1 — HOT SPOT seniors from the Class of 2010 dur- ing an outdoor ceremony on the LEADERS MEET TO B2 — CALENDAR town commons on Sunday,June 27. B4 — OBITS The students, all wearing tradi- EVALUATE NEW tional blue gowns and caps, B5 — RELIGION entered the commons from the Rich Hosford photos LEGISLATION school building to cheers from par- The recipients of the Donald and Hope Williams Scholarships for Outstanding ents, family members, friends and Academic Achievement were recognized during the Woodstock Academy gradua- BY MATT SANDERSON LOCAL tion. They are Timothy Curry, Emily Swenson, class Valedictorian Nicole Grace VILLAGER STAFF WRITER Turn To GRADUATION, page A10 Bowen and class Salutatorian John Patrick Bartolotta. KILLINGLY — State lawmakers, mental health professionals, domes- tic violence support advocates and legal experts convened at United Services last Thursday, June 24, to hold a roundtable discussion on the broad-based domestic violence bill Miracle that was signed into law earlier this month. The law took effect at the turn of the new fiscal year, yesterday, Thursday,July 1. The discussion was organized by child state Rep. Mae Flexer (D-Killingly), Seaward receives who served as chairwoman of the Rectory’s Lifetime WOODSTOCK BOY SURVIVES bipartisan Task Force on Domestic Achievement Award Violence, which was set up last fall RARE STAPH INFECTION and played a key role in authoring Page A6 BY RICH HOSFORD Turn To DOMESTIC, page A11 VILLAGER STAFF WRITER WOODSTOCK — Joshua Lavitt is an energetic and happy child. Like most 8- year-old boys, he enjoys playing baseball, goofing around with his friends and his OWF seller brother, Jacob, and playing with his dogs. Though he wears a brace on his left leg, Josh hardly seems to notice it as he runs speaks out around the yard, plays hide and seek, rides his bike or does any of the normal child- BY RICH HOSFORD hood activities. VILLAGER STAFF WRITER The fact that Josh, 8, of Woodstock, can Scott Bradley is upset about the Courtesy photo do all of these things is what his mother calls a “miracle.” Less than a year ago, bad reputation his business has The Lavitt Family in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, there were moments when she was not been getting in the media and Sewn to wrap D.C., during a trip to the capitol with the Children’s Miracle sure her son would survive after his left among some community members others in love Network’s Champion program, presented by Walmart and Sam’s and politicians. Club. Joshua Lavitt, 8, front, became the Connecticut Champion leg was infected by rare bacteria that near- Page A4 ly took his life. It was only through the Bradley is the owner of Mainline after surviving an infection from a rare flesh-eating bacteria that Heating and Supply Inc. in Ashford, nearly killed him. With Joshua is his mother Kristen, his father Uri, Turn To LAVITT, page A16 and a big part of his business comes and brother Jacob. from selling outdoor wood burning furnaces (OWFs), also known as out- door wood boilers. In the past few years, Bradley said, he has seen business decline as media outlets Baird retires from church have focused on accounts of people living near OWFs who have said that smoke from local heaters has been WILL BEGIN WORK AS entering their yard and house and OUTREACH COORDINATOR causing health problems for them and their families. FUN CONNECTICUT FOR SENATE DEMOCRATIC The problem, Bradley said, is not FACT OF THE WEEK: the boilers themselves, but the irre- OFFICE sponsible use of OWFs by some own- This weekend, the citizens of ers that have been attracting atten- Connecticut and others across the BY RICH HOSFORD country will be celebrating the VILLAGER STAFF WRITER tion and giving the devices a bad Fourth of July — America’s reputation. Independence Day — to commemo- Members of two local churches “We need to police them, not ban rate the adoption of the are saying farewell to a beloved pas- them,” Bradley said. Declaration of Independence on tor who is retiring after more than a There are two main ways that July 4, 1776. decade of sermons, weddings, bap- wood-burning furnaces can become Did you know that in 1774, the tisms, council and service to his con- a nuisance for neighbors, Bradley first Declaration of Independence, gregation. said. The first is if the owner has not called the “Declaration of The Rev. David Baird of the properly installed the heater to meet Freedom,” was adopted by the United Churches of Putnam and town of Mansfield some 21 months Rich Hosford photo state requirements, meaning either before the Declaration of North Grosvenordale retired the heater is too close to a neighbor’s Thursday, July 1, after 13 years of The Rev. David Baird (center) of the United Churches of Putnam and North Independence was adopted in Grosvenordale sits among members of the church while he listens to people property or does not have a high Philadelphia on July 4, 1776? express their gratitude for his work and their sadness to see him go during a Turn To BAIRD, page A16 farewell lunch on Sunday, June 27. Turn To OWFS, page A15 2 • Friday, July 2, 2010 WOODSTOCK VILLAGER Towns host Fourth of July festivities VILLAGER ALMANAC QUOTATION OF THE WEEK BY MATT SANDERSON and RICH HOSFORD begins at 6 p.m. with the Revolutionary 5K Fun Run. VILLAGER STAFF WRITERS Registration is from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. at Owen Bell Park. “The last four years have been faced with many challenges that tested my character,my intelligence and my strength,” she said. “I’ve lost friends, competitions, opportunities, loved With the Fourth of July this weekend, several towns Next, the chicken barbecue, which is presented by the ones and, on occasion, my mind. Through it all I’ve learned so much more, like the realiza- have plans to light up the night sky with fireworks and are Danielson Elks Club, runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the tion that I determine my future — I determine what I do and do not accomplish. I learned sponsoring other family-friendly events. park. Tickets are $8, and must have been purchased by that if you don’t go your own way, you have the power to change it.” PUTNAM Monday, June 28, since they have sold out the last two The Fourth of July fireworks event is set to start years. — Woodstock Academy graduate Danielle Rae Strandson gave the official welcome dur- tonight, Friday,July 2, at Rotary Park at 7:15 p.m., accord- There is also going be live music at the park from 6 to 9 ing her welcome address at commencement. ing to the Parks and Recreation office. The fireworks will p.m., by “The Fiddlers” and The Windham Orchestra start at 9:15 p.m. The local band The Out Riggers will per- Band. PEN TO LOSE form on the Rotary Park stage. The fireworks begin at 9 p.m. O C The rain date is Saturday, July 10. For more information, please call the Killingly Parks POMFRET The fireworks kick off a string of annual summer and Recreation Department at (860) 779-5390. There is no TOWN HALL events for Putnam in Rotary Park, such as its Opera al rain date. In the event of a cancellation, meals can be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday . 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Fresco on Saturday,July 17, at 7:30 p.m. with a rain date of picked up at the Danielson Elks Club. Wednesday. 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Sunday,July 18. Also, their River Fire follows the Opera al EASTFORD Friday . 8:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Fresco at dusk on Saturday, July 17, as well as on Aug. 14 The East Woodstock Congregational Church 54th LIBRARIES and Sept. 11. The rain date for the river fire is Saturday, Fourth of July Jamboree will be held Sunday,July 4, with Abington Social Library July 24. an old-fashioned celebration featuring a chicken barbecue Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. 5-8p.m. For more information, please call the department at at 11:30 a.m. and parade at 2 p.m. The Jamboree is a major Saturday . 10 a.m.-noon (860) 963-6811. fund-raiser for the church; all the money raised supports Pomfret Public Library KILLINGLY its programs of Christian education, music and commu- Tuesday . 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The annual Red, White and Blue BBQ takes place nity outreach. The public is invited to enjoy live entertain- Thursday. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. tonight, Friday, July 2, at Owen Bell Park. ment, children's games, contests, food and more. Parking Friday . 2 p.m.-7 p.m. According to the Parks and Recreation Department, it and admission are free. Saturday. 10 a.m.-1 p.m POST OFFICES Pomfret Monday-Friday . 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday . 7 a.m.-noon Two arrested in cocaine raid Pomfret Center (Murdock Road) Monday-Friday .