PRSRT STD POSTAL U.S. POSTAGE PAID CUSTOMER PERMIT #231 ECR WSS SOUTHBRIDGE, MA 01550 Vol. lII, No. 43 Complimentary (860) 928-1818/email:[email protected] ‘Only one who has loved knows the power of love.’ FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2008 Al Fresco Advocates discuss ‘Super Trail’ plans BY GUS STEEVES that, today,the proposed route of what’s in 1995 and 1998, Massachusetts drafted VandenAkker of the state Department STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER being dubbed the “Super Trail” or the statewide bike plans, and later a of Conservation and Recreation, that’s event If the 25 or so advocates meeting at “Titanic Trail” as a working name is “Commonwealth Connections” green- partly intentional — until there’s a con- the Thompson Public Library Tuesday actually a loose coalition of six indepen- way plan was updated, and several certed effort to make it a viable, regular- have any say, south-central New dent rail trail groups. The route runs meetings have happened like this one ly used trail, maintaining it simply England towns will be linked by a sin- from Palmer to Franklin in over the years. In that time, more than makes a trail a target for trash dumpers returns gle, long rail trail within the foreseeable Massachusetts and connects to several one attendee noted, progress has hap- and motorized vehicles, he said. future. other proposed and established north- pened, but very slowly. Often, making such projects work “I’m excited to see all these connec- south trails, including Massachusetts’ The most obvious example raised is requires extensive collaborations with ‘JUMP JIVE AND tions,” said Becky Kalagher, president Midstate Trail, Connecticut’s Airline that much of the Southern New towns, states, local land trusts, user of the Bay State Trail Riders’ Trail and the interstate Blackstone England Trunkline Trail route between groups of various kinds and the federal SWING’ ON JULY 12 Association. “I hope before I’m 99 I get to Valley Bikeway. Douglas and Franklin has been state- ride the whole trail, too.” This isn’t the first time advocates owned since 1984, but has had very little BY CHENOA PIERCE Turn To TRAIL, page A14 VILLAGER STAFF WRITER Kalagher was referring to the fact have talked about the big picture. Back maintenance. According to Cary PUTNAM — Last year, the town of Putnam offered an Al Fresco event that saw thousands of people from the Quiet Corner and beyond flood- ing Rotary Park to hear opera music Church group to celebrate World Youth Day under the stars. This year, conductor and Putnam resident Brian Sparks returns to TEENS HEADING TO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Putnam at 7:30 p.m. July 12, with a show that encourages concertgoers BY CHENOA PIERCE while camping out in an open field. VILLAGER STAFF WRITER to jump, jive and wail. Accompanied Events such as an opening Mass by the Brian Sparks’ 16-piece PUTNAM — Imagine it: standing with Cardinal George Pell, a re- Smokin’ Hot Band will be Nicholas in an open field, shoulder to shoul- enactment of Jesus’ last moments King and Angela Bacari, two swing- der with strangers from around the on Earth and a celebration in honor jazz singers, who will perform such world listening to Pope Benedict of the Pope’s arrival in Sydney, his memorable numbers as Glenn XVI giving a Mass with Sydney, first to Australia since earning the Miller’s “Caribbean Clipper” and Australia, as the backdrop. title, are just a sampling of what “We’ll Get It” from Leap Frog, made In less than a week, 14 St. Mary those going to the convention will famous by Les Brown. Also included Church parishioners, along with experience. in the performance will be Brian one from Holy Trinity,will be living The Rev. Roland Cloutier of St. Setzer’s high-energy hit, “Jump Jive that vision. Mary Church said he has sent ’An Wail.” Courtesy photo That’s because on Friday,July 11, parishioners both in the parish he There will also be a dance ensem- The St. Mary Church group heading to Sydney, Australia, for World Youth Day smiles the group will begin its journey to used to be with in Hebron and St. ble that will perform several dance after attending a special Mass where they were given a special blessing by the Rev. Sydney to participate in World Mary’s to various conventions over numbers in full 1940’s and 1950’s cos- Roland Cloutier. Back row (left to right): Ron Paul, Carol Paul, Youth Minister Diane Youth Day,a celebration of Catholic the years. tume to the toe-tapping tunes. WINY Patterson, Alan Patterson, Carlo Lombardo, Pete Lombardo and Doug Bergstrom. youth from all around the globe “I usually try to get people to radio personality Gary O. will serve Front row (left to right): Leah Trudo, Emily Roto, Julia Lombardo, Cloutier, Jonathan who get together to share a week of these things,” said Cloutier. “It’s a Bergstrom and Adam Patterson. Not pictured: Melissa Siedzik and Candice and worship and share the different Turn To YOUTH DAY, A9 Turn To AL FRESCO, page A13 Cherie Breau. ways they celebrate their faith, all page Local organization helps kids in Uganda BY CHENOA PIERCE VILLAGER STAFF WRITER THOMPSON — The people who live on the continent of Africa face many dangerous situations on a daily basis: genocide, slavery, the AIDS epidemic and more. Caught in the middle of the dangerous and often violent circumstances are the innocent children who live there, many of whom are taken at young ages and forced to become child sol- diers — or worse. One local organization is doing its part to help the children who have been affected by those situations, and save those who haven’t, by “Improving the future of the world … one child at a time,” as its slogan says. Courtesy photo Bright Kids Orphanage Corp., Campers from Camp Opportunity play on a jungle gym last summer. based in Thompson, is doing every- thing possible to make the lives of Courtesy photo children living in Uganda who have This picture was taken during a birthday celebration day with the children helped by been as enjoyable and bright as pos- Bright Kids Orphanage Corp. The children, seen here surrounding Bright Kids Uganda Camp Opportunity sible. President Victoria Along, were all celebrating their birthdays. “… Many of these children were either forced into slavery, raped, became child soldiers and/or lost both of their parents through vio- growing and growing lence or AIDS,” said Bright Kids Orphanage Corp. USA President BY MATT SANDERSON “We are government-free,” said Elizabeth Lidonde in an e-mail. VILLAGER STAFF WRITER Colleen. “The staff is volunteer, but we According to the organization’s EAST KILLINGLY — The growth and try to give a fairly decent stipend.” Web site, the 501-C3, nonprofit orga- success of Camp Opportunity in East “It’s more of a missionary perspec- nization provides the children with Killingly since it began in 2005 at the tive,” said Bill. everything they need in life: food, Union Baptist Church and New Hope They noted that the recent Freedom shelter, an education, medical care, Community Ministries has resulted in Fair, along with their local business job training, clothing and more. much needed summer fun for children, sponsors, helped greatly to support the The organization came to be after with a little education and faith slipped camp. Lidonde went to Africa on what she in. “Even this year with a tighter econo- originally expected to be a relaxing The message at the camp is that kids my we made more profit for the camp retreat. come first. The program is filled with than any other year,” Colleen said. “As I envisioned my upcoming activities to teach and challenge, as well The camp is held in two four-week visit to Uganda, I became a bit anx- as see children grow physically, emo- sessions. Session I is June 23 to 27, June ious because I had never been away tionally and spiritually. Developing a 30 to July 4, July 7 to July 11, and July 14 this length of time from my chil- healthy sense of self-esteem and person- to 18. Session II is held July 28 to Aug. 1, dren, but I was looking forward to a al confidence is also the promotion from Aug. 4 to Aug. 8, Aug. 11 to Aug. 15, and much-needed vacation,” she said in Executive Director the Rev. William Aug. 18 to Aug. 22. a letter that appears in the brochure Courtesy photo and on the Bright Kids Orphanage “Pastor Bill” Pearl and Alternate Bright Kids Orphanage Corp. volunteer Jeremy Kemps poses with a child during a Director Colleen Pearl. Turn To CAMP, page A14 Turn To UGANDA, page A13 recent trip to Uganda. A10-11 . .OPINION LEARNING SPORTS VILLAGER TRIVIA A 12 . .SPORTS REA SCHOLARSHIPS How are you traveling in SECT. B . .OBITUARIES A JEZIERSKI PITCHES Africa if you’ve rented a SECT. B . .CALENDAR AWARDED NO-HITTER rakumi? Answer on page 2. SECT. B . .RELIGION PAGE A6 PAGE A12 INSIDE A2 • Friday, July 11, 2008 THOMPSON VILLAGER NDDH continues traditions 35 years later VILLAGER ALMANAC BY MATT SANDERSON VILLAGER STAFF WRITER QUOTATION OF THE WEEK BROOKLYN — It was 35 years to the day on Tuesday, July 1, when “It’s a great, affordable way to the Northeast District Department of Health (NDDH) became the honor a loved one.” fourth health service district in the state. — Remember Me Vinyls owner Laurie Morin about the vinyl It now serves 12 towns and 83,488 photo laminates she makes and sells for gravestones people in 438 square miles.