A Stark Contrast: Memorial Day and the Day After

It was Tuesday, the day after Memorial Day. I had posted my commentary to this blog. My senses were still keenly focused on all that the day had meant to me and others whom I had observed.

What a great day it had been for remembrance of our heroes of past battles who had left their families, homes and loved ones, never to return!

They left, giving us their tacitly understood word that they would protect the God-given freedom and way of life we, in America, cherish.

Communities throughout the country expressed their everlasting gratitude and ongoing prayers for those, now at peace, who made the ultimate sacrifice for us.

Thus, did we celebrate their patriotism and valor. And in return,  many of us felt a personally rewarding sense of pride in our prayer that God Bless America and protect our Troops who defend us this very day.

All this still alive in my mind, I opened my Tuesday morning email to a poetic message from a deeply spiritual, personal laureate and treasured friend.

I commend it to all hoping to more deeply penetrate the public consciousness to our responsibility as stewards of the gracious gifts of our creator: this world of elusive wonders and the love of one another. 

                                          ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~
Everlasting Beauty

By Henry C. Frascadore

The park after Memorial Day is a mess.
Plastic cups and soda cans float on the surface of the pond.
And potato chip bags and crushed napkins are left by the benches.

The day itself was beautiful.
The warm sunlight spread across the lawns,
and the sounds of fun were easily heard everywhere.

Why is it that ugliness and beauty often converge?
The temptation is to focus on the ugliness
and concede defeat.

To make the Styrofoam cups and crumbled napkins
the center of our attention is to pay homage
to the irreverent people who insulted the earth.

The better part would be to raise our eyes and contemplate
the architecture of the oak and elm trees
and know that beauty will endure despite everything.

Published in the Southington Citizen

Memorial Day Services Honor
American Heroes, Moving
Hearts, Minds and Emotions

A bright morning sun and blue skies warmed the hearts, minds and spirits of thousands along its route of the Memorial Day Parade in Southington and, following the parade, at the Town Green facing American Legion Hall of Kiltonic Post 72.

Old and young  and those of every age in between made up the large crowds who watched and listened with pride and joy.

"I think of when I was a boy and my parents took us to parades”, said Steve Pintarich, past commander of Kiltonic Post 72 and master of ceremonies at the Memorial Day service. “I’m glad they took us to those events. Today, it gives me a special sense of appreciation for the people of Southington who continue to make sure that their children learn, early on, the meaning of service to and love of country.”.

Acting Legion Commander, Bob Abbott, said, “I was overwhelmed by the response of the community, the huge crowds, the spirit of patriotism."

One lady in the crowd marveled at the awe-filling display of so many gathered for this one special purpose.

At the opening of the memorial ceremony, legionnaire Joe DellaPorta led a unit of nine veterans to lay memorial wreaths at each of the monuments on the Green facing Main Street. Including the cemeteries and other locations, a total of 21 wreaths were put in place. Town and state officials joined the American Legion, A.L. Auxiliary and Sons of A.L. place. Town and state officials joined the American Legion, A.L. Auxiliary and Sons of A.L. leaders in a stirring morning of presentations.

There was a shared sense of community respect for the Southington Police and Fire Departments, the Marine Corps League, the Knights of Columbus and their respective color guards, the Rifle Detail and  the retired Navy Chaplain’s opening and closing prayers. At the same time, the mood of the crowd was uplifting during the parade and service.

People were there because they wanted to be there … to experience the sights and colors and the sound and beat of marching music provided by the Southington H.S. Band, the Kennedy and DePaolo Bands. Few could miss feeling the exuberant spirit of a united community.

The American Legion brought honor and attention to numerous groups and individuals.  Among them were essays written by fifth grade students of St. Dominic School on "What Memorial Day means to me".

Angeline Dortenzio was asked to read her exceptional story, selected for its quality, content and deep meaning to her and her extended family when her cousin, Amry Sgt Steven J. Deluzio of Glastonbury, was killed in a raid on their camp in Afghanistan. In addition, the kids of St. Dominic School also raised $200.00 to help support the personal needs of our troops.

Benny Cammuso and Bill Lewandoski of the Knights of Columbus Color Guard were honored for their special service. Noticing the neglected condition of the flower beds in front of the legion building they decided to spruce it up to a place of great beauty.

Kennedy Middle School Builders club and peer advocates have been working for almost 2 years building and selling small yellow-ribbon wood stakes to earn money for the American Legion to buy web cameras and pay the cost of shipping laptop computers to troops serving in combat or recovering from wounds at Walter Reed Medical Center.  Students have received thank you letters from the troops and a flag flown in combat. The patriotism of these kids and the support of their families raised over $3,000.00 to date. The project continues at JFK School. Chris Palmieri and Zeke Zaleski presented certificates from the town and state for their work.  It gets better: Boy Scout Troop 45 at St. Paul’s Church is now starting on a similar project.

Fire Captain Peter Kurtz was named Firefighter of the Year and Sgt. Robert Wilson was named police officer of the year by Kiltonic Post.  Honored for his long military service and multiple deployments in combat, U.S. Army First Sgt Keith Egan spoke with passion and inspiration about how much his years of military service have come to mean to him and the appreciation he and his comrades in service appreciate the support of those back home.

With 6,,438 Americans who will never be coming home to family and friends, we need to continue our steadfast support, Egan pleaded, for the troops who are there today and leaving tomorrow to serve our country.

Bryan Davis of Southington Selected for Governor's Scholar Award

Southington High School Junior, Bryan Davis, Receives 2012 Governor's Scholar Award and Town Proclamation

Published in the Southington Citizen, June 1, 2012

L to R. Town Council Chair, Ed Pocock III
and Town Councilman, Chris Palmieri, present
Town Proclamation to Bryan Davis

The completion of the school year brings joy to Southington, a suburban community in Connecticut, as it celebrates graduations, academic accomplishments, achievement in sports, the commitment to diverse civic activities, and the progress of developing values of our young citizens and the new challenges and transitions many of them face as they move further into their future.

The media dedicates many pages to honoring its students, their scholarship awards and their memorable accomplishments because the community itself values the importance of our youth to our sustaining hope in the future.

As we whole-heartedly applaud those achievements of our young people from preschool through high school and college, we anticipate that you’ll agree with the public recognition of one of Southington’s exceptional students:

Our honoree of the day is a young man who is completing his junior year at Southington High School with a 109.15 GPA and ranks first in his class of 2013.  He was selected for Project Lead the Way at S.H.S. and is a member of the lacrosse team, Key Club, Math Team, SADD, Foreign Language Honor Society and the National Honor Society.

Bryan Davis is also working with confidence on his Eagle Scout project and will soon receive his second degree black belt in Martial Arts.

Bryan makes time to enjoy outdoor activities such as snowboarding with his friends, mountain hiking, skim-boarding along the beach, sailing on Long Island Sound, playing football and basketball, mountain biking and canoing. He is also a volunteer at the United Way and Southington Community Services.

Bryan Davis (l) with parents,
Kaye and Ken Davis at the 16th Annual
Governor's Scholars Luncheon at the Aqua Turf

The son of proud parents, Kaye and Ken Davis, Bryan is viewing the future with an eye on his interest in engineering, more specifically, after graduation next year, he plans to attend a competitive college likely in the field of electrical engineering.

Given his many accomplishments, it's no surprise that Bryan Davis is one of only thirty students in the State of Connecticut chosen for the elite circle of Governor’s Scholars.

Thirty colleges and universities throughout Connecticut are collaborating in providing each Governor’s Scholar an opportunity to further challenge their intellectual curiosity and special talents. They will be invited to take part in and educational enrichment experience at their schools. The subject of Bryan’s required timed essay was the dangers to society of using technology rather than personal interaction with people.

The many accomplishments of Bryan Davis were recognized by the Town Council of Southington in a proclamation designating May 14, 2012 to be Bryan Davis Day in the Town of Southington.  The recognition was sponsored as well by the Commissioner of Education, Connecticut Association of Schools, and Big Y World Class Markets.

The presenting Town Council member, Christopher Palmieri, who is also assistant principal at DePaolo Middle School, commented: "He (Davis) was a phenomenal student in middle school so I am not surprised that he was selected for such a prestigious award. I am honored to have Bryan represent Southington as a member of the Governor’s Scholars for 2012."

Congratulations to Bryan Davis and his family.

Scholarships Awarded to 3 Outstanding Students by Southington Knights of Columbus

Knights of Columbus Presents Scholarships to Three Southington High School Students

As published in the Southington Citizen
June 1, 2012

L. to R. Danielle Macioci, Nicholas Frega
and Amanda Snow receive scholarships.

On May 9, 2012, three Southington High School students were recognized for their scholastic accomplishments at a ceremony at Mary Our Queen Church Hall.

The Isabella Council of the Southington Knights of Columbus honored the three gifted and giving students, Danielle Macioci, Nicholas Frega and Amanda Snow who received a $500.00 scholarship in the presence of their parents. 

Amanda, the daughter of James and Diane Snow, has a brother, Thomas, who is a college sophomore. Amanda’s school activities have included SHS Cross Country and Indoor & Outdoor Track, the Best Buddies Program and the Unified Sports Program. Snow ranked 13 in her class of 461. Amanda’s church service at St. Thomas included altar server, lector, Food Basket Ministry, St. Thomas Passion Play and the Children’s Music Program. She plans to attend the College of Holy Cross and is interested in becoming a medical doctor or a physician’s assistant. Snow’s interests include the study of cognitive science and international relations. She is thinking about selfless service to others in the model of Mother Theresa, possibly in the Peace Corps.

Scholarship Chairman, Craig Jones and
Dennis Kelly, Grand Knights of Isabella Council,
present check to each scholar. In this photo
the awardee is Danielle Macioci

Danielle is the youngest daughter of Michael and Joanne Macioci. Her sisters are Christine and Nicole. Macioci’s school activities included the Symphonic Band, SHS Field Hockey Team, the Key Club and the Best Buddies Program. Danielle also served St. Dominic Church as an altar server, religious education instructor and Vacation Bible School volunteer. She also participated in the St. Thomas Passion Play. Danielle plans to be a teacher and will attend Framingham State University with a major in Education with Special Education as a focal interest. 

Nick, Danielle and Amanda with K of C
Chaplain, Fr. A. Waine Kargul, center,
and Scholarship Chairman,Craig Jones, right.

Nicholas is the son of Peter and Marianne Frega. He has a sister, Ali, who is in college. Frega’s activities included: President of the National Honor Society, SHS Marching Band and the Best Buddies Program. Nick has served his church community at Mary Our Queen as an altar server, religious education instructor, Youth Ministry member and youth representative on the Parish Council.Nick also became an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America in January 2012. Frega will attend Fairfield University and plans to major in politics and religion. Nick is interested in studying political socialization and how a person’s behavior is influenced by their life experience. 

Chairman of the K of C Scholarship program, Craig Jones, said: “The Knights of Columbus believes in and recognizes young people who have achieved scholastic excellence while actively participating in other school activities and have given service to their church communities.”  Grand Knight, Dennis Kelly, congratulated the recipients of this year’s awards and commended their parents for encouraging and fostering family support of their children.



Danielle Macioci, Nicholas Frega and Amanda Snow
getting to cut the cake and share it with all.



Lingering Economic Woes Trigger Targeted Action by Southington Community Services and Food Pantry

Food items in dire need for the hungry:
cereals, tuna fish, peanut butter and jelly,
macaroni & cheese and pasta products.

Hunger has no boundaries!

But credit communities like Southington CT for creative ways of focusing on specific needs of the hungry and impoverished. Yes, there are agencies in our midst expressly for the purpose of making life more bearable for those in economic duress. 

With the extended woes of our fragile economy, the number of families in need has risen significantly, putting greater stress on agencies providing relief to the hungry.

Janet Mellon, Director of Southington Community Services, said: “We buy food from Food Share, a great source for non-profits feeding the hungry. Their genuinely modest costs allow us to stretch dollar donations generously contributed by private individuals, church and faith congregations, businesses and professional groups as well as civic and service organizations as well as food donations from those sources.”

The ongoing increased demand for food brought Mellon and her team of volunteers to the idea of identifiying specific food items that are chronically in short supply. To help balance the supply and demand, they are making a focused appeal this month for donations of the following staple items in the family diet: (1) Cereals, (2) Tuna Fish, (3) Peanut Butter and Jelly, (4) Macaroni & Cheese and (5) Pasta products. Not only are these itnes in high demand but their availability from Food Share and other sources and their higher cost result in frequent low inventories by most of the non-profit suppliers.  

Deliver donations of food to
Southington Community Services
and Food Pantry at 91 Norton Street
in Plantsville, CT.

Now, there’s an urgent need and increased emphasis calling for these foods . The hope is that with this appeal Southington Community Services may "catch up” or close the gap between supply and demand.

“The goal is to enlist the support of our townspeople by Memorial Day, Monday, May 28^th”, Mellon said, “as we honor those who’ve made the supreme sacrifice for our country and those who continue to put their lives on the line every day.”

Donations may be delivered to the Southington Food Pantry at 91 Norton Street (entrance on S. Main St.), Plantsville, CT, Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am to Noon and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Advance calls to 860-628-3761will help to ensure a quick and easy giving experience.

Rosemary Champagne honored by Knights of Columbus for years of service to Southington Relay for Life

Rosemary & Jim Champagne Honored at Benefit
for Southington Relay for Life

May 18, 2012

The notable local works of charity of the Southington Knights of Columbus was at the top of its game last Friday in bringing 125 people together for a fabulous dinner-dance at the Elks Lodge honoring the years of dedicated service to Southington Relay for Life of Rosemary and Jim Champagne. 

With a delightful buffet by Carmela Marie and the lively dancing to the music of “Nick & Nancy, After All”, a frolicsome crowd dined, rocked and rollicke through an evening that reached an emotional peak with the moving tributes to the courage and strength of Rosemary Champagne who provided those in attendance an inspiring sense of her spirit of faith, hope and confidence through twenty-eight years as a survivor of Cancer.  

Event chairman, Bill Shatas, spoke of Champagne’s strength and character as she turned her illness into a road to healing mentoring, bringing hope to others as well as working through her own personal survival.  Shatas pointed out Champagne’s service to our local Relay for Life since 1998 and her leadership for almost a decade, while also authoring a book: “My Detour On Life’s Highway”.  

Jim Champagne, spoke of the non-stop energy, courage and fortitude of his wife in her personal journey of more than a quarter century including her shared journey with countless numbers of other cancer survivors. He also pointed out that over one million dollars had been raised by Southington Relay for Life since its inception.

L to R. Bill Shatas, Benefit Chairman and
George Jorgensen of K of C present
flowers and large donation to Relay for Life
in honor of Rosemary & Jim Champagne 

Past Grand Knight of Isabella Council 15 and Faithful Navigator of Fourth Degree Assembly 0122, George Jorgensen, whose wife Linda was diagnosed with a rare cancer last fall, also spoke briefly as he presented a sizeable donation to Relay for Life in Champagne’s honor. The benefit raised over $3,000 and we’re still counting”, Shatas said.  He also made a surprising revelation for almost everyone when he all who were Cancer survivors to stand and then all those who had a family member who was a survivor or victim of cancer to join them in standing.   The overwhelming majority of the people in the room standing was astounding!

Grand Knight Dennis Kelly presents bouquets
to Mary DeCroce, 2011 Relay for Life
chair, Rosemary Champagne and
2012 Chairperson, Joyce McAloon

Grand Dennis J. Kelly, said: “The Knights of Columbus supports a long list of local charities and we are honored to include our support of Relay for Life.”

What became clear to those who were not aware was how much one person of singular purpose can do to inspire a town and the vital role she played in leading a town in raising over a million dollars for the American Cancer Society since the start of Relay for Life in Southington.

Photography by Deborah Mikan

Southington, CT residents return record numbers of unwanted Rx Drugs at 'take-back" event

As published in the Southington Citizen May 4, 2012

Town Councilman, Chris Palmieri and pharmacist
Cynthia Enright greet arriving motorist.

On Saturday, April 28^th, local citizens of Southington, CT and surrounding towns responded in record numbers to the Medical Return Program’s call for expired and no longer needed drugs. The scene at the Southington Water Department was a steady stream of cars from 10 am to 2 pm as 483 cars stopped by to drop off outdated prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The primary purpose of the  program is to dispose of drugs and chemicals in a manner that prevents contamination of our water supply when using our everyday trash disposal systems. However, it is important to note that the medical return program also removes such no longer needed drugs from homes where they might fall into the hands of children and others who might use them abusively. 

The water departments of Bristol and Southington combined efforts in this 4^th annual collection alongside the Southington Police Department, faculty members, students and professionals of the Connecticut College of Pharmacy who were also assisted by several local registered pharmacists.  

Fifty-one participating volunteers included members of Community Emergency Response Team who handled traffic control smoothly while others, notably members of STEPS, (Southington’s Town-wide Efforts to Promote Success), served as greeters who also documented the responses of those driving through to a few brief questions,.  They collected packages and worked as runners delivering the return materials collected to a team of pharmacists who examined, identified, classified, separated, counted and recorded the details of the collection. 

John Dobbins verifies and signs off
documentation of drugs collected

John Dobbins, R.Ph, reported that the collection resulted in nine 55-gallon drums of caps/tabs, liquids and creams/ointments.  There also were five smaller containers of inhalers, aerosols, chemicals and other flammable items collected.  Controlled substances, e.g. narcotics, were handled by another team under strict security. In total, there were 810 prescriptions of controlled substances, according to Dobbins, including 15,969 caps/tabs/patches and 5,614 mls of liquid substances.

In accordance with state and federal law, controlled substances are transferred with their records through the local police department to the State Drug Control Department for ultimate incineration under strict guidelines. 

Volunteer pharmacists of CT School of Pharmacy
Detailing every Rx and drug item collected.

Oddly interesting facts from this year’s collection:  The oldest documented Rx was dated 1974; most unusual Rx, a Toothache Wax by Rexall, a 1940's era pain reliever for use when you couldn't get to a dentist;  another unusual Rx item, Diastat Rectal Gel, a diazepam for seizures; most unusual non RX item was a case of unused Texas Catheter.