the people's press mid-december 2010 issue

December “Holiday Magid!” Issue 2010 • Volume 11, Issue 135

LocalMotion! www.peoplespressnews.com

LocalMotion - Your Town, Your News, Your Views!

Wallingford Flower& Gift Shoppe

190 Center Street. 203.265.1514

SPECIAL DECEMBER ISSUE

Holiday Magic 2010

THE PEOPLE’S PRESS December Hol. Magic 2010

December Holiday Magic 2010

To the best present I ever had. Merry Christmas Anthony! Love, Mom

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

I wish everyone a healthy and happy new year. I am blessed with two daugh-ters and wonderful son in laws. I have five awesome grandchildren. Mymom who is 89 is still alive. That makes us a four generation family. Whocould ask for anything more? Life is good....smile. Love, Mom, Grandmaand Daughter Barbara

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

My favorite elves: Sarah & EmilyLove, Grandma Beth

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

The submission deadline for the January 2011 issue of THE PEOPLES PRESS is January 2nd.. Email your stories, newsand events to [email protected]. Email your photos and

celebrations to [email protected]. If we can help in any way please call 203-235-9333.

My Christmas tree, NathanielThis year I found my near perfect Fraser fir at the North Farms Volunteer Fire Department. One man was ever so

kind to transport it to my apartment, carry it up to the second floor, and help me get it into the tree stand, somethingthat alone would have taken me probably two hours to accomplish. So bravo to that Volunteer Fire Department!!

I was just sitting with my tree, which I decorated yesterday, and asked its name, and got Nathaniel, but it was okayto call him Nate. I have occasionally gotten names before, but this one came through loud and clear. I am not sure howmuch people think about the trees that are chopped down for us and the sacrifice the tree has made for us. The chop-ping down is the beginning of the end of that particular tree's life, and I am compelled to talk to the tree about it. Ihave done this before with other trees, but I sat down tonight with Nate and discussed this sacrifice he has made tomake me happy. Some trees have more souls than others, no fault of theirs, but this tree is vibrant with energy. Ithanked him so much for letting me adorn him with lights and ornaments, and remarked on how beautiful he is. Natewas beautiful to begin with, but in the season of Christmas we do kind of shiny him up. My Nate has a beautiful pineodor, which Fraser firs are known for, and I am so enjoying that too. My cats love to play with the ornaments, and theyalso love having life inside, a real tree which they admire. I spoke to Nathaniel tonight about death, and how I knowhe gave his life to be in my apartment, and how very much that meant to me, and perhaps neighbors who could viewthe tree in my window as well. It's not much of a stretch to compare this to Christ and how he died for us, willingly. Ifwe could for a few moments just think about the tree we have bought or cut down and maybe compare it to Christ'sdeath, and revel in the remarkable nature of a tree all adorned with ornaments and bright lights and think about Jesus.He gave us these trees. He gave us everything. And He gave His life for us.

I so love this tree, and I know in a few weeks, it will inevitably die. But the sacrifice was made knowing this. Nateknows this. God knows this. It may sound silly to you, but if you have a live tree in your house, I would encourageyou to sit around it and ask it for a name and see if you get one. And then thank that tree for gracing your home, foryou to be fortunate enough to able to decorate it and enjoy all the happiness it gives to you. See if your tree smiles inresponse. Nate did. He says not to worry about the death part. His branches will fall back into the earth and will bepart of it. More trees will grow. God's love will continue to be here; we just have to look for it.Barbara Sherburne


16 Commerce Circle Unit C in Durham(860) 349-2202 www.ctfitnesscoach.com

EXPERIENCE Central CT's "Ultimate" 2500 square foot training facility featuring:* 1 on 1 and group personal training* Athletic training and conditioning* 1 on 1 nutritional coaching* Corrective Exercise

Dear Friends,If one of your resolutions for the New Year is to get fit and healthy, then CT FitnessCoach has a program for you. Whether you want to lose body fat, increase lean mus-cle, enhance athletic performance, or just move better, CT Fitness Coach covers everyaspect necessary to help you achieve your goals. Our highly qualified trainers sincerely care about providing their clients and athletes with the best possible experi-ence and the most incredible results. In fact, I personally guarantee that you will reachall your goals by simply following one of our customized fitness and nutrition pro-grams.

Stop Procrastinating…Call Us Today…New Year!! New You!! Happy Holidays From All of Us At CT Fitness Coach!

Sincerely,Andy MosesOwner CT Fitness Coach LLC

New Year's Resolution Fitness Package*Save $240.00 On Our

16 Week/48 Session PackageGET IN GREAT SHAPE AND GET GREAT SAVINGS!

*Offer Expires January 7, 2011

*Save 10% - $240.00

Personal Training AndPerformance Enhancement

avaste ye matie, and a merry christmas to you and yours!!

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

467 West Main Street in Meriden(203)237–1575 www.rydersonmain.com

Ryder's 2nd Annual

Friday, December 31 at 7:30pm - Saturday, January 1, 2011 at 3:00am

Ring in the New Year with your friends at Ryder's!

The evening will include:Hot and ColdAppetizer's throughout the evening; DJ,Champange Toast at midnight, 6 Hour OpenBar, Safe Limo Ride Home included! Formalattire; Gift's included for all guests.

$65pp or $110 per couple. Tickets are on salenow through December 30th. Tickets may bepurchased at door until 9pm for an additional$5pp on December 31st! Doors will be closing at9pm for the Private Party! To make a reservation or purchase your

ticket email:[email protected] or call 203-237-1575 or stop by Today!

MERIDEN CHILDREN'S LIBRARYWinter Preschool Programs will start registration beginning the week ofDecember 27th.

Don't be SHUT-IN for the winter. Come have some fun with us at theMeriden Public Library. Our story hours will begin the week of January 10thfor ages 0 to 7! Our schedule will be as follows:Mondays-Kindergarten to 2nd grade (stories & crafts), Tuesdays- Independent2 year olds at 10:15 am., 3-4 year olds at 11:15 am., 1:15 pm, and 6:30 pm.Wednesdays-2-3 years old with parents, grandparents, or caregivers at 10:30am, 3-4 years old and 2 years old with parent at 6:30 pm.

Start On Stories for children under the age of 2 and their parent or caregiv-er are invited to join us for stories, finger plays, music and socialization at10:30 am. on the following Thursdays: January 6, 13, 20 & 27 February 3, 10,& 17.

Martin Luther King Annual Scholarship BreakfastMonday, January 17, 2011 : The Martin Luther King/Albert Owens Scholarship Fund, Inc. will hold its annual scholarship breakfast to help youngpeople to continue their education. The CCCYO and the Black Friday Brass Band have again been invited to play forthe breakfast.Maloney High School located at 121 Gravel Street, Meriden, CTCall 203-235-5571 for more information.

New Year's Eve GalaThe Hungarian Community Club is sponsoring a New Year's Eve Gala on Friday December 31st at the club, 147 WardSt, Wallingford. Festivities begin at 7 pm and include a full course meal (appetizers to dessert, and wine on the table),a Champagne Toast at midnight and of course - live music to dance the night away! Admission per person is $75 formembers and $80 for non-members. Space is limited and RSVP's are REQUIRED!!!! Send RSVP and check(payable to HCC) to Linda Kata, 12 Sachem Circle, Meriden, CT 06450 before December 24, 2010. For more infor-mation, call Linda at 203-634-0602 or email [email protected]. Babysitting service will be available for$5 per child if arranged in advance.

Wallingford WE CARE News and EventsTHIRD ANNUAL PRESCHOOL INFORMATION FAIRThe Wallingford Public Library and WE CARE [Wallingford Early Childhood Alliance Resource Education] will spon-sor the Third Annual Early Education Fair on Saturday, January 22, 2011 from 9:30 - 12:30 in the Library's CommunityRoom. This event will feature representatives from most all of Wallingford's licensed preschool providers and othersocial services groups. This is a great way for families with preschool children to come and meet with preschool teach-ers to see what opportunities are being offered to help them get their child ready for school. The child care andpreschool programs cover a variety of options such as full day programs to part time experiences. The program is freeand open to the public. For more information you can call the Wallingford Public Library at 203-284-6436 or the WECARE Family Resource Center at 203-284-4019.RAISING READERS PARENT CLUBSRaising Readers Parents Clubs are being set up in Wallingford in 2011. Thanks to a grant from the Liberty BankFoundation, WE CARE is partnering with the Wallingford Public Library to offer these 8 week programs for parents,grandparents and family members who are interested in bringing this national literacy program into their homes. Theclubs are open to parents and grandparents who have children ages 2-6 and will be forming and running this winter andspring. During the 8 week program adults will learn the best way to support children's literacy through a love of sto-ries, books and activities. It's time to turn off the laptop and open your lap for this great experience. The programs arefree but registration is required. If you are interested in joining a club, please contact the Children's Library at 203-284-6436 or the WE CARE Family Resource Center at 203-284-4019.

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year forhaving, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Marianna’s!A look at what we offer you and your family for the holidays!

BE SURE to call and place your order TODAY as our delicious items do SELL OUT! Open till 4pm on Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas to our daughters, Susan, Amy and Kari.We are very proud of you! Love, Mom and Dad

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Merry Christmas to Ethan, Connor & Garrett! You guys picked out anAWESOME tree! Hope you find LOTS of presents under it! We Love You!Love, Mom/Char & Dad/Vance

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Long Lost Brother….OK, so he wasn't "really" lost, but it felt that way to me all these years. Back in the Summerof 1982, I remember standing at the end of my driveway watching my brother, Steve, social-ize with all sorts of well wishers. Why you ask, because early the next day he was flyingdown south to start boot camp in the United States Air Force. This was the way his friendsbid him farewell, since our family did not "do parties". Purposely, I was memorizing hissmile, his laugh and just his overall presence, because I felt as if I was never going to see himagain. Regardless, of the four year age difference, he never made me feel like I was just thekid sister tagging along. On the contrary, Steve was always including me in parts of his lifeand was always my back bone when I needed one, where other brothers might not bother. Iwas extremely happy for him and proud that he made such a grown up decision, but I waslosing my best friend. Since then, I have always felt a part of me was missing. For the firsttime, I felt real heart ache.

Of course we kept in touch via letters, phone calls, care packages, gifts, etc. Eventually, aswith many long distance relationships, the communication between us began to dwindle. Noone to blame, its just life moving along as it should. That is what we were supposed to do,right? Still, I know Steve blames himself for not coming home for 28 years, but has no rea-son to. He had good reason for leaving home, which had nothing to do with me.Unfortunately, in the weeks that followed, me being a shy 15 yr old, I had a really hard time without his support.However, life moved on and within 3 years of his leaving, I had graduated high school moved out on my own. Stevewas traveling all over the world doing his USAF thing by then. Over the years, we attempted to reconnect a few times,but to no avail.

So, why am I telling this story? Well, after all these years, Steve finally came home to visit. Unfortunately, it tookthe recent loss of our father to do so. Despite the fact that it took a family tragedy to bring us back together, I choose toalways believe that everything does happen for a reason, good, bad or indifferent. You see, just as I mentioned in mylast article "Guardian Angels", Steve too had become estranged from our father. Call me crazy, but I feel it was myfathers' spirit that actually pushed us back together to be family. Growing up, our whole family had it problems, notunlike many others. As a result, one by one each family member abandoned the rest. Love, affection and support is atwo way street. A friend once said "My theory is-if there are people in my life that are not "life fulfilling" is some way,shape or form, then I don't want them in my life…period"! Since then, I have implemented that within my life and havealways come out happier because of it. Therefore, anyone who does not fit into that mold, is a waste of my precioustime and energy. Also, while I agree that relationships take hard a lot of exertion and stamina, it only works if all partiesinvolved are equally working towards that same goal.

So, last Sunday morning, in the darkness of 5am (see current photo), I drove "Trench" as he prefers to be called, to theairport. He lived with us for the entire week and it was the most wonderful, amazing week ever. It was simply PRICE-LESS!! Ironically, we did not do anything terribly exciting either. No attractions or museums. Nope, nothing like that.He and I just did regular things, hung out, he adored my kids (and they too adored him) and talked A LOT!! We bothagreed that it was as if we had never been apart all these 28 years. It was if they just melted away. We discovered thatwe think the same way, have the same life theories, like the same things from dark chocolate, honey mustard andCountry Music!! It even got to the point we were finishing each others sentences. Some really neat things happened byshear luck, or was it fate…hmm? When I first picked him up, we went to lunch. Trench wanted food you cant get inTexas. So, we ended up at an old fashion Polish Diner on the Berlin Tpk complete with a friendly staff, mini juke boxesat every table and the BEST perogies. His first morning here, God granted his first wish by covering the ground withjust enough snow for him to enjoy with his niece and nephew, before school. We took LOTS of pictures and he evenpulled them around in the sled. By 10am, it had all melted. While reliving his little league glory days at Parker Farms,we each found a baseball. It was really neat having an official souvenir.

OK, so this story really could go on and on, but I digress…yea finally. Steve I know that you will be reading this andgetting teary eyed, as I have writing it, but I know that they are happy tears. You will always be a part of my life, nomatter how far apart we are geographically and as you said to me, many times during your visit, I am NEVER going tolet you go again!! I love you so much; my heart aches, but for the good reasons now. Love "Your Favorite Sister, forev-er"….Michelle "Trench" Scianna


Happy Holidays from Ted’s!Take a breather from the holidayshopping at Ted's SteamedCheeseburger. Monday throughSaturday 11am-10pm. Sunday 11am-8pm.

Celebrating with friends? Be sure to call ahead to have yourlarge order ready for pick-up.

Looking for a Great Gift?Mugs, Steam boxes, T-shirts and GiftCertificates are available.

1046 Broad Street in Meriden - 203-237-6660Adam from Man V. Food stopped by and so should you

Go ZANE Go! Nobody plays it like you do!

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

To all the heroes of our armed forces - thank you. May you have the bestof holidays and may you return home safely

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Holly Jolly Holidays Grandma Philbrick! Love, Lily and Luc

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Have a Merry Christmas Brett !

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010Mayor's Corner - WallingfordDear Friends,Happy Holiday Greetings to Everyone! I came across a question recently that fits right intothis season. What did the little girl present say to the little boy present? All kinds of thingsand answers come to mind. Does she want the partridge in a pear tree, the seven geese alay-ing or perhaps all twelve days of gifts? Is she asking for something she wants, like abracelet or even a ring? Maybe she just would like a new Lady Ga-Ga ring tone on her cellphone. Actually, what she says could reveal something about herself or the season in gener-al.

What did the little girl present say to the little boy present? She said, "You're my beau."She was asking him to be a close friend, someone to care, someone to be helpful and supportive. This is the season foreveryone to be someone's and everyone's beau or bow. We should all try to beautify each other and be a gift to thepeople around us.

Have a wonderful holiday. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas.Let's be jolly!William W. Dickinson, Jr. - Mayor

A Message From The Superindent of Meriden Public SchoolsDear Friends, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season! As our students prepare to celebrate the holidays with theirfamilies, I encourage them to continue their learning. Completing long-term assignments, reading a book, practicingtheir multiplication tables, and writing in their journals are all ways to help our students stay in the learning grooveduring their vacation. Authentic learning occurs at home, as well as in the classroom.

Thank you to City Councilor John Thorp and the Police Benevolent Association (P.B.A.) for reaching out to theschools in support of the continuation of the Youth and Government program. I would also like to extend a specialthank you to City Councilor Danté Bartolomeo and all the individuals who sponsored events and made personal contri-butions to support our students. A quality school system provides learning opportunities that challenge all students.During these difficult economic times, we must make sure that our brightest students remain challenged and all ourstudents are supported.

Thank you to our hard working teachers, administrators, and staff. Facing increased accountability measures, stateand federal mandates, and new responsibilities and demands, they find a way to always put student learning first. Ithank them and wish them and their family a most happy holiday season.

In closing, the holidays are a special time to be with our families, especially our children. Our own children, Briaand Blake, are so excited for Santa's visit. Let us not forget those children and families who may not be in a positionto make the holiday time so special. Giving to others and sharing the holiday spirit is the magic of the season.Enjoy! Thanks for all your support, Mark D. Benigni, Ed.D.

The WhaleIf you read a recent front page story of the San Francisco Chronicle, you would have read about a female humpback

whale that had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She wasweighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stayafloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, hertail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallon Islands (outside the GoldenGate ) and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, the res-cue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to saveher was to dive in and untangle her. They worked for hours with curved knivesand eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous cir-cles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudgedthem, pushed them gently around as she was thanking them. Some said it was themost incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.

The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following himthe whole time, and he will never be the same.

May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surroundedby people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.

And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.I pass this on to you, my friends, in the same spirit.

Happy Holidays to you and yours! - Michael Bermudez

Annual Community Christmas Dinner at the Meriden YMCAOn Christmas Day the Meriden YMCA is hosting our Annual Christmas Dinner at 12:00 p.m. It is free and open to thecommunity. We will also be delivering dinners to those who are in need and are unable to attend. Donations of foodand toys are needed as well as volunteers to serve and deliver meals. Volunteers begin at 10:00 a.m. Please call us at203-235-6386 for more details and to sign up. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves. ~Eric Sevareid


WWaall ll iinnggffoorrddFFlloowweerr ooffffeerrss

TTaasstteeffuull FFrruuiitt &&GGoouurrmmeett BBaasskkeettss !! !!

Wall ingford Flower and Gi ft Shoppe

Wallingford Flower and Gift Shoppe190 Center Street, Wallingford

203.265.1514

Place your ordertoday and don’tforget - we can

deliver a suprisegift after

Christmas too.

Send a FestiveHoliday Gift

We DELIVER Holiday Cheer!

TraditionsJoAnne GrabinskiTraditions are the stuff memories are made of. They are those repetitive, sometimes lame, rituals that we partake inand somehow, somewhere along the way they morph into a fondness and become the basis of cherished memories.Holidays are the prime season for these traditions and rituals: everything from getting the tree, decorating the tree,making cookies or gifts, shared activities, and even opening gifts. Many revolve around the selection, preparation andconsuming of food.

When some friends of mine were younger, there was a cardboard fireplace that was put up along with the tree. Theirdad even went as far as creating footsteps from the fireplace going around the tree and then back to the fireplace, indi-cation that indeed, Santa truly had stopped by. As the older ones grew wise to this, they kept silent to let their youngestsister experience the magic of 'Santa's visit. I'm sure their was a time when every one was in their teens this seemed sodumb and surely they had out grow this childlike ritual, but wisely their parents continued on. Now that they all havechildren of their own this has become a wonderful story to pass along to their children about what it was like growingup. And with the passing of their father, the one who made Santa's footsteps for so long, the long held tradition meansso much more. I'm not sure if that cardboard fireplace is still around, maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but it holds a specialplace in the hearts of four little girls.

Another friend of mine started a tradition when her girls were little. After Thanksgiving, they gather twenty-fourChristmas books, wrap them up and put them in a basket. Every night one child selects a book, unwraps it and togetheras a family they read the book. The collection is varied in theme as well as size of the book and on Christmas Eve theyalways read 'Twas the Night before Christmas'.

I started a tradition of my own, twenty years ago. My sister and I hold a cookie swap in the beginning of Decemberfor family and friends. What started out as a suggestion in a recipe book has now turned into a long standing holidayevent that kicks off the Christmas season. Sure, it took a few years to get the event to where it is today, much like apendulum swinging back and forth to find its center, so we too, have found our center. We get together with family andfriends, exchange, six dozen prepackaged cookies, hold a grab bag, collect canned goods and eat sweet and savorysnackies along with wassail, or spiced hot cider. The highlight of the event is the presentation of the cookie swapawards. The awardees receive a cookie lollipop for numerous and sundry reasons: oldest baker or farthest baker tofreshest cookies, (those that made them that day), the celebration of new house, job, husband or baby, or the tongue-in-cheek of new body parts. But the most coveted are for the cookies: best looking cookie, most original recipe and bestpackaging. At times we have had as many as twenty-five bakers participate in our cookie swap. Aside from the food and fun, not to mention the cookies, the underlying purpose is to connect with family and friends.It's an opportunity to catch up with one another and to celebrate our friendships and the bonds of family.

Traditions and rituals don't necessarily have to be complicated or expensive. The essential theme is the repetitivenature tied to and creating a shared experience. So as we move through life people come into and leave our lives andwe adjust these traditions. But that is all part of life, sharing and shifting of roles to ensure the continuance of thesewell loved traditions.

FOLLOWING THE STAR(A probable story of Baltar, a youth in ancient Persia.)By Dorothy Gonick"For years, ever since I came to serve Caspar, I'd heard the prophecy about astar that would guide people to the birthplace of a new king. Overhearingsnatches of Caspar's talk with other Magi, and hearing their excitement asthey studied old manuscripts and searched the heavens by night, made mewonder how a star could possibly guide men. Stars are beautiful and I lovedwatching them as they traveled across the heavens each night, and I wonderedwhich one would glow brightly and lead the Magi. Time passed, yet no starhad appeared. Other wise men were also searching the heavens for the signand each had vowed to meet when the star appeared; then travel together tomeet the new king. Caspar had purchased a gift of expensive myrrh, andafter showing it to me had secreted it from prying eyes. I marveled at thebeauty of those gleaming golden droplets of sweet smelling hardened resinthat were nestled in the silver filigreed box. Caspar told me of the signifi-cance of those droplets: they were the lifeblood of the tree, the essence of thetree's life.

"Then came the night I was awakened with a shout of joy from Caspar.'Awake, Baltar! Make ready my robes-the star has appeared!' Years of wait-ing spurred much activity, and my pleas to accompany Caspar on this journeywere accepted. Quickly I gathered clothing and hurried to the shed wherecamels were waiting. Jugs of water and parcels of food were snugly securedon a waiting camel. Caspar nodded approval and majestically mounted hiscamel, nodded for me to mount the burdened beast, and we set out just as thesun was rising. The shining star guided us forward. I rode in awe of the Godwho created this star to guide travelers on their journey to see the fulfillmentof the prophecy He'd given many years before.

"Along our journey, two of Caspar's Magi friends, Melchior and Balthazarfrom other countries, joined us. We found rest and refreshment in the occa-sional oases, and after seeing to my master's needs, I listened to the awesometales of the Magi and watched the camels nibble the sparse grasses as duskfell. Stars began appearing and soon the wide crescendo of the Milky Wayspanned the heavens in musical waves. Our special star was a burst of stacca-to echoing through the spheres, giving majesty to the night sky overhead, anda sense of peaceful protectiveness as we took our rest. In the very earlydawn, I gathered clusters of dates for us travelers to enjoy on our middaybreak. As the nighttime stars faded from view, our plodding camels againbegan the steady onward course, still following the star.

"Traveling through the Judean hills near the approach to Jerusalem, a rosebush bloomed in a rock crevice. I gathered six of the fragrant roses to be mygift for the new king. The streets of Jerusalem were wide and filled with for-eigners, merchants, and beggars. We wondered why there seemed no excite-ment about the birth of a new king. Didn't they know, or were we wrong andhad followed the star in ignorance and futility? The three Magi made theirway up to the palace of Herod. I held the camels as the Magi entered thepalace with their gifts safe in the folds of their robes. Soon the three Magicame back down the steps with their gifts for the newborn king still withintheir robes, saying 'We must be on our way to Bethlehem, where the prophecyhas foretold the birthplace.'

"Dusk was falling as we approached the tiny village of Bethlehem. Thestar hovered and sent a shaft of bright light down toward a humble dwelling.The three Magi dismounted and reverently held their treasures as they enteredthe home. In the aura of light, a young couple welcomed them; the motherwas cradling her young son. As they knelt before Him with their gifts andworshipped, the child smiled and reached out to them as in a blessing.

As the magi were solemnly returning to the camels, I bravely entered thehome and knelt before this holy child. The gift of roses I had gathered yester-day was still fresh and with a big smile for the mother, I laid them among thetreasured gifts of the Magi. When the child met my gaze, I becameenveloped in a wave of great love. While in this aura of majesty I vowed toreturn someday to serve this new king. For now, my duty was to honorablyserve Caspar, my Magi, as long as he had need of my services

"While on the way from Jerusalem, an angel had warned the three wiseMagi not to return to Herod's palace, but to leave by another way, soMelchior and Balthazar soon departed for their own countries. As we trav-eled, Caspar continued to teach me many of the stories that led us on thisawesome expedition to find the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ…

"I never tired of telling my story to others in the household, and of myhopes to someday find this chosen king and serve Him."

RONALD MCDONALD COMING TO MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY

Come to the Meriden Public Library for a special program featuring RonaldMcDonald. This program which talks about the importance of reading iscalled "It's Book Time". A family fun program for all ages will take place onDecember 29th at 10:30 am. Come pick up your FREE tickets as ofDecember 1st in the Children's Library. Don't forget to bring your cameras!For more information call us at (203) 630-6347. Hope to see you at the show.

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of ourchildish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth;that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away,

back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! ~Charles Dickens


Find A Friend At TheWallingford Animal Shelter!

Maggie - female pointer

Bear - Male Staffie mix

Kitty - male tuxedo

Fluffy - female poodle

Kiki - female

shepherd mix

Buttercup - female kitty

To visit any of these wonderful pets stop by theWallingford Animal Shelter located on Pent Roador call 203 294-2180

The Reynolds Family would like to wish all of our family and friends awonderful holiday season and a New Year filled with only Good News!

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Take A Motor Coach Trip With The Wallingford Family YMCA

January 17 & Jan. 22: Mohegan SunJanuary 21-23: Atlantic City Weekend at the HiltonFebruary 12th: Newport Winter FestivalFebruary 13th: Mohegan Sun**Pre-Registration is required. For more information on these trips and futuretrips; please contact Lisa Hoover @ [email protected]

MAX E. MURAVNICK MERIDEN SENIOR CITIZENS' CENTERThe Max E. Muravnick Meriden Senior Citizens' Center is open to all Meriden residents age 55 and over. Membershipis free of charge and new members may sign-up any weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. by presenting a driver'slicense or other proof of age. New members receive an information package about senior services and a coupon enti-tling them to one complimentary lunch in our Senior Community Café. Sign-up today and find out about all that isoffered for Meriden seniors at the Max E. Muravnick Senior Center!

Season's Greetings from the members and staff of the Max E. Muravnick Meriden Senior Center! We are pleased toannounce that a new "City of Meriden Senior Service Directory" has been printed and is now available free of chargeto the public. The directory has been printed as a resource guide for use by senior citizens, caregivers, family members,service providers and others. It is primarily intended to inform Meriden's older residents about the many servicesavailable to them in the community. The twenty-eight page booklet provides information on more than one hundredagencies, clubs and organizations serving the elderly in the Meriden area. Information in the Senior Service Directoryis current as of December 1, 2010.

The directory was compiled by staff from the Meriden Senior Center, Meriden Health Department and MidStateMedical Center. Community partners who helped sponsor the printing of the directory were Hunter's Ambulance, theVillage at Kensington Place and Assisted Living Services, Inc. Free copies of the "Senior Service Directory" are nowavailable at the Senior Center, the Health Department and the LaPlanche Clinic. The directory may also be viewed on-line at www.cityofmeriden.org, click on senior services.

Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season and a Healthy New Year! John F. Hogarth, Director

WALLINGFORD SENIOR CENTER News and Events Late Dec./Early Jan.WSC Gift Certificates Available - Looking for that perfect holiday gift? Consider purchasing a Wallingford SeniorCenter Gift Certificate for a family member or friend. Our gift certificates, which are available at the front desk, maybe used toward senior center classes, trips, special events, and Lake View Café meals.Mobile Mammography Van - Wednesday, December 29, 8:00 - 2:30A mammogram is a vital step in a woman's overall health care. Early detection is key in the fight against breast can-cer. The Yale Digital Mobile Mammography Van will be at the Wallingford Senior Center on December 29 from 8:00AM to 2:30 PM. If you have not had your annual mammogram, call 203 688-6800 to schedule your appointment. WALLINGFORD SENIOR CENTER EARLY JANUARY 2011 News and EventsAll signups begin the first of each month. January signups begin Monday, January 3. Single Mingle Dance Thursday, January 6, 6:00 - 9:00 PM - Social Singles presents its monthly "Single MingleDance" featuring pizza and soda, on January 6. Dancing music will be provided by Keith Alan Productions. Singleadults aged 55+ are welcome. Tickets are $10.00 if purchased in advance, or $15.00 at the door. Come meet, eat,dance, and have fun!Book Signing Event Tuesday, January 11, 11:00 AM - One of our members has published a book and theWallingford Senior Center will host the book signing! Dr. Melinda J. Riesing, author of "Put the Blame on Eve: WhatWomen Must Overcome to Feel Worthy", will sign books beginning at 11:00 AM. A question and answer session withthe author will be held at 12 Noon. Books will be available for purchase.Free Seminar: Computer Security Thursday, January 13, 1:00 - 3:00 PM - Learn how to make your computer andyour identity more secure at a free seminar presented by Kevin Ozer and our Computer Learning Center. Learn how tobetter protect yourself and your computer from various forms of malicious software. Please sign up if you plan toattend.Do You Need To De-Clutter Your Home? Wednesday, January 12, 10:30 AM - Are you looking to downsize or doyou want to eliminate that feeling of disarray throughout your home? Elaine Turek, The De-Clutter Specialist, willpresent a program designed to help you get organized and "de-cluttered." Discover steps you can use to deal withmany types of clutter including mail and paper clutter, storage clutter, and closet, cabinet and drawer clutter. Pleasesign up to attend.SOCIAL SERVICES - IN ORDER TO SERVE YOU BETTER, PLEASE CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINT-MENT WITH THE SOCIAL WORKER, EILEEN FLYNN, AT 265 7753. THANK YOU.New Social Services Walk-In Schedule - On Tuesdays beginning this month, the Social Worker will take walk-ins ona first come basis (sign in & number distribution) for one-half hour sessions ONLY (30 minutes). Sessions are on thehalf-hour from 9:00 AM to 12 Noon and 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM. No regular appointments will be scheduled on Tues.CT Energy Assistance Program - 2010-2011 Heating Season**Important Note: New Opportunities of Greater Meriden has 45 days from the date of application to send a letter ofcertification to the individual. Please keep this in mind when considering when to schedule an appointment.Appointments for assistance with fuel continue to be scheduled at the Wallingford Senior Center. Anyone 60 years ofage and over is encouraged to apply. Income limits are $30,485.00 for a single person and $39,865.00 for a couple.Applicants MUST bring (2) photocopies of the following checklist documents:1. Most recent bank statement (All pages FRONT AND BACK) 2. Verification of Social Security check or SocialSecurity "Your New Benefit Amount" letter for 2010; 3. Most recent checking, savings, CD, annuity, stock, bond doc-uments; 4. 2010 year-to-date pension or annuity dividends and/or interest income; 5. Four most recent pay stubs, ifemployed. 6. Rental Income - rent stub or copy of check deposited into bank account. 7. Most recent heat utility billApplications are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 203-265-7753.Questions about Financial Decisions? Monday, January 10 1:30 - 3:00 PM - Brendan Toomey, Certified FinancialPlanner of Toomey Investment Management, Inc. will be available to answer financial questions about investments,IRA's and annuities. To schedule a fifteen (15) minute appointment, please call 203-265 7753.Help with Snow Removal - Need assistance with snow removal? The YOUTH JOB BANK of Wallingford's Youth &Social Services Department can help. They will find a student from Wallingford to shovel snow for a fee you negotiatedirectly with the student. You can call the JOB BANK to request assistance before it snows, this way a student will beassigned to assist you prior to a snowfall. To request a student or additional information, please call (203) 294 2175.Diabetes Support Group - Wednesday, January 12, 1:00 PMHow Do I Get There? Transportation Guide - Sources of transportation for Wallingford, Meriden, and New HavenCountySenior Community Resource Guide - Alphabetized business and community resource listings for Wallingford andNorth HavenResource Center - Kiosk located in the library lounge of the Senior Center; filled with a wealth of information!Volunteers Needed for Computer Center - The Computer Learning Center relies entirely on volunteers. Our volun-teers come from all walks of life, and share the desire to assist older adults with their interest in computers. As aComputer Learning Center volunteer, you will work in a challenging and inspiring state-of-the-art environment andmeet new people who share common goals. Volunteer opportunities include: instructing and coaching classes; hard-ware and software installation and maintenance; public relations; and administration. Call Debby Voelker to learnmore and/or to volunteer!Memory Lane - What is Memory Lane and where is it located? Memory Lane is an adult day program located withinthe Wallingford Senior Center, designed to promote and maintain independence for seniors with mild memory loss,cognitive, and/or physical impairments. This program offers a variety of pet-therapy, music, and baking activities aswell as monthly day-trips, and physical activities. Hours of operation are 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., Monday throughFriday. Handicapped-accessible transportation is provided for residents of Wallingford at no extra charge. Eligibilityis based on an assessment, interview, and medical clearance. If you are interested in an affordable, fun, and stimulat-ing way to keep your loved one safe and independent during the day, stop by the reception desk for a brochure and tourof the center, or contact Melinda Welch, Program Coordinator, at 203.265.7753 for more information. *There aremany benefits to adult day programs: caregiver respite, daily socialization with peers, integration into the community,and avoiding premature institutionalization. * Source: http://www.caring.com/articles/benefits-of-adult-day-care-pro-grams.Inclement Weather Notice - In the event of inclement weather, we urge you to watch WVIT-Channel 30, WTNH-Channel 8 or WFSB-TV Channel 3 for information on the cancellation of activities at the Wallingford Senior Center.If the Center should remain open in questionable weather and you are unsure as to whether you should venture out, weurge you to consider your own safety and well being and remain at home. We will make every effort to reschedule to alater date any event or activity that may have to be postponed.

VISIT our website at www.WLFDSENIORCTR.COM!


W i s h i n g a l l o f o u r f r i e n d s a n d c u s t o m e r s . . .H a p p y H o l i d a y s a n d a W o n d e r f u l N e w Ye a r !

(203) 265-1541 58 Center St., Wallingford wallingfordoptical.com

WWaalllliinnggffoorrdd OOppttiiccaallDiane MintichLicensed Optician,A.B.O. & N.C.L.E.Certified

James ComeauLicensed Optician,A.B.O. & N.C.L.E.Certified

Eye exams provided by an Independent Doctor of Optometry

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup - - - - 12-11-10 Gotta love WFAN's Steve Somers--who recently called the disappointing 2010Dallas Cowboys squad the "Arlington Afterthoughts"..........TRIVIA QUESTION:The 1995-'96 Minnesota Timberwolves--who finished a disappointing 26-56under coaches Bill Blair and Flip Saunders--were led in scoring by a player whowas a member of five different teams over his nine-year career. Can you namethis individual? Answer to follow..........ITEM: Former NFL lineman KeithMcCants is arrested AGAIN--this time for crack cocaine possession outside anexotic dance club in Florida; it was his SIXTH drug-related arrest since 2008.The ironic part of this latest bust has to do with the name of the establishmentwhere this low-life criminal had been hanging out that evening just prior to hisarrest: "Tina's House of Angels"..........In my next lifetime, I DO NOT want to bein the same foxhole with Washington Redskins defensive lineman AlbertHaynesworth..........This week in sports history, December 20, 1979: ThePhiladelphia Flyers extend their unbeaten streak to an NHL record-tying 28 games; they get a third period power playgoal from Behn Wilson that results in a 1-1 tie with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Over 17,000 fans at the PhiladelphiaSpectrum saw Wilson put the puck past Penguins goalie Greg Millen with 4:08 remaining. The tie allowed the Flyers tomatch the 28-game unbeaten streak put together by the 1977-'78 Montreal Canadiens.........If you're putting together anew football team and you want guys on your squad who play the game the way it's SUPPOSED to be played, can yougo wrong by picking New England's Wes Welker on offense and Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu on defense?..........I've beenhearing all year long from some fellow NFL fans that sooner or later the "roof would cave in" on the Vikings season--due to Brett Favre's advancing age, etc. And YES--last weekend it caved in LITERALLY..........If Joe Paterno had agedHALF as well as actress Teri Hatcher, then Penn State would be playing for a national championship in a few weeks;just sayin'..........The insanity continues: I see that pitcher George Sherrill recently agreed to a $1.2 million contract withthe Atlanta Braves; in 65 games last year with the Dodgers, Sherrill pitched to an ERA of 6.69. Yes--in my next life-time, I DO want to come back as a below-average, left-handed relief pitcher..........Great stuff from color guy DanDierdorf during last weekend's Steelers/Bengals game. He pointed out that Cincinnati LB Dhani Jones was recentlyasked how is he still able to play so hard for a team that's now 2-11. Jones simply answered, "Because my mother andfather are watching." Yes, pride STILL matters to some..........Answer to trivia question: ISAIAH "J.R." RIDER--whoaveraged 19.6 ppg while appearing in 75 games..........ITEM: Former MLB player Gary Sheffield has partnered with aNew York lawyer and plans to advise clients in the player representation business. Yeah, JUST the kind of guy I'd wantoverseeing MY career--surly, confrontational, linked to steroids, and uncooperative. Sheesh--what's this world comin'to, folks?..........I'd love to see Debra Grand--a VP at the Bank of America--hook up with PGA golfer Fred Funk. If theyever tied the knot, fans of a great American band would surely delight in her full married name of Debra GrandFunk..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league pitcher Paul Swingle--who blows out 44 candles onDecember 21st. The most avid baseball aficionado out there may not be familiar with this native of Inglewood, CA--who attended Grand Canyon University. Swingle played just ONE season in the majors--1993 with the CaliforniaAngels. In just nine career appearances (all in relief), Swingle pitched a total of 9 2/3 innings, gave up 15 hits, andallowed nine earned runs--thus rendering him a lifetime ERA of 8.38. Hey--they ALL can't be Nolan Ryan, right? Bestwishes and happy holidays, Paul..........Finally, condolences go out the family of a special man who passed away recent-ly--Frank Pergola of Ansonia, CT. Frank was a member of the Silver Sluggers Baseball Club--a close-knit group ofindividuals who meet weekly down in southern CT during the baseball season to discuss the happenings in majorleague baseball. Frank was a long-time friend to my father; whenever I'd see Frank at the weekly meetings, he'd kindlyshake my hand and ALWAYS ask how my Dad was doing. Frank was simply a soft-spoken individual with a smile thatcould truly light up a room. I've met bigger BASEBALL FANS in my life than Mr. Pergola, but few nicer PEOPLE;he'll truly be missed. May you rest in peace, Frank Pergola.

Stay up to date on Lazzari's Sports Roundup at http://boblazzari.blogspot.com/

Please Help The Wallingford Animal Shelter!Along with everyone feeling the effects of the poor economy the worst is the animals. I guess I can understand whenpeople loose their homes, but to just give up their beloved pets because times are bad I don't understand. The childrenespecially need those pets to comfort them. I say this because the Wallingford Animal shelter is overloaded with dogs &cats. How can you help, of course adopt always adopt before buying and donate canned dog food especially. It doesn'ttake too much out of your dollar under 65 cents each. I can't imagine giving up my wonderful dog(adopted from theshelter) or my 2 beautiful cats(also adopted) The joy & comfort they give me is hard to explain. So please open yourheart & provide some love in the form of canned food if you can't do anything else & they always need blankets, tow-els wash clothes to give a warm place on that cold concrete floor. Thanks Carole Golitko

Happy Holidays to all of our friends and family! Love, Jessica and Alyssa

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Happy Holidays from The McNeff Gang, Jerry, Gary, Larry and Carrie

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Dear Mommy - thanks for the early Christmas present! I’ve always want-ed a plane! You rule! Love, Neal

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010


ACROSS1. British streetcar5. A Scottish cap 8. Views12. A dull person13. Spanish for river14. ABC Entertainment Tonighthostess15. When he was a child, "CitizenKane" rode one of these named"Rosebud" 16. Acronym for an address thatidentifies a particular file on theInternet17. Operatic solo18. Tablelands; grasslands20. Route or course that turns at asharp angle22. Small wheel on a swivel, setunder a piece of furniture24. This present time or age27. Craftsmanship; creativity28. Lard31. Egg-shaped32. "____ and hers"33. Outdoor equestrian sport playedduring time periods called chukkers34. Insane35. " ____ the cows come home"36. Before the appointed time37. Estimate or judge the value of39. Punctual43. Achieve; accomplish47. Rescue48. Famous Canadian born hockeyplayer50. Dog who is owned by Sgt.Snorkel at Camp Swampy51. A mixture of meat or fish andvegetables cooked by simmering52. To operate or function53. Roads; passages (abbr.)54. U.S. currency denomination fea-turing Alexander Hamilton's face(plural)55. An affirmative reply56. IdenticalDown1. Recipe measurement (abbr.)

2. Revolve; turn over3. Scope of a surface4. Therapeutic; aesculapian5. To tie or secure (the body) closelyor tightly6. To broadcast or televise7. Someone who uses specific formsto shape or fabricate objects8. In baseball to retrieve and throwback fly balls in batting practice9. British nobleman below the rankof marquis and above the rank of vis-count10. One of the Great Lakes11. An adult male deer19. A negative vote21. Small scrap or morsel of food23. "Heads or ______"24. "A peeping ____"25. Female reproductive cells26. Mom's partner28. In favor of29. Each and everyone30. Plaything32. A record of past events33. Clergymen35. Strike lightly36. One of the standard times usedin North America, 5 hrs behindGreenwich Mean

Time (abbr.)38. Acquires through merit39. Interjection (used to attractsomeone's attention in a quiet man-ner)40. Degree of speed or progress41. Baking chamber42. Tiny, high-pitched sounds madeby kittens44. Race horse named, " ______ BoyRoy", was the first Washington-bredhorse to run in

the November 2010 "Breeder'sCup"45. A separate piece of informationor news46. Olfactory organ49. Regret bitterly

People’s Press Crossword by Ruth Gordon Look for the answers in this issue.

Happy Holidays to the best cousins and aunt and uncle there is!

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010Traditions that Matter

Colleen Totz DiamondI celebrate Christmas the way I clean house -- erratically. I have little sense of tradition and less still of posterity. I dec-orate differently each year. I set up the tree in different rooms. I buy greenery on a whim or not at all. I buy gifts foreveryone or for no one. One thing always remains consistent, however: my mom's lasagna. Until now.

This year, my mom is breaking a decades-long tradition and cooking beef tenderloin instead of lasagna. The kids arebringing the sides. Instead of pulling names from a hat, we're exchanging gifts with everyone. We think so, anyway. Wenever discussed the gift-giving. The gifts are beside the point. We thank the good Lord for another year together. We doit silently, but we do it.

My father died in 1988, when I was 19 years old and living in the Midwest. The first thing my mom did was pull thefamily together. Within two hours of his passing, she arranged a plane ticket to have me home by late afternoon. Mysister was six years old. My aunt picked her up from Parker Farms School. My brother was at Sheehan. Monsignor, thepastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church, brought him home.

The first Christmas without our dad was pretty lonely. Talk about a break in tradition. My mom lit seven candles inthe fireplace, as a remembrance of his presence, and we did our best to carry on without him. To be honest, I don'tremember that Christmas very well. I just know that my family changed. Christmas changed. We held onto each other alittle tighter that year, and we still do.

For every good-bye in life, there are new beginnings. In the decades since my dad's passing, we've welcomed newfamily members, some who were born into the family, and some who arrived by chance. My mother is a proud "Nana."My brother and his wife are proud parents. There is "Jimbo," our new father. There is my husband, Dave. And my sis-ter is a focused grad student, with an expanded family to cheer her on.

Our story is not unique. We all face a time when the ground shifts under our feet. What do we do? We adjust ourstride. My family anchors itself to the traditions that matter, and lets go of the ones that don't.

We don't light candles in the fireplace anymore, but we do keep our dad in our hearts. We might tell a "rememberwhen" story or two, but we also live in the present.

When I clean house, the excess clutter - trash bag after trash bag - goes out the door without a second thought. Inever miss the stuff. That stuff is then; my clean house is now.

My mom's lasagna was not a casualty of impulsive thinking. The decision was years in the making. The courage tolet go of a longstanding tradition, at least for this one year, took much deliberation.

I can't speak for her, but I suspect that without the support of our expanded family, she may not have had thecourage to make the break. This year will be unlike other years, at least at the dinner table.

This year will also be just like every other year. As she does every year, my mom will pull us together for a celebra-tion of each other. I expect that we'll see that at the end of the day, it's not really the food that matters.

Adult Basketball League at the Meriden YMCA Ready to shoot some hoops? Get your team together and come on down to the Meriden YMCA starting in January.This league is open to the first 16 teams who register. The cost is $650 per team. For more information please callSteve Markoja at 203-235-6386 or visit us on the web at www.meridenymca.org

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly. ~Andy Rooney


injest

Give Your Child the Gift of a Healthy Environment!

From birth to age three, babies have a LOT to learn.

High levels of lead in the blood can hurt a child's abilityto learn and damage your child's brain

Steps to take to make a Lead-Safe and Healthy Environment

Find the potential sources of lead:*Lead paint in your home or in toys*Lead in the dirt outside your home or your child's daycare,*Lead in some health supplements (even those labeled "organic")other than those that a Medical provider prescribes

Provide foods that may lower the amount of lead the bodytakes in:*Foods that contain calcium (milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli)*Foods that contain iron (lean red meat, chicken, turkey, spinach)*Foods with vitamin C (oranges, strawberries, green peppers, andpotatoes)

Watch to see how your child is learning.*Is your child missing some important skills expected for their age?*If your child is younger than three years old and is not developingwell, you may request a Free developmental evaluation from theConnecticut Birth to Three System.

For more information on lead, talk with your child's doctor or call:

Child Development Infoline at 1-800-505-7000Or call Wallingford Health Dept at 203-294-2065

Or visit the CTDPH website: www.ct.gov/dph

Merry Christmas Stephen! Love always and forever, Mom

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

LocalMotion - Local Business! To advertise with Wallingford and MeridensCommunity NewsMagazine, The People's Press - Call Andy Reynolds at203.235.9333 or email him at [email protected]. Experience thepower of positive for the readers and writers you will sponsor as well as thereturn on your investment. Check out the paper in its many forms atwww.peoplespressnews.com!

NEWS AND EVENTS FROM WALLINGFORD PUBLIC LIBRARYLate December - Early JanuaryAll Programs, Movies, and Events at the Wallingford Public Library are free and open to the public! The Library islocated at 200 N. Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492One-On-One Computer Tutoring - Thursdays 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Computer novices are encouraged to signup to learn keyboard or mouse skills, word processing, Internet searching, online job applications, or e-mail. Pleasecall the Library at (203)265-6754 or stop by the Information Desk for more details or to register for a session.January ProgramsSaturday Mornings with Poetry: Looking forward, ever changing, ever growing!Saturday, January 8 and January 22 10:00 a.m. - 12: 30 p.m. Board RoomGet the Poetic Story Told series continues this month with the following topic: Using imagery to create poetry.Poet of the month: Robert FrostThis month the poems of Robert Frost will be read and discussed. Poets and would-be poets are invited to attend and share their poetry and writing experiences. SMWP meets semi-monthly with the exception of July and August and is open to teenagers and adults.Give Blood - American Red Cross Blood Drive - Wednesday, January 5 11:00 a.m. Community RoomGive a pint, get a pound: Free Dunkin' Donuts® coffee when you donate. Come prepared:* Have a light meal and plenty to drink.* Bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of identification.* Bring the names of medications you are taking.

New Year's Resolution: Clear the Clutter! The Declutter SpecialistThursday, January 6 - 7:00 p.m. Community RoomThe New Year is a great time to reorganize those home and office files and implement new strategies for staying orga-nized. Come to Wallingford Public Library on Thursday, January 6 at 7:00 p.m. and learn some de-cluttering basicsfrom local resident Elaine Turek, the De-clutter Specialist. This program will cover the basics of getting organized andgive practical advice for staying that way. Find out how less stuff can mean more clarity. Learn how you can get yourhome and/or office organized to start the New Year off on the right foot.Love the Literature, Don't Have the Time? 6-Part Short Story Discussion Series Begins January 13Thursday, January 13, 27 7:00 p.m. Collins RoomTake advantage of a wonderful opportunity to explore a variety of American Writers at the Wallingford Public Library.Beginning January 13 at 7:00 p.m., Brooks Appelbaum, Ph.D., will lead a discussion of two short stories: ErnestHemingway's Hills Like White Elephants and F. Scott Fitzgerald's Babylon Revisited. Dr. Appelbaum will lead a dis-cussion that focuses on the diverse writing styles of the two authors. The stories have been chosen and paired to illus-trate the importance of style and its impact on theme and content.

Dr. Appelbaum is a theater director, actress, dramacritic for the the New Haven Magazine, and WritingFellow at Quinnipiac University where she teaches writ-ing. Copies of all of the stories are available from thelibrary's Information Desk. Please contact the library formore information: 203-265-6754.FREE MOVIE EVENTSFriday Night FlicksFridays at 6:30 p.m. except Inception (6:00 p.m.)Community RoomJanuary 7: Knight and Day Rated PG-13 Run time 109minutesJanuary 14: Dinner for Schmucks Rated PG-13 Run time114 minutesGet E-books and Audio Books On Your SmartphoneOverdrive Media Console now supports e-books as wellas mp3 audio books on iPhone and Android. Downloadthe app from iTunes or the Android Market. Contact theInformation Desk with any questions.New E-Reader? - If you received a new e-book readerthis holiday season, be sure to check out the Library'sdownloadable ebooks. To take advantage of this service,check the compatibility of your device on the library'sweb site by clicking on Downloadable Media, then onLibraries on Line Downloadable Media, then on List ofCompatible Devices.LIBRARY NEWS -Effective January 1st - Library Property is Smoke-freeAlthough the library building has always been a no-smoking facility, now the entire library property is asmoke-free zone.Library Open Sundays beginning January 9 from 1:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m.Library Closed January 1st and 2nd for New Year's andJanuary 17th in observance of Dr. Martin Luther KingDayTEEN ZONE! Mother - Daughter Book ClubWednesday, January 5 7:30 p.m. Board RoomThis month we will be discussing the book, FixingDelilah by Sarah Ockler. Our discussion will feature aspecial telephone call-in with author. All teen girls andtheir mothers, or other adult female companion are wel-come to attend. Refreshments are served. The Februaryselection is Mazerunner by James Dashner and the dis-cussion is February 2. Please reserve your copy throughthe library catalog or ask for assistance at the libraryInformation Desk.Star2Club - Saturday, January 8 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.Community RoomThe STAR² Club is a perfect way to feed your passion forscience and technology. This free program is open to allWallingford students in grades K-12. Join us as we makea Morse Code Telegraph Machine. Please register toensure that we have enough materials for everyone.BOOK SELLERVisit the Book Seller for gently used books, videos, CDsand other items for children and adults. The entrance tothe store is located at the back of the Wallingford PublicLibrary, next to the garage. Look for the green awning.All proceeds from the Book Seller benefit the library.Hours: Monday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Holiday Closings:January 1, and 17


Tiffany made everyone else walk on the vacation.

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

We love you Grandma! Merry Christmas!

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Merry Christmas Trenton! Love, Mommy and Daddy

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

On Christmas!A day of celebration The birthday of the MessiahNow it's shop till you dropCruising the aisles in the middle of the nightBargains last for only an hourStores open 24 hours - $99.00 Flat ScreensAd inserts create pounds of recyclingTV spots more annoying than those of silly seasonShopping centers overrun; parking is impossibleLines at checkouts challenge ones ireDiscounts on everything - buy something, get one free"Remember the reason for the season""Keep Christ in Christmas"Let's tone down the crass commercialism - return touncomplicated times Wouldn't that be lovely?Buon Natale! - Ernie Larsen

The First SnowThe first flakes tickle my cheeks,soak my hair . . . fresh ground silences each footstep, eating it like a favorite breakfast food. As I chip through ice, I remember our dad and how he yearned for wintry daysdark mornings to run the plow,

bright clouds of breath at the pump, evenings speeding though town on snowmobiles. . . .These metaphors, the reason of his life,keep me close when nature shaves her sky, fluttering her icy long intomy hands.For Dad, Christmas, inevitable in its noise,punctuated the winter like an em dash in a snowy field. This winter beehive livesto distract us from a quiet that begins with first snows, each newer than the last,longer than the first. -Colleen Totz Diamond

Happy Birthday Jesus -Janet AlthouseJesus was born in a manger bare

So He our humanness could share.He came to earth to help us see

Just how beautiful life can be,If we just let Him take control

And give to Him our heart and soul.

He asks so little and yet so much,He wants only our lives to touch,

To experience our joy and our pain,His suffering and dying become our gain.

If we but have faith and believe,Eternal life we will receive.


AVANTIRestaurant & Lounge

34 River Road in South Meriden203-4440-99990

Your Total SatisfactionIs Our Favorite Recipe!

Open for Lunch and Dinner Featuring:*Southern and Northern Italian Cuisine * Veal, Chicken & Seafood Specialties

* Large Selection of Salads * Pizza * Grinders * Homemade Burgers * Specialty Wraps

Family Party or Special Event?Plan your party with us! Parties for up to 60 people are our specialty. We also offer off premises catering and party platters to go.

“Come visit and enjoy one of our finely prepared meals in the comfort of our new dining and lounge areas”

Now is the time to reserve your Event at

AVANTI- Relax and De-stress

- Relief from Chronic Pain

- Improved Healing from Surgery

- Personal Growth

For more information visit www.carriepurcell.comTo schedule an appointment

call 203.623.7386Gift Certificates Available!

Carrie PurcellEnergy Medicine Practitioner

"Sheltering an Animal's Perspective"by Gregory M. SimpsonWhat's in a name? For cats, it should be a lot! T.S. Eliot wrote that, "Cats must have three names - an everyday name,such as Peter; a more particular dignified name, such as Quaxo, Bombalurina, or Jellylorum; and thirdly, the name thecat thinks up for himself, his deep and inscrutable singular Name."

Our Siamese cat is regal, and comes from the long line of cats originally from Siam. The first documented export ofa Royal Siamese was to President Rutherford B. Hayes' wife, Lucy Webb Hayes. As a kitten, our Siamese was aswhite as freshly fallen snow, so my wife named her Polar Bear or Polar for short. To fit her royal demeanor, her fullydignified name is Her Royal Highness, Precious Princess Polar Bear. She has not yet shared with us her other name,the one she thought up for herself.

"Lucky" was so named when we rescued him from the outdoors one frigid January night. He made it perfectly clearwhat he wanted as he wrapped his two front legs around my leg and would not let go. After that, he wanted nothing todo with going out. He taught us about being a survivor.

Another of our cats was discovered at ten days old in someone's back yard, covered in dirt. Hence, her namebecame "Dusty." She was found with a puncture wound in his neck due to an animal bite. Hand fed around the clockuntil adopted, Dusty taught us that there's a lot to be said about being in the right place at the right time.

Our orange tabby was adopted from a local animal shelter after he was found starving and unable to move due to hisentanglement in a flea collar. Depressed at the shelter, he routinely faced the back of his cage. When brought home,though, he bounded up on the sofa between my wife and me, all but beaming with satisfaction over his new home.Between the color of his coat and his sparkling disposition, he could only be named "Sunny."

Our petite, gray and white cat has antics as funny as a cartoon kitty, so we named her "Garfield." Then there is"Sesame". He was so named because he always seemed to be waiting for a door to open. One day, as he waited by adoor, my wife called out, "Open, Sesame," and the name stuck.

Petfinder.com, the on-line database of adoptable companion animals, has revealed the ten most popular names foranimals awaiting adoption in 2009. The name "Lucy" took the number one spot for cats, with "Smokey" coming insecond. For the first time in recent history, the name "Bella" made both the cat and dog lists of popular names. Thenames "Kitten," "Princess," "Tigger" and "Misty" of years past were replaced by names like "Midnight," "Daisy," and"Charlie" for 2009. The name chosen by Petfinder.com as the most unusual moniker for 2009 was "Shyanne ThailandMoo Goo Guy Pan," followed by "Mr. Tomfoolery Scardeycat Eliot." There appears to be a definite trend of peoplegiving their companion animals middle names.

Mark Twain, who kept many cats at his home on Farmington Avenue in Hartford, commented that, "My cats diedearly - on account of being so overweighted with their names, it was thought - 'Sour Mash,' 'Apollinaris,' 'Zoroaster,''Blatherskite,'… names given them, not in an unfriendly spirit, but merely to practice the children in large and difficultstyles of pronunciation. It was a very happy idea - I mean, for the children."

Yes, as T.S. Eliot observed, "The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter." Cleveland Amory, founder of Fund forAnimals, and author of The Cat Who Came for Christmas, elaborated that, "A cat who dislikes his name can - and I amreliably informed, often does - go through his entire lifetime without ever, even by a careless mistake, acknowledgingthat he has ever heard it before, let alone recognizing, in any perceptible manner known to mankind, that it would inany way have any possible connection with him." My favorite words about the naming of cats come from my favoriteauthor about cats - the French writer, Colette, who wrote, "There stands before you…she who rejects the names ofqueens, the childish diminutives, and is called - as if she were the only one in the world - Cat."For the animals, Gregory M. Simpson

Mike,Matt & Alex. Have a Merry Christmas.

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Antonio Sgambati (Michael & Josephine’s son) wishes everyone a MerryChristmas and a Happy New Year!

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a goodtime; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the longcalendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to opentheir shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they reallywere fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures boundon other journeys. ~Charles Dickens


Message: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Your Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Phone # _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Signature: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _If you would like the photo returned to you, please enclose a self addressed stamped envelope! We do not publishthe last names of any photo submissions. Send to:The People’s Press, P.O. Box 4459, Yalesville CT 06492

EEMMAAIILL YYOOUURR CCEELLEEBBRRAATTIIOONN TTOODDAAYY!!TThhee DDeeaaddll iinnee iiss JJaannuuaarryy 22nndd ffoorr oouurr JJaann.. 22001111 IIssssuuee!!

CCEELLEEBBRRAATTIIOONNSSFFFFrrrreeeeeeee PPPPhhhhoooottttoooo FFFFoooorrrrmmmm

CELEBRATIONS

Happy New YearDaddy and Mommy!,I love you with all

of my heart and soul.YOU are the best!

Love, Alyssa

Send One to a loved one!

Celebrations Photos for FREEIt’s always FREE to share your Celebrations in The People’s Press!

Email to [email protected] or use this form to mail it in!

Who need Santa Claus? We've got Grandma Rosebud! Yes, RozGallagher, we mean. Love to the best grandmother ever from her two littleelves in Sturbridge. xoxo

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Merry Christmas Mom and Dad. Glad you are still dancing after all theseyears! Love, Tom

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

FICTIONAL SEASONS Short Stories by Janet Cipolli"FAKE, NOT FAKE"Beth and Walter Chester were doing their annual holidaybrowsing through Home Depot. Beth enjoys looking at theseasonal displays of brightly lit trees and holiday decora-tions. Walter doesn't mind as long as he can check out theendless supply of switch plates, indoor thermometers andbirdfeeders.

"What a beautiful tree! Walter, look." Beth pointed toan eight-foot-tall white artificial tree with multi-coloredlights.

"I hate white trees. Especially fake white trees.""You paid $150 for the fake tree we bought here two

years ago. You love that tree.""It's not white sweetie." he debated in his bull-headed

way. "And I don't love it. I think we're going to get a realtree this year." He stood tall breathing in an imaginaryaroma. "A lush pine-smelling eight-footer."

Beth turned to him, arms crossed, anticipating theimminent battle of dealing with her husband's stubbornnature.

"Oh no, we're not spending any more money on a newtree. The one we have in the basement is just fine."

"Nah, I want a real tree. I want to wake up onChristmas morning and smell the outdoors, the Alps, theRocky Mountains--all those big hills."

Beth turned away with a huff."I am not dealing with the mess of a real tree," she

insisted. "Falling pine needles and spilt water all over theplace? Uh, uh."

She already knew it would be pointless to continue herargument because of the faraway blank stare on her hus-band's face. At that very moment, Walter was skiing downthe Matterhorn with someone named Jean Philippe amidthe fresh scent of pine trees. She could only hope one ofthose eight-footers was directly in his path-he could use agood reality whack.

A week later, Walter was getting ready to drive over toPine Acres, a local purveyor of Xmas trees, and was excit-ed about it. Beth had already made it quite clear that shewanted nothing to do with shopping for his "dream tree"and that was fine with him. 'A few fallen needles and somespilt water, big deal,' he thought to himself. He could han-dle that. As he reached for the car keys he looked to see ifhis wife had perhaps emerged from her mood.

"Do you think we need a tree stand sweetie?"Beth's facial expression was sufficient.On his way down the street, Walter noticed all the holi-

day decorations on his neighbor's houses. He stopped atthe corner of the street.

"Now that's a tree!" he said out loud. On the front lawnof the corner house stood a brightly decorated Blue

Spruce. He knew an elderly couple lived there but in allthe years he could remember this was the first time theyhad ever decorated that tree. Boy, it looked good.

As he turned the corner, the station wagon hit some-thing-big enough for Walter to bang the side of his headagainst the door. From the sound of crunching metal underthe car, it wasn't hard to imagine what had just happened.

"Mommy!" a little boy shouted. "My bike!"Walter got out of the car to see the boy's mother storm-

ing out of her house."I'm sorry kid," Walter offered, looking under the car.

"I didn't see your bike. What's it doing in the street any-way?"

The boys' angry mother rushed towards him. "I justbought that bike for him now look what you did!"

"Whoa, lady" Walter leaned back. "Back off! I reallydidn't see it. Here," taking his wallet out of his back pock-et "is fifty-dollars enough to replace it?"

The woman stuck her nose in the air, grabbed the cashand shoved it inside her top. "You're just lucky my oldman isn't home or it might have cost you more than justyour money, mister."

"Yeah, okay," Walter smirked. "You have a nice daytoo." He took his time, moseying back to his car to let herknow he wasn't afraid of her, her imaginary old man orstarring in an episode of COPS.

Back on the road, he arrived at Pine Acres to find itcrawling with people and their kids fighting over whichtree to buy.

"Daddy, Daddy! Get this one!" one kid shouted as thetree he was holding fell on top of him.

Walter steered his way through the rambunctious crowdto an area towards the back. There, under a hand-paintedsign that read NORTHERN BLUE SPRUCE, he spottedhis tree. It was beautiful-just like the luscious eight-footerhe had imagined. He shoved his face between the branchesand inhaled the fresh aroma.

"Get your face out of the tree," said the worker.Walter jumped back causing pine needles to stick to his

hair, "I'm buying this tree," pulling out his wallet. "Howmuch is it?"

"100 dollars."Walter pulled out his cash and counted sixty-five.

"Here, I'll write you a check for the difference," handingthe money to the young man.

"Cash only mister," pointing his finger to a sign thatread NO CHECKS.

Perturbed, Walter envisioned the face of the angrymother with the bike and silently cursed her before reach-ing for his ATM card, "Hold this tree. I'll be right back."

The worker handed Walter back his sixty-five dollars."Can't hold trees mister. First come, first served."

Walter began to get agitated and flustered. "Well thentake my cash as a down-payment. I want this tree."

The young man pointed his finger towards another sign that read NODOWN PAYMENTS ACCEPTED.

Walter impatiently looked around at the increasing number of tree shoppersheaded toward the area of his Northern Blue Spruce.

"Oh look Marvin, what a beautiful tree!" a woman's voice caught his atten-tion. "That's the one I want." She was pointing right at Walter's tree.

"Oh no you can't buy this one," Walter told her. "I already bought it. Goaway," waving them to move on. She looked suspiciously at Walter before tak-ing hold of her husband's arm and turning away.

Walter shoved his wallet back into his pant pocket and with both arms out-stretched grabbed the Northern Blue Spruce and picked it up. Boy, was itheavy! He put it back down and tried to figure out a way to get it to his car. Hethought "if I could just get it to the station wagon, I can tie it to the roof andhave Beth bring me the rest of the cash." He set it down on the ground, pickedit up by the stump and began dragging it along towards the parking lot.

"Hey! Put that back!" a worker yelled.Walter picked up his pace and yelled back. "That's okay, thank you, I got

it!"Just as he caught site of the station wagon, a strong yank backwards made

him lose his footing. He looked up from the gravel to see two men hoisting uphis Northern Blue Spruce. Walter jumped up and with the help of his flowingadrenaline, he thrust his arms between the branches and matched the formida-ble force of the two men. For a minute there he thought he had them and if itweren't for the distracting sounds of the approaching police sirens-he wouldhave.

"So, how much has this dream tree cost us so far?" Beth taunted as she andWalter left the police station.

"Don't ask," was his reply.After they got home and much to Beth's chagrin, Walter headed down to

the basement and came up carrying their artificial tree. Ten minutes later,Walter walked back into the kitchen and put on his jacket.

"Where are you going now?" Beth asked."To get our tree.""You just brought it up from the basement.""I told you we're getting a real tree this year, get with the program sweetie.""What did you do with our fake tree?""I gave it to the old couple down the street." grabbing the car keys, "Oh

and I promised them all our ornaments and lights so we'll have to pick upsome new ones."

"Why the hell did you do that?" crossing her arms yet again."Because that's what they wanted for the Blue Spruce on their front lawn."It was now Beth who stood with a blank stare. As Walter began to leave he

stopped and turned to his wife."Do we have an axe sweetie?"


Classes start on January 6th, 2011at 6 p.m. held at the Hunter'sAmbulance Education and VehicleResource Center.

If you are interested in this course,please contact: Stephanie Karpey 450

- 478 West Main Street in Meriden203-514-5142

Hunter's Ambulance Memorial EMT Class

Emergency Medical Technician - BasicThis program is designed to prepare individuals to takethe State of Connecticut Emergency Medical Technician- Basic certification examination.

Training is accomplished through both classroom andpractical skill building sessions using State ofConnecticut Certified Emergency Medical ServicesInstructors, experienced EMS field personnel and otherspecialized guest lecturers.

The light of the Christmas star to youThe warmth of home and hearth to youThe cheer and good will of friends to youThe hope of a childlike heart to youThank you for the 30 wonderful years together. Love, Chuck

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

'Twas Christmas broach'd themightiest ale;'Twas Christmas told the merriesttale;

A Christmas gambol oft couldcheerThe poor man's heart through halfthe year.

Meriden Public Library News and EventsLate December - Early JanuaryMERIDEN LIBRARY HOLIDAY HOURS - Meriden Public Library will be closed on the following days: Friday, December 24 and Saturday, December 25 for the Christmas holiday; Friday, December 31 and Saturday, January 1 for the New Year's holiday.

Normal business hours - Monday through Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.to 5:00 p.m., closed Sunday.

Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about our holiday schedule."FOOD FOR FINES" MONTH AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY - Meriden Public Library will hold its annual

"Food for Fines" month beginning Friday, November 26 through Thursday, December 30. You may "pay" for youroverdue fines by contributing one non-perishable food item for each dollar you owe in fines. For example, if you owe$3.00 in overdues, you must bring in 3 items. Food donations do not cover lost or damaged library materials. Bring inthose long overdue DVD's cd's, books, etc. and clear up those fines. Borrowers must visit the Circulation Desk in per-son to take advantage of this opportunity. Please do not donate out-dated food items. All food collected will be deliv-ered to local food pantries. Food items most needed are tuna and other canned meat, dry milk, canned vegetables andfruit, rice, dry and canned beans, canned soups and stews, boxed pasta products, tomato items, juices and cereals.Contact the Meriden Public Library at (203) 238-2344 or (203) 630-6349 if you have questions.SCRABBLE SESSIONS AT MERIDEN LIBRARY - Meriden Public Library is hosting afternoon and evening ses-sions for people who enjoy playing Scrabble. The evening sessions will be held on and December 28 in the FriendsRoom. All skill levels are welcome. Scrabble boards will be provided, but people are welcome to bring their ownboards. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have any questions about the libraryprograms.LUNCHTIME BOOK CLUB - The Meriden Public Library's lunchtime book club meets on Thursdays at noon inthe Friends Room. Bring your lunch and enjoy the discussion.January 20 -Juliet: a novel by Anne FortierFebruary 17 - I Still Dream about You by Fannie FlaggMarch 17- Distant Hours by Kate MortonApril 21 - Freedom by Jonathan FranzenAll are welcome. The books are available in a display across from the Information Desk. Contact Laura at (203) 238-2346 to sign up."FROM THE BEGINNINGS: WHO WE ARE" BOOK DISCUSSION SERIES AT MERIDEN PUBLICLIBRARY - The Meriden Public Library will be hosting a 4 session book discussion series organized by theConnecticut Humanities Council. The series "From the beginnings: who we are" will take place at Meriden PublicLibrary in the Griffin Room at 6:30 pm starting in January. Marsha Bansavage will be the facilitator. The books to bediscussed are:Tuesday, January 18, 2011 - Water for Elephants by Sara Green.Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - The Tender Bar by J.R. MoehringerTuesday, March 15, 2011 - Color of Water by James McBrideTuesday, April 19, 2011 - Bee Season by Myla Goldberg.Books will be available at the library. Please contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349, [email protected], or visit the library's web page at www.meridenlibrary.org and click on "Adult events" to sign upto participate. WRITERS NETWORK AT MERIDEN LIBRARY DECEMBER 29 - Meriden Public Library will host the WritersNetwork group on Wednesday, December 15 and 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Griffin Room. We invite anyone who is seri-ous about writing fiction or nonfiction, wants to learn the process of getting published, or needs support for writing abook proposal or query letter to attend. The Writers Network is for anyone who is looking for a support network tokeep the motivation going, is interested in sharing their writing with others and is longing for the camaraderie of otherswho share a passion for writing. If you are interested in joining the Writers Network, contact the Community ServicesDepartment at (203) 630-6349 or email us [email protected] CLUB DECEMBER 28 - Meriden Public Library will have its next Lego Club event on Tuesday, December28 at 2:30 pm in the Griffin Room. Children ages 6 through 12 are invited to bring their imagination and build on thismonth's theme - "Spaceships." Completed projects will be put on display in the library. The library will provide Legosfor all children who attend. Sign up is not required for this program and late arrivals are always welcome. If you haveany questions or would like to be put on the Lego Club mailing list please contact Melissa at (203) 630-6347 or [email protected]. MOVIES AT THE LIBRARYMeriden Public Library will be showing the following movies during the month of December: On Monday, December27 at 2:00 pm in the Griffin Room, watch as Gru and his minions try to steal the moon. This program is free and all areinvited. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about any library pro-gram.CHESS CLUB JANUARY 5 - Do you enjoy playing chess? Join the Meriden Public Library Chess Club. The Clubwill meet on Wednesday, January 5 at 6:30 pm in the Friends Room. Bring your chess boards. All ages and playing lev-els are welcome. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about the club.THREE KINGS CELEBRATION JANUARY 8 - Meriden Public Library will host a Three Kings Day Program onSaturday, January 8 at 2:00 pm in the Griffin Room. The St. Rose Hispanic Choir will present a holiday concert forpeople of all ages. Toys will be given to children up to the age of 10. This event is free but seating is limited. Comeearly. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have any questions about the library pro-grams.SCRABBLE SESSIONS AT MERIDEN LIBRARY - Meriden Public Library hosts afternoon sessions for peoplewho enjoy playing Scrabble. The afternoon sessions will be on Monday, January 10 and January 24 at 2:00 pm in theFriends Room. All skill levels are welcome. Scrabble boards will be provided, but people are welcome to bring theirown boards. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have any questions about thelibrary programs.SCRAPBOOKING WORKSHOPS - Grab a friend, bring your photos, album pages and adhesive and join KittDunk, an experienced scrapbooker, on Monday, January 10 at 5:00 pm in the Meriden Public Library Friends Room fora scrapbooking workshop. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349, [email protected], or visit the library's web page at www.meridenlibrary.org and click on "Adult events" to reservea seat. ANIME CLUB JANUARY 14 - The Teen Anime Club at the Meriden Public Library will meet on Friday, January 14at 2:30 pm in the Griffin Room. This month we will be making Japanese fans. We will also be watching the first fourepisodes of an anime about a princess that is prophesied to destroy the world on her 16th birthday. Snacks and drinkswill be provided. This program is for teens age 13-18. Sign up is not required but if you would like to be put on ourmailing list or would like more information contact Melissa at [email protected] or call (203) 238-2347.USED LAPTOPS WANTED FOR MERIDEN LIBRARYMeriden Public Library is looking for laptops in good working condition to enhance our computer classes to the public.We are looking for the following general minimum requirements:Windows XP or newer14 inch screen or largerIntegrated wireless card preferablyAC power adaptorUSB portDonated laptops will be accepted at the Information Desk. If you have any questions please call Laura or Michelle at203-238-2347.

Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for - I don't know what exactly, but it's some-thing that you don't mind so much not having at other times. ~Kate L. BosherChristmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.~Washington Irving


Family Owned... Family Friendly Since 1954

Find Out Why by Stopping Down Today!369 Cook Ave., Meriden 235-2561

Rousseau’sAuto Repair

Complete Auto Repair

Thank YOU for giving your car the service itdeserves at the affordable prices you deserve in

2010. Don’t forget to winterize for 2011.

Merry Christmas to my AMAZING family, my mommy & daddy (Tara && Jimmy), my Nana & Poppy Joe, Grammie, Grandpa, Auntie Kristen &Uncle Joe, Wishing you all a happy, healthy New Year filled with joy andlove. Big Hugs and Lots of Love, Avery Elizabeth XOXO

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Happy Holiday’s to our friends and family especially Nana, Grandma andGrandpa.The Chenkus Family

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010Maggie's Corner

The Band America Talks About - Maggie Speaks By: Maggie Griffin What a pleasure it was to have the American band that people are raving about--"Maggie Speaks"--stop by Maggie's Corner and talk to Maggie Griffin! "Maggie Speaks", the band that travelsacross America, is comprised of Dave Calzaretta - lead vocals, Dayna Malow - lead vocals, ChrisSiebold - guitar & vocals, Shawn Sommer - bass & vocals, and Blake Cooper - drums. "One ofthe things that 'Maggie Speaks' has built quite a reputation for is their corporate work all over theglobe", said Dave Calzaretta. Booking close to 200 events a year, we often see the band "MaggieSpeaks" playing at events for various special venues around the globe-- including Fortune 500 companies--and theyhave been seen at these following locations: Barcelona, Spain; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puerta Vallarta - Mexico;Cancun, Mexico; The Bahamas; Los Angeles, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Denver, CO; Naples, FL; Dallas, TX; Detroit, MI;New York, NY; Boston, MA; Milwaukee, WI; Chicago, IL; Orlando, FL; Anaheim, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Scottsdale, AZ.

The Corporate list they play for is a combination of names we all hear of. Playing at events for Abbott Labs,Starwood Properties, Gartner, All-State Insurance, State Farm Insurance, AmeripriseFinancial, McDonald's, Wrigley, Citrix, Klein Tools, Bridgestone / Bandag, ExxonMobil, Scottsdale Insurance, Deluxe, RW Baird, Hewitt Associates, Georgia Pacific,National Hockey League, Chase, LPGA, IBM, Novo Disk, Chicago Bears, ChicagoWhite Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks.

"Maggie Speaks" about expansion, called "Maggie Speaks Presents". The conceptof "Maggie Speaks Presents" is in several markets where they travel for differenttypes of events. In 2006, another creation of the band was born based on the volumeof requests they receive. Collectively forming 20 more musicians employed by them,presenting what their audiences expect when they request "Maggie Speaks", using

their own name of their band.There are three versions of "Maggie Speaks". They are "Maggie Speaks", "Spoken Four" and "Final Say".

"Maggie Speaks has won the following awards": 2010 - Event Solutions Spotlight Award for Best Entertainment Ensemble2009 - American Entertainment Magazine Best Duo of Group2009 - Finalist in the Chicago Music Awards for Best Pop Artist (winner was Jennifer Hudson - other finalists wereKanye West, R Kelly and Wilco).

Dave Calzaretta states; "Throughout the recession, Maggie Speaks has continuedto grow, performing at corporate events throughout the country for some of theworld's largest companies. During these difficult times, it is important for companiesto still meet and motivate their employees and sales staff. It is important to networkand share best practices. While some companies came under fire for hiring the likesof Jimmy Buffet and Sheryl Crow, many companies went the route of hiring MaggieSpeaks to come in based on their ability to entertain the entire company from theBoard Room to the Mail Room without creating a negative impression on shareholders."

The band's secret to success in this economy is a diversified portfolio. Calzaretta along with band mates BlakeCooper and Shawn Sommer, bring a specific skill set to the stage creating their diverse performance offerings. WhenMaggie Speaks plays a corporate event as opposed to a national act, they play different hits all night while national actstypically only cover their small catalog of hits-clients get a better deal and a more appealing show. The band artfullycovers current hits of today along with chart-topping favorites from the last four decades, seamlessly transitioning fromone song to the next.

Maggie Speaks has evolved into the Midwest's most popular touring cover band. Because of their diverse song list,the band appeals to anyone from the CEO to the mailroom attendant at a corporate event or from Grandma and Grandpato the younger generation at a private wedding….they are the 'un-cover band' getting everyone motivated to hit thedance floor together! Large corporations are feeling the pressure of budget cuts yet they still need to entertain and cele-brate successes so they book Maggie Speaks to provide numerous acts at a much lower price point than national record-ing artists.

Calzaretta explains, "We found four more musicians and replicated our show. They play the same songs with thesame arrangements and instrumentation as Maggie Speaks; we compare it to a Starbucks or McDonald's model of busi-ness where folks don't mind where they get their latte or Big Mac as long as it's the same product." With this brandingconcept in mind, they were able to book over 150 shows in Spoken Four's first year of operation, capitalizing on all ofthe opportunities that came their way. Bookings continued to increase for both Maggie Speaks and Spoken Four, inspir-ing them to 'replicate the brand' again in 2007 creating "Final Say." With the same concept, four more musicians, identi-cal set lists and ongoing bookings, the empire continues to grow.

To date, Magnificent Events, Ltd employs 13 fulltime musicians and vocalists, 3 fulltime sound engineers and 3 full-time crew members - covering nearly 500 shows annually. Maggie Speaks and Magnificent Events are creating jobs dur-ing this nation's challenging recession. Calzaretta is proving that it doesn't always pay to pursue a white collar career.Unlike many other rock musicians, he is thriving, not simply surviving, as this young entrepreneur notes, "Follow yourdreams, not your wallet and your wallet will catch up."

MAGGIE SPEAKS MAKES COMMITMENT TO GO GREEN, Chicago Band Implementing Eco-FriendlyInitiatives. Maggie Speaks evolved into the Midwest's most popular touring cover band and has set its sights on goinggreen. Taking small steps in order to make a huge difference in the environmental battle, members of the popularChicago band Maggie Speaks have begun doing their part to lower their impact on the environment. Perfectly timedwith Earth Day, the band says it will be ready in April to fully launch its green movement called aptly, LISTENGREEN. Lead singer Dave Calzaretta believes, "We only have one planet Earth and we want to be part of the solution topreserve it for the generations that follow. The grass is GREENER on the Maggie Speaks side. Calzaretta along with hisband mates Blake Cooper and Shawn Sommer believe in the urgent need to REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE and havecommitted to the following GREEN efforts:-Concert date flyers printed on recycled paper using soy ink. Using reusable stainless steel bottles on stage to avoid thewaste from plastic water bottles.-Offering fans eco-friendly, certified organic cotton T-Shirts, designed with water-based ink by domestic producers.-Upgraded its van to a more fuel-efficient, lower-emissions model.-Actively making the switch to hybrid vehicles for transport to and from shows.-Using low-wattage LED lights and high-efficiency sound equipment to reduce power consumption.-Using electronic payroll service and receiving only online statements from vendors/business partners in order to reducepaper consumption.

The event implemented green efforts during the show including recycling bottles, reducing waste and utilizing recy-clable trash bag liners. Founded in 1987, Keep Chicago Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, is a nonprofitorganization that works with Chicagoland's business community, schools, neighborhoods and government agencies toimprove our environment through education, public awareness and community involvement. *Keep Chicago Beautifulhas nominated Maggie Speaks for its 2009 Innovation Award. Blake Cooper emphasizes; "We work hard to maintain ourfan base, which is our strength in our energy. Like a Hallmark, for our fans, we deliver the very best".

Songs we heard from the movie the Hard Easy , were written by David Calzaretta and Jimmy Riley. They are: "The Hard Easy" - The Theme, "Yell", "DeLeah"; Hard Easy Starring: Henry Thomas - "E.T.",David Boreanaz -"Bones",Vera Farmiga - "The Departed",Bruce Dern - "Big Love",Peter Weller - "Robocop",Nick Lachey - musical 98Degrees,Gary Busey - "Buddy Holly Story"

Dave Calzaretta is the President of Magnificent Events, Ltd. And can be reached at(815) 230-3770,(888) 376-6537, www.MagEvents.com

Board of Directors, International Association of Corporate Entertainment Producers www.iacep.com"Maggie Speaks", the Winner of the 2010 Event Solutions Spotlight Award for Best Entertainment Ensemble.Visit Maggie Speaks at: www.MaggieSpeaks.com Spoken Four at: www.SpokenFour.com Final Say at: www.FinalSay.com


There was a time when everybody thought that a real live Christmas treehad to be one that was chosen with a lot of pondering……a Douglas fir, aFraser fir, or perhaps a Blue Spruce……and, nothing, no how, no way,could change that custom. Then one Christmas, a new thing came tobe…..The most wonderful, beautiful, craze - The Aluminum ChristmasTree…….Hey - it came with a rotating floodlight gizmo that would shineon that monolith with different colors…red, green, blue, and yellow. This isa picture of my oldest daughter Christine and me in 1966 sitting next to ournew Christmas tree. We even splurged on a couple of cute little plastic hous-es that we laid out on a swath of cotton. Don't we look, oh, so divine, andpleased with the THING ? - GeorgeArndt

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Merry Christmas to my Darling Tom. You've come a long way since 1952!Love You, Mrs. Kuz

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Merry Christmas to my Daddy Steve! Love, Oreo

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Memories to Live For………By Bonnie KentI have so many great memories of Christmas with my family, one of my most loved memories was when I was aboutfour, I remember being in those footie pajama's and coming into the living room and seeing the huge stuff collie thatSanta brought me I still remember it to this day and the joy it brought me through my childhood. But probably mymost memorable are those spent in Pennsylvania with my grandparents.

Those were the days where your parents had those station wagons and they would put down the back seat load up theback with the clothes and the old metal cooler with food and snacks. Then we laid out our sleeping bags and our pil-lows hoping not to be stuck in the middle where you would get kicked, elbowed or slept on. It was great going onthese adventures to grandma and grandpa's and they were adventures because we were usually going to a new place.My grandfather is famous for moving and constantly buying new cars. So once we arrived and grandma made sure wewere full with home cooked goodies it was off to explore. Whether it was Ashland and the park at the end of the streetwith the train, Bloomsburg and the fair, the mountain in Benton with the deer the huge rock and old bus, Berwick,Danville, or Montoursville we always had a great time.

But the adventures were not always at grandpa's house I can remember being five maybe six and coming down one ofthe winding mountain roads in our white station wagon and the car sliding on the roads and being stranded in a snowstorm at one time. But every one of my memories brings happiness even the sad ones.

The years have been great and I miss my grandparents that are gone but the most aggravating, bullheaded, argumenta-tive and the most endearing one is still here and as of January 23rd he will reach his 99th Birthday. Up until lastChristmas he still lived in his own home, drove his car (and kept buying new ones each one smaller than the last) andis the most opinioned person you will ever meet and the last one I expected to live as long as he has. My grandfatheris a Pennsylvania coal miner and made beautiful music on his organ. He has black lung and has been on oxygen for aslong as I can remember.

I guess growing up with him was hard, my dad doesn't have many memories but does my grandpa have some greatones of serving in the army and his escapades in Washington with the army boys, his stories of the mines and gettingtrapped and how it was one of the only times that "the suits" were at the mines, and about the time that he pulled abrother out of a collapse. The way he spoke these miners were brothers and family.

My best memories of my grandfather are him sitting at the table at what I considered odd times with his fork in hishand and yelling at 4:30 or so in the morning "Agnes, where is my breakfast?" and my grandmother yelling back"Charles, you know it to early to eat the kids are not up yet so you can wait?" I can still smell the homemade stickybuns, chicken pot pie, and all the other mouth watering foods my grandmother made.As I grew up the memories of my grandfather changed I remember how my cousins and my brothers stopped visiting

because of my grandfather and his open voicing of his opinions of boys with hair over their ears and it all came backto me as I got older. I was driving him one summer and we saw a young man with long hair and out the window heyelled "Girlie, don't you think you need to get a haircut!" I see a lot of him in my middle daughter, Sabrina who alsoyells her opinions out the window as I am driving.

I have been doing a lot or research on Ancestry.com lately as I realize I don't know a lot about my family history andhow they grew up. I was amazed at what I found in the immigration files, and the information that they collected in thecensuses, and the photo's and newspaper clippings and military records.

Just this month I went to see the ornery one and I brought my two oldest daughters's and his favorite Hershey choco-late bars. The first comment out of his mouth was "is this what Hershey is calling a chocolate bar now?" and proceed-ed to tell us how thick and how cheap the bars were in his time. It was a great time as I brought up the stories I foundout about his father and his uncles and he in turn was amazed at the new cell phones my daughters had and the picturesthat we took of them and how he could see them right then and there. I mentioned the article that my dad showed meof his saving a trapped miner and he went off about his days in the mines and my daughter got to hear some of the sto-ries that I had heard and some of the one that were new to me. It was a great time for us all but the one thing I willremember most about this trip is the baby. You see my daughter, Sabrina is taking Child Development in school andthis was the weekend that she had the computer baby. This thing cried at all times of the day and night, you had tofeed it, burp it, change the diaper and pay attention to it or it would continue to cry. This baby amazed my grandfatherand all the people in the retirement home. I have a great picture of him holding this doll and the look of amazement onhis face is wonderful.As Christmas approaches this year I am realizing that pretty soon this glorious man will be gone and I will miss him

and the battle of the minds that I have come to love. I will miss the reminder of the wonderful memories of my child-hood Christmas's. This year I hope tp return to see my grandfather for Christmas and hope to wish him HappyBirthday in January. I hope that my girls will have great memories of my parents and pass on our family history downto there children.Happy Holiday's to all…………..

The submission deadline for the January 2011 issue of THE PEOPLESPRESS is January 2nd.. Email your stories, news and events to

[email protected]. Email your photos and celebrations [email protected].


Merry Christmas Tyler, RJ, and Patrick! Love, Mom and Dad

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

$ CASH PAID FOR $Toyotas, Hondas, Nissan,Suzukis, Subarus, Geo -Any Condition. Runningor not crashed andburned. Other makesand models. Motorcycles,ATVs and more.

Call 203-600-4431

Peace, joy, happiness, love…May the holiday season shower you andyour loved ones with many blessings!

We deeply appreciate your support as customers and friends.

Thanks, and Happy Holidays!

694 Old Colony Rd.,

Meriden203-237-4379

When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stock-ings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling ourstockings with legs? ~G.K. Chesterton

THANK YOUNancy FreyburgDecember 18, 2010"I must say something about the handsome young man who brought my dinner! He was a "heart breaker" and at age95, he made me feel young again! He ate some cookies with me and looked at pictures of my family and showed mesome of his. We had a wonderful conversation about so many things. He set my meal up for me and left me anotherfor the next day. When one is old, almost blind, in a wheel chair, and all alone, the holidays can be especially difficult.My handsome visitor made me feel very special and he came back on Saturday to say hello. Thank you for all yourkindness and for always remembering to never forget those of us who are…………………….." The letter went on foranother page sharing memories, extolling our biscuits and stuffing, and letting me know how important it is to feelspecial.

This letter is one of the many reasons I am blessed each Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter to be part of the holi-day community dinners in Wallingford. The visits, and just sitting with someone, are just as important as the meals.

In our 29th year, we served about 300 meals to those who came to the First Congregational Church and sent mealshome to another 250 people. We will do the same thing again Christmas Day. I have a heart full of wonderful memo-ries and dream of more to still make.

My heart felt thanks to all of you who help make the memories. Your generosity of spirit and willingness to helpand care for others is what is so special to me. It is because of you that so many others really enjoy their holidays.Whether it is the regulars who come to peel 250 pounds of potatoes, after having spent 3 days cooking turkeys, thosewho call with donations to make sure we have everything we need, those who set a beautiful dining room and showergoodness and grace on all who have come to eat, those who shower me with kisses and hugs, while showing me theirnew special Olympics medals, Dennis playing his guitar and singing all my favorite songs, or someone who has lost aspouse of 62 years and just wanted to be with us… this is why we come back year after year to be part of all thesewonderful stories. Thanks for all you do to make all this possible. Gods' peace and blessings to all.

Christmas is for Children!My brothers and I always anxiously looked forward to Christmas morning. After celebrating Christmas Eve withmany aunts, uncles, and cousins, we put on our holiday pajamas, left some cookies and milk for Santa and the rein-deers, and were whisked off to bed by our parents. I still remember staring at the base of the tree and wondering how,and more importantly, when the presents would arrive. I could never figure out how Santa made it into our house whenwe did not have a fireplace and chimney . . . I guess so long as the presents arrived, it just didn't matter.

As our own children, Bria and Blake, are preparing for the Christmas holiday, my own childhood memories flashbefore me. Whether it was my first remote control car, my real New York Jets jersey, or the year that none of myclothes fit, I can't help but reflect back on what mattered most. That was quality time with my family.

As I get older and busier, I look forward to the holidays and have a new appreciation for the wonderful family Ihave been blessed with. I want to thank my mom and dad, my brothers and their families, and all my relatives foralways putting family first. I also want to thank my wife, Amy, the rock of our family, and my children, Bria andBlake, for giving life true meaning and purpose.

I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Enjoy and value the time you have with your family and friends.Let us not forget-Christmas is for Children!Laugh, love and live….All the best, Mark Benigni

Just for a look at the winding roadThat led to our house on the hill.

It was there I was born and I long to go back

It would be such a wonderful thrill

Like the wink of an eye manyyears have gone by

And a memory book it would fill.

Oh, what I'd give to go back thereand live

And I hope someday that I will.In Loving Memory ofRaymond G. Becroft

December 3, 1914to September 6, 2010Jo Ann Jones

Instead of being a time of unusual behavior,Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year whenpeople can obey their natural impulses and expresstheir true sentiments without feeling self-consciousand, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is aboutthe only chance a man has to be himself. ~Francis C.Farley


Enjoy the special moments at your Wedding Reception...

That’s what you will get to do when youhave your Wedding Reception at FOUR

POINTS by Sheraton in Meriden! We willtake care of everything else you need.

No worries! Just enjoy and treasure the moments!

Shirts, Hats,Diecasts & More!

* Embroidery* Photo keepsake

ornaments* Etched items

Photo TeesHome of the ORIGINAL

Photo Town Shirts!

106 South Colony Road * Wallingford203 269 6802

Hours: Mon-Fri 3:45-7:30pm Sat. 9am-5pmwww.willydsnascar.weebly.com

SILVER CITY COIN & STAMPSCOLLECTIBLES

STAMPS • COVERS • COINS • TOKENSPAPER MONEY • POSTCARDS • HOBBY SUPPLIESFIND OUT A GREAT GIFT & START A GREAT HOBBY! 41 COLONY STREET, MERIDEN, CT 06451

(203) 235-7634

NOMINATIONS BEING SOUGHT FOR THE MERIDEN HALL OF FAMEThe Meriden Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for individuals to be considered for induction to the Hall ofFame in 2011. Nomination forms are available at the City Clerk's Office at Meriden City Hall, at the Max E.Muravnick Senior Center or by contacting the Meriden Hall of Fame at PO Box 1852, Meriden, CT 06450.

The Meriden Hall of Fame will consider the following criteria in the selection process:Recognition as outstanding in that person's field;The person has lived and/or worked in Meriden at some time;Preferably the person is known nationally or internationally in his/her field of endeavor;The person must be of good character and have performed in a manner as to be a credit to and/or a benefactor to theCity of Meriden.Nominations must be received no later than January 31, 2011. The Meriden Hall of Fame was established in 1975 andsince that time 119 prominent individuals have been inducted. For further information pick up a Nomination Form atthe locations listed or contact John Hogarth, President of the Meriden Hall of Fame, at 203.237.0066.John F. Hogarth, President - Meriden Hall of FameMERIDEN HALL OF FAME ASSOCIATION - P O Box 1852 - Meriden, CT 06450

Congratulations to Stephanie Griffin of Wallingford, CTBy: Andrew Reynolds

People's Press News and contributing publication of The People's Press news -Venture Out Publications, LLC, is proud to announce and congratulate StephanieGriffin of Wallingford, CT as the New Senior Vice President of VentureOut!Publications, LLC.

Because Venture Out Magazine Online is in cooperative relationship with ThePeople's Press News, we will see Stephanie Griffin's Journalistic Columns fromtime to time both in The People's Press and in Venture Out Magazine Online.

Miss. Griffin is currently a student who is studying a major in media commu-nications and journalism at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. She also is aMusic Performer and Writer in the Music Industry. Stephanie's diversified com-munication skills, musical talent, and journalism has been recognized, leavingher opportunities in the past to meet music performers such as Ryan Cabrara,The Group Simple Plan, Christine Ohlman, Dean 'HB' Vitali - just to mention afew in the celebrity arena.

She is the relative of Actor, Film Director, Writer and Producer - Matthew Quinn Martin who appeared severaltimes on Law and Order, Criminal Intent, P.S. I Love You and wrote the Moive "Sling Shot". In addition she is alsothe relative of Actor David Della Rocco from the all-time favorite Movie "Boondock Saints" and "At Jakes".

Stephanie is the daughter of Maggie and Tom Griffin of Wallingford and sister of Tommy Griffin. Originating fromHamden, CT, she moved to Wallingford in 2002 where she attended Dag Middle School and Lyman Hall. She is aNational Honor Society, CAPT Scholar and Varsity Scholar member as well.

The People's Press News is looking forward to Stephanie Griffin's contributions in her columns and we congratu-late her in her achievement as Senior Vice President for VentureOut!, Publications, LLC - of whom is a contributingpartner of The Peoples Press News.

Wallingford Senior Center "Single Mingle" DanceSocial Singles of Wallingford will hold a "Single Mingle" Dance Thursday, January 6, 6 to 9 p.m., in the ballroom ofthe Wallingford Senior Center. Dance music will be provided by Disc Jockey Keith Alan. A Pizza Dinner with sodawill be served. Singles aged 55+ are welcome. Tickets are $10.00 if purchased in advance at the Wallingford SeniorCenter, or $15.00 at the door. For more information call Debby at 203-265-7753.

Wallingford Park and Recreation News and Events

8483.400 Family Fun Winter WorkshopCome be creative as a family and make some great winter crafts. We will bepersonalizing and painting wooden mittens and snowflakes. Also we'll make aunique snow globe. Hot Cocoa to keep us warm as we share some fun familytime.Family crafts supply fee 15.00 made payable to instructor night of class.When: Sunday January 23rd One Day 1:30-3:30pm Location: Exit 7AInstructor: Kim Larkin Fee: $25 per family8060.400 Basic Wirework Jewelry 101Come learn how to work with different gauges of wire, how to wrap wire andmake swirls etc. The first week we'll learn, and then practice the wire tech-niques and how to use tools, then the 2nd week we will make earrings andlearn how to apply to a necklace design.Supply fee $8.00 made payable to instructor night of first classWhen: Fridays February 4th & 11th 6:45-8:45pm Location: Exit 7AInstructor: Kim Larkin Fee: $30Winter Baseball TrainingThis program is a great way to hone your skills, perfect your technique, learnproper footwork and sport-specific workouts in a low impact fashion. Youlearn the right way to do things and we make it fun!! This program is current-ly scheduled to be held at Wesleyan University Athletic Facility. Each weeklysession will be 90 minutes. Primary focus will be on throwing mechanics, hit-ting mechanics and speed and agility training as it pertains to the sport ofbaseball. All instruction will be age specific and training will be aided withthe use of video playback. Each week the feature guest instructors from areasports training programs. Participants will receive a program T-shirt and videoclips of their workout (disk will be provided). Participants will registerthrough the Wallingford Parks and Recreation Department. For more informa-tion please contact Ken Welch, 203-314-7413.Any questions on the above activities or events - please visit the Park andRec. Department at 6 Fairfield Boulevard or call. (203) 294-2120.Look for our new brochure coming out soon!

LocalMotion - Local Business! To advertise with Wallingford andMeridens Community NewsMagazine, The People's Press - Call AndyReynolds at 203.235.9333 or email him at [email protected] the power of positive for the readers and writers you willsponsor as well as the return on your investment. Check out the paper inits many forms at www.peoplespressnews.com!

Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults payfor it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want andtheir kids pay for it. ~Richard Lamm

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening pre-sents and listen. ~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old namedBobby

Tradition: sit with husband in a room lit only by tree lights and remember thatour blessings outnumber the lights. Happy Christmas to all. ~Betsy CañasGarmon


Now is the time to book Ruth for all of your 2011 Events and Parties.

EASEL WORKSCreative Art Studio & Gallery

294-1548294-15482 Quinnipiac Street, Wallingford

FFooll llooww yyoouurr ddrreeaamm.. .. ..

Now Accepting Registrations forClasses - Kinderart & Young Artist

Programs & Adult!Try our Adult Art Classes atEasel Works & soothe thestress away. You’ll love it.

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!

Connor, mommy & daddy love you bigger than the universe. You make theholidays special.

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Good Health and Happiness during this holidays season to all our friends andfamily in Connecticut..Love, John, Michele (Paolillo), Dalton and AJDeCaprio from Belleair Beach, Fl

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Pudge is Missing Again!Her name is PUDGE, she went missing early in November, 2010. She is 8 yearsold now. You portrayed her in June of 2006 and she was returned in the cul-de-sachere where we live. She is a good size fixed female. Mostly white w/greyishblack tiger markings on her back. She is friendly and furry with long hair. Shewas born and raised here. I am now a 13 year cancer survivor this year but havebecome very diabetic from extensive chemo. PUDGE has always been a greatcompanion for me. She likes to be greeted in the morning when I awake and stillshares my chair with me. She still likes lying on the deck when it is nice out. Her2 buddies, they were pound puppies and 19 years old, have passed. She alwayscame in by her name as I still need to rest. She would never stay out in thisweather except to potty. She shares our home with a couple of siblings here on theEast side of Wallingford. I call her every day. Like waiting for a miracle. Myheart is heavy awaiting for her return. If found please call Linda at (203) 265-9461

Help MAC Meet a ChallengeThe Meriden Arts Council must raise $1,500.00 by December 31st. We are in the final stage to match a ChallengeGrant by the state, and now we challenge you to help us reach our goal. Just 75 donations of $20 each will completeour challenge! All donation amounts are greatly appreciated, and each donation earns you a chance in a $50 AMEXgift card drawing.

The Meriden Arts Council (MAC) is a not for profit and all volunteer group which serves to promote artists and artsprogramming in Meriden, Wallingford and Southington. Funding from the CT Commission on Culture and Tourismcomes as part of the Local Arts Agency Program. MAC received a $7,100 Challenge Grant from the Commission, andthe December 31st deadline is quickly approaching to raise the final $1,500 in matching funds.

The Challenge Grant requires a dollar for dollar "match" to the state's contribution. The entire grant MUST bematched by December 31st or funds are lost. So every dollar received generates two dollars to support MAC programs.These resources help annual Arts Education Awards, Arts Calendars, Artist Directory and website maintenance.

Artists and Arts Organizations can utilize MAC services provided by this grant through:Free listing in our online Artist Directory Free listing of arts events on our interactive online and print calendar

Networking assistance for events and programming Application for our 2011 Education AwardsApplication for our 2011 Artist of the Year Awards

We are counting on your support! To contribute visit www.meridenartscouncil.org or mail The Meriden Arts Councilat P.O. Box 2334, Meriden, CT 06450. Remember our deadline is December 31st, 2010, and each donation of $20earns you a chance to win a $50 AMEX gift card. To learn more about the MAC matching grant or MAC services,please email us at [email protected] or call 203-213-7366.

WALLINGFORD EDUCATION FOUNDATION TO HOST ADULT TEAMSPELLING BEEThe Wallingford Education Foundation has announced it will host an Adult Spelling Bee "Team Challenge" to be held

on Friday, February 4th, 2011 at the Sheehan High School auditorium. The bee is the first of its kind to be run by theFoundation. Teams of 3 persons (with 1 alternate) will compete on the stage against as many as 7 other teams at atime. The word to be spelled will be read out loud, the description given, used in a sentence, then read one more time.Teams will then have 30 seconds to confer amongst themselves and write the word on a whiteboard. Words spelledincorrectly eliminates a team. The team that wins the round (refered to as a swarm) will advance to the championshipswarm and be eligible for cash prizes and trophies. Anyone 16 years of age and older may compete. In addition, audi-ence members including children will have an opportunity to compete in an audience bee.

The adult bee will have a party atmosphere according to Foundation President David Baker. Co-workers, neighbors,friends, and family members are encouraged to form teams to compete for the coveted "Best of Hive" trophy. Teams areencouraged to wear costumes and to plan a fun evening of friendly competition. Baker is hopeful that area banks, autodealers, restaurants, school groups, professional and civic groups, neighborhood associations and the like will partici-pate.

Wallingford Education Foundation Director Hank Baum, who is a Vice President of Guilford Savings Bank and aWallingford resident, suggested the idea after learning about the success the Guilford Education Foundation experi-

enced with a similar project in theircommunity. Proceeds from the eventwill be dedicated to the MahanPlanetarium and Learning DomeRestoration project. The Foundation ishoping to raise $300,000 to purchase anew Hi-Definition Digital Projectionsystem to replace the existing 40-yearold mechanical projector located in theplanetarium at Sheehan High School.The restoration project includes cur-riculum software for grades K-12, pre-recorded presentations, a surroundsound system with capabilities for thehearing impaired, a SMART Boardsystem and an interactive studentresponse system.

"We have a unique facility thatmany residents are unaware of in theMahan Planetarium. The exciting partabout this project is that the new digi-tal system does not just offer astrono-my curriculum programs. The systemcan be used in many different curricu-lum areas including mathematics, his-tory, music and art, graphic design,geography, envoronmental studies andmore". "Students of all ages, includingthe general public will be absolutelythrilled with the new technology", saidBaker.

The Foundation hopes to "sell out"the team registrations and encouragesthose interested in forming or sponsor-ing a team to act quickly. Registrationswill be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for registra-tion is January 15, 2011. Rules andregistration forms are available on-lineat the Foundation's website walling-fordeducationfoundation.org or by call-ing the Foundation at 203-949-6532.

The submission deadline for the January 2011 issue of THE PEOPLESPRESS is January 2nd.. Email your stories, news and events to [email protected]. Email your photos and celebrations to [email protected].


SSTTOONNEE WWAALLLL BBOOUUNNDDAARRIIEESS,,LLLLCCSURVEYING & MAPPING

PPAAUULL BBUUCCKKLLEEYY RREEYYNNOOLLDDSSPROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR

** Boundary Surveys

** Historical Deed Research

** Construction Layouts

** Specialized Mapping

A Land Surveyor Dedicated To Fulfilling The Needs Of The Property Owner

203-889-8564P.O. BOX 4256 YALESVILLE, CT 06492

Good fences make goodneighbors...Surveys from

Stone Wall Boundaries, LLCmake even better ones.

Merry Christmas Alexis. Best present a mom could ever ask for. I couldnot imagine a day without you. Love Mommy, Daddy(Michael), Angela,Alicia Megan, & Patrick

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

The MaryheartCrusadersBookstore

Catholic Books * Religious ItemsGifts * Church Goods

531 West Main Street in Meriden 203-238-9735Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5 Sat 9-2

LocalMotion - Local Business! To advertise with Wallingford and MeridensCommunity NewsMagazine, The People's Press - CallAndy Reynolds at 203.235.9333 or email him at [email protected].

Experience the power of positive for the readers andwriters you will sponsor as well as the return on yourinvestment. Check out the paper in its many forms atwww.peoplespressnews.com!

Rediscovering FamilyBy Bill Mercuri"So how are you spending the holidays?" I asked a good friend."Oh, I can't wait for them to be over. What a hassle. I can't stand my brother-in-law and to drive fifty miles to mymother's house only to have to sit there and listen to her and my grandmother fight all afternoon over something thathappened twenty years ago. This one doesn't talk to that one and my cousin Tom just stirs the pot and makes it evenworse. I hate it"

"You're serious? You don't get along well with your family.""I'm serious."How sad, I thought.Some of the most interesting people I've ever met or haven't met are members of my own family; each one with his

or her own story to be told and history to be revealed. In our book of life, they're the characters.This summer, I was at a family reunion. There were aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, cousins and in-laws. One

person I met was my cousin, Doreen. Doreen is probably a second or third cousin but with the Mercuri's, a cousin's acousin. No matter what number comes before it, the relation is skin tight. Doreen lives in Florida but through the magicof the internet is able to read some of my People's Press articles on line. She actually sent some unsolicited (honest!)fan mail to the editor, asking when one of my stories would appear next. I tend to write about family. Our familyI'll bet I hadn't seen Doreen in more than 20 years, but I enjoyed talking with her. She encouraged me to continue writ-ing, at one point saying, "you should write a book!"

"I'm going to write a book? I have enough trouble meeting the People's Press deadlines once a month and I'm goingto write a book? And if I were to write a book, I'd have to write about something I'm really passionate about. Whatwould that be?"

Without hesitation Doreen said, "Your family! You're passionate about your family."She was right. I am passionate about my family. Proud of our history with a hunger to learn about who I am by

understanding those who came before me. Honored to sit and listen to good, decent people; people who won't make theheadlines but whom live interesting and fulfilling lives, leaving their marks in so many ways.

Their stories are what books are made of. Think of the adventure of a 14-year-old boy leaving his home and familyat the turn of the twentieth century, alone, boarding a ship bound for a brighter future in America. Each new immigrantneeded a sponsor to claim him before he could enter the country. When the boy arrived, his sponsor failed to meet him.The boy worked his way back to Italy on a ship. Two years later he made the journey again, this time landing for goodand starting a family of his own. Say hello to my grandfather.

Want to know about Joe Mercuri? Which one? There're five of them ranging in age from 91 to 22. Wouldn't it begreat, if not confusing, to get the five Joe's around a table with some pasta, Italian bread from Boston (Joe, you bringthe bread) and some wine and just let them talk for a few hours. There's a chapter right there.

How many more tales there must be? Enough to fill the pages of a book? Maybe, maybe not. But the fun would bein collecting the stories.

Your family has stories, too. So put aside the petty quarrels and make the holidays a reason to celebrate your familyand write your own book.

In the meantime, I'll rely on my family to provide the backdrop for the next story. Maybe you'll enjoy reading themas much as I enjoy writing them. If you don't, that's OK. I know my family will.

Lions, Tigers and TeensNo Jacket RequiredDoes your teen leave for school without a jacket when his breath is visible in the chilly morning air? News flash: Yourteen is not the only one who has lost his sense of sanity when it comes to dressing appropriately for the weather. Allyou have to do is look around on a cold, winter morning. Chances are you'll see several teens standing at bus stops,seemingly half frozen, and with no jacket. Parents with younger kids might think that the parents with teens are sleep-ing at the wheel. Did we not see that our teenagers left in this state? Most of us probably did, but we've given up onthis one. Or maybe some of us shoved a jacket in our teen's hand as he ran out the door, but it was instantaneouslystuffed in the book bag. Are you frustrated with your teen's apparent ignorance when it comes to the weather? Doeshe don shorts in late February? Some parents feel that, at this point in our children's lives, there are more importantthings to grouse about.

What's up with this? Why don't teens like to wear jackets? I've heard it all from my own teens. Responses vary: they don't fit in the

locker, the bus is hot, it's just another thing to carry, it's too bulky, it's not cool, and so on. Most of my friends haveheard the same sort of story.

Retailers have even caught on. Many of the stores that cater to teens now carry heavy sweatshirts lined with fur.They call them "sweat jackets." This label satisfies both the parent and the teen - not to mention sales at the stores!

Whose problem is it anyway?Evonee Weinhaus, LCSW, LPC, a therapist, communications coach, and co-author of Stop Struggling with Your

Teen and the award-winning, Stop Struggling with Your Child (Penguin USA), advises, "Pick your battles. Knowwhen to let go and when to take a stand." She says that you will know the difference if you ask the question: Does thisproblem directly affect me? "In this case," says Weinhaus, "the answer is a resounding no."

However, some parents can't let go of this issue. If you can't stand watching your teen go out the door sans jacket,Weinhaus says you should avoid nagging and giving in. She suggests, "Check the weather report for the day. If it isunder a certain temperature, alert your teen and say something simple like, 'I hope you wear a jacket today, but I realizeit is you who will be cold, not me.'" She also advises, "Hand your teen a jacket. What is important is to use motion,not emotion. Don't talk, just act." Weinhaus explains that you should take control, but not control of your teen -instead you take control over the problem.Let it Go Let her be cold. If she freezes once or twice, maybe she'll bring it the next time. Her doctor will tell you that beingcold doesn't cause a winter virus. If we're truthful with ourselves, there has been a time or two when we've opted outof the jacket thing as well. I know I've gone without one on formal occasions when I just didn't have the coat thatworked with the fancy dress. So, don't bother getting cranky. We'll all have sweaters on when it's 90 degrees outsidein forty years or so anyway!TIPS AND TALES"Let them freeze. They can't get sick from just being cold. By the time they hit the teen years... some battles just aren'tworth fighting. Save your energy for the big ones!" - Laurinda MacKinnon"Our mountain kids wear shorts all year long. I think their blood is thicker and their minds are on so many other

things, so the coat is the last on the list." - Phyllis Hutchinson Eynon "I let them freeze. All they do is go from the bus into school; so they really don't need one…and their lockers are sosmall." - Eileen Sarter "My fourteen-year-old wears shorts all winter. I have to chase him out of the door with a sweatshirt! Makes mecrazy!" - Paula Auringer

Want to share your ideas? Upcoming topic: Teens and Self Esteem: How do you help your teen with her "selfimage?"

Please send your full name, address, and brief comments to:[email protected] Or visit:http://home.roadrun-ner.com/~haskellfamily/myrna/

Myrna Beth Haskell is a feature writer and columnist specializing in parenting issues and children's development.She is the mother of two teenagers.

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away

like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.The good you do for others is good you do yourself...

~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976


How do YOU become a part of the

LocalMotion?How do I share my stories, news and events?

It’s easy to share! All you have to do is send an email [email protected] with a word document attached or in the body or youremail. Be sure to include your name. You can also go to www.peoplespressnews.com andpress the submit button. If you don’t have email - mail your submission to: ThePeople’s Press, PO Box 4459, Yalesville CT 06492. REMEMBER - It’s FREE to share.

How do I share my CELEBRATIONS of photos/messages?Email [email protected]. Make sure your photo is large byemail - we will reduce the size for the paper. By sending it as large as possible the quality will be much higher. If you don’t have email, look for the CELEBRATIONSphoto form in this issue. Don’t crop your photo - we will do it for you. REMEMBER nomatter what the reason all CELEBRATIONS photo wishes are FREE.

How do I get the paper?It’s EVERYWHERE. If you want us to tell you a location close to your home - call 203-235-9333. It’s also always on-line at www.peoplespressnews.com. You can read it justlike the print issue in image form AND also download it as a pdf to save on your com-puter or print out the articles that interest you. As a matter of fact - you can read everypaper we’ve published from 2000 till today! There has never been any charge to readthe paper on-line or pick up the print edition!

When do I know when it’s on-line?Become an on-line subscriber. Go to our website and click on the subscribe button. Notonly will you find out when the paper is on-line but you will also get deadline reminders,special offers, upcoming events and more! You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitterand MySpace!

When is the deadline for submissions?The deadline for each issue is normally the 28th of the prior month.

Questions?Just call 203-235-9333 or email [email protected]. We are here to help you!

www.peoplespressnews.com 203-235-9333

Happy Holidays! Love, Rachel

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Jenny is all set for the holidays!

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

How to "pop the question" at Christmas, or, "Being scared silent"I was qualifying as an engineer on freight trains operating between Chicago and La Crosse, Wisconsin in late 2000. On

the day before Christmas Eve we departed LaCrosse in late afternoon with an intermodal train for Cicero Yard inChicago. We had two new locomotives; the weather was clear but cold. I was with my engineer/mentor and an "oldhead"(high seniority) conductor. The crew we relieved told us that the train was in good order and the locomotiveswere operating as intended. With that information and our paperwork we looked forward to a quick, uneventful trip. Isettled into the engineer's seat,checked my gauges and paperwork again, called the dispatcher to verify that we wereready to leave and off we went.

Let me tell you, it's a wonderful feeling to see those signals all green ahead of you! We took a couple of sidings to letsome westbound trains pass, but that didn't detract from the easy trip our crew was having. One of the sidings we tookwas about 1 1/2 hours travel time from Cicero. I took that opportunity to call my wife on my cell-phone. She woulddrive to the roundhouse at Cicero and meet me there after we brought the motive power to the service tracks. This wasour normal routine. That way both cars could be left at home and she really didn't mind coming to get me,or ask one ofour daughters to get me. This day she mentioned to me that A...... wanted to speak to me when I came home. A...... wasour youngest daughter's steady boyfriend and we knew they were planning to marry so I had guessed that A......wantedto speak with me about that. Well...little did I know that all that "high green" would come to naught! We got ourtrain into Cicero OK. I was guessing that my wife was already in the parking lot(she was)or very near it. We cut thepower off the train at the EAST end(my emphasis) of the yard and ran thru an empty track to the WEST end of theyard where I would wait for a signal indication to enter a stub track, throw a switch leading to the roundhouse, reversedirection and pull into a service track. Easy enough, BUT the yardmaster told us that we would have to wait a whilebecause a certain train was going to make a move. I said OK, but then looked at my colleagues and wondered out loudwhy that train would affect operations at our end of the yard. Well a few minutes turned into a 1/2 hour, I radioed theyardmaster that we were still waiting, she told me we needed to wait for --------train. Again we were in a quandary as towhy that train affected us. What we had to do would have required less than a minute to accomplish, although it didaffect signals on the main line, but that train didn't operate from our end anyway. Well an hour turned into two hoursand a couple more radio transmissions. By now it was in the wee hours, my mentor had a drive of about 1 1/2 hoursahead of him to get to his home. His front door was across the road from our main line and when we would pass hishome during normal hours, we would give his wife a toot or two! Our conductor was going to deadhead back to hishome in Wisconsin. Train operations are normally reduced over major holidays so they sent B.. home since operationswere winding down. Our little band was fit to be tied and we were pretty upset by this time. After 2 1/2 hours it finallydawned on the yardmaster that the train she was holding us for operated to/from the EAST end of the yard. NOBODYsaid anything to her; they were all enjoying her making a fool of herself, of course, at our expense. I was livid withrage when she gave us the signal. B..., the conductor was already on the steps of the locomotive when we started mov-ing, he threw the switch in record time, hopped back on the lead loco, gave me a highball and off we went to the fuelrack(at a slightly higher speed than rules called for-don't tell anybody). I was cussing all the way!

Before I even had the locomotives stopped in the fuel track, my mentor was outside applying a hand brake as wasrequired. All three of us were cussing out the yardmaster, the railroad, the hour, the weather and anything else thatcrossed our minds. The air was BLUE! We quick-marched to the register room, tied up the job, shook each othershands,while wishing each other a Merry Christmas. I was STILL filling the air with invective as I half ran to my wait-ing family in the parking lot. My wife told me that she could actually see how upset we all were while getting off thelocomotives and they (wife, daughter and S.I.L. to be)could hear me swearing all the way to the car. Well...A...... neverspoke a word to me that night other than a "Hello" and "Good Night". He was too frightened to speak to me, as was mydaughter.

By the morning, I had calmed down, it was Christmas Eve day and we all felt good. A...... did propose marriage toour youngest that morning, on his knee at that! I later learned that I threw a good scare into A..... He had never seen

me upset before. Unfortunately my wife had,and she knew that the best way tohandle it was to let me sputter and spark until I calmed down.

In spite of the poor start, it did turn out to be a memorable Christmas.C.J.Tomlin Chicago, IL

The XL CenterThe XL Center is an entertainment venue located in Hartford, Connecticut.Previously named the Hartford Civic Center, the XL Center is owned by thecity of Hartford and under the operating management of AnschutzEntertainment Group (AEG). The XL Center is center sports and entertain-ment for Hartford and the state of Connecticut.

To find more information about upcoming XL Center events, please visitwww.xlcenter.com or call at 860-249-6333.XL Center Upcoming Events:Disney On Ice: Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey January 5th-9th - Makeimagination your destination! Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on ajourney into the magical worlds of Disney's The Little Mermaid, The LionKing, Peter Pan, and Lilo & Stitch. From Ariel's enchanting undersea kingdomto Never Land with Peter Pan and his sassy fairy friend Tinker Bell, you'll becaptivated by the music, beauty, and laughter in a journey so magical, you'llnever want to leave!

The magic begins at just $15.00! Get your tickets today at the XL CenterBox Office, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Forgroups of 15+ please contact our Group Sales at 860-548-2000!Home Show: January 14th-16th - Whether you are a new homeowner, orsomeone who has lived in your house for years, anyone with an interest toupdate, enhance, and create a new look or amenity for their home will enjoythe Home Show.

For more information Call toll-free 888-560-EXPO(3976) or visit our web-site at www.acshomeshow.comCT Whale: - Come watch the CT Whale hockey team in their inaugural sea-son of AHL play! Tickets for all Whale games start at $7 at the XL CenterTicket Office on the Day of the Game. Upcoming games in Dec/January:On Wednesday December 29th, the Connecticut Whale will host the PortlandPirates at 7PM. On Saturday January 1st, the Connecticut Whale will host the ProvidenceBruins at 5PM.On Sunday January 2nd, the Connecticut Whale will host the ManchesterMonarchs at 3PM.On Saturday January 15th, the Connecticut Whale will host the ProvidenceBruins at 7PM.UCONN MEN: Check out the University of Connecticut Men's Basketballteam in action this December and Janary at the XL Center! Tickets are $30 andcan be purchased at the XL Center Ticket Office.On Monday December 20th, UCONN will host Coppin St. at 7PMOn Wednesday December 22nd, UCONN will host Harvard at 7PM.On Friday December 31st, UCONN will host South Florida at 6PM.On Tuesday January 11th, UCONN will host Rutgers At 7PM.UCONN WOMEN: Come watch 2-time defending National Champion,University of Connecticut Women's Basketball team this December andJanuary at the XL Center! Tickets are $22 and can be purchased at the XLCenter Ticket Office.On Saturday January 15th, UCONN will host Louisville at 12PM.


Gymnast Bells Point your toes, point your toes

Don’t you bend those knees. Tight on vault, bars, beam and floor

and don’t forget to squeeze. We’re so proud of you!

Love, Mommy, Daddy & Luc

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010My boys want to play football...It was three years ago that my boys first stepped onto the football field at Recreation Park. It was a steamy August

evening that they made their way through a sea of wandering children all searching for their teams. After a short time,we came to find what would become their new team and we met the two men who were to become their new coaches.After some introductions my boys were quickly transformed into "Dolphins". In that single evening they had become apart of a team, but little did I realize that this team would eventually become a part of them too. I had innocentlythought my boys were just trying out another new sport, that we would be engaging in a series of practices and gamesand then we would be done. I couldn't have been more wrong. Something happened over the past three years of multi-ple nights of practices and Saturday games. Somewhere between the black smudges under their eyes and the orangecoloring sprayed in their hair and somewhere between the ritualistic chanting before every game and that very firstsnap of the ball, and then finally those anxiety ridden moments of their last game. Something else had taken place, butI guess I never saw it coming. I admit that I was more focused on getting from point A to point B and getting every-thing else done in between while my boys were focused on something very different. Apparently they had their "eyeon the ball" the whole time. While I focused on completing all of the day to day tasks, friendships were being formedon the field and good sportsmanship was being learned. Skills of the game were being reinforced, self-pride was form-ing, and respect was becoming more and more evident. I give all the credit to two phenomenal coaches, Jim Ringroseand Doug Napoli. Without these two coaches I am confident the experiences my boys shared along with their teamwould not have been nearly the same. They not only coach, but they mentor and that makes the difference. Besideshaving the experience stacked up behind them, the enormous commitment of their time, and the never-ending patience,they have possess something even more important...they have heart. These two men were my boy's coaches for flagand they want to continue to coach at the tackle level for the SVMFL. Recently we discovered that this would noteven be a possibility, as they were not granted a team. I don't pretend to understand the politics behind who gets ateam and who is turned away, but I do know one thing for certain. Coach Doug and coach Jim not getting a team is adis-justice for the children who want more than anything to continue to play for them and for other children new to thegame. Below is a letter that my son recently wrote to the President of Southington Valley Midget Football League ask-ing for one more chance......just one more chance to play for two outstanding coaches. Sincerely, Dawn BrownDear Mr.Verdi,

My name is Garrett and I am 8 years old. I have met you before during the Apple Harvest Parade, but you may notremember me. I was the one dressed in an orange jersey. I marched along with my brother Camden, my other teammates, and my coaches. I was proud to be a Dolphin and I was excited to be marching with the football league. I havebeen on the Dolphins for three years now and Coach Jim and Coach Doug have been my coaches from the beginning.

I remember my first practice. I was nervous. I knew I loved football and I was excited to be a part of a team, but Ididn't know what it would be like. It was great! I loved every part of practice and I especially loved the games. Thebest part though was my team and my coaches. My coaches pushed us to try our best, to play our hardest, and havefun. We have the best coaches around. My brother and I want to play tackle next year and we want to play for coachJim and coach Doug. My mom just told me that we won't be able to because they won't have a team of their own. Iknow that sending you this e-mail isn't going to change anything, but I wanted to say something to you anyways.Coach Jim and coach Doug are my coaches. They are my only coaches and my brother's too. Right now there are 5 ofus who are moving up to tackle and every one of us want to play for coach Doug and coach Jim. I don't care if wecan't be Dolphins anymore and I don't care if I don't even have a nice uniform to wear. But I care who my coaches areand I want them. Without them it isn't the same anymore. My brother and I liked hitting the field every Saturday andplaying football.

I miss my coaches making us work hard. I want to play for them again. I know what you are probably going to say,but I wish that you would think about it and let my brother; my other teammates and me play again for coach Dougand coach Jim next year as a tackle C team. I know there are other kids too who want to sign up for tackle C and arefirst time players. We could make a great team and we could make next year a really great year working together.Thank you, Garrett Brown #77 Dolphins! (aka Shockey)


Happy 15th Birthday Alysa. Thanks for being such a GREAT kid! Love Mom, Dad and Bobby

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Happy Holidays Grandma! We all love you so much!

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Thor- is the mascot here at Hazelwood Excavating, Thor is a 150 poundEnglish Mastiff and he wishes everyone Happy Holiday's.

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Wishing all my friends, family and customers a wonderful holiday seasonand a Happy New Year!

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

Wallingford Public Library Children's DepartmentWallingford's 2011 Early Childhood Education and Information Fair - Wallingford's 2011 Early ChildhoodEducation and Information Fair will take place on Saturday, January 22nd from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in theCommunity Room of the Wallingford Public Library

Stop by for a chance to visit with representatives from Wallingford's licensed centers, preschools, and agencies abouttheir programs. This is the place for parents and families looking for childcare and early childhood education programsfor their children. Come see the wide variety of options available and gather the information you need to make impor-tant choices for your children's future. This FREE and fun event is open to all families and is co-sponsored by theWallingford Public Library and WECARE.Wallingford Community Theater Program to be held at the Wallingford Public Library - Mary Ellen Kingsland-Eckels, Director of the Wallingford Center for the Arts, and Meghan Shortell, Head of Choreography, will offer a seriesof programs at the Wallingford Public Library for aspiring young thespians ages 3-10. Children will have a chance toparticipate in literature-based skits and theater improvisation.

This is a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn about Wallingford Community Theater. To sign up for one of thefollowing programs please contact the Children's Library at 203-284-6436.Ages 3 - 5 Saturday, January 15th 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Grades K-2 Saturday, February 19th 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.Grades 3 - 5 Saturday, March 19th 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.Abracadabra! With Chick Kelman - Chick Kelman will appear at the Wallingford Public Library on Wednesday,December 29th to bring some magic to your holiday vacation. So, put aside those toys and dvds and join us for anafternoon program of magical tricks that will entertain and amaze!This drop-in program is FREE for families with kids of all ages.Fireside Stories: A Special Storytelling Series at the Wallingford Public Library - For Ages 5 and up and all whoappreciate the art of storytelling

Thanks to a generous donation from Barbara Kennedy Shortell, a longtime library supporter and former WallingfordEnglish teacher, the Wallingford Public Library is pleased to announce this year's Fireside Storytelling series.

Eshu Bumpus will present "Stories from Around the World" on Friday, January 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Children'sLibrary. Relax by the fire while you listen to nationally acclaimed master storyteller Eshu Bumpus weave magical sto-ries from around the world. His stories are mysterious, musical and always leave you wishing for more!

Wallingford WE CARE News and EventsRAISING READERS PARENT CLUBSRaising Readers Parents Clubs are being set up in Wallingford in 2011. Thanks to a grant from the Liberty BankFoundation, WE CARE is partnering with the Wallingford Public Library to offer these 8 week programs for parents,grandparents and family members who are interested in bringing this national literacy program into their homes. Theclubs are open to parents and grandparents who have children ages 2-6 and will be forming and running this winter andspring. During the 8 week program adults will learn the best way to support children's literacy through a love of sto-ries, books and activities. It's time to turn off the laptop and open your lap for this great experience. The programs arefree but registration is required. If you are interested in joining a club, please contact the Children's Library at 203-284-6436 or the WE CARE Family Resource Center at 203-284-4019.


COMMERCIAL * RESIDENTIAL * INDUSTRIAL

ELECTRICAL SERVICES* New and Existing Construction* Service Upgrade Repair* Phone and TV Wiring* Fire Damage Repairs* 45’ Bucket Truck Service* Emergency Service“No Job too Big or Too Small”

Fully Insured and Licensed CT Lic. #104727203-235-5653

Crossword Holiday Magic 2010 Answers. Puzzle by Ruth Gordon.

Rousseau’sHome Comfort Fuel

203-235-2561Quality Service...Affordable Price

Toy DonationsThe CT Children's Medical Center in Hartford will be accepting toy donationsin front of WalMart in Wallingford on the morning of Christmas Eve Day,Friday, December 24th. This is usually their biggest toy collection of theyear. The Center supports 250 families and the donations this year are downcompared to last year.

Christmas is the day that holds all time together. ~Alexander Smith

Meriden Health Department - News You Can Use!Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning- The Silent KillerWe can't see, smell, or taste it - but this invisible gas kills 500 people for year and makes thousands sick. This gas -carbon monoxide, known as a "silent killer" - can come from any source that burns fuel. Cars, fireplaces, woodstoves,kerosene space heaters, and gas appliances such as water heaters, ovens, and dryers all produce carbon monoxide.When we breathe in carbon monoxide it replaces the oxygen in our blood, and without oxygen, cells throughout thebody die and the organs stop working.

It's very important to know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to keep it from happening. Earlysymptoms of poisoning often mimic the flu and can include a dull headache (the most common early symptom), nau-sea, confusion, shortness of breath, weakness and dizziness. Although the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning can besubtle, the condition is a life-threatening medical emergency. Get immediate care for anyone who may have carbonmonoxide poisoning - better yet, call 9-1-1 and get into fresh air immediately.Simple precautions can help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Consider the following: Invest in carbon monoxide detectors. Install a carbon monoxide detector on every floor or level of your home. Installadditional detectors outside individual bedrooms. Check the batteries every time you check your smoke detector batter-ies - at least twice a year (usually done on the same day we change the clocks - "Fall Back, Spring Ahead"). If thealarm sounds, leave the house and call the fire department or local utility company from a nearby phone. Open the garage door before starting your car. Never run your car in a closed garage. If you have an attached garage,keep the garage door open and the door to the house firmly closed while the car is running. Remove snow or otherdebris from the tailpipe before using the car.

Use gas appliances as recommended. Never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. Use portable gas camp stovesonly outdoors. Don't run a generator in an enclosed space, such as the basement or garage.

Keep your gas appliances and fireplace in good repair. Make sure your gas appliances are properly vented. Clean yourfireplace chimney and flue every year. Ask your utility company about yearly checkups for all gas appliances, includ-ing your furnace.

Remember, if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning leave your home right away and call 9-1-1!New Flu Vaccine Requirements for Children Attending DaycareThe Connecticut Department of Public Health is now requiring that by January 1, 2011, and each January thereafter,children between 6 months and 5 years of age attending a child day care center, group day care home, or family daycare home are required to be vaccinated against seasonal flu. Children will need to receive the vaccine by January 1,2011 in order to stay enrolled in their daycare.

Vaccination is the best protection against getting sick with the flu. Children are at high risk of getting the flu duringflu season and serve as a major source of transmission within communities.

If you are unable to obtain the flu vaccine for your child please contact the Meriden Health Department. TheDepartment provides the flu vaccine free of charge to all Meriden children. The Department also offers flu vaccine foradults; the cost is $25.00 and Medicare Part B is accepted. Call the Clinic office at 203-630-4234 to make yourappointment or if you have any questions.Seasonal Flu VaccinesThe Meriden Health Department is now offering seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine to Meriden residents. This year's vac-cine includes protection from the H1N1 flu virus. Getting the flu vaccine is the best protection against getting sickfrom influenza. Yearly flu vaccination is recommended for anyone over the age of 6 months. Any persons allergic to eggs or any partof the flu vaccine are not eligible for the vaccination.

The cost of the vaccine is $25.00. Medicare Part B will be accepted. The vaccine is given at the Health Department,165 Miller Street, Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 4:00pm. No appointment is necessary. Call (203) 630-4234 with anyquestions. Meriden Garden Club - Speaker SeriesDon't let the cold weather get you down - it is never too early to start thinking about spring gardening and flowers! TheMeriden Garden Club will be hosting 3 presentations to get you ready for the spring:

Winter Sowing - January 20, 2011, 6:30pm. Learn about winter sowing, an economical and fun seed-sowing tech-nique that doesn't take up a lot of space in the house. Presented by Kelly Fuerstenberg.

Residential Landscape Design: The Creative Process - February 17, 2011, 6:30pm. Learn about what plants willwork best in your yard and how you can maximize space. Presented by Meriden Garden Club member George Trecina.

Roses 101 - March 24, 2011, 6:30pm. Have you ever wanted to plant roses, but don't know where to start? Thisworkshop can help! Presented by Meriden Garden Club member Becky Martorelli.

All presentations are held at the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center, 175 East Main Street, Meriden. Presentations arefree and open to the public; please RSVP by calling the Cultural Center at 203-639-2856. The Meriden Garden Clubalways welcomes any resident interested in gardening and beautification projects to join!

Home CountrySlim Randles

I guess the stranger was more obvious to us than if he'd been in a bigger town, because we just don't get too manyunless the fishing's good in summer. A stranger tends to stick out, and when this guy quietly showed up at the MuleBarn truck stop drinking coffee, we looked for a minute or two.

Dud got up to go see what he was driving, but in the parking lot, only the familiar colors, dings, dents and scratcheswere to be seen, each car and truck resting in its customary place. So did he walk here? Take the bus?

Doc walked over to him and invited him to bring his cup over to the round table, where all of us Knights ofUnlimited Knowledge were holding forth, but he just smiled and shook his head.

"Maybe he isn't able to talk," Dud said. We looked at him again, and tried to get on another theme … Christmas presents for wives and grandkids, with the

Big Day being so close. But it didn't take. We just kept looking at him, then looking away when he looked up at us.Loretta didn't know who he was, either.

"Loretta," said Bert, "I want you to give him whatever he wants for breakfast. On me."She spoke to him and he smiled and pointed to something on the menu and nodded at Bert.Steve was next to get up. He walked up to the stranger and tipped his hat."Hey, pard," Steve said, "you know, if you need a place to bunk tonight, we have a bunkhouse on the place with a

good stove in it."The stranger smiled and looked questioningly at Steve. "Just down the road there, see that ranch on the left? Just

come over when you're ready. You can have some supper with us if you like, too."Steve came back. "I think he's going to stay in the bunkhouse tonight.""Oh, good," Doc told him. "Cold tonight.""Well," Bert added, "we'll probably find out he's the chairman of the board of something and then feel kinda silly.""I don't think so," Loretta said, topping off the mugs, "but he seems, well, special, I guess.""Or maybe," Doc said, "we want him to seem special.""And it probably don't matter much which," Steve said. "It's Christmas."

Sponsored by: www.pearsonranch.com. Farm direct, delicious, California navel & Valencia oranges.

Wishing You the Happiest of HolidaysTo our donors: It is your continued support and generosity that has enabled us to award millions of dollars in grants to nonprofits serv-ing this community year after year.To our nonprofit partners:

We are truly grateful for the work that you do every day to improve the quality of life for residents in our twenty-townregion.We look forward to working with each of you in 2011 to create a brighter future for our community and offer our sin-

cerest wishes for hope, happiness and peace this Holiday season and a prosperous 2011 to you and yours.The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven

This edition of “The People’s Press, Your Town, Your News, YourViews” serves the needs of the communities of Wallingford and Meriden,Connecticut. For safety reasons we do not publish the last name ofartists/writers under the age of 15. 5% of all annual net proceeds aredonated in kind or in financial donation to local charities and organiza-tions.This newspaper is not affiliated with any other newspaper.

Publisher: Andrew [email protected]

Managing Editor Andrew [email protected]

Copy Editor Andrew [email protected]

Advertising Andrew Reynolds [email protected]

Web Site Web Solutions, LLCWriters YOU WRITE IT....WE PRINT IT!!!

“The People’s Press, Your Town, Your News, Your Views”publications are published by:

DNA, LLCP.O. Box 4459, Yalesville CT 06492

[email protected]

Phone (203) 235-9333The People's Press,Your Town, Your News, Your Views and all versions

or portions of said name are ©Copyright DNA,LLC. 1999-2011 All Text,Logos, Images and other content in print, web or in any way or form are©Copyright DNA, LLC 1999-2011 All Rights Reserved

The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher andDNA, LLC. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisements orsubmissions. All items contained herein, including advertisements or portionsthereof, may not be reproduced in any way, shape or form without the writtenconsent of the publisher. All submissions whether by mail, fax, email or anyother means become the property of The People’s Press and DNA, LLC andmay be used in any media it so chooses. By submitting to this paper you agreeto these terms and release The People’s Press and DNA, LLC from any finan-cial obligations or notifications for any future use of any of said submissions.

The People’s Press will make every effort to see that all advertising copy iscorrectly printed. The publisher assumes no responsibility for typographicalerrors in advertising, advertising inadvertently left out; but will gladly reprint,without charge, that part of an advertisement is which any error may haveoccurred, provided that a claim is made within five days of publication. Thepublisher takes no responsibility for statements or claims made in any adver-tisement. Any copy or images designed or developed by The People’s Press are©Copyright DNA,LLC and may not be used in any other medium. All RightsReserved By advertising within The People’s Press, you agree to these terms.


Celebrating 4 Generations!

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

The Benigni Family wishes you and your familya safe and happy holiday season.

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010South Meriden Vol Fire Department The Village Community Emergency Service Life Line Serving Since 1908On December 1, 2010 the department held its annual elections the picture below shows the Operation Line Officers for 2011.

Back row Mike Benson 2nd Lieutenant Front row William Barry Rescue Captain, David Siegel Assistant Chief, KeithGordon Chief of Operations, Gary Manson House Captain and Rebecca Wilson 1st Lieutenant

Now its time for a couple of safety tips for our neighbors. We hope you all have working smoke detectors in yourhome. Working Smoke detectors save lives. Please make sure that you changed your batteries in the detectors. If youhave not changed your batteries Yet please do so!

Also if you do not have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in your home please purchase them. CO is a colorless,odorless, highly poisonous gas that is produced by inefficient burning and incomplete combustion of fuel products inheating appliances, furnace, hot water heaters, and stoves. If you do not have efficient burning appliances in the home,over a period of time CO could be building up in the home which if unchecked could lead to medical conditions andeven Death. Having your furnace cleaned and serviced each year will help keep the units running more efficiently. COis the silent killer, please protect your family and yourself and purchase CO detectors for your home. CO is also pro-duced by normal operation of your vehicles and comes out of the vehicles exhaust systems. Running your vehicle inthe garage could cause CO to seep directly into the home. With winter right around the corner we are asking for your assistance with a little maintenance item. If you have a firehydrant near the front of your property we need your help. When it snows it would be helpful; if you could clear thesnow and ice away from the hydrant. In a fire emergency it is very important that we can hook our hoses to the hydrantas quickly as possible in case we need additional water to extinguish a fire.

During and after snow storms we do try to get out and clear hydrants, but we do not always have time to get to themall. It would be very beneficial for all of our neighbor to have clean and clear fire hydrants. If you can help us out withthis maintenance item we would appreciate your assistance.

Another health tip. If you are under a doctor's care and take certain medications keep a list of these medicationshandy just in case you have the need to call 911 for during a medical emergency. Also with this list you might want togive a little history of any medical conditions that you also might have. These are important things for emergencyresponders to have just in case you are unable to respond to our questions when we arrive at your home. A good placeto keep this information is in an envelope on you refrigerator and note that it is Medical Info. Public Service AnnouncementWe are still looking for some eager, hard working and committed volunteer recruits to join our department. SouthMeriden Vol. Fire Dept now is accepting applications. We are recruiting citizens from Meriden over the age of 18 whoare High School Graduates in good physical health and have a Clean Police Record. No fire fighting experience isnecessary; we will train you and send you for training.

We also do recruitment for certified firefighters that live outside of Meriden as long as they can meet our bylawrequirements to do minimum one duty overnight crew a week plus meet our drill, meeting and squad duty require-ments.

While volunteering with our department you will gain the experience, knowledge and certification which will helpyour career search in the emergency service field or just enhance your present career. Our members that have servedover two years with us and are in good standing with our department can receive enhancement points that could helpthem in the hiring process if they choice to apply and test for a City of Meriden Fire Fighters position.

Information about our application process: We administer a written entrance exam in order to determine if appli-cants will be able to take and pass the required State of CT Fire Fighter I course and CT Emergency MedicalTechnician or Medical Response Technician courses which are also mandatory over the first 18 months of membership.We also administer an agility test that helps us determine if the applicants can perform the physical duties of a firefighter. We also administer an oral interview and perform police and other background checks to ensure that the char-acter and integrity of our prospective members meets our highest standards. South Meriden Vol. Fire is also a drugfree environment and we test for drug use.

May your best day in 2010 be your worse day in 2011Good-bye for now, talk to you soon. Keep Safe and Stay Healthy. Happy Holidays and Happy New YearKeith Gordon, Chief of Operations


12/31/10 12/31/10

Complete Residential andCommercial Services!SCREENED TOP SOIL

*Prompt Delivery* Farm Quality* Stone Free

SEPTIC SERVICE* Septic Tank Cleaning* Installation & Repair* Sewer Connections

MULCH* Natural* Color Enhanced

Proudly Serving theLocal Community

Since 1949

324 High Hill RoadWallingford

203.269.0135

Merry Christmas!May God Bless You and Keep You Warm

The Hazelwood's

HOLIDAY MAGIC 2010

CCoonnnneeccttiiccuutt CCeenntteerr FFoorr LLaasseerr PPeerriiooddoonnttaall TThheerraappyySave NOW!

Dental ImplantsOnly $1200*

Regular price $1,800YOU SAVE $600

Dr. Randy Greenberg DMD, MAGD

150 South Turnpike Roadin Wallingford(203) 265-6789

www.extremedental.com*Includes the surgical component only. Does notinclude the prosthetic component or any graftingprocedures. Expires February 1, 2011

Festive Drinks and Appetizers for EveryoneCourtesy of the Meriden and Wallingford Substance Abuse CouncilWith the holidays quickly approaching, it's time to entertain. Are you looking for a special drink or appetizer thateveryone can enjoy? The Meriden and Wallingford Substance Abuse Council has their annual MOCKTAILS & MOREbooklet ready with recipes to add to your holiday parties. All of the drink recipes are alcohol free and have been con-tributed by local friends and colleagues of the Council.

For a free copy of the booklet you can call 203-294-3591 or email [email protected]. The recipes are on theMAWSAC website at www.mawsac.org. The Council reminds our friends that if you drink this holiday season, drinkresponsibly and make this a healthy and safe time for everyone.Look for some great recipes provide by The Meridenand Wallingford Substance Abuse Council online at www.peoplespressnews.com

I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day. We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindlinessand humanity of the whole year. As for me, I like to take my Christmas a little at a time, all through the year.And thus I drift along into the holidays - let them overtake me unexpectedly - waking up some find morningand suddenly saying to myself: "Why, this is Christmas Day!" ~David Grayson


MM EE RR II DD EE NN FF EE EE DDFARM • GARDEN • PET SUPPLIES

846 Old Colony Rd., Meriden 203-237-4414

$43.99Taste of the Wild 30lb - Any Flavor

$45.99BLUE Chicken & Rice

Adult 30lb

$17.99Black Oil Sunflower Seed

50lb Bag

$35.99Canidae ALS 35lb

WITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CAN-NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER.SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/10






$36.99Innova Adult 30lb

$35.99California NaturalLamb & Rice 30lb

$42.00Frontline Plus

Any 3 Month SupplyWITH COUPON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CAN-

NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER.SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 12/31/10






$19.99Ultimate Berry Flavored

Birdseed Mix 40lb

$5 OFFANY DOG BED

PURCHASE OF $20 OR MORE

Buy One...Get One

5500%% OOFFFFDOG & CAT TOYS

$$55 OOFFFFANY BIRD FEEDER

PURCHASE OF $20 ORMORE

$$1111..9999HEATH SUET CAKES

CASE OF 12EA(D4,15,14&18)

Visit our website at rosasdeli.com

Rosa’s Italian Deli,Rosa’s Italian Deli, LLCLLCimported and domestic foods

party platters • hot and cold subs to go

Open Monday-Saturday 830-6 closed Sunday•Tel: 265-1487 • 57 North Colony Street,

Wallingford, CT 06492 •

H o l i d a y C a t e r i n gf r o m R o s a ’ s D e l i !

Many choices of Pasta dishes,Meatballs, Sausage & Peppers,Chicken, Party Subs, Cold cut platters and so much more. Visit ourwebsite for even more selections.

[email protected]

Why Right At Home?Our professional, experienced Photographers cometo your home where you feel most comfortable andwe are able to capture those candid moments andportraits that are matched by no other.

We believe in Right At Home because that’s wherethe heart is and it shows in the photos we take. Webring all of the equipment and set-up in the placethat matters to you!

Right At HomePortraits & Photography

the people's press mid-december 2010 issue

Documents

christmas tree

viewthe tree

real tree

best present i

particular trees life

issueholiday magic

momholiday magic

theyalso love