Taste of Wolcott a Success

Looking for a nice place to bring a date without spending a hundred bucks? Well, time is running out to get acquainted with some very nice restaurants not far from your home in Wolcott. You won’t have to drive far, hastle with parallel paking or watch a meter to enjoy a scrumptuous meal near your home. And with a slumping economy, can you resist a $20.09 for a three course meal?

During the month of June, seven Wolcott restaurants banded together to offer the Taste of Wolcott. By all accounts, it was a success. “We’ve seen alot of new customers. Alot of people from out of town and even from in town. Its been a great turn out,” says Bin 300 owner Nancy Sarlo.

Each of the businesses split advertising costs and each restaurant has a different ambiance. From italian and greek based J &M Restaurant and Portofino’s, to distinctly American La Fortuna and Mona Lisa, there’s something for everyone. The River restaurant has only been open a few months but also participated. The East St. Eatery sits on a beautiful view from Farmingbury Hills Country Club.

If you haven’t sampled the cuisine, there’s still one last chance. Today is the last day of the special offers. But these businesses aren’t going anywhere. Be sure to stop in!

Did you have a meal at any of the Taste of Wolcott businesses? How was your meal experience? Share it below!!

Open Forum

Wolcott High and Tyrrell Middle School both held graduations on Friday. WHS graduated 228 seniors. Superintendant Tom Smyth is also moving on, retiring after 10 years in Wolcott.

The Taste of Wolcott 2009 continues until June 30th. Take advantage of special $20.09 dinners until Tuesday! These specials are only Sunday- Thursdays. Only a few days left!

The following restaurants are participating:

Bin 300, 300 Wolcott Rd. 879-5858
La Fortuna, 388 Wolcott Rd. 879-5128
East St. Eatery 141 East St. 879-8823
Mona Lisa, 10 Wakelee Rd. 879-7300
The River, 524 Wolcott Rd. 879-2755
J &M Restaurant, 1512 Wolcott Rd. 879-2568
Portofino’s, 1585 Meriden Rd., 879-5766

Councilman and publisher of this blog, Chris O’Brien has been accused of libel, according to a letter sent to him by the Board of Education’s attorney. The accusations stem from a May 19th posting on his Facebook page which included quotes by Board of Education members to support their position not to ask educational unions for a pay freeze. Other town bargaining units agreed to such freezes. The Waterbury Republican – American;s Drew Larson and Channel 3’s Jill Konopka covered this story.

What else is going on in Town? Click above to leave a comment or submit other news.

Father’s Day

A Father’s Day Prayer
Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice. Let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become a good father.

Let us praise those fathers who by their own account were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support. Let us pray for those fathers who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children.

Let us praise those fathers who, despite divorce, have remained in their children’s lives. Let us praise those fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support has offered healing.

Let us praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their step children’s love and respect. Let us praise those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their heart.

Let us praise those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own.

Let us praise those men who have “fathered” us in their role as mentors and guides.

Let us praise those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children.

And let us praise those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.
Kirk Loadman

from : http://www.fathersdaycelebration.com/fathers-day-prayer.html

Graduations Today!

Tyrrell Middle School and Wolcott High School will hold graduation Ceremonies today.

Tyrrell’s will be at 4 pm and the High School at 7 pm

Congratulations Graduates!

(anyone attending is welcome to submit a summary of the events!)

Feet for Heat Walk-A-Thon This Saturday

Knowing whether or not you’ll be able to heat your home this winter can be worrisome. The Junior Women’s Club, the Lions Club, Exchange Club, Farmingbury Women’s Club, Chamber of Commerce, Circle of Sports, Boy Scouts, and the Wolcott Volunteer Fire Department hope to aleve those fears by sponsoring a walk a thon this Saturday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. All proceeds will supplement the town’s energy assistance program.

The event will take place rain or shine and will feature food, music, snacks, and other entertainment.

All checks should be made out to the Junior Women’s Club of Wolcott. Call the mayor’s office for more information. (203) 879-8100.

T-bone at Peterson Park

Sunday evening the Parks & Recreation Dept. will kick off their summer music series with T-bone. Described as America’s Pied Piper, this engaging and hands-on entertainment style, Tom Stankus engages his audiences with laughs and fun. He is full of energy. Formerly a music teacher, Stankus is from Bristol.

This event is free and will be at 6:00 pm at Peterson Park. Bring the family for a nice summer evening!

Rabies and Animal Licensing Clinic on Saturday

Does your cat or dog need a vaccination?

Saturday June 13th you can bring your dog or cat to the Public Works Dept. on Todd Rd. between 1:00 and 3:00 and Dr. Miller will be able to take care of your animal in literally one shot. Vaccines are $10.

Town Clerk Debbie Slater will also be on hand to register animals. Be sure that dogs are on a leash and cats are in a proper carrying case.

25 WHS Seniors Honored

Graduating near the top of your class doesn’t only require books. Swinging a tennis racket can also help.

Surrounded by the wealth of knowledge in the book stacks of the High School Resource Center, the Board of Education recognized the top 25 students of the Class of 2009 in academics Tuesday evening. About 80 parents, teachers and Board members packed the room to watch a pre- graduation recognition ceremony. All parents in the room beamed with the anticipation of their child’s name to be called. After 13 years of schooling, it has come to a bridge in life for each of them. To get here, each student clearly devoted hours and hours to their studies instead of other pursuits. It was clear that they didn’t totally ignore them though. “She’d just absorb books – we’d sometimes have to take them away from her,” said Mike Ackerman of his daughter Danica. Ariel Bruni grew up next door to Danica and they were best friends, clearly driving each other through school. “They both retained so much,” noted her father, Bob Bruni.

Classmate Sergio Goncalves noted that many of his peers have supported each other through the years. He enjoyed the national honor society’s community sevice projects and the role it played during high school. His father appeared very proud of his son’s accomplishments. Sergio says that he will be attending UConn next year, possibly majoring in history.

Its not only books that led to a formula of academic success. From community service projects by the National Honor society, class officers and student council, most of the students honored found time to play sports. Some played basketball and softball. Quite a few played tennis and excelled in other sports. Clearly this wasn’t just a group of geeks. All of them plan on attending college next year, including one going to pharmacy school and another to an art college. Others are attending in-state colleges where they no doubt will continue to excell in applying their knowledge to practical interests.

Brian Stankus earned a National Merit Scholarship, which necessitates exceptionally high scores on the SATs. He has been very active in theatre. He helpd his band win a battle of the bands competition and has been playing guitar since middle school.

As High School Principal Robert Eberle read some of the accomplishments of each nominee, it became clear that these young men and women will become strong leaders in the very near future. “I’m very proud of them and thei high level of achievement. They are well rounded” noted Eberle.

Writers Wanted!

This newspaper- blog was started to cut down on rumors that often fly around town without verification or fact checking. It also is intended to bring you news that you might not have known existed. The best way for you to know what your neighbor is doing or your town government is doing with your money is to give you more information. But Chris O’Brien can’t do it alone (He works and can’t be everywhere, though he’s working on a cloning machine as we speak! He just wouldn’t be the best reporter to write about this briliant invention!). If you have a curious mind, or a particularly knowledgeable point of view, why not write a couple of articles every now and then to share? There is no firm commitment except that you can convey opinions and facts affectively. No experience required.

In particular we need:

one or two general reporters – They can cover town government meetings, education, sports, businesses, profile interesting people, and other news of any interest. One article a week depending upon events would be nice.

one reporter or commentator with a Democratic Party point of view. This would be to balance off with my Republican leaning views. Occaissional

Youth reporter – Preferably a student at high school student, recent graduate, or college student that can report on issues affecting or interesting to youth. These can include local music, sports, activities or commentary on pop culture.

Contributors – This can be anyone who attends a particular event and can write about the proceedings that take place. For example, these can include retirement parties for teachers, receptions, awards ceremonies. Fundraisers can also be covered.

Until then, this blog will be updated a few times a week and as often as possible. All positions are unpaid for now and any contributions would be appreciated.

What do You Listen To In The Morning?

You can vote for more than one column! Click all that apply. (and yes – admit it – Some of you talk or sing in your car!)

Walking Whispers…

Below are what you’re neighbors are saying about this past week’s events. Click on “Leave a comment” above to add your own! above!

“I think they should all be closed personally.”
–– Jennifer St. Arnauld on the closing of Tyrrell School after more than 200 students called out sick due to flu concerns

“I’ve just been washing my hands- nothing special”
– Rob Keith on any precautions he takes in case of the flu.

“I think its a good decision”
– Debbie Michaud, on Tyrell ‘s closing, adding her 10 month old granddaughter has a fever. “But that’s probably because she’s teething.”

“I think its great”
– Al Charrette on passage of the Town Budget

“I tell her to wash her hands all the time – though I don’t know if she actually does it!”
Kristy Chieppo on teaching good hygeine her pre-school aged daughter.

“They seem to have everything together”
anonymous man on school officials’ decision to close Tyrrell.

“She’s feeling better now”
– Matt Angelone on a friend who got sick on the 8th grade trip to Washington

“I think its a good idea, and its not affecting the other schools, so why close those down?”
– Lori Polletta on Tyrrell’s suspension of classes for 2 days.

Weekend Events June 5-7

Taste of Wolcott
Various restaurants around town offer special dinners for $20.09. Note the “Taste of Wolcott” signs around town.

Albanian Festival
35 Raymond St., Waterbury (off of Baldwin St.)

Friday 8 pm – 10 pm
Saturday 8 – 10 pm
Sunday 6 – 6 pm

Authentic Albanian food, dancing and festivities

Animal Rescue Foundation Tag Sale
Animal Rescue Shelter, 366 Main St., Terryville

Saturday and Sunday

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Have an event? Does your restaurant or bar have live music? Having a tag sale? Fundraiser?
Let me know – e-mail: cobrien7 (at) hotmail.com. Listings will be on Thursday or Friday mornings. Events within the Town of Wolcott will be listed first.

Weekly Roundup

Wolcott Police Chief Paul Scirpo announced he will retire sometime this year. Channel 3’s Robert Goulston interviews Scirpo here.

The Town Council passed a town budget. There will not be any tax increase, although there is a decrease in the budget from the current fiscal year. The mill rate is 22.69. Tax bills will be mailed within two weeks.

Tyrrell Middle School is closed through Sunday and all schools will be thoroughly cleaned. All evening activities at Tyrrell and CCD classes on Sunday are cancelled.

The State Legislature adjourned their regular session Wednesday night at midnight. Various bills including ones banning exotic animals and one apologizing for slavery passed while the big bad budget was left ignored. Chris Bigelow’s blog covers more details about the session including some of the highlights.

The Republican field of candidates vying for Sen. Chris Dodd’s seat has become more crowded with the entry of former ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley.
Already Rob Simmons and Sam Caligiuri have announced their candidacies. Caligiuri will be holding a fundraiser at J&M Pizza this month.