January 2007 Town News and Events

Sponsored by The New England Fireplace, Inc. - Factory Outlet Store


Wallingford Park and Recreation News and Events
OUTDOOR PUBLIC ICE SKATING AT TOWN OPEN SPACE AT CHESHIRE ROAD Public Works in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department will be offering free public skate at the Town Open Space at Cheshire Road this winter. Ice will be monitored by the public works department – however skating will be at your own risk. Skating will be open weekdays and weekends during the day, no night skating at this time.

LOOK FOR FLYERS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOLS FOR A FAMILY SPECIAL EVENT TO BE HELD IN FEBRUARY... WE NEED TO BE ASSURED WE’RE GOING TO HAVE ICE.... Town Open Space at Cheshire Road is located onthe corner of Schoolhouse and Cheshire Road. For more information please call 294-2120

ICE SKATING AT CHOATE ROSEMARY This year skating tags will go on sale Wednesday November 15, 2006.at 9:00am at the Recreation Dept. At the time of this printing session days and times have not been determined. A complete schedule will be available at registration.


2006 MERIDEN HOLIDAY HOUSE DECORATING CONTEST RESULTS

MOST TRADITIONAL
1. 198 Curtis Street
2. 165 Elmwood Drive
3. 51 Lori Lane

BEST DISPLAY OF ELECTRICITY
1. 334 Spring Street
2. 25 South Meadow Lane
3. 142 Schwink Drive

MOST CREATIVE
1. 13 Baldwin Avenue
2. 77 Avery Avenue
3. 53 Horton Avenue

BEST DISPLAY OF FIGURES
1. 1 Brownstone Ridge
2. 228 Glen Hills Road
3. 231 Glen Hills Road

BEST DISPLAY OF HOLIDAY SPIRIT
1. 100 Sandy Lane
2. 478 Brownstone Ridge
3. 50 North Meadow Lane

JUDGES’CHOICE
1. 46 Fairmount Avenue
2. 879 Murdock Avenue
3. 522 East Main Street


BEST OVERALL
1. 70 Collindale Drive
2. 40 Timberlea Drive
3. 115 Old Stagecoach Road

The Meriden Recreation Division would like to thank all entrants in this year’s contest for their effort & enthusiasm, special thanks to The People’s Press for sponsoring the event.

CITY OF MERIDEN JANUARY EVENTS

CRPA “HOT SHOT” CONTEST
The City of Meriden and the Meriden Boys & Girls Club invite children ages 9-15 to participate in the local contest of the statewide CRPA “Hot Shot” Competition on Saturday, January 13th at the Boys & Girls Club. The following indicates age group registration and contest start times:
Age Registration Competition
9-10 2:30PM 2:45PM
11-12 3:15PM 3:30PM
13-15 4:00PM 4:15PM
Contestants score points by making baskets from different spots on the gym floor in a set amount of time. Winners will advance to the county championship in February. There is no cost to participate.

38TH ANNUAL BERNIE JURALE MEMORIAL TRADITION RUN
The 38th Annual Bernie Jurale Memorial Tradition Run will take place at Hubbard Park on Sunday, January 21st. Registration begins at 9:30AM in the Parks Division maintenance facility. The walkers’ start is at 10:00AM, while the joggers & runners begin at 10:30AM. Walkers, hikers, joggers, & runners of all ages and abilities are invited to test their skills against a 5K course that begins in the park proper and climbs an elevation of approximately 700 feet to its finish at Castle Craig. All persons finishing the course will receive a certificate and special gift. There is no entry fee, and refreshments will be available throughout the morning. Come enjoy Meriden’s premier running event!

WASHINGTON PARK JUNIOR DRUM CORPS
The Washington Park Junior Drum Corps is looking for new members ages 10 & older. No experience is necessary and instruments are provided. There are openings for fifes, bells, trumpets, baritones, colorguard, and drums. Members learn to play an instrument, read music, march in parades, and take part in competitions. Meetings are at John Barry School on Wednesday nights from 6:30-9:00PM during the school year and at the SMVFD during the summer. All recruits, experienced or not, are welcome. Stop in Wednesday night or call 294-1430.

2006-2007 CO-ED ADULT VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM
Organized recreational volleyball games for adults ages 18 & older take place every Tuesday night at Holy Angels Center in South Meriden from 6:00-9:00PM. The program runs through March 27th. A one-time $25.00 registration fee can be paid onsite any night the program is in session.

INDOOR PUBLIC SWIM PROGRAM
The 2006-2007 Indoor Public Swim Program takes place at the Maloney HS pool on the following dates & times: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30-7:45PM and Saturdays & Sundays from 12:00-3:45PM. All interested participants must possess a valid pool pass, which cost $5.00 for adults and $1.00 for children ages 17 & under. Potential recipients must come to the Parks & Recreation office in-person and bring proof of Meriden residency to receive a pass.



Mayor’s Corner - Meriden
Dear Friends,

Happy New Year to you and your family.

We are fortunate to have had such a mild winter. I’m still wondering if it will ever snow at all. I know it will certainly help our snow budget.

On Monday January 15th we will observe the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Rhudean Raye and the Scholarship committee have once again planned an exciting morning in the City of Meriden. At 8 a.m. at Maloney High School, the city will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with our annual scholarship breakfast. I’m pleased to see our children take part in the essay contest and our business community support this worthy cause. A special thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors who make this breakfast a wonderful success. Tickets are still available at the door.

Scholarships are available to all Meriden students. Throughout the years, over sixty thousand dollars has been given to deserving Meriden award winners. As we celebrate Dr. King’s birthday, I am reminded of the special qualities of our great city. We are fortunate to live in a diverse community where people truly care about one another. This breakfast also gives us an opportunity to honor a former Meriden resident and civil rights leader, Albert Owens. Albert Owens was instrumental in organizing the first Meriden-Wallingford branch of the NAACP and the Local 230 of the United Electrical Machine Workers of America.

Sheraton Four Points has transformed the former Brady’s Pub into Yogi’s All- American Grill and Sports Bar just in time for the NFL playoff action. Stop by and have a sandwich as you view the action on the new large screen plasma televisions. Soon, the former Ames Plaza will also undergo a major transformation. With the addition of Lowe’s and a new Ocean State Job Lot, the plaza will bring new business, jobs and energy to our City.

I hope to see you at the breakfast and Yogi’s for some football action.

Thanks for your support!
Sincerely,
Mark D. Benigni


Mayor’s Corner – Wallingford

Dear Friends:

It’s hard to believe that the weather we are enjoying is in the month of January. We can use the nice weather to inspire commitment to our 2007 New Year resolutions!

If your resolution is to get involved in something new, you should consider some programs offered by the Park and Recreation Department. Ice skating tags are still available for Sundays at the Choate rink from January 7th-February 25th. Speaking of ice, there is a “Hook a Kid” on ice fishing workshop on January 24th at the Recreation Department.

Arts and crafts can be loads of fun. There is an after school program at Parker Farms, Stevens, Pond Hill and Highland Elementary Schools which offers instruction and development of fine arts and crafts talent. For high school students, the Tritons Club is looking for new members. For those students not in high school yet, the Recreation Department is encouraging interested people to contact the department regarding a youth program to complement the high school Triton Club.

Finally, if you want to know more about Lacrosse, Choate Rosemary Hall Head Coach Mike King will host a workshop on February 2nd. Of course there are many programs being offered and we hope you will choose from them to make the New Year a special one. Happy New Year!

Sincerely,
William W. Dickinson Jr. – Mayor of Wallingford