From 1911: Mistook Poison for Medicine

The following article is from 100 years ago today, published in the Hartford Courant on June 5th, 1911.
Bichloride of mercury was used to preserve biological and anthropological speciments, it was used in photography, and as a medicine it was used to treat syphilis before the discovery of antibiotics.
Quinine was (and is) used as a muscle relaxant, and as an anti-malarial drug.
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One Love, One Heart

submitted by The Buttonwood Tree:

It was Don Minott's High Voltage Reggae Band at The Buttonwood Tree last night and the love was flowing freely! People sang along, swayed to the fabulous Marley tunes and smiles were plentiful! The music soared, the house was filled, the band rolled with 6 guest singers and everyone had a blast!

They played til 11pm and didn't even stop for a break! Couldn't have asked for a better night!

But wait - there's more tonight ...

Saturday night (6/4) John Funkhouser brings his jazz trio to Buttonwood and after his last visit here, we know this man can tickle the ivories! I've been waiting for this since last time they were here! Show starts at 8pm. $10 - it's a bargain for this Brooklyn-based group!

MxCC CONFERS HONORARY DEGREE ON ROBERT A. CHAPMAN

President Emeritus Robert A. Chapman, who served as the second president of Middlesex Community College from 1976- to1989, received an honorary degree from MxCC for his longstanding dedication and service to the college. This is only the second time in the college’s history that an honorary degree has been conferred upon a distinguished and respected contributor to the school. Marc S. Herzog, chancellor of the Connecticut Community Colleges, presented the degree to Mr. Chapman during MxCC’s 44th graduation ceremony, which was held on June 2.

Mr. Chapman aggressively pursued – and achieved – numerous goals during his presidency including the creation of the Meriden Center and the expansion of the College’s outreach to Old Saybrook. He helped establish the Ophthalmic Design and Dispensing program, which today remains the only one of its kind in the state, and one of the best in New England. He also was involved in opening the child care center on campus, and was instrumental in incorporating the MxCC Foundation. Chapman Hall, which is one of the most important and central buildings on campus, was named in his honor.

“Community colleges have played, and are playing, a vital role in American society, and Middlesex Community College is among the best,” Mr. Chapman said during the ceremony. “The faculty, students, and staff of the college should be proud of their contribution to that vital role, and the community should be proud of them. I wish this college continued success, under extremely difficult current conditions, in continuing to bring quality higher education to a broad diversity of students from the area.”

Mr. Chapman earned his B.A. degree in sociology from Northeastern University in Boston and his M.A. degree in psychology from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. In addition, he spent a year at Stanford University in California. He came to MxCC from Corning Community College in New York, where he served as Dean of Instruction, Dean of Students, and Associate Professor of Psychology. His term as president at MxCC was interrupted for one year in 1982-1983 when he accepted the role of Interim President at Tunxis Community College. He returned to MxCC in 1983 and continued as President until 1989.

“I am very proud to have Mr. Chapman back on campus and to show off all the strides we have made as an institution of higher learning,” Dr. Jonathan M. Daube, president of MxCC, said. “Our current successes are his legacy, in part. Our faculty is the best it has ever been, our students work at a very competitive level, and our graduates, including these newest candidates, are enjoying wonderful successes in an extremely wide variety of careers. We are appreciative of his contributions and are thrilled to have him back on campus to receive this honorary degree.”

In the days when Mr. Chapman was delivering commencement speeches as president of the college, he often told graduates, “The knowledge you have increases the power you have to make choices. Your knowledge can win you a freedom virtually denied to many less educated than you. Don’t be timid: use your knowledge to improve your own life and the lives of others.” This has been his philosophy in his own life, and is the message he continues to impart on those he influences.

“The students graduating in the class of 2011 have benefited from the values and principles of educational excellence instilled at Middlesex Community College by President Chapman many decades ago,” Chancellor Herzog said during the ceremony. “The Connecticut Community College System's nationally recognized Minority Fellowship Program was an idea brought by President Chapman to the Council of Presidents 25 years ago. He was also one the college presidents responsible for the founding of the Community College Center for Teaching Excellence which continues today providing the opportunity for faculty professional development statewide. Robert Chapman has provided an extraordinary legacy of educational excellence to this college and to our state system of colleges.”
Founded in 1966 as a branch campus of Manchester Community College, Middlesex Community College (www.mxcc.commnet.edu) is an independent member of the Connecticut Community College System. The school offers more than 50 degree or certificate programs on its three locations: the main, 38-acre campus in Middletown, the downtown Meriden Center, and the shoreline in Old Saybrook. The college promotes understanding, learning, ethics, and self-discipline by encouraging critical thinking. Current enrollment exceeds 2,950 full and part-time students, and 1,600 continuing education students.

Car Show at Xavier Tomorrow

Weekend at The Buttonwood

This looks to be a good weekend to get outdoors, breath fresh air and, in the evenings, take a stroll downtown.  Every month, there's seems to be a new place to dine; however, after your repast, head over to 605 Main Street, the location for The Buttonwood Tree, and take in some fine live music.

Tonight (June 3), it's vocalist Don Minott and the High Voltage Reggae Band. Minott, born in Kingston, Jamaica, moved to Hartford in the mid-1980s and, within a few years, was singing in area Reggae bands.   Among the groups he has fronted are Rough Neck Massive, Lightning Reggae, and Positive Vibrations.  For the past decade, he's been touring the country and world with the High Voltage Band, playing a heady mix of original tunes, cover songs and poetry.For the Buttonwood "hit', Minott will have a number of special guests including Don C., Barney Rebel & Sista, Linford "Brown Eyes" Nugent and more.  The music starts at 8 p.m. 

Saturday evening at the same time, it's the return of the John Funkhouser Trio. Pianist/composer Funkhouser, a native of Boston, MA, is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and now teaches at the Berklee School of Music (in his hometown.)  He has worked with such artists as Wesleyan graduate Tierney Sutton, the MIT Wind Ensemble, and jazz legend Herb Pomeroy.  Joining him will be bassist Greg Loughman and drummer Mike Connors, both musicians with great talent and impressive resumes.  When all 3 get together, musical sparks fly, poly-rhythmic adventures are the "norm" and handsome melodies pave the way for exciting solos.  And, they do like to play, weaving influences from blues, folk music, Broadway, the Great American Songbook, contemporary Classical music and whatever else enters their collective consciousness.  In November 2009, I wrote in The Hartford Courant " the Funkhouser 3 blends many different styles into its repertoire, moving easily and, often, gracefully, from richly melodic pieces to Latin flavored romps to more abstract moments to funky rumpshakers". They played The Buttonwood last year and absolutely (and musically) tore the house down. To find out more about the Funkhouser Trio, go to johnfunkhouser.com. 

To reserve seats for either or both shows, call 860-347-4957. To check out the Buttonwood offerings, go to www.buttonwood.org. 

Concert Tonight

Looks like quite a night for an outdoor show.  The Russell Library presents the Lost Acres String Band at 7 p.m. in the Courtyard (wind permitting).  The trio, composed of Gordon Swift (violin  ), his older brother Jon (bass) and Thom Sayers (guitar).  They play old time fiddle music, contemporary bluegrass, blues, rags and much more.  The event is free and open to the public. 

Emerson Regatta Saturday, On the River

The Emerson Regatta takes place this Saturday, June 4th from 9am - 4pm.  The regatta is hosted by the Middletown High School Boys and Girls Crew.  The event takes place on the Connecticut River right here in Middletown.  The center of the action is around the MHS Crew boathouse.  The rowing teams competing are from schools with crews from all over the state.

The regatta is named after Fred Emerson, who helped develop rowing in Middletown.  Through his generosity many of the public school crew programs in the state were able to get donations of equipment and connected to resources and continue to grow today, offering many of our state's students an opportunity to be involved in an exciting sport.

The Emerson Regatta is designed to be a fun end to the crew racing season.  Events included are boats of Juniors, Seniors, Lightweights, Mixed gender and Alumni to name a few.
Please come out and support the rowers and enjoy a beautiful day along the river.

Reminder: Connecticut Trails Day Celebration this weekend

Middletown has 7 hikes to offer on Trails Day, second only to Guilford for most active town in the state! Details are available in previous EYE postings:

http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/2011/05/celebrate-ct-trails-day-with-rockfall.html

http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/2011/05/more-chances-to-hike.html

Connecticut Forest & Park Association has been the state coordinator for Connecticut Trails Day, part of the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, since 1993. Participating in these events is a great way to experience the many trails around the state, including three National Scenic or HIstoric Trails: the New England Trail (NET),

Appalachian Trail (AT), Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R). Visit CFPA’s website, www.ctwoodlands.org, to check for Connecticut Trails Day updates.

Additonal program:

Join the Great Park Pursuit:

Outdoor Recreation Challenge As part of the CT DEP’s No Child Left Inside® initiative, families will be provided with a passport to Connecticut State Parks and Forests, which they will use to collect 11 outdoor recreational stamps during the Family Days events scheduled the second Saturday of each month.

For more information and details on how to get your passport, visit www.NoChildLeftInside.org

Jonah Center Family Bike Ride

Jonah Center
Family Bike Ride
& Safety Tips

Saturday, June 4,
12 - 2:30 p.m.
Westlake Area Bike Path

Connecticut Forest and Parks
2011 Trails Day Event

Beth Emery will be our guide and teacher on this event, which includes a short hike on the Mattabesset River trail. It will be an easy 10-mile ride over mostly level terrain. Beth is a League of American Bicyclists cycling instructor, and she will begin with a brief introduction to bicycling safety, including the bicycle ABC quick check, a helmet fit and adjustment check, and a discussion of trail etiquette and riding safety.

Participants need to bring their own bikes (in good working order with tires properly inflated) and helmets, plus water and sunscreen.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required by contacting Beth Emery at ctladycyclist@gmail.com or 860-346-7387. Beth will also tell you about rain cancellation, directions to the start site, and parking. Dogs not allowed. This event is part of Connecticut Forest and Parks 2011 Trails Day Event.

Bar Association Honors Holzberg

From the Connecticut Bar Association

Attorneys, judges, paralegals and other legal professionals will gather on Thursday, June 23 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford for the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) 2011 Annual Meeting. Each year, the Annual Meeting serves as an opportunity for CBA members to celebrate achievements from the past bar year and look ahead to new goals for the next.

This year’s event will feature 40 educational seminars—more than ever offered before—in areas such as labor and employment law, family law, real property law and technology. The CBA’s publishing division, LawFirst Publishing, will also premiere its newest publication, Annuities in Connecticut Estate Planning: An Essential Guide for Attorneys and Financial Advisors by attorney Joseph Cipparone. Moreover, CBA members will honor their colleagues and peers with the presentation of annual awards at the Annual Dinner, where former Connecticut Attorney General and current U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal will receive the Distinguished Public Service Award, and the Bench-Bar Luncheon, where Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers will deliver remarks.
Keith Bradoc Gallant, of New Haven’s Day Pitney LLP, will be installed as the association’s president for the 2011-2012 bar year. Other officers for the 2011-2012 term will be: President- elect Barry C. Hawkins of Shipman & Goodwin LLP in Stamford; Vice President Kimberly Knox of Horton Shields & Knox PC in Hartford; Secretary Lynne A. Ustach, a solo attorney practicing out of New Britain; Treasurer Stephen J. Curley, a solo in Stamford; and Assistant-Secretary Treasurer Jeffrey J. White of Robinson & Cole LLP in Hartford.

The state’s former attorney general, Senator Richard Blumenthal, will receive the 2011 Distinguished Public Service Award for his service to Connecticut. The Honorable Robert L. Holzberg will receive the Henry J. Naruk Judiciary Award. Peter Arakas of LEGO Systems, Inc., will receive the Charles J. Parker Legal Services Award. Attorneys Frances Z. Calafiore and James R. Greenfield will be honored with the John Eldred Shields Distinguished Professional Service Award and the Edward F. Hennessey Professionalism Award, respectively.

The CBA will also bestow pro bono awards upon five attorneys who have diligently represented underprivileged residents throughout the past year. The pro bono award winners include Janine M. Becker of Becker & Cali in Bridgeport, Gail A. Bedoukian from Newtown, Carole Masters from Willimantic; John F. Slane, Jr., of Heagney Lennon and Slane LLP in Greenwich and Ashley M. Van Valkenburgh of Gilbride Tusa Last & Spellane LLC in Greenwich.

The Connecticut Bar Association is a membership organization serving Connecticut attorneys and the legal profession by working to advance the principles of justice, the practice of law, the image of the profession, and public understanding of the law.

Small Farm On Atkins Street To Be Subdivided

The Inland Wetlands Commission approved the creation of two new building lots at 643 Atkins Street. The lot currently contains a designated historic house, an 18th century, center chimney, raised colonial. Driveways to two new lots came within the 100' "uplands review" area, and so the applicant submitted a permit for Wetlands approval. Frank Mazzotta, engineer, showed the plans to the Commission.

Following the advice of Matt Dodge, the Commission voted unanimously that the driveway encroachment was so minimal that no wetlands permit would be required.


A complaint from Dora Drive
Joe Carta, Chair of the Commission, read a letter of complaint sent by Michael Greenwood to the Wetlands Commission, the Zoning Enforcement Officer, and the Mayor. Greenwood alleges that extensive wetlands violations are occurring at 50 Highland Avenue. He cited the storage of waste 50-gallon oil drums and other construction debris, excavation, and the operation of ATVs, expressing concern about the properties on Dora Drive, the safety of the neighborhood children, and the possible environmental affects on wetlands and water courses.

The Commission agreed to ask the City's Enforcement Officer, Bruce Driska, to look into the situation.

Nehemiah Open House, June 11