Need to catch some holiday spirit? Events coming up to celebrate the season:
It's all about the trees
Litchfield: The Bantam Volunteer Fire Company Annual Christmas tree sale will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9 at the corner of Routes 202 and 209. Proceeds will benefit Bantam Fire Company training and equipment. For information, call 860-480-9668, jgolding54@optonline.net.
Torrington: The Torrington North End Community Associations' annual Christmas tree lighting will be at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Torrington Police Station. Students from the Warner Theatre's Center for the Arts will sing Christmas carols. For information, call 860-482-4500.
Washington, Conn.: A Festival of Trees & Lights cocktail party will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 at the Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Road. Trees, wreaths and stockings will be sold. Silent auction items include celebrity autographed books by Kevin Bacon, Laura Linney, Shirley MacLaine, Bette Midler, Demi Moore, Sissy Spacek and others. Admission is $15, $25 per couple. No charge for viewing, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For information, call 860-868-7586.
Oxford: A Festival of Trees auction will run Friday, Dec. 7 through Sunday, Dec. 9 at Oxford High School. Proceeds from the sale of 25 trees will benefit Storm Sandy victims, Toys for Tots and the American Cancer Society. For information, call 203-888-2468.
Events to get your holiday groove on
Bethlehem: The 32nd Annual Christmas Town Festival will be from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 on the Bethlehem Green, Route 61. Buildings and churches surrounding the Green will be decorated. Santa will light the Christmas tree on the Green at 6 p.m. Friday. There will be more than 70 handicrafters, hayrides and holiday music performances throughout the festival, including the First Church Bell Choir and the Waterbury-Derby-Valley Chordsmen. The Behtlehem Post Office will be open for extended hours for patrons to post Christmas cards with the Bethlehem postmark and special Bethlehem holiday stamps. The Christmas Town Festival's annual limited edition pewter ornament will be available in Town Hall.
Free shuttle bus service will be provided from the Bethlehem Fairgrounds, Route 61. Parking in town during the festival is by permit only. Cars that do not have a permit will be towed. Admission is free. For information, visit www.christmastownfestival.com or call 203-266-7510, ext. 300.
Cheshire: Santa and the U.S. Marines are coming on Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and have your family picture taken with Santa and the Marines at Central Connecticut Chiropractic, 391 Highland Ave. For information, call 203-272-3239.
Goshen: Christmas Feast and Song, gourmet dinner and holiday music will be on Dec. 14 and Dec. 15, at 6:30 p.m., at the Church of Christ Congregational at the rotary. Tickets are $25 per person, $100 for five people and $200 for a table of 10. Call 860-492-2793 for reservations.
Friday night performers: The Salisbury Bell Choir, The Valley Chordsmen, Michael Brown. Saturday night performers: Wanda Houston and Michael Berkeley, The Housatonics, The Yankee Chorale.
Naugatuck: Santa's Village will be open from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 to 23 at the Naugatuck Park and Recreation Department, 258 Rubber Ave.
Admission is a nonperishable food item. There will be photos with Santa for $5, or bring your own camera. Monetary donations will be accepted. For information, call 203-720-7071.
Southbury: The Church of the Epiphany, 262 Main St. North, will host its annual Cookie Walk on Dec. 15, (snow date Dec. 16), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables will be laden with holiday cookies, pies, breads, fudge, Stollens, tea breads, and many other delicacies to tempt you. Arrive early for the best selection. Soup, half a sandwich and a beverage will be available for purchase as well as dessert. Lunch will be provided for a small fee from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Fuel and Renovation Fund at Epiphany.
Torrington: Carl Bozenski's Christmas Village opens for its 65th year Sunday, Dec. 9. A parade from the Armory to the Village gates on Church Street downtown starts at 12:15 p.m. Christmas Village, a seasonal park devoted to keeping commercialism out of Christmas, features live reindeer, elves who serve hot cocoa, Santa's workshop, a Nativity, and a special room to meet Mrs. Claus. Every child who visits Santa gets a toy. Admission is free daily from 1 to 8 p.m. until Christmas Eve, when it is open from 9 a.m. to noon. For information, call Torrington Parks and Recreation at 860-489-2274.
Washington, Conn.: Washington Parks and Recreation and the Washington Business Association invite the community for an evening of food, music, raffles, and hay rides throughout town on Dec. 14. The events begin at 6 p.m. with the tree lighting.
Then Santa arrives by hay wagon and listens to children's wishes in Town Hall until 8:30 p.m. Pictures will be taken with one photo per child provided.
The Troubadours from the Gunnery School will be caroling throughout the Depot during the evening. Clifford the Big Red Dog will be visiting businesses to offer holiday paw shakes to his fans.
Inside Town Hall, The Ladies Auxiliary of the Washington Volunteer Fire Department will have a special mailbox for letters to Santa, and will be selling their annual Christmas Ornament. The Gunn Memorial Library and Gunn Museum will have a craft project for the children while they wait for their turn with Santa.
Washington Primary School PTO will be selling baked goods outside the Town Hall from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The Senior Center will be selling gift items and raffling off a wreath and poinsettia donated by Painter Ridge Farm.
The Washington Business Association will be sponsoring a drawing for a Mini iPad and a gift basket of goodies. Tickets for the drawing will be available at member businesses from 6 to 8 and should be dropped off at Washington Supply for the drawing at 8:30. The Hickory Stick Bookshop will be hosting a book signing from 7 to 8 p.m. with Florence and Wendell Minor featuring My Bookstore for which they wrote an essay on the shop. Mo the Magician will be showing his tricks at Washington Supply and Outdoor Living from 6:30 to 8:30. For information, call 860-868-0525.
Prospect: The St. Anthony Church Ladies Guild will conduct its annual Christmas Bazaar on Friday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church hall, 4 Union City Road.
Local crafters and commercial vendors will have many tables of holiday items set up. There also will be homemade baked goods and a gift basket raffle.
Supper will be served Friday evening and breakfast and lunch on Saturday.
For information, call 203-228-4418.
Middlebury: The annual Holiday Fair will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Middlebury Convalescent Home, 778 Middlebury Road. For information call 203-758-2471.
Waterbury: "Clara and the Nutcracker" will be presented by Connecticut Dance Theatre at 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 15 and Dec. 16 at the Howland Hughes Center, Bank Street. For tickets, call 203-573-0004, ctdance523@aol.com.
Waterbury: Saints Peter and Paul School Christmas Concert will be Dec. 16 in the church on Southmayd Road.
Students will perform Christmas songs from around the world. The kindergarten class will preform a Christmas pageant.
Immediately following, there will be a tree lighting, Christmas carols and a chance to view the luminarias. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. If interested in luminarias, visit www.ssppwtby.com.
Waterbury: St. Patrick and St. Joseph's Parishes are sponsoring a Holiday Tour and Christmas Tea at St. Patrick's Rectory, 50 Charles St., on Sunday, Dec. 16 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. The cost of the ticket includes walking through the first floor of the rectory and seeing each room decorated with a different theme. One room will include the Nativity Set from a former pastor, Father Shea, which will be on display. After visiting the rectory, you will be able to go to the Father Shea Hall and share in the Christmas Tea. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and scones will be served. Homemade cookies will be available for purchase. For information or to purchase tickets, call 203-756-8837.
Winsted: The Second Congregational Church of Winsted, 800 Main St., will hold a community sing of the Christmas portion of Handel's "Messiah" at 2 p.m. Dec. 8.
Local soloists will participate. Anyone wishing to sing is asked to bring sheet music. Directed by Willard Minton and accompanied by Christopher King, the event is sponsored by the music committee of the Second Congregational Church of Winsted.
Admission is free for singers and the audience. Nonperishable food items will be accepted for the Open Door Soup Kitchen and the Salvation Army Food Bank.
For information contact the church office at 860-379-4766 or by email at info@sccwinsted.org.
Radio City Music Hall
Litchfield: A trip to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular will be at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 from The Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Road. Enjoy free time from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Show time is 2 p.m. Departure is 4 p.m. The cost is $125. Spend the day on your own for $39, bus only. Register at 860-567-8302, www.thecommunitycenter.org.
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Need the holiday spirit? Inspiration available here
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Chargers hoping the 'D' steps up against Hyde
ANSONIA — The Ansonia High football team went to practice in recent days with a mindset and a reminder in preparation for its Class S semifinal game today (12:30 p.m.) with Hyde Leadership at Middletown High.
The last time the Chargers lost a game was two years ago, a 49-28 defeat to St. Joseph in the state final at Rentschler Field.
"That was a very humbling experience," said Andrew Matos, who along with senior captains Raeshaun Finney and Ezekiah Duncan Jr., was on the field as sophomores that day.
"I never thought we would. lose," said Matos, "but I found out that it was possible. We don't want to feel that way again."
Duncan agreed.
"I remember how quiet the bus ride home was, and since that day, we haven't taken anything for granted," said Duncan. "We realized that we have to keep up our intensity regardless of who we play."
The Chargers (12-0) respect today's opponent, Hyde (10-1), immensely, and don't have to be reminded that a berth in next weekend's state championship game against the Woodland-North Branford semifinal winner is on the line.
So is their state-best 26-game winning streak.
The key will be the Chargers' defense trying to contain Hyde tailback Ezekiel Nixon and the Howling Wolves' wing-T offense.
"Nixon is a really special player," said Ansonia coach Tom Brockett. "He's a gamebreaker. We have to run to the ball fast. He does a really good job of cutting back and bouncing outside. We have to be ready."
Hyde quarterback Kevin Jones also poses a challenge.
"Jones is a great runner and can score on any play," said Brockett. "We have to worry about the option and play-action."
Setting the tone defensively will be the key for the Chargers, who know once they have the ball in their hands, they can score points often, and from anywhere on the field.
"We have to play four quarters and not have too many lapses," said Brockett. "The kids know what is at stake. They have played hard and I am very proud of what they have accomplished this year."
Hyde's linebackers Kahill Morant and Brandon Brantle, along with defensive tackle Donnery Evans will need to be up to the task against the Chargers' versatile offense, featuring tailback Arkeel Newsome (27 rushing TDs), quarterback Jai'Quan McKnight (22 passing TDs) and Matos, the Chargers' top wide receiver, who has caught 13 TDs and rushed for eight more.
The Middletown High site was the same semifinal location where the Chargers topped Montville in 2010. Brockett called that game the best overall he's seen the Chargers play in his coaching tenure.
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High school scoreboard for Dec. 1
BOYS BASKETBALL
Chase Collegiate 63, NYMA 38
Taft 65, Canterbury 54
Cheshire Academy 60, Millbrook 51
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Cheshire Academy 24, Westover 19
Ethel Walker 49, Canterbury 27
Nobles 63, Taft 41
Box scores
Boys basketball
CHASE COLLEGIATE 63,
NEW YORK MILITARY ACADEMY 38
Chase (1-1): Ryan Shiel 7 0 15, Kyle Bonicki 6 2 15, Billy Robinson 4 5 14, Matt McClain 0 3 3, Greg Facey 1 1 3, Charles McClain 2 2 6, A.J. Vasquez 0 0 0, Lukas Fedak 0 0 0, Kendrick Lechner 0 0 0, Zack Morris 0 0 0, Jared Brady 1 2 4, Blake Hardy 0 0 0, Ethan Vance 1 0 3, Patrick Morley 0 0 0, Drew Allen 0 0 0. Total: 22 15 63.
NYMA (1-1): Fabio Massa 5 0 10, John Fung 2 0 4, Ed Mahoney 0 0 0, Austin Pagano 0 4 4, Joshua Nelson 2 0 5, Jabari Wells 3 4 11, Parker Howard 2 0 4. Totals: 14 8 38.
Halftime: Chase 30-22.
3-pointers: C—Shiel, Robinson, Bonicki, Vance. N—Nelson, Wells.
TAFT 65, CANTERBURY 54
Taft (1-0): Cade Kager 6 2 14, O'Shea Bell 1 1 3, Shawn Strickland 5 0 11, Bulolo Jonga 1 2 4, Hadley Stone 0 0 0, Quinton Dale 4 0 8, Joey Flannery 6 5 18, Matt Droney 0 1 1. Totals: 24 15 65.
Canterbury (0-2): Koree Hargraves 2 2 6, Temar Hernelijn 2 2 6, Donovan Mitchell 6 5 20, Branden Aughburns 3 0 6, Charlie Rice 3 2 8, Donovan Jackson 3 1 8, Totals: 19 12 54.
Halftime: 23-23.
3-pointers: Strickland, Flannery. C— Mitchell 3, Jackson 1.
Girls basketball
CHESHIRE ACADEMY 24,
WESTOVER 19
Westover (0-1): Zulie Dunn 1 0 2, Sarah Peterson 0 0 0, Katie Solley 1 2 4, Riley Boeth 0 0 0, Paige Cunningham 2 0 4, Marissa Littman 4 1 9, Kaylie Daniels 0 0 0. Totals: 8 3 19.
Cheshire Academy (1-0): Shlya Boutillier 3 1 8, Tre Kehoe 2 1 5, Anni Garvy 1 1 3, Ashley Skyers 1 0 3, Devin Morrison 0 1 1, Bronte Escobar 2 0 4, Britney Ettore 0 0 0. Totals: 9 4 24.
Halftime: CA, 12-9.
3-point goals: Boutillier 1, Skyers 1.
NOBLES 63, TAFT 41
Taft (0-1): Morgan Manz 5 2 15, Lauren Drakeley 1 4 6, Shelby Meckstroth 1 0 2, Dominque Moise 1 1 3, Maggie O'Neil 2 2 6, Chelsea Robinson 2 5 9, Rio Dennis 0 0 0, Katie Harpin 0 0 0, Judith Hsieh 0 0 0, Rylie Mainville 0 0 0, Taylor Rado 0 0 0, Agnus Wong 0 0 0. Totals: 12 14 41.
Nobles (1-0): Katie Beuzan 4 0 11, Alex maund 3 0 6, Kate Kerrigan 2 2 6, Hannah Peterson 3 1 8, Claire Greene 2 2 6, Amy Duggar 1 4 6, Jen Mace 1 2 4, Sophie Mussafer 1 1 4, Colby Cuaueuchek 1 0 2, Devin Caccauano 1 0 2, Annie Blackburn 1 1 3, Camilla Walter 2 0 5. Totals: 22 13 63.
Halftime: N, 26-8.
3-point goals: T—Manz 3; N—Beuzan 3, Peterson 1, Mussafer 1, Walter 1.
CITY JAMBROEE
at Kennedy High
Game 1
Crosby 20, Wilby 6: Samaya Saunders scored two quick hoops to get the Bulldogs off early in the win over Wilby. Saunders finished with five points, Zanayia Love added four, and Deborah Vaichus scored four and grabbed two rebounds. Ashley Martinez and Infiniti Cancel each had a hoop for Wilby.
Game 2
Holy Cross 10, Chase Collegiate 8: In a tight quarter, it was a late hoop from Kiera O'Donnell that pushed Cross past the Highlanders. She finished with five, and Meg Leger grabbed three boards. Natalie Fitzgerald led Chase with four points and two rebounds.
Game 3
Kennedy 17, Kaynor Tech 5: Shontia Punter dominated in the paint with six points and three rebounds in this win over the Panthers. The Eagles also received six points off the bench from freshman guard Lynadia Whiting, and three points from Alicia Coleman. Daelyn Kale and Cinthia Vega each scored two for Tech.
Game 4
Holy Cross 24, Crosby 14: In the first semi, Cross earned a spot in the final as Chelsea Houlihan scored 10 and O'Donnell added eight more. Rashana Siders paced the Bulldogs with eight points, and Love added four more.
Game 5
Kennedy 11, Sacred Heart 7: The Eagles joined Cross in the final with this victory over the Hearts, who drew a bye into the semis. Jocelyn Alberto led the Eagles with four points and three rebounds, while Whiting chipped in with four. Dionne Parker's three points and three rebounds led Sacred Heart.
Game 6
Chase 11, Wilby 9: The Highlanders received an energetic three points and two rebounds from eighth-grader Idalis Miranda in the first consolation quarter win over Wilby. Taylor Brady also scored three, and Madison Jensen grabbed two boards. Chandrea Griffin led Wilby with four points, Martinez added three, and Jackie Legree hauled in seven rebounds.
Game 7
Sacred Heart 18, Kaynor Tech 4: Parker scored six for the Hearts, and Elena Colaci took down three rebounds as the Hearts beat the Panthers in the second consolation quarter. Cinthia Vega and Nathalia Vega each had two for Tech, and Kale had four rebounds.
Game 8
Jamboree championship
Holy Cross 23, Kennedy 11: An early 10-2 run for Cross was keyed by pressure defense and 3-point field goals from Stafford and O'Donnell as the Crusaders took home the jamboree title. O'Donnell hit two 3-pointers in less than a minute, and she finished the jamboree with 19 points in three quarters. Houlihan led Cross in the final quarter with nine points and three rebounds, and Stafford added six. Whiting led Kennedy with four points, and Ginna Resso added three boards.
TODAY'S GAMES
CIAC FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
Class LL
Sunday's semifinals
Staples vs. NFA, at West Haven, 12:30
Glastonbury vs. Xavier, at Cheshire, 12:30
Class L
Sunday's semifinals
Hand vs. Masuk, at West Haven, 5
Windsor vs. New Canaan, at Bunnell, 12:30
Class M
Sunday's semifinals
Montville vs. Hillhouse, at Middletown, 5
Berlin vs. Weston, at Bunnell, 5 p.m.
Class S
Sunday's semifinals
Ansonia vs. Hyde, at Middletown, 12:30
Woodland vs. N. Branford, at Falcon Field, Meriden, 12:30
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Taft boys open their season with win over Canterbury
Joey Flannery scored a team-high 18 points and also grabbed nine rebounds as the Taft boys basketball team defeated Canterbury, 65-54, on Saturday in its season-opener in New Milford.
Cade Kager added 14 points and nine rebounds while Shawn Strickland contributed 11 points and six steals for Taft.
Donovan Mitchell netted 20 points for Canterbury (0-2).
Chase Collegiate 63, NYMA 38: Ryan Shiel and Kyle Bonicki both contributed 15 points and six rebounds as the Highlanders posted their first win of the season in Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y
Billy Robinson added 14 points for Chase, which pulled away in the second half while outscoring the home team, 33-16.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Cheshire Academy 24, Westover 19: Shyla Boutillier scored eight points and Tre Kehoe added five for visiting Cheshire Academy in its season opener.
Marissa Littman led Westover with nine points. Paige Cunningham and Katie Solley added four points apiece.
Ethel Walker 49, Canterbury 27: Abby Woodworth scored 11 points and Abby Jones 10 for Canterbury in a losing effort.
Nobles 63, Taft 41: Morgan Manz scored 15 points for the visiting Big Red in a losing effort. Chelsea Robinson added nine points and Lauren Drakeley and Maggie O'Neil had six each for Taft (0-1).
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Rick Majerus, college basketball coach, dies
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rick Majerus, the jovial college basketball coach who led Utah to the 1998 NCAA final and had only one losing season in 25 years with four schools, died Saturday. He was 64.
Utah industrialist Jon Huntsman, the coach's longtime friend, confirmed in a statement released through The Salt Lake Tribune that Majerus died of heart failure in a Los Angeles hospital. The coach had been hospitalized there for several months.
Players remembered Majerus as a coach who was exacting and perhaps a bit unorthodox at times, but always fair.
"It was a unique experience, I'll tell you that, and I loved every minute of it," said Saint Louis guard Kyle Cassity, who was mostly a backup on last season's 26-win team after starting for Majerus earlier in his college career.
"A lot of people questioned the way he did things, but I loved it. He'd be hard as hell on you, but he really cared."
The school announced Nov. 19 that Majerus wouldn't return to Saint Louis because of the heart condition. He ended the school's 12-year NCAA tournament drought last season, and bounced back from his only losing season, with a team that won its opening game and took top regional seed Michigan State to the wire. The Billikens were ranked for the first time since 1994-95.
Majerus was undergoing evaluation and treatment in California for the ongoing heart trouble and the school announced he was on leave in late August.
Loyola of Chicago coach Porter Moser, a former Majerus assistant at Saint Louis, tweeted, "RIP to my friend and mentor Coach Majerus. I learned so much about the game and life. We lost One of the best! My heart is heavy tonight."
Majerus had a history of heart problems dating to 1989 that persisted despite a daily constitutional of a one-mile swim. He had a stent inserted in August 2011 in Salt Lake City and missed some games in the 2011-12 season after gashing his leg in a collision with players.
Majerus was 95-69 in five seasons at Saint Louis and had a 25-year record of 517-216. He had his most success at Utah, going 323-95 from 1989-2004. He was at Marquette from 1983-86, and Ball State from 1987-89.
"Rick left a lasting legacy at the University of Utah, not only for his incredible success and the national prominence he brought to our basketball program, but also for the tremendous impact he made on the young men who were fortunate enough to play on his teams," Utah athletic director Dr. Chris Hill said in a statement.
"His standard of excellence extended beyond the basketball court and into the academic and personal success of his players. He will be deeply missed and we grieve for his family and all of his friends."
Majerus took 12 teams to the NCAA tournament and four to the NIT, with the 1998 Utah team losing to Kentucky in the NCAA championship game.
"It's a sad day for college basketball," UNLV coach Dave Rice said. "Certainly one of the great college basketball coaches. He took talent where they were most effective. When you went up against Coach Majerus and you won you knew you did something special."
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Wade's 34 powers Heat to victory over Nets
MIAMI — Dwyane Wade scored a season-high 34 points, LeBron James added 21 points and the Miami Heat rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat the Brooklyn Nets 102-89 on Saturday night.
Ray Allen scored 13 and Norris Cole finished with 12 for the Heat, who won their sixth straight and remained atop the Eastern Conference. Miami held Brooklyn to 30 points in the second half.
Andray Blatche scored 20 points for Brooklyn, which had won five in a row. The Nets lost to Miami for the 12th straight time.
Rockets 124, Jazz 116: Patrick Patterson scored 20 points, Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin scored 19 apiece and the Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 124-116 on Saturday night.
James Harden scored 18 points, and Greg Smith and Carlos Delfino added 13 points apiece for the Rockets, who shot 55 percent (46 of 83).
Gordon Hayward scored 13 of his 21 points in the second half and Al Jefferson and Randy Foye each added 20 points for Utah.
Thunder 100, Hornets 79: Kevin Durant scored 20 points, Russell Westbrook added 18 points and 10 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder won their fifth straight game, 100-79 over the struggling New Orleans Hornets on Saturday night.
Kevin Martin added 19 points and Nick Collison 12 in reserve roles for Oklahoma City.
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Battered Huskies drop finale to Cincinnati
EAST HARTFORD -- Chandler Whitmer sat in a chair by himself, wrapped in a heavy coat, his head ringing. Trevardo Williams could barely move when the game started. Ryan Griffin twice was helped off the field.
The UConn football team limped out of the season finale Saturday at Rentschler Field, a 34-17 defeat at the hands of Cincinnati that killed bowl hopes and capped the Huskies' second consecutive losing season. Battered and bruised they were, a fitting end to a season rife with frustration.
UConn (5-7, 2-5 Big East) started the fourth quarter in a manageable 21-17 hole. The Huskies left with a familiar feeling. It was the last time leaving the building for a senior class that just two years ago won a Big East title and played in the Fiesta Bowl.
A precipitous and unexpected drop, the season ended before the second- smallest crowd ever at Rentschler (33,112).
“It's not the way you want to finish, obviously,” said Griffin, whose final game in a UConn uniform produced a career-long 74-yard touchdown catch. “You can't complain. We finished 5-7 and you are what your record says you are.”
It is the first time UConn has posted back-to-back losing seasons since 2005 and 2006, when it was 5-6 and 4-8, respectively. Cincinnati (9-3, 5-2) finished in a four-way tie for the Big East title, but has no chance of earning the BCS bid.
All UConn wanted was a simple bowl bid. For the second straight year, it faced Cincinnati with bowl eligibility on the line. For the second straight year, it all unraveled quickly, with one difference.
The game came apart in the first quarter at Cincinnati last year. The seams ripped Saturday in the fourth quarter. Whitmer went out after slamming his head into the turf late in the third quarter. Johnny McEntee came on to direct a touchdown drive that cut the gap to 21-17.
But the Bearcats quickly countered that with a field goal and then immediately picked off a McEntee pass to set up a George Winn touchdown run. That was more than enough to hold off the Huskies, who finally scored a second-half touchdown in Big East play.
It was the only one in seven conference games. That about summed up how things went. A season with some promise in August ended with fans as disgruntled as they ever have been.
“A little thing here, a turnover there, field position here, a missed kick there, those things add up,” UConn coach Paul Pasqualoni said. “You're out there to win every game you play. It's always hard in tough games to accept them. I always feel like, 'Yeah, we should have won that game.' The players feel that way, too.
“There were games we were capable of winning, there's no question about that.”
This one qualifies, but the Huskies were hamstrung to start, and it only got worse when Whitmer went out. Williams, who sustained an ankle injury last week at Louisville, was used only on third down and was ineffective because of the injury. Whitmer threw for 264 yards before he was hurt, fittingly on a trick play that fooled nobody and resulted in Whitmer's being hit with an intentional grounding penalty.
The usually reliable defense allowed some uncharacteristic big plays in key spots. There were mistakes all over the place, and they wound up costing the Huskies. It was the story of the season in one 60-minute package.
Not quite the ending the seniors had hoped for after turbulent careers that included a middle-of-the-night dash out of town by former coach Randy Edsall.
“We were definitely disappointed, but we also realized that we set ourselves up and fought through the month of November after having a losing October,” senior cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson said. “There is some good to think about. It's just unfortunate we couldn't get the win today.”
UConn spent the prior two games posting the first consecutive wins in Pasqualoni's two seasons. Last week's victory at Louisville marked the first time the Huskies defeated a ranked team on the road. There was more reason for hope against Cincinnati than anybody figured there would be a month ago.
That was just a momentary blast of good news.
“I wish we could have done more,” Pasqualoni said. “I wish it could have worked out.”
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Galaxy capture league crown in Beckham's MLS finale
CARSON, Calif. — Landon Donovan scored the tiebreaking goal on a penalty kick in the 65th minute, and David Beckham left MLS as a two-time champion with the Los Angeles Galaxy's 3-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup on Saturday.
Omar Gonzalez tied it in the 61st minute with a long header for the Galaxy, who defended their title in a rematch of last season's title game.
With a stirring second-half surge capped by Robbie Keane's goal on another penalty kick in injury time, Los Angeles won its fourth MLS Cup, tying D.C. United for the MLS record.
The Galaxy also gave an appropriate farewell to Beckham, the 37-year-old English midfielder who transformed the league and his team over six seasons in Los Angeles. Beckham will play elsewhere in the new year before eventually returning to MLS as a team owner, but he hasn't disclosed his immediate plans.
After Calen Carr put Houston ahead in the 44th minute, Beckham and his high-scoring teammates systematically broke down the defense of the Dynamo, who lost the MLS Cup 1-0 to Los Angeles on the same field last year.
Keane played another stellar attacking game for Los Angeles before earning his own penalty kick when Houston's Tally Hall knocked him down in the box, while Gonzalez got the equalizer on a cagey play by MLS' top defender last season.
Donovan even redeemed himself for missing an open net in the 13th minute by burying his penalty kick after a Houston handball in the box. The U.S. national team star, who is also contemplating a departure from soccer, won his record-tying fifth MLS title while scoring his fifth career MLS Cup goal and the record 22nd goal of his postseason career.
After Keane's goal clinched it, Beckham left the game to a raucous standing ovation from the packed stadium amid chants of "Thank you, David!" Beckham hugged Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, who won his fourth MLS title, and just about everybody on the Galaxy bench.
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International Food closing after 37 years
WATERBURY
When Angie Petrucci and her husband Peter ran Imperio's, a produce store downtown in the 1960s, many of their customers did not own cars. All they needed — shops, restaurants, theaters — was within walking distance of their nearby homes.
Some things, however, were harder to access. Immigrants from Italy and Germany and their children frequently asked where they could find the food and wine-making supplies from their homelands.
That inspired the Petruccis to open a different kind of business.
"We decided we would handle all the countries," said Angie Petrucci, now 87 and living with family in Naugatuck.
They opened P & S Imports, which later moved to 1565 South Main St. and became International Food.
Now, after 37 years of selling imported cheeses, sweets, seafood, malt grains and many other goods, International Food is closing.
After hearing the announcement, hundreds of disappointed customers streamed into the store Wednesday, stocking up on brewing and wine-making materials and food for the holidays.
Customers of German, Italian, Portuguese, Albanian, Greek and other ethnicities have long flocked to the store from the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield County areas, they said. Angie Petrucci's granddaughter, Jessica Swan, said some come from New York and Massachusetts for the beer and wine supplies.
Shoppers said they did not know where they would get their ethnic foods at such low prices, if at all, now that Petrucci's store is closing.
Joseph Perugini, 78, of Oakville, immigrated from Italy in 1949 and has been shopping at International Food for at least 30 years, he said. He usually buys corn flour so his wife can make polenta and corks for his homemade red wines. He said he was sad to see the store go.
"I used to come here for the baccala, Italian codfish for Christmas," Perugini said. "Now, no more."
Not all Petrucci's customers have an immigrant background. Mike Rice, 57, of Roxbury, discovered her store for the beer and wine kits and got 17 of his friends to shop there too, he said. Rice was not happy to hear that the store was closing.
"I was devastated," he said.
The store's going-out-of-business sale began last week and will continue Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
"We want her customers to get the supplies they need before we close," Swan said.
Before last week, the store had been closed since January while Petrucci recovered from the same back surgery that is keeping her from continuing as shopkeeper.
"My legs, you couldn't touch it," Petrucci said. "I screamed in pain."
Swan made the mistake of leaving a note on the door with her cellphone number and occasionally stopping by to clean.
"If they saw me in here, people were banging on the door," Swan said. "My phone rang morning until night."
Petrucci and her family said they hope someone will take over the store, and while many customers have expressed interest, no official steps have been taken.
Petrucci's husband died in 1984 and her son Pete has a job as an electrical engineer in New Hampshire, although he spends his vacation time putting together holiday baskets for his mother's store. Swan, who is 34 and lives in Naugatuck, said her hands are full with three children and her brother is a full-time teacher at Oxford High School.
ANYONE WHO TAKES OVER THE STORE HAS BIG SHOES TO FILL, but Petrucci will coach the new owner, family and friends said.
Petrucci, whose parents immigrated from Italy, always spoke fluent Italian, but after running the store so long, she can carry on conversations in Greek, Albanian and Portuguese.
"She speaks every language in food and she knows every holiday in every nationality," Swan said.
Although Petrucci does not make wine or beer herself, she is full of tips, tricks and recommendations for her customers. And if she does not have something in stock, she special orders it for them. She said she does not put price tags on anything because many of her shoppers are buying gifts for other people.
Petrucci, who lived in Waterbury before recently moving in with her Naugatuck family, never got rich off her store despite its success, her family said.
"She just got what she needed to get by and then she would order her next shipment," Swan said.
Rice and other customers returned her kindness by volunteering to stock the shelves and grabbing large items themselves so Petrucci could stay seated.
Rice, like many customers, came in Wednesday not just to place an order but to bid Petrucci farewell.
"She's such a doll, so I don't mind hanging around," Rice said. "It's like coming into family when you come in here."
Dan Becce, 56, of Waterbury, said he would miss Petrucci.
"I was worried about you," he told her. "I called the number. The mailbox was full."
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Social impact bonds mulled|Cash-strapped state explores new approach to funding service programs
HARTFORD — The state's growing budget problems are fueling interest in a pioneering, alternative approach to funding social programs.
Advocates of this new model say it promises to produce better outcomes, heighten accountability and save the state government money in the long run.
Essentially, the government, the private sector and the nonprofit community partner to fund and deliver social services through a financial instrument known as a social impact bond, or SIB for short.
It is not a bond in the traditional sense because it does not offer a fixed rate of return.
Instead, payouts depend on a social program's success — achieving targeted reductions in homelessness, increases in the workforce or improvements in high school graduation rates, for example, or decreases in the number of ex-convicts returning to prison.
This is a big part of the appeal of social impact bonds — the government pays for outcomes rather than activities.
Also, if a program succeeds, nonprofit providers receive a committed funding stream that is not subject to government budget cuts. While assuming the risk, investors can realize a return on their investments and achieve a public good.
Additionally, there are potential savings to be had if a program succeeds. As a result, this could help shift more government resources to prevention services.
Social impact bonds were pioneered in the United Kingdom two years ago, and today a growing number of states and some U.S. cities are exploring this financing option, including Connecticut.
Social services are facing cutbacks as states struggle to balance budgets amid a sluggish economic recovery.
Social spending is being slashed here to close a projected $365 million shortfall in this year's $20.5 billion state budget — and the cutting is not done yet.
The legislature and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy have to close a budget gap of more than $1 billion next year, according to the latest estimates.
Malloy is saying that he intends to cut spending and squeeze savings out of the budget rather than increase taxes again.
"It is going to be tough," said Sen. Toni N. Harp, D-New Haven, the Senate chairwoman of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee.
IT COULD GET EVEN TOUGHER IF THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS do not reach agreement on a deficit deal before automatic tax increases and spending cuts take effect Jan. 1. Twenty-eight of the 42 streams of federal funding to the states would face cuts, according to the Council of State Governments.
All of this uncertainty has the nonprofit community on edge here, said Ron Cretaro, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits.
Social impact bonds may offer a means of financing promising, innovative safety net programs and even expanding social services in this budget climate, said Liz Dupont-Diehl, policy director for the Connecticut Association for Human Services.
The association is co-sponsoring a conference Tuesday at the state Capitol that will investigate how social impact bonds and other strategies may be used to attract private investment in social services.
The other sponsors include the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, the Capitol Region Council of Governments, Community Impact Strategies Ltd., and the Connecticut Institute for the 21st Century.
Advocates of social impact bonds acknowledge this financing mechanism is not suited for all situations. They do not hold it out as cure-all.
There are drawbacks. Chiefly, it is potentially a more complicated and costly way to deliver services than contracting them out.
There is also debate over whether public services should be financed in such a fashion. Critics say it is a way for governments to shirk their responsibilities.
Under this new funding approach, private investors provide upfront capital to pay for a social program. The government contracts with a private concern to obtain social services. In turn, the contractors hire nonprofit organizations to deliver them.
THE GOVERNMENT ONLY PAYS A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR if the program meets its predetermined goals.
The investors that the contractor lines up are repaid from a share of the government payments. The nonprofit providers may also receive a bonus if they deliver the promised outcomes.
The contractor hires outside consultants to monitor a program, set and measure performance outcomes, and determine how much the government must pay the contractor, if anything at all.
Although this means additional costs, the set-up will require nonprofit providers to get better at evaluating themselves and the services they are providing, said Jim Horan, executive director of the Connecticut Association for Human Services.
Dupont-Diehl said social impact bonds are not likely to make investors rich.
"I don't think it is for everybody. It is not for every Wall Street investor. It is not a huge return, but the payoff is respectable," she said.
Still, Goldman Sachs is partnering with New York City and three city charities to try to reduce recidivism among 16- to 18-year-olds who are released from the city's Rikers Island jail.
The global investment and securities firm provided a $9.6 million loan to a nonprofit called MDRC to establish an education and counseling program.
The initiative was announced in August. At the time, Mayor Michael Bloomberg hailed it as the first use of social impact bonds by any city in the country.
BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES is providing a $7.2 million grant to MDRC over that same four-year period to back a portion of Goldman's loan to MDRC.
MDRC is contracting with the city to oversee the two charities that will run the program. If recidivism falls by 10 percent, the city government will pay MDRC and it will pay back Goldman in turn.
If recidivism falls further, MDRC will receive greater payments based on a capped, sliding scale and Goldman's investors would make a profit
The Vera Institute of Justice will assess the rates of reincarceration and determine the program's effectiveness over time. If the program does not meet its targets, the city pays nothing.
In Connecticut, the legislature authorized the Malloy administration earlier this year to contract with a "social innovation investment enterprise" for the purpose of seeking federal funding for a prisoner re-entry program.
The state ultimately did not qualify for the $750,000 grant, but the Malloy administration is continuing to pursue the idea, said Michael Lawlor, the governor's top adviser on criminal justice policy.
The legislature's budget office estimates the state pays close $50,000 a year to keep an inmate in prison. A reduction in reincarceration rates could represent a significant savings over time and lower crime, Lawlor said.
The state of Massachusetts is the first state to try to mobilize private investment using social impact bonds, according to the Pew Center on the States.
The state has authorized up to $50 million to pay back investors in two programs intended to reduce chronic homelessness and recidivism among offenders aging out of the juvenile justice system. In August, the state announced two nonprofit organizations had been selected to create the privately supported programs.
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Free electricity for 5 years|Library has never billed tenant for power
MIDDLEBURY — A company renting space from the Public Library on Crest Road has not paid the town for its portion of the building's electric bill in five years.
Bibliomation Inc., a company that maintains databases for libraries across Connecticut, leases space on the bottom level of the building. Bibliomation has paid the town rent every month but failed to pay — or be billed by the town — for its electrical usage.
A June 2007 lease states that Bibliomation will pay 16 percent of the library's electric bill since the business covers approximately 16 percent of the building's footprint.
The issue was raised before the Board of Finance at a recent meeting. Board members said the town should pursue the back payments and start billing Bibliomation for the current month. Finance board Chairman Michael McCormack estimated the bill for back payments could be between $25,000 to $30,000.
"It seems to me that the one thing everyone should agree on is that they owe us 16 percent per month," McCormack said. "So pay it now."
Despite the lack of payments under the current lease, town officials are already holding negotiations to renew the lease for another five years. The current lease expires in June 2013.
The 2007 lease was signed by First Selectman Edward B. St. John, but town officials say the document was forgotten or overlooked by officials in the following years.
Former First Selectman Thomas P. Gormley was sworn into office in December 2007, and the town's finance department also had some turnover with former Chief Financial Officer Michael W. Belden leaving and Gormley hiring his replacement, current Chief Financial Officer Lawrence S. Hutvagner.
After the first year of the lease, the town was supposed to set a base rate for Bibliomation to pay, but the company's chief executive officer said Thursday that Bibliomation was never sent a bill.
"How can we pay if we don't know what the amount is?" Mike Simonds said. "We have to have a bill to pay. Why it has taken them so long, you'd have to ask the town."
Simonds said that the town still has yet to send a bill to the company.
Simonds added that the when Bibliomation representatives asked town officials about renewing their current lease, town officials said they would draft a new document and would have the paperwork ready to sign soon.
It's unclear if the town is pursuing payments for all of the money it is currently owed.
Town officials discovered the issue during the summer when a consultant was surveying the building ahead of a proposal to renovate and remodel part of the library.
AIMS Consulting, a Cheshire-based company that monitors electrical and heating usage across all town buildings, noticed that the library was suddenly using more electricity than it had previously. Officials said that Bibliomation had installed computer servers in their offices, which required not only more electricity to run, but also more power for air conditioning to keep the machines cool.
The consultant reported the concern to town officials, advising that contractors may be unwilling to pay the high electrical rates while renovating the building, according to Selectman Elaine M.R. Strobel.
Strobel said that's when officials discovered the past bills had never been paid. The town has since installed electricity monitors in the Bibliomation offices.
She said even if the town never sent a bill, Bibliomation is still required to pay.
"Yes, we dropped the ball, but this is a two-way contract," Strobel said. "They signed a contract with us and they are liable to pay. Turnover (in staff) probably played into it, but they should pay."
Some officials and residents have expressed concerns that the town could potentially save money on the remodeling and expansion of the library by instead using the space already filled by Bibliomation.
If the town renews the lease, however, the space would no longer be available as an alternative to the expansion project.
The renovation is expected to cost nearly $2 million.
When asked whether the town was seeking a new deal or repayment for the past expenses, St. John referred all questions to Town Attorney Dana D'Angelo.
"It's a two-fold issue," St. John said. "Not only are they in arrears, but also need to pick up going forward what they were obligated to pay by the lease. We are in the process, though, of moving ahead to get a new lease."
Bibliomation has been current on other payments to the town, including their $3,582.15 per month rent bill, according to D'Angelo.
She said that the town is holding negotiations with an attorney for the company, discussing both the owed payments and potential new lease.
A deal has yet to be reached, she said.
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Boy Scouts promote character
The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910 to promote character development, citizenship and personal fitness among young boys. It has since grown to be one of the nation's largest youth organizations, with more than 2.7 million youths and one million adults participating in 2011.
Many Boy Scouts have grown up to achieve great success, especially those reaching its highest rank, Eagle Scout, including astronaut Neil Armstrong, baseball great Henry "Hank" Aaron, William DeVries, the doctor who transplanted the first artificial heart, and President Gerald Ford.
Boy Scout community service projects, especially those completed to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, have cleaned parks, fed the homeless and launched food, eyeglass, toy and book drives in almost every community across the country.
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BSA apologizes to victims
The Boy Scouts released its "ineligible volunteer" files last month after the Oregon Supreme Court ruled against the organization in a $20 million lawsuit filed against its Portland branch.
"In certain cases, our response to these incidents (of abuse) and our efforts to protect youth were plainly insufficient, inappropriate, or wrong," said Wayne Perry, Boy Scouts of America President.
He went on to write: "Where those involved in Scouting failed to protect, or worse, inflicted harm on children, we extend our deepest and sincere apologies to victims and their families."
Today, Scouts are a leader in child abuse prevention, Perry said.
The organization has banned one-on-one activities, requires adult volunteers to take child-protection training, added warnings to its Scout handbook and runs a criminal records check on any adult who wants to join Scouting.
Before handing over the files, the Scouts hired a psychiatrist out of the University of Virginia to review the records; that psychiatrist concluded the rate of abuse was very low compared to the national average, according to the Scouts.
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Boy Scouts' 'perversion files' include 68 state men
At least 68 Connecticut men are included in the Boy Scouts of America's so-called "perversion files," the once top-secret blacklist started 80 years ago to prevent the sexual abuse of Scouts.
While some Scouts who molested children were prosecuted, the files show Scout leaders failed to report abusers to police in about a third of the cases, sometimes even after they admitted their crimes.
Instead, the Scouts forced the suspected abusers to resign from the Scouts and seek pastoral or psychiatric care. A review of files in Connecticut contains almost no mention of victim counseling.
Some blacklisted Scout leaders who were not reported to police moved on to coach youth sports, run religious youth groups and even teach in local schools. In some cases, they abused other children.
David "Dirk" Davenport, for example, was quietly run out of three towns in Nebraska and Minnesota in the 1970s for suspected sexual abuse of Scouts before coming to Connecticut.
Davenport served as the pastor of a small Essex church and the leader of a Boy Scout troop in Madison until 1984, when he was caught molesting Scouts again, this time by police.
Davenport was arrested, convicted and sent to prison. He served about 21/2 years before he was released and eventually moved to Florida, where he began preaching to the gay community.
The repeat offenses detailed in the perversion files are difficult for lawyer Frank Bartlett's clients to hear. The Cheshire lawyer represents four Davenport victims who are suing the Boy Scouts.
"I don't want to trash the Boy Scouts because they do many great things for boys," he said. "I mean, I was a Boy Scout. But to think this predator could have been stopped, that he'd done it before, is awful."
The Scouts allowed Davenport to steal childhoods, he said. As a result, his clients have led troubled lives, battled addictions, and struggled to trust authority figures or form relationships, he said.
Local Boy Scout groups referred questions about the files to their national organization, which put out a statement of apology admitting past mistakes when the perversion files were released in October.
But the organization also touted a century of good works, its new child protection policies that it says makes it a leader in the field, and a study showing its rate of abuse as below the national average.
For example, the study found that in 1980, the Boy Scouts created perversion files on 25 suspected sexual predators within its national ranks, which at that time numbered about 1.1 million adult volunteers, the study found.
An offense rate of about 0.002 percent suggests that children are safer in Scouting than in society at large, according to Janet Warren, a University of Virginia professor hired by the Scouts to review their files.
THE BOY SCOUTS FOUGHT TO KEEP THE FILES SECRET, saying that policy would encourage people to report suspected abuse and protect the victims, but the courts ordered their release this fall.
Some files are very thorough, documenting the events leading up to the bans in graphic detail, while others are vague, with both victim and offender names blacked out, or identified only by number.
The Scouts haven't turned over all the perversion files. The batch released in October included 1,247 files created from 1965 to 1985, and included 25 blacklisted Scouts from Connecticut.
A Texas judge had ordered the Scouts to release the 1985-2011 perversion files last week, but the organization filed a legal appeal of the ruling just a few days before the release deadline.
Some of the files the Scouts are holding onto, including more than 40 Connecticut ones, have been released by attorneys suing the Scouts on behalf of molestation victims in other jurisdictions.
In some cases, the files show Boy Scout leaders almost bragged about covering up the sexual misconduct of its blacklisted volunteers. That's what happened with teacher George Martin of Brooklyn.
In 1979, the 30-year-old Martin tried to molest the president of an Explorer Post that he had just begun at the private Catholic school where he taught in Putnam, in eastern Connecticut.
He was fired and forced out of Scouts, but not reported to police.
In a letter to the national headquarters, the Scout executive from Indian Trails Council in Norwich noted that Martin wasn't an official scout when the parent complained, and that the incident was buried.
"It was quickly handled, and did not reach police or news media attention," the Norwich official said. He later wrote they "chose not to involve the police in any way for fear of adverse publicity."
SOME MEN NAMED IN THE NATIONAL FILES who were never convicted of a crime want their names expunged, arguing there is no way to defend themselves now against sometimes decades-old charges.
W. James Dyber of West Hartford claims that his blacklisting was the tragic result of a false accusation made in 1977 by a 14-year-old boy who got angry when Dyber stopped giving him rides home.
The organization told Dyber, who had recently been named Scoutmaster of the Year, it would not go to the police if he quit. He said he did not want to lose his job, or shame his family, so he agreed.
"They accuse you of something awful like that, say they won't say anything if you resign, and what do you do?" asked Dyber. "You quit, that's what, not because you're guilty, but because it sounds so bad."
But that wasn't the only note in Dyber's file. It says he was later found camping 50 yards away from his old Boy Scout troop. He returned to the Scouts after his children joined the organization, but was forced to leave again over alleged misconduct.
Dyber said he was doing his ex-assistant scoutmaster a favor in 1979 when he agreed to help his old troop navigate the rapids along the Housatonic River on the annual canoe trip he had started.
And the resignation? Dyber said it was forced on him by a Scout "nemesis," a jealous troop leader who thought Dyber, who had come back as a merit badge counselor, was gunning for his job.
His "nemesis" simply rehashed the old accusation, Dyber said.
If he had fought it, the Scouts might have gone to the police, said Dyber. That might have landed him in jail, and it would have prevented him from working with children in the future.
A former salesman, he enjoyed a late-in-life career as a history teacher, first at East Catholic High School and then at Assumption School, both in Manchester, before retiring in 2009.
His state provisional teacher's license remains valid through 2016.
He says the Archdiocese of Hartford looked into the Boy Scouts blacklisting a few years ago, and found him innocent of wrongdoing. The archdiocese did not return phone calls to confirm Dyber's story.
Dyber also coached West Hartford youth sports for 30 years.
"All those years I worked with kids and never another accusation," Dyber said. "But it changes you. I didn't trust the kids. I knew that they could lie, that they could twist the truth, so I was cold, never huggy."
Before hanging up, Dyber said: "The Boy Scouts hurt me, too."
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Four local men among those blacklisted by Scouts
Some of the local men flagged in the "perversion files" released by the Boy Scouts:
n Former Wolcott Town Councilor Donald J. Kimber was arrested in 1987 and charged with two counts of fourth degree sexual assault and five counts of risk of injury and impairing the morals of children for abuse that police say stretched over 25 years and included boys in his Cub Scout troop. He pleaded guilty to a single count of risk of injury to a minor and received a 7-year suspended sentence.
The Boy Scouts added Kimber to its perversion files after his arrest, according to files released by a Washington State law firm that has sued the Scouts on behalf of more than 100 sexual abuse victims. Notes in Kimber's file say that questions were raised about Kimber in his role as scoutmaster as early as 1980, but no action was taken.
Reached Saturday, Kimber said he didn't want to talk about the details of the court case, saying it was "a horrible thing that happened a long, long time ago."
"It happened," Kimber said. "It was horrible, but I have recovered, and have tried to do good works as much as I possibly can to help people."
Kimber now lives in Southbury, where he serves on the advisory board of the town's namesake charity, Southbury Community Trust Fund, which hands out annual grants, including many that cater to youth. Kimber says his board work does not bring him directly into contact with children.
"No more kids, never," Kimber said. "My responsibilities on the board are to delegate money. I vote in a board of directors room full of adults about where money should go. Once that kind of thing happens, well, I am not going to ask for any more trouble. Forget it."
Kimber said he did not know that he had been blacklisted. He had just left Wolcott, the Town Council and his Wolcott Cub Scout troop for Southbury when he was arrested. Since he hadn't read his file, Kimber said he couldn't argue with any details, other than to say that the children involved in his court case weren't Scouts. Newspaper stories from the time reported that Kimber originally was charged with sexually abusing three boys and two girls ages 9 to 13.
It was unclear in those reports if the victim he eventually pleaded guilty to putting a risk was a Scout.
n William F. Tanner Jr. of Naugatuck got a 6-1/2 year jail sentence in 1993 for sexually assaulting Scouts in his Danbury troop. He told one boy the abuse was required to become an Eagle Scout.
Tanner died in Danbury in 2003, 10 years after his conviction.
n William "Stoney" McCarragher, a Waterbury native, was convicted twice of sexual misconduct with boys in the 1960s, once in Bantam, where he was trying to launch a Boy Scout troop.
The former Scout leader was murdered at his secluded Arizona home in 2007 after a young ranch hand claimed McCarragher tried to make a pass at him. The ranch hand went on to kill other people and is in prison, the nation's youngest serial killer.
n Leon Cattey of Torrington was blacklisted in 2004 after the Scoutmaster was charged with fourth-degree sexual assault of a 13-year-old member of his Boy Scout troop. The prosecutor decided to throw out the case after concluding Cattey had used poor judgment when he examined the boy's genitals for a medical condition. It wasn't sexual, the prosecutor said.
In exchange, Cattey agreed to stay away from youth activities.
The local Boy Scouts Council did not return calls for comment on Cattey's status, or whether his 2004 blacklisting had been reversed. Cattey did not return phone calls to his Torrington home.
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Holy Cross wins city girls hoop jamboree
O'Donnell paces Crusaders to wins over Chase, Crosby, Kennedy
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Marjorie Sanford|Devoted to her family
NAUGATUCK — Marjorie "Katherine" Louise (Beecher) Sanford, 94, passed peacefully Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012.
Marjorie was born in Seymour on Sept. 11, 1918, and raised in Derby and Bethany, married and raised her family on Spring Street in Naugatuck, and later served as a personal care attendant for her mother and others in Bethany and Prospect. Marjorie, daughter of Harold and Martha Beecher, grew up on the Beecher homestead in Bethany with her older sister, Arlene. After graduating high school, she married Earl Sanford and raised four children.
Marjorie devoted herself to the care of her family. Her Pennsylvania-Dutch values and giving spirit were the substance of her daily chores and routines. She was the prototype stay-at-home mom of her generation her life entirely engaged in providing for the needs of her children and her home. She managed to keep everyone on point despite distractions school, after school, church and social agendas of her children must have been dizzying. Marjorie valued family gatherings, the close and frequent contacts with immediate and extended family, the holiday and weekend traditions playing cards, exchanging gifts, graham crackers and milk, the family gathered around the TV in Bethany on Sunday evenings. She was everyone's secret Santa; she always had a gift and kind word for everyone.
She was active in the United Church of Christ in Bethany, the Naugatuck Methodist Church, with the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Bethany and Naugatuck Senior Centers. For much of her elder years, Marjorie lived independently at her home in Naugatuck, and then with her daughter, Bonnie. Faced with age-related health compromises, she received supportive and loving care at nursing homes in Waterbury and Naugatuck.
Marjorie is survived by her four children, Earle, Sandra, Bonnie and Keat; 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and her sister, Arlene.
One of Marjorie's most memorable characteristics was her imperturbability. No matter the urgency or perceived seriousness of pressing demands, Marjorie was the definition of a calm and peaceful demeanor. She loved to tend to the little things; she was frugal and thrifty; she never spent more than she had to; she never threw anything away. It bothered her that people were wasteful with their resources. We remember her as down-to-earth, always good natured, always encouraging and supportive, a goddess of patience and kindness.
The family extends appreciation for the caring support provided by staff at Abbott Terrace and Beacon Brook.
The family plans a private family service and a church memorial service. The Alderson Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St., is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert Veillette Special Needs Trust at the Naugatuck Savings Bank, 87 Church St., Naugatuck 06770, care of Brian DeVito.
For further information or to send an online condolence, go to www.aldersonfuneralhomes.com.
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Michael W. LeVasseur Sr.|Beloved father and grandfather
WATERBURY — Mr. Michael William LeVasseur Sr., 70, of Gaylord Drive, passed on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, after a long battle with cancer while surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of Rose (Sirica) LeVasseur, who passed a few weeks ago on Nov. 4.
Michael was born July 10, 1942, in Waterbury, son of the late Peter and Marion (Ayotte) LeVasseur. He was a lifelong resident in Waterbury and member of St. Michael's Church of Waterbury. He retired from Dalton Paving and worked for years as a laborer. Michael enjoyed playing pool and cards. He loved to dance and spend time with his friends and family. He was also a fan of classic John Wayne movies.
His family would like to acknowledge and thank the many nurses and doctors at the Smilow Cancer Center in New Haven as well as the VNA of Waterbury for their care and compassion showed to Michael and his family during his illness.
He leaves his children, Elizabeth Henry and her husband, Wayne, of Westbrook, Victoria LeVasseur of Waterbury, Michael Jr. and his wife, Tina LeVasseur, of Massachusetts, Rose Krantz of Oakville, William Jr. and his wife, Anne LeVasseur, of Fairfield, his son at heart, Richard LeVasseur; grandchildren, Jessica, Rachel, Amanda, Michael III, Trisha, Nicholas, Maxwell, Virginia and Annelise; great-grandchild, Griffin; his siblings, Mary Izzi of Waterbury, Helen LeVasseur of Waterbury, Dorothy DiMaria of Wolcott and Patricia Tato of Oakville; a brother, Gordon LeVasseur of Bethany; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Richard, Leonard, Louis, Delsie, Anthony, Harry and Harold.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Woodtick Memorial, 420 Woodtick Road, Wolcott, CT 06716. Family and friends are asked to gather on Thursday at St. Michael's Church for a Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to VNA Hospice, 50 Brookside Road, Waterbury, CT 06708. To express words of comfort or to post a photo to Michael's family, please visit www.woodtickmemorial.com.
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Robert A. Overton|Longtime area landscaper
BETHLEHEM — Robert Allan Overton, 81, of Bethlehem, died Wednesday, Nov. 28, at home.
Mr. Overton was born on Aug. 23, 1931 in Waterbury, the son of the late Parmenus Franklin Overton and Edna Alice West Overton and was raised one of seven children. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 and was stationed in Okinawa.
He moved to Bethlehem in 1958 where he took great pride in his community. The Bethlehem Lions Club became a huge part of his life in 1972 when he founded the club and became the first president.
He had a gift for landscaping and tree climbing and owned Bob's Complete Landscaping Service for 30 years before retiring. He was also a member of the Bethlehem Fire Department from 1958 to 1966, and a member of the Bethlehem American Legion.
Family to Bob was always top priority; he loved being a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Bob loved being with people, helping his community, having parties, dancing and enjoying life to its fullest.
He leaves his two sons, Robert Overton of Bethlehem and Timothy Overton of Santa Cruz, Calif. and his daughter Victoria Overton and her partner Bryan Rushton of Bethlehem; his grandchildren Melissa Mahon and her partner Stuart Young, Zebula Overton and his partner Erica Foster, Lucas Overton and his partner Jessica Visokay, and Jessica Sniffin and her husband Michael Sniffin; his four great-grandchildren, Nicolas and Julia Sniffin, James and Alex Young; his siblings Barbara Russell, Russell Overton, Eunice Macary and her husband Frank Macary, Billy Overton and the late Charlie Overton, and the late Jackie Overton along with many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give a special thanks to his caregiver Eileen Clarke. She is an amazing person who went above and beyond for him.
A service will be held at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on Dec. 10, 2012 at 11 a.m. Calling hours will be held one hour before at the church, followed by a Celebration of Life at The Painted Pony in Bethlehem.
In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to the Bethlehem Lions Club, the Bethlehem American Legion, the Bethlehem Fire Department and/or the Bethlehem Ambulance Association in memory of Robert Overton.
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Mrs. Hilda M. Marquis|Romatic Mfg. retiree
PROSPECT — Mrs. Hilda M. (Thibeault) Marquis, age 76, of Prospect, died unexpectedly on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, at her home. She was the wife of Norman Marquis.
Mrs. Marquis was born in St. Agatha, Maine on April 12, 1936, daughter of the late Willard and Loretta (Chasse) Thibeault. She was a retired employee from Romatic Manufacturing in Southbury. She was a parishioner of St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church in Prospect. She was an active member of the Prospect Senior Center and the Red Hat Society.
She liked to begin every day with her best friend, Eve Smith, and the whole gang at Hometown Luncheonette for breakfast. For everyone who had a chance to get to know her they would say "she was the life of the party". Growing up on a farm with her four brothers, she learned to be tough as nails. But even so, she had a very big heart. Young, old, it didn't matter; she would do anything to help a friend. She loved her "babies" most of all, which were her three cats. We will all miss the "French Lady" with her misspoken words, sense of humor and witting sarcasm.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Marquis is survived by a daughter, Lisa Bolton of Prospect; a son, Leroy Marquis and his wife, Lynn, of Naugatuck; a brother, Harold Thibeault and his wife, Solange, of New Britain; and two grandchildren, Emily Bolton and Kyle Bolton. She was predeceased by her brothers, Reno, Nelson and James Thibeault.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. from the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 26 Waterbury Road, Route 69, Prospect, to St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, 4 Union City Road, Prospect, for a Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Prospect Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society New England Division, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
For more information and online condolences, please log on to www.buckmillerbrothers.com.
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