Lyme-Old Lyme High School Alumna Named 11th Connecticut College President

Posted on August 25, 2013 by admin

The new president of Connecticut College, Katherine Bergeron, who hails from Old Lyme. Photo from www.Brown.edu

A member of the Lyme-Old Lyme High School Class of 1976, Katherine Bergeron, was named last week as the 11th president of Connecticut College in New London.

We are hoping to conduct an interview with this Old Lyme native as soon as possible and would welcome memories of Bergeron from other members of the Class of ’76. We have already been contacted by a few, who wished to express pride in their fellow alumna.

Bergeron is currently dean of Brown University in Rhode Island.

Meanwhile, here are two stories published by The Day about Bergeron’s appointment:

Old Lyme native Katherine Bergeron named president of Conn College published 08/20/13

Conn College’s 11th published 08/21/13

Westbrook Man Sentenced to Six Months in Jail for Dec. 2011 Alpaca Killings

Posted on August 25, 2013 by admin

A 23-year-old Westbrook man has been sentenced to six months in jail on charges related to the December 2011 stabbings of four alpacas at the Applesauce Acres farm on Bushy Hill Road in the Ivoryton section. Kyle Roscetti received the sentence Thursday at Middletown Superior Court.

Roscetti had pled guilty to a charge of cruelty to animals and violation of probation. Middlesex Superior Court Judge David Gold sentenced Roscetti to one year in prison, suspended after six months served, and two years of probation. He will also be required to make restitution to the owners of the alpacas and undergo a mental health evaluation.

The judge agreed to delay the start of the sentence for a medical treatment, with Roscetti required to report to the Department of Corrections on Sept. 13.

The alpaca killings that were discovered on Dec. 23, 2011 shocked area animal lovers. A state police investigation in April 2012 resulted in the arrest of Roscetti and Shawn Malcarne, 25, of Deep River.

Malcarne was granted accelerated rehabilitation in court last year, receiving two years probation with a requirement that he complete 100 hours of community service.

Talking Transportation: Progress is Painful

Posted on August 25, 2013 by Jim Cameron

Jim Cameron

I am nothing if not an optimist. After toiling as a rail advocate for almost two decades, nothing surprises me or dissuades me. A few examples…

This week Metro-North announced a new timetable, one so hastily launched that they won’t even have paper copies available ‘til after Labor Day. Why the hurry? Because this summer has been horrendous for on-time service … but with good reason.

Metro-North is justifiably proud of 98+% on-time performance record (give or take their six minute margin of error). But long postponed and badly needed track work, especially in the Bronx, has screwed up everything since July 1st. Trains, especially at rush hour, have regularly been 10+ minutes late as two of the four tracks are out of service.

The solution? A new timetable showing longer (more realistic) running times until the work is done. Your train won’t run any faster, but you won’t be able to complain about being late, at least on paper.

At first this may seem like a self-serving trick, but, in this case, I think the railroad is right.

The track work is necessary. If last May’s derailment in Fairfield taught us nothing it certainly showed the need for maintenance. As I asked one fellow rider grousing about the delays, “What do you want … a fast ride or a safe one?”

The track work and slower running times will be in effect through the fall. Let’s all be patient and let the railroad finish its work.

A huge plus for commuters is the recent opening of the West Haven station. After more than a decade and $130 million in expenditures, this gorgeous new station with 12-car-length platforms and 658 parking spaces will finally fill the nine mile service gap between Milford and New Haven stations.

The new station is proof that things can get better thanks to the actions of even one person. Local businessman Michael Meruciano petitioned for this station starting in 2000 and single-handedly fought for its creation for more than a decade. He deserves a medal for his perseverance, though every local, state and a few national politicians will likely take credit.

Speaking of which… we are still waiting for more news on the re-formed CT Rail Commuter Council, successor to the 26-year-old CT Metro-North Rail Commuter Council (on which I served as Chairman). Governor Malloy’s proposal to revamp the Council became law this spring and called for the naming of the new Council’s members by Aug. 1.

I’m happy to report that I was the first member appointed (thanks to State Rep and Minority Leader Larry Cafero) and so far five other ‘old’ Council members have also been appointed.

The Commuter Council hasn’t met since last June (when our meeting was boycotted by Metro-North and the CDOT) and we’re anxious to get the new group up and running soon.

Only problem is, Governor Malloy and several other lawmakers have missed the Aug. 1 deadline for appointing new members, leaving us in limbo. Why the rush to reform the old Commuter Council if they can’t meet their own legislative deadline for appointing members to a new one?

Editor’s Note: Jim Cameron has been a commuter out of Darien for 19 years. He is a member of the new CT Rail Commuter Council and the Darien RTM. You can reach him at Cameron06820@gmail.com or www.trainweb.org/ct

‘Mark Twain’ Rides Aboard Essex Steam Train Today

Posted on August 25, 2013 by admin

Mark Twain will create a unique experience aboard the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat today, riding along and interacting with visitors.

The “Passengers from the Past” experience is new this year, and is designed to take passengers back in time alongside popular historic figures. This special visits will take place Sunday, Aug. 25.

Previous visitors aboard the train have included President Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln and William and Helen Gillette.

The special passengers are personified by some of the most renowned historic figure actors in the country. Visitors will be able to spend quality time on the steam train and riverboat with some of the most interesting people in history.

There are no additional fees for the “Passengers from the Past” experience.

Mark Twain

Mark Twain, one of Connecticut’s most famous residents, will visit the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Aug. 24 and 25, to do what he does best – entertain crowds with storytelling and humor. Often called “the father of American literature,” Mark Twain is best known for his novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

He is also a celebrity humorist and will be sure to share many stories with fellow passengers. Always with a smile, always with wit, Mr. Twain plans to make the “Passengers from the Past” experience fun and exciting. A tip for your ride aboard the Becky Thatcher riverboat: be sure to ask Mr. Twain about the Tom Sawyer character the riverboat is named after.

Watch video.