Madison News Roundup

A Greenwich woman was arrested Tuesday on charges stemming from thefts from Madison, CT businesses last spring.

Madison police served Melissa Trotter, 25, in New Haven court with outstanding arrest warrants in relation to thefts that occurred from Madison shops at end of April. Trotter was charged with credit card theft, conspiracy to commit illegal use of credit cards, sixth-degree larceny, and conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny.

The thefts were reported from Walker Loden, Given Fine Chocolates, and Pet Star. Police allege Trotter stole people’s wallets and credit cards in those stores, in addition to stores in other towns, including Hamden and Guilford, while the victims were distracted by her friend’s baby.

Three Hammonasset Beach State Park workers have been arrested and charged in connection with the theft of about $5,000 from the park’s entrance gates, the New Haven Register reports.

The DEP’s Environmental Conservation Police investigated when the employee who deals with the entrance fees reported the money missing. Records showed discrepancies between cash register records and cash on hand at Hammonasset.

Three suspects were arrested and released on bail: Sandra Stevens, 65, of Clinton; Nicole Kenneson, 20, of Newington; and a 17-year-old from Madison. The juvenile and Kenneson were each charged with first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny. Stevens was charged with second-degree larceny.

The money was stolen over a period of about two months starting around April 17 and ending around June 6, but police are still trying to determine exactly when the money first went missing, the Register reports.

Parking fees at Hammonasset are $9 weekdays and $13 weekends for state residents, and $15 weekdays and $22 weekends for non-residents. From mid-April until Memorial Day weekend, a $9 preseason parking fee for residents and $15 non-resident fee is in place on weekends.

Registration for high school Fall Sports will take place at Daniel Hand High School August 16-19, 2010 from 9 a.m.– 12 p.m. in the Health Office.

In order to participate in ANY sport at Daniel Hand High School a student must have these forms on file with the Health Office:

1. HEALTH ASSESSMENT RECORD – This form must be completed by a physician and filed with the Health Office BEFORE the first day of practice. Physical examinations expire 13 months from the date of the examination.
2. MADISON PUBLIC SCHOOLS – EMERGENCY INFORMATION — Please complete both sides of the form. This form MUST be completed at the beginning of the school year.
3. CODE OF CONDUCT CONTRACT FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES — This form should be completed at the beginning of the first sport season.

Parents and students need only fill out these forms at the beginning of the school year, regardless of the season in which the sport occurs. Registration fees will be due at the beginning of each season. Forms are available from the high school or can be downloaded from the DHHS website.

4. CONSENT/REGISTRATION/PAYMENT FEE — This form should be completed each season, indicating the sport in which the student-athlete will be participating, and MUST be accompanied by the registration fee of $75 per student per season. (A confidential payment waiver form is also available.)

Governor Jodi Rell and Madison First Selectman Fillmore McPherson announced last week that Madison will receive a $200,000 grant to help clean up the former Griswold Airport. The town of Madison purchased the airport property in May in order to preserve the 42-acre site as a conservation area and for recreational activities.

“While most of the airport’s environmental condition is nearly perfect, this grant will help remove some of the older buildings and areas, like the runway, which contain traces of lead paint, asbestos, or oil,” McPherson said. “Our budget includes the funds to make this property pristine, and this grant will save the town real money at a time when our citizens need it.”

“We are very fortunate to receive this grant as it will reduce the amount the Town will have to borrow for the project,” McPherson said.  “The referendum in January authorized spending $1.1 million to convert the property from an airport to a park.  The state is now paying $200 thousand of that amount, thus lowering the Town’s debt service payments over the next 20 years.”

Nick Hastings, a principal in the environmental engineering firm of Woodard and Curran, helped the Town in applying for the grant.

The Madison, CT school system last week unveiled its redesigned website (www.madison.k12.ct.us).

“We have been working diligently to expand and improve our communication efforts, and our website changes are intended to enhance our communication with you and the greater Madison community,” Superintendent David J. Klein wrote in a a letter and email to Madison residents.

“The transformation from our former website has been carefully planned and the changeover is expected to proceed fluidly,” Klein wrote. Anyone who encounters any problems with the website is encouraged to use the “Contact Us” link found at the bottom of all of the Web pages, or to call the Technology Department at the Central Office (203-245-6300).

“In the coming weeks, I will follow-up with you to share the added communication benefits of our website upgrades, which include but are not limited to, new integrated calendars along with some electronic course management features for students in Grades 5-12,” Klein wrote. “Stay tuned for further information regarding the district and building websites.”

FRIDAY:

• Fundraiser for HIV/AIDS Widows and Orphans, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., E C Scranton Memorial Library – 801 Boston Post Rd. Madison, CT: Oil paintings, art prints, and photographs of Africa by Sandra and Terry Kensler: daily (Monday through Saturday) August 2-29, 9:00 AM until library closing. Reception and conversation with Sandra and Terry on Thursday, August 19, 6:00 – 7:30 PM. All proceeds donated to CLOUT Cares to benefit HIV/AIDS widows and orphans of Kenya.
• Free Wine Tasting, noon-7:30 p.m., the Madison Wine Shop, 734 Boston Post Road: Wine tastings geared to educate over time, by providing an opportunity to sample and discuss a wide variety of wines, mostly outside of the mainstream, mostly affordable, and sometimes not. It’s free, informal, informative, face-to-face with Rick Lewis and your fellow participants, and its fun.
• Madison Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m. Madison Town Green – 26 Meetinghouse Rd. Madison: The Madison Farmers Market was established in 2007, and will commence May 7th-October 22nd every Friday from 3-6pm in the 2010 season. This beautiful and diverse market is centrally located in Madison, CT, on the Historic Madison Green. The farmers/vendors who make up this bustling market offer a wide array of CT Grown/produced items, which are beautifully presented.
• “Love Your Local” Farmers’ Market, 3-6 p.m., Deacon John Grave house, 581 Boston Post Road in Madison, CT: The Deacon John Grave House will present a new “Love Your Local” Farmer’s Market every Friday through September 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. Unlike the farmer’s market on the Town Green, the market will feature locally resident farmers, bakers, and chefs offering fruit, vegetables, meats, fish, cheeses, baked goods, soups and more.  Look for the “Love Your Local” Farmer’s Market on the front lawn of the Deacon John Grave house, 581 Boston Post Road in Madison, CT at the corner of Route 1 and Academy Street.
• Bake Sale, 3 p.m., Deacon John Grave House – 581 Boston Post Road Madison, CT: Proceeds help purchase school supplies for Madison students.
• Jeffrey Wands – Self-Help, 7 p.m. RJ Julia: Not that we need to tell you, but psychic Jeffrey Wands will be here to talk about his newest book, Knock and the Door Will Open: 6 Keys to Mastering the Art of Living. This workshop will offer real life strategies for creating harmony, happiness, purpose, and peace in every aspect of your life. Tickets for this event are $5 and may be used toward the purchase of the book.
• Madison Beach Club Follies, 7:30 p.m., Madison Beach Club, 128 Island Avenue, Madison, CT: Public performance.
• What Up Funk, 9:30 p.m., Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille, 1320 Boston Post Rd., Madison, CT: Live music.

SATURDAY:

• Fundraiser for HIV/AIDS Widows and Orphans, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., E C Scranton Memorial Library – 801 Boston Post Rd. Madison, CT: Oil paintings, art prints, and photographs of Africa by Sandra and Terry Kensler: daily (Monday through Saturday) August 2-29, 9:00 AM until library closing. Reception and conversation with Sandra and Terry on Thursday, August 19, 6:00 – 7:30 PM. All proceeds donated to CLOUT Cares to benefit HIV/AIDS widows and orphans of Kenya.
• Overeaters Anonymous Open Meeting, 9 a.m., Memorial Town Hall – Route 1  on the Green Madison Center: Overeaters Anonymous Open Meeting Saturdays at the  Memorial Hall, Route 1 on the Green, Madison 1-800-824-8650 www.oa.org
• Madison Historical Society Annual Summer Exhibition, 11 a.m.-4  p.m., Lee Academy, Madison, CT: Visitors to Madison’s iconic Lee Academy often  wonder about its history and its varied uses through nearly two centuries. The  MHS Annual Summer exhibition should satisfy the curiosity of all visitors with  its representation of a nineteenth-century school and classroom. Supported by a  grant from the Erwin C. Bauer Charitable Trust, the 2010 exhibition will present  the history of the Academy, including its place in a New England-wide  educational movement. Learn the stories of the people who served the Academy’s  goals and discover those who benefited from the vision of Captain Frederick Lee  and his fellow citizens.
• Artful Aging at The Strong House, 1-4 p.m., Strong House Adult Day Center, 546 Durham Road, Madison, CT: A fundraiser to benefit the Strong House Adult Day Center– Madison’s home away from home for older adults. This event is free and will showcase the fine skills of local artists.  Jewelry, pottery, photography and mosaics will all be on hand to purchase.  Massage and meditation sessions will also be available. The Strong House is a non-profit adult day center affiliated with VNA Community Healthcare and is located in Madison, Connecticut.  The highly trained staff provides a nurturing daytime environment (Monday – Friday) that keeps older adults at their highest level of health and independence.  On-site nurse and transportation available. For more information contact Lori at 203.245.0524
• Rock Bottom, 9:30 p.m., Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille, 1320 Boston Post Rd., Madison, CT: Live music.

SUNDAY:

• Concert on the Green: The Taxmen, 6-8 p.m., Madison Town Green, Madison, CT: Live music.

Come see your friends and neighbors in the 74th annual Madison Beach Club Follies this Friday, August 6, at 7:30 p.m. The show will be performed in the ballroom of the Madison Beach Club, 128 Island Avenue, but the setting is the Palais, and old-time dance club and will feature music from around 1910 to the present.

Brian Henry returns to direct the show, and Richard Chiarappa is also back as the music director. The show includes many club members — both on stage and off — ages 12 and up.

Tickets for the Friday performance are $7.50 for children 12 and under, and $15 for adults. Tickets are available at the Beach Club front desk. Proceeds will be distributed to local charities through the Madison Foundation. For more information, call the club at 203-245-2714.