Memorialgolf outing

Timberlin Golf Club hosted the annual Bob Stein Grandparent-Grandchild Outing on Wednesday, July 12, and once again, the weather was just fine. “It was another beautiful day Bob gave us,” head pro Marc Bayram stated.

“Every year since his passing we have had great weather,” Bayram pointed out, “and it wouldn’t shock me if Bob had something to do with that.”

A well-known figure at Timberlin, Bob Stein came up with the concept of the grandparent-grandchild outing and did much to promote the family-themed, 9-hole event. Stein died in 2011.

“[I]n conjunction with the Timberlin Senior Golf Association, we run the event in his honor,” said Bayram. “Bob was extremely passionate about this event and wanted it to continue long after he was gone.”  

This year, the inter-generational golf outing drew 36 participants.

“I can tell you this – those kids had a lot of smiles, they were really enjoying themselves,” said John Rao, who now spearheads the grandparent-grandchild outing. He and Stein were neighbors, and friends.

The 2023 Patriot’s Pen essay-writing contest winners from McGee Middle School were announced recently: first place, Owen C. Holland; second place, Michelle Liu; third place, Catherine Lake. The writers were presented with a check and a certificate by Berlin VFW Post 10732's Anthony Gagliardi and Brad Parsons. Patriot’s Pen, a nationwide, VFW-sponsored program, gives sixth, seventh and eighth grade students the opportunity to express their opinion on a patriotic theme and improve their writing skills, while competing for awards and prizes. Amanda Zybrands is the McGee teacher coordinator for the contest.

The Kensington Garden Club installed its new officer slate recently during a luncheon at Timberlin Golf Club. The officers are: president Elaine Erwin Matulis, co-VP Carol Courtney, co-VP Cyndi McKinnon, director/past president Peggy Lajoie, treasurer Diane Roncaioli, corresponding secretary Donna Desimone, recording secretary Carol Welz. The Kensington Garden Club promotes civic beauty throughout Berlin, raises awareness of environmental concerns and also promotes the advancement of the art of floral design and horticulture.

Wallingford’s 11U All-Star softball team took the state title in its age division by defeating Berlin 7-2 on July 11 to cap a two-game sweep of the best-of-three championship series at Milford Little League’s Brewster Field. Sparked by three runs in the top of the first inning, Wallingford led wire to wire. Berlin did close to within 3-2 by the end of the fourth inning, but Wallingford refortified its lead with two runs in the fifth and iced it with two more in the sixth. Winning pitcher Caitlyn Hale closed it out with a 1-2-3 last of the sixth, including two strikeouts. It was the second state crown in as many summers for coach Carl Tetreault’s Wallingford all-star team, which went all the way last year in the 10U bracket. “Our girls didn’t give up, had experience and we knew we could do it if we stuck to our game plan,” Tetreault said. “Berlin has a sensational team. They are well coached and played an amazing game.”