We liked this week

Area municipalities held ceremonies to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the attacks of 9/11. In Meriden, a flag that flew over New York’s Ground Zero in the aftermath of the attack was raised and lowered to half staff. “It was twenty-one short years ago this morning that our country experienced a cowardly attack on our homeland in New York, Washington D.C., and the skies of Pennsylvania from a foreign enemy, the Pearl Harbor of our generation,” said City Councilor Bob Williams. “We will never forget, and we meet today to remember the 3,000 people who lost their lives.”

Coginchaug Regional High School celebrated the return to school with a back-to-school carnival that offered activities throughout the day. “It was a day we really needed after the pandemic and all of the challenges over the last few years,” said Rebecca Suchy, an English teacher.

Cheryl Bardoe, a local author, is a finalist for the 2022 Connecticut Book Awards in the non-fiction picture book category for “Bei Bei Goes Home:  A Panda Story.” “I think stories are things that really bring us together and I think that’s always really nice when an organization says, ‘Hey, this story help bring people together. This story helps expand people’s view of the world and connect people and is enjoyable,’” she said.

The Meriden Police Department honored Detective Eileen Hall, the department’s first female officer, with a display case featuring artifacts from her career, and celebrated her as a trailblazer in local law enforcement. Hall served on the force for nearly two decades, retiring in 1969. She died in 1991, at 97.

Many events will highlight Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs until Oct. 15, and focuses on the culture, ancestry and contribution of those from Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Southington welcomed the return of James Bowes, who will serve as finance director following the retirement of Emilia Portelinha. A town resident, Bowes was comptroller in Wallingford for 17 years before retiring in May last year. He had also been Southington’s finance director. “Jim Bowes was by far the best candidate that we interviewed for the position, and I feel that he will be able to, almost seamlessly, perform the duties of finance director,” Town Manager Mark Sciota said.

Masonicare is opening a memory care unit that is open to patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia that offers “sensory stimulation, a sunroom and other specialized programs.” J.P. Venoit, Masonicare chief executive, said it “will enhance the quality of life of the residents that we’re serving each and every day.”