Children, Cocoa, and Community Spirit Mark Green Lighting

PHILIP THIBODEAU PHOTOS

In the middle of the afternoon on Friday, downtown Southington suddenly lost power. A few moments later, Sandy Guay, co-owner of Southington Coffee House, stepped through the doorway of her darkened café carrying a large box of paper cups; she joked to her employees and customers that the Town must have blown out the grid while testing the lights for the evening’s Bright Lights Christmas Festival.

As it turned out, the electrical demands of the two-dozen or so light sculptures on the green were not to blame for the outage. (A utility pole damaged by a car was at fault.) Within a few minutes the power came back on, and the staff at Southington Coffee went back to preparing a hot chocolate bar for the evening’s festival attendees.

At 5pm, as the event opened, plunging temperatures and early darkness made it easy to sympathize with the elves who work the night shift at the North Pole. Right on cue, the Polar Express Children’s Train Ride pulled up to the Green and began boarding passengers for an imaginary journey. A small crowd of children gathered at the United Way’s table to compose letters to Santa, who, it is said, never checks his email.

The cold made the three bonfires maintained by Eric Korp an attractive place to gather. Mike Fasulo manned a table with supplies for s’mores, handing out three-foot long wooden spits to anyone who wanted to toast a marshmallow. One elderly resident remarked that this was the first time in her life she had ever made a s’more; she succeeded under the tutelage of some of the children present, who appeared to be old hands at the art.

When the time came to light the display, event organizer Dawn Miceli joined Town Councilors Chris Palmieri, Dave Zoni, Kristen Guida, Joshua Serafino, and Jen Clock up on the mobile stage. They all led the crowd in cheering on young Sophia Heller, who won this year’s contest to be the switch-flipper. Once the countdown reached zero, Heller pounded with all her might, and light came to the green.

To the accompaniment of carols sung by the Southington Festival Chorale, people went wandering – shopping for crafts at SoCCA, visiting the Barnes Museum on one of the rare occasions when it is open at night, meeting the Grinch at the Freemasons or Santa next door at the American Legion. Cocoa afficianados faced a choice between free hot chocolate at First Congregational’s tag sale, or Southington Coffee’s no-charge cocoa bar.

It was an evening of holiday fun and calm. Even on-call, members of the Southington Fire Department were able to relax and share in the good vibes as marshmallows browned nearby in the firepit's gentle flames.

Southington Opens Class LL Tournament With Win Over Glastonbury

WR Jaxiel Rivera picks up yards KIERAN SUMMERS PHOTOS

Southington football held a 21-17 halftime advantage when head coach Rob Levesque entered the locker room to address his team. One player spoke up, saying all they wanted was to be studying film the next day to fix the team’s mistakes. Thank to a lot of grit and perseverance, they got their wish: class will be in session for Levesque and company, as Southington came away with a 35-30 victory in their Class LL State Tournament opening game.

“These kids are bought in and they want the season to continue. It’s a tough time of year when a lot of teams are banged up, people are looking for it to be over. These guys are hitting their stride,” Levesque said. “I’m proud of them and how they held tight. We made some mistakes tonight that put us in some bad spots. Glastonbury is a great team, they put themselves in a position to win. Our guys held up.”

Game Recap

It looked like Southington’s offense was shot out of a cannon to start the game, as junior quarterback Luke Prozzo found senior Rosco Cook for a 30-yard pass on the opening drive. A few plays later, sophomore Ben Beaulieu broke through numerous tackles on his way to a 34-yard touchdown run. Sophomore Sawyer Trudeau’s extra point made it 7-0 at the 9:47 mark.

Glastonbury wasn’t going down without a fight, though. Less than two minutes later, the Guardians scored on a 26-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.

On their next drive, Southington was faced with third-and-nine. Prozzo broke to the outside, getting the first down with his legs. He would then find Jaxiel Rivera for a 35-yard pass as the senior juked out numerous defenders. Another long Prozzo run on third-and-10 set up a four-yard Beaulieu touchdown scamper. Trudeau’s extra point moved the Blue Knights’ advantage to 14-7.

Glastonbury ended the first quarter with several third down conversions before opening the next quarter fourth-and-one. They would convert that too, ultimately hitting a 26-yard field goal to cut the lead to 14-10.

After two back and forth drives, Southington put Glastonbury in a punt situation. As soon as the Guardians’ punter got the ball, senior Daniel Corrado and junior Ben Kielbowicz were there to stop him, forcing a turnover in Glastonbury territory.

On the very first play of the Blue Knights’ ensuing drive, Beaulieu scored his third touchdown of the night on a 30-yard run. Trudeau’s extra point was good, giving Southington a 21-10 lead.

However, the Blue Knights ended the half in a precarious position. On a Glastonbury punt, the ball bounced off of a Southington player and into their opponent’s hands. Shortly after, the Guardians scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass.

The Blue Knights seemed to be getting some momentum back when Rivera’s kick return went for 49 yards. A personal foul call got Southington deep into Glastonbury territory, but the Blue Knights saw their field goal blocked. They entered halftime with a 21-17 lead.

After the break, Southington and Glastonbury both kept their footing. The two teams remained scoreless until the very end of the quarter, when Beaulieu ran in a 15-yard touchdown with 36 seconds remaining. Trudeau was again clean on the extra point, giving the Blue Knights a 28-10 lead going into the fourth.

Glastonbury was faced with fourth-and-13 early in the frame. Yet the Guardians converted and would score on a 28-yard passing touchdown a few players later. They kicked the extra point, cutting the lead to 28-24.

Prozzo again showed off his arm strength and junior Walker Mierzewjewski displayed his playmaking ability as the pair connected for a 37-yard pass. That would set up Beaulieu’s fifth rushing touchdown from three yards out. Southington took a 35-24 lead on Trudeau’s extra point.

Still, Glastonbury would not throw in the towel. On fourth-and-seven, Southington was called for a 15-yard facemask penalty. The Guardians continued driving down the field and scored on a one-yard touchdown run. But in a critical miscue, their attempted two-point conversion failed. The Blue Knights still led by more than a field goal, 35-30.

With 2:54 remaining, tensions rose sharply. Glastonbury recovered an onside kick at midfield. Southington then got called for another facemask penalty, moving the Guardians even deeper in scoring territory. Eventually, Glastonbury was faced with fourth-and-three near the red zone.

The pass went up and the Guardians receiver made a play on it. But Southington’s pass defense held up as the ball fell incomplete. The Blue Knights were able to kneel out the clock from there, securing the 35-30 victory.

“We know we’re capable of doing it and executing,” Levesque said of the final play of the game. “You just hope they’re focused on the play, that they’re tied in to their keys, and that they’re playing with ice water in their veins. We did that there. It was a great pass, the kid had a chance at it. But we were right there to swipe that thing.”

Beaulieu did all he could with his five scores. When he was on the sidelines, he remained confident. There was no doubt in his mind that Southington’s defense would step up.

“I trust these guys,” Beaulieu said. “I know these guys. I’ve played with them every single day. I knew they were going to make the play. I knew they were going to.”

RB Ben Beaulieu takes handoff from QB Luke Prozzo 

Beaulieu’s Big Day

Beaulieu entered the contest having recently been named Apple Valley Classic MVP. He turned that momentum into 15 carries for 138 yards along with five touchdowns against Glastonbury. The sophomore was committed and determined to keep Southington’s hopes alive, and extend its legacy.

“It feels amazing. Winning at home means so much to me and this program,” Beaulieu said. “This program is made of state champions and legends. We have to keep continuing that. This is how you do it.”

While Beaulieu was the one who carried the pigskin into the endzone, he was quick to credit those around him. He says both his offensive line and offensive coordinator Chase “Moose” Mayoussier have played big roles in his success. At the same time, Beaulieu knows he has flourished in the starting running back role due to his special skills. 

“Being able to be trusted by an offensive coordinator as a sophomore, can’t thank the coaches enough,” Beaulieu said. “When you’re in there, you got to have vision. Vision is what I’m gifted with. My offensive line is amazing, can’t thank them enough.”

The sophomore entered the season as a backup and was thrown into the fire due to injuries. But no matter the challenge in front of him, Beaulieu was ready for it. Levesque has taken notice.

The head coach watches his running back break through tackles and observes his grit on every play. But what Levesque also sees is a player willing to do whatever it takes for his team.

“Ben is a better person than he is a football player. He is all about his team, people around him in his life. He plays like there’s not a next down. He plays each down like it’s the last one,” Levesque said. “If he’s got an inch to squeeze, he’s squeezing the inch out of it. He plays with a lot of passion, he plays for the team.”

Southington football won’t forget Beaulieu’s five touchdown game any time soon. But the sophomore has already erased it from his mind. All he is focused on is the Blue Knights’ next challenge.

“Diligence, hard work, focus,” Beaulieu said of what’ll take to keep winning. “This win means nothing, because we have to go play next week.”

Offense Finding Strides

After making his return from injury during the Thanksgiving win over Cheshire, Prozzo was again named the starting quarterback for Southington’s opening playoff game. He completed 9-of-16 passes for 132 yards against Glastonbury.

He and sophomore Jacoby Roman continue to split reps in practice. The coaching staff will decide who will be the starting quarterback after evaluations. Levesque calls it a good problem to have, as Roman and Prozzo are both pushing each other to strive for greatness.

As the team enters the semifinals of the Class LL State Tournament, quarterback play will be crucial, even with Beaulieu running the way he is. Whoever gets the start has clear expectations of them.

“Prozzo stepped up for us after a long layover and a short practice, when he actually got cleared to go. He had a tremendous game on Thanksgiving. We felt like [starting him] was the best thing for us,” Levesque said. “Jacoby is still right there, equal reps. We had a package for Jacoby. We didn’t get to see Jacoby tonight, but he’s right there.”

“They’re pushing each other in practice,” the head coach continued. “They’re the best critics. I can’t ask for a better situation. They both want to be the starter. That camaraderie we have in the locker room and on the field is really why these guys are successful right now.”

WR Jaxiel Rivera carries the ball

 Rivera led the Blue Knights in receiving on Wednesday, catching three passes for 51 yards. He said Prozzo made it easy for him, as he placed the ball perfectly. All he had to do was go up and make a play. If Southington’s offense continues to click, Rivera knows they’ll be a tough matchup for any defense. 

“It means a lot. We’re Southington. We’re expected to make playoffs,” Rivera said. “Last year we had a little fluke. Our goal this year was to make playoffs. That’s what we did. Keep it rolling, six game win streak. They ain’t stopping us right now. Nothing is stopping us.”

The senior impacted the game in multiple ways, with two big plays serving as highlights. His 35-yard grab led to a touchdown while his 49-yard kick return gave Southington strong field position. Rivera knew he would have to step up for the Blue Knight to beat Glastonbury. Still, he stresses that his big plays wouldn’t happen without his teammates.

“My playmaking ability starts with everyone on the team,” Rivera said. “Every person hypes us up, makes us go harder, be stronger. When I caught that ball, I just knew I had to make a play and make some defenders miss. On my kick return, I wouldn’t have done that if it wasn’t for my blockers. We do that every practice, every week. That got our momentum going.”

Southington gained 293 total yards of offense against Glastonbury. They’ll look to extend their streak of 30+ point games to four in the Class LL semifinals.

Southington To Face Upset Winner Norwich Free Academy

No. 8 seed Norwich Free Academy knocked off No. 1 New Britain in first-round action, 35-0. Now, No. 4 Southington will host Norwich on Monday, December 8. Kickoff is set for 6:30.

The Blue Knights enter the game on a six-game winning streak. They’ve scored at least 28 points in all of those wins. Southington’s run started after their bye week, and after a 42-14 loss to New Britain.

At that point Levesque had his team take a long look in the mirror. They had to figure out what their identity was. From that moment on, Southington hasn’t turned back. Now, they’re just one win away from competing for a Class LL State championship.

“It’s about us,” Levesque said. “The statement I made over the bye week was that we were a team capable of making mistakes and losing ball games. We were also capable of executing and winning against some really good teams. What team do we want to be?”

“If we stay with our motto, ‘1-0 every week,’ if we stay focused on our execution, how we want to play the game – if we do that, then we’ll always have a chance.”

WR Rosco Cook about to make a cut

A Spotlight On Southington Authors: Part I

FILE PHOTO - CREATIVE COMMONS

The Southington Outsider recently put out an invitation for authors in our community to tell us about books they have written or are working on. We received an impressive response, with more than twenty people replying. Our first batch of answers are given below. All photos were provided by the authors.

Crystal Sullivan – life lessons

Phil Hall – true crime, and film history

Kerry & Adam Del Giudice – children’s

Chuck Miceli – Southington life & stories

Chelsea French – memoir, children’s

1. Crystal Sullivan

What is the title of your most recent book, and what was it about? It has been a creative year, one in which I've self-published two books. For me, it makes sense to start with the first one, A Toolbox for Eva (Practical Life Lessons and Stuff I Wish Someone Had Said to Me.) Knowing full well that I may or may not be around for my granddaughter's adult years, I decided to write a love letter to her that included wisdom and strategies for navigating this beautiful and confounding life. Once I got started, I kept going, and ultimately this letter became the book I always knew I would write. With gratitude and humility, I have worn a lot of hats across my years including physical therapist, bead jewelry artisan, choir director, yoga teacher, yoga therapist and yoga teacher trainer (to name a few.) I've learned much along the way mined from years in the medical, artistic, spiritual and yoga communities. I believe I have said something powerful, yet simple and straightforward in this missive. I am so honored to share it with the world, or anyone willing to take a chance on it.

In writing A Toolbox for Eva, I chose not to infuse too much yoga philosophy into it, as I respect that yoga is not everyone's path and may not be Eva's. Upon completion, I knew there was more to say in a very specific, yogic way. I immediately went to work on A Toolbox for the Light-keepers (A Practical Guide to Living Your Yoga off the Mat and Teaching Yoga with Integrity). It is a book of wisdom and practical application of yoga philosophy for those who are drawn into the conversation and for those who teach yoga. I have a fascination with the Maine coastline and a particular lighthouse that we frequent. In this book, I draw a parallel between the work of the nineteenth and twentieth century light-keepers of the lighthouse and the work of being a yogi in this often weary world. Light-keepers, indeed.

Both books are intended to help the reader connect the dots between the philosophical and spiritual tenets they espouse and the lives they lead. They are relatable and rich with humor and wisdom.

What is the best part of being a writer? What is the hardest part? The best part of being a writer is the way writing becomes a form of therapy. As much as I have done this thing for Eva and everyone, I have also done this for me. I don't take that lightly. It is a humbling process to put your words to print knowing there are so many others out there doing the very same thing. And yet, there is no other choice than to add your unique brand of beauty to the mix. The drawback to writing is all the sitting. I love moving my body but when you are in the flow of writing, you become very sedentary. I am enjoying moving again!

If people want to purchase your books, where should they go? A Toolbox for Eva A Toolbox for the Light-keepers

*****

2. Phil Hall

What is the title of your most recent book, and what was it about? 100 Years of Wall Street Crooks (published in 2022). From the Amazon page: "From the dapper and charismatic Charles Ponzi of the 1920s to the dapper and charismatic Elizabeth Holmes of the 2020s, America has been intrigued and outraged by a parade of audacious personalities who sought to line their pockets by breaking the law."

Where did you get the idea for it? From a series of articles that I wrote for a financial news site.

What is your target audience? I write for people who enjoy good books.

Is there another book of yours that you would like people to know about? In Search of Lost Films, a 2016 book about historically significantly films that have either completely disappeared or only exist in fragments.

Are you working on another book? What is it about? Yes, but I am not at liberty to say.

What is the best part of being a writer? What is the hardest part? The best part is creating original work that people will enjoy. The worst part is the time, money, and energy that goes into creating those works.

If people want to purchase your books, where should they go? BearManor Media is the publisher of most of my books, so go to bearmanormedia.com.

*****

3. Kerry & Adam Del Giudice

What is the title of your most recent book, and what was it about? Our debut book is titled Too Many Socks. Our story is about a young boy named Junior. Junior has been given the task of cleaning up his room, but he has a BIG problem! His room has been completely overrun with Too Many Socks! At first, Junior is overwhelmed. With a little guidance from Dad, and his helpful dog, Cloud, Junior becomes more confident. The trio race against the clock to get the job done! Too Many Socks is a lighthearted story for toddlers and early readers to enjoy. With delightful rhyming text, and vibrant illustrations, this wholesome tale is a must-read for the entire family!

Where did you get the idea for it? Kerry often kicks off her socks under the covers at night time. One day many years ago I took the comforter off to change the sheets and was aghast at how many socks there were! I said that this seems like something that would happen in a book! Before we knew it, we were rhyming away and coming up with the (unofficial) greatest children's book ever written. The theme of the book is loosely based on our house, where the number of miscellaneous socks has only grown since we added our two boys to our family.  

Does it have a target audience? Too Many Socks is a lighthearted, rhyming story that is perfect for toddlers and early readers to enjoy. Parents will enjoy the vibrant colors & wonderful illustrations, as well as the fact it is only about a 5 minute read, perfect for bedtime!  

What is the best part of being a writer? What is the hardest part? The best part of our experience has definitely been sharing our joy of reading with our two young boys. They love reading "Mommy and Daddy's book" and love reading all different genres. We were also lucky enough to partner with a NYC-based organization, Knock, Knock Give a Sock, who helps people struggling with homelessness in NYC. 50% of net profits from Too Many Socks are donated directly to this amazing organization – so readers can enjoy a great story AND feel great about helping out people in need. 

If people want to purchase your books, where should they go? Too Many Socks is available here on Amazon, in both paperback and Kindle! 

*****

4. Charles Miceli (but I write everything under my pen name, Chuck Miceli)

What is the title of your most recent book, and what is it about? My latest book, GOD is Watching the Apples, is really "our” latest book, because I co-authored it with the owners of Tops Marketplace, John Salerno and Betsy Tooker. When John first approached me about writing a book centered on the store, I initially said no. It was partially because I had “burned out” on writing, but also because I thought, "How much of a story could there be about a grocery store?" I could not have been more wrong. GOD is Watching the Apples provides a deeply intimate look into people who devoted their lives, their fortunes, and their relationships to making this small business succeed. Their story is often heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking, but always inspiring.

In unflinchingly honest first-person accounts, John and Betsy share their individual life stories intermingled with their faith and that of many others. They also review the surprising and sometimes incredible History of Tops Marketplace, including the people they loved and lost, the fire that completely destroyed the business, and the rallying of the community to salvage this much-loved town fixture. The book will make you laugh, and cry, and will inspire you with the power of its story of faith, hope, and love. For me, personally and as an author, it rekindled my own love of writing.

Where did you get the idea for it? The impetuous for the book came from the December 22, 2012 death of John's beloved wife, Nancylee. After a holiday shopping outing with their daughter, Nancylee entered the highway to return home when a drunk driver going the wrong way on I-84 struck her head-on. For John, that incident surfaced the years of struggle they and Betsy had endured, the sacrifices they had made, the losses they had suffered, and the memories of others who had journeyed with them. While John desperately wanted and needed to get the store out, he didn't know how to go about writing it. That was when he and Betsy approached me, and I will be forever grateful that they did. 

What is your target audience? Anyone who has ever started or run a small business will relate to the trials and triumphs involved, and any person of faith will be inspired by how this business was intentionally dedicated to being a instrument of good in the community.

Is there another book of yours that you would like people to know about? I am currently in the process of re-writing Wounded Angels for re-release in 2026. Like GOD is Watching the Apples, much of Wounded Angels takes place in the greater Bristol / Southington area. Originally released as a novel, the book is actual based on real people, places and events, and is similarly a story of faith overcoming doubt, hope overcoming fear, and love overcoming despair. It is also a unique saga about how damaged people can manage to support, sustain and help heal each other, not despite their brokenness, but because of it.   

Are you working on another book? What is it about? I have just started a book about the Pepper Pot mural. Anyone who has been to the Pepper Pot has seen the giant mural that takes up the entire length of one long wall and a portion of another. At the same time, many patrons wonder why some of the images repeat themselves differently in different panels and why some of the buildings and businesses are out of place from where they originally stood. There are also images of people that a casual observer might assume were simply random figures that were added to fill in space, but they were actually carefully chosen to depict real and unique individuals and accomplishments. I was there when the mural was being created. I took photos of the work in progress, and I know many of the principal players involved. Because of its history, composition and hidden meanings, I believe the story of the Pepper Pot mural could be of interest to virtually anyone, anywhere.   

What is the best part of being a writer? What is the hardest part? This is a particularly meaningful question for me because of my personal writing journey. Certainly, one of the best parts of being a writer is creating that near perfect phrase, sentence, paragraph or chapter, which, in turn, creates a worthwhile book. It's a lot like a carpenter admiring his perfectly fashioned piece of furniture, or a painter taking pride in her artfully finished canvas. Then there are the reader reactions, especially groups like book clubs. It is immeasurably satisfying to have readers say that something I wrote gave them joy, caused them to ponder something, or moved them to tears. More than anything else, that is why I write.

For a long time, the hardest part of my being a writer was self-imposed. For too long, I felt like I needed to be famous, to receive nothing but rave reviews, or to be making a fortune from my latest best seller. That kind of thinking also created a feeling of competitiveness with fellow authors, as though someone buying one of their books meant that they wouldn’t be buying one of mine.  Actually, my "burning out" for a time turned out to be a blessing. It gave me time to rethink my priorities, and to return to gaining my greatest satisfaction from writing something that gave readers pleasure, or insight or wonder, and thankfully, as I’ve mentioned above, writing GOD is Watching the Apples, has rekindled that love of writing.

If people want to purchase your books, where should they go? The best places to get discounted copies of GOD is Watching the Apples is locally, directly from Tops Market in Plantsville, or at the Southington Community Cultural Arts center, downtown Southington. John, Betsy and I are also doing a book reading, discussion, sale and signing at 6 pm on Wednesday, January 14 at the Southington Library. We would love to see everyone who has read or is interested in the book there. My other books, Wounded Angels, and my paranormal thriller, Amanda’s Room, are, or soon will be, available online at places like Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

*****

5. Chelsea French

What is the title of your most recent book, and what was it about? My first publication is called A Tumor Named Tiffany. It is my story about my battle with cancer when I was a child. It eventually left me paralyzed from the waist down for three years. I underwent chemo and radiation, physical therapies and a miraculous recovery. I owe a lot of my successful outcome to the people of Southington, who have supported myself and my family for years and across numerous issues, allowing me to come out of it stronger, more positive, and more determined than ever.

Where did you get the idea for it? The idea for the book came from my lived experiences with loss of a parent, my own battle with cancer, my paralysis from the waist down, loosing my brother, and how it made me who I am today. People always told me how miraculous my story was, that it should be made into a movie. I’m not sure if I have the face for the big screen, so I settled for a book!

Does it have a target audience? I wrote the book in my teens and early twenties but I think people across ages can find something in it to relate to. 

Is there another book beside your most recent one that you would like people to know about? Yes I published a children’s book about a magical burrito a few years ago on behalf of my nephew, who I was babysitting. I tucked him into bed, and read him his bedtime story. When I finished, he asked me to tell him one more story. Of course I obliged, but when I went to take another book off his shelf he stopped me and said, oh no auntie Chelsea, I want a new story, one I’ve never even heard before. That, coupled with the fact that I was very hungry, led to my making up a story about a magical burrito!

Are you working on another book? What is it about? My children’s book is the first in a series of short stories and fable about real-life phenomena that are tied to valuable life lessons: a tree that gets sad when its leaves fall out, a porcupine that just wants a hug, and river that learns to go with the flow.

What is the best part of being a writer? What is the hardest part? The best part is creating your own words that you have full control over; you can make it whatever you want with no limits or restrictions. The worst part is writer’s block; you have an idea but get stuck on how to execute it.  

If people want to purchase your books, where should they go? Both of my books are available on Amazon, Barnes and noble, and other major retailers.